Heading into the NFL Playoffs, there are 14 teams that remain — seven in the AFC and seven in the NFC. These teams either finished with a divisional championship or were the next three teams with the best record in their conference and come in as a wild card. Each team will get the shot at moving from the Wild Card round to the Divisional round this weekend. After that comes the Conference Championships and the two that remain will play in the coveted Super Bowl for a shot at the Lombardi trophy. Before the playoffs start, though, let’s take a moment and rank each of the 14 teams heading into the postseason.
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14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Baker Mayfield, quarterback
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers find themselves as the last place team in the rankings because they are the No. 4 seed in the NFC with the worst record of any team, outside of the next one in the rankings, in the playoffs. Baker Mayfield has had a great season, but will need to be near perfect to expose the Eagles’ defense.
13. Green Bay Packers
Aaron Jones, running back
The Green Bay Packers are the No. 7 seed in the NFC and will head on the road to take on the NFC East champion Dallas Cowboys. Jordan Love, who threw for over 4,000 yards this season, and Aaron Jones will need to have the offense in a spot to keep up with Dan Quinn and one of the best defenses in the NFL.
12. Cleveland Browns
Joe Flacco, quarterback
After Deshaun Watson and Nick Chubb, all hope seemed to be lost for Kevin Stefanski and the Cleveland Browns. However, they signed veteran Joe Flacco, and he willed the team to an 11-6 record and the No. 5 seed in the AFC. They will get a road matchup with the Houston Texans in round one.
11. Pittsburgh Steelers
T.J. Watt, outside linebacker
Every year it seems like the Pittsburgh Steelers find a way to squeeze into the playoffs, and they did it again here. They earned the No. 7 seed after beating the Baltimore Ravens and getting some help from the Tennessee Titans. However, in Week 18, DPOY candidate T.J. Watt went down with an injury and will be sidelined for the rest of the playoffs.
10. Houston Texans
DeMeco Ryans, head coach
The Houston Texans went from a 3-12 team to a divisional winner in just one year thanks for DeMeco Ryans and his group of young talent in rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud, Tank Dell, and Will Anderson. They could have the OROY and DROY, which was last done by the Jets just a few years back.
9. Los Angeles Rams
Matthew Stafford, quarterback
The Los Angeles Rams struck gold with rookie receiver Puka Nacua, who broke rookie receiving records this season. Kyren Williams has also been one of the best running backs in the NFL. However, it is veteran Matthew Stafford that will try to will this No. 6 seed past the No. 3 seeded Detroit Lions.
8. Philadelphia Eagles
Sean Desai, defensive coordinator
The Philadelphia Eagles started the season off with a 10-1 record and finished out just 1-5 to end 11-5, losing the divisional championship to Dallas and earning the No. 5 seed. Sean Desai and his defense have been getting exposed and will need to tighten things up if Philadelphia wants another Super Bowl run.
7. Miami Dolphins
Tyreek Hill, wide receiver
The Miami Dolphins have one of the most electric offenses in the NFL, but they have been often banged up this season. If the team can stay healthy, there is rarely a defense that can keep with Tyreek Hill, Raheem Mostert, and De’Von Achane.
6. Detroit Lions
Dan Campbell, head coach
Dan Campbell and the Detroit Lions won 12 games this season winning their division and earning the No. 3 seed in the NFC. Sam LaPorta looks like the best rookie tight end since Travis Kelce, and Jahmyr Gibbs is just finding his feet. This team could be dominant for years to come even if its run this season is cut short.
5. Kansas City Chiefs
Rashee Rice, wide receiver
The Kansas City Chiefs have had a roller coaster type of season. They have seen flashes of greatness, and they have hit some of the lowest bottoms. However, rookie receiver Rashee Rice will be the most important player to watch this week, because Mahomes will need him to come through.
4. Dallas Cowboys
DaRon Bland, cornerback
The Dallas Cowboys started their season out slowly. After the bye week, the offense and the defense turned into powerhouse units. Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb have been electric, while DaRon Bland has turned into one of the best shutdown cornerbacks in the league.
3. Buffalo Bills
James Cook, running back
The Buffalo Bills, like KC, have looked great and awful this season depending on the game. However, they won 11 game and beat Miami in Week 18 for the divisional championship and the No. 2 seed. If Josh Allen can get his turnovers under control and young back James Cook can continue producing, this team is bound for a deep run.
2. San Francisco 49ers
Brock Purdy, quarterback
The San Francisco 49ers earned the No. 1 seed in the NFC with a 12-5 record this season. They have arguably one of the most experienced and talented teams in the NFL complete with the most players selected to the Pro Bowl. The key to this team and how far it will go after their bye week is in the hands of young QB Brock Purdy.
1. Baltimore Ravens
Kyle Hamilton, safety
The Baltimore Ravens are a mixture of two things, the league’s best defense and MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson. They finished with an NFL best 13-4 record and are the team to beat in the AFC. If this defense can stay stout, they can beat any team still left after their bye week.
