SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 23: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs reacts during the second half against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium on October 23, 2022 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Chiefs: They won again. The offense looked better than it has basically all season. They are the number one seed in the AFC playoffs, and although they lost to the Bills head-to-head this season in Buffalo, come playoff time in KC, do we really think anyone can beat them?
Buffalo Bills:
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – SEPTEMBER 11: Quarterback Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills passes the ball for a Touchdown to Wide Receiver Stefon Diggs #14in the game between the Buffalo Bills vs the New York Jets on Monday Night Football at MetLife Stadium on September 11, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Pereira/Getty Images)
They destroyed the Jets in week 17 and have locked down the number 2 seed in the AFC.
Detroit Lions:
DETROIT, MI – JANUARY 21: Jared Goff #16 of the Detroit Lions drops back to pass during an NFL divisional round playoff football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Ford Field on January 21, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
They have a massive game coming up next week against the Vikings, but first, they have to go on the road to face the 49ers on MNF. They could be behind the Vikings and maybe the Eagles on this list after this week or next.
Minnesota Vikings:
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – OCTOBER 20: Aaron Jones #33 of the Minnesota Vikings runs for a touchdown in the first quarter of a game against the Detroit Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium on October 20, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
They are currently the top seed in the NFC because they have played their 16th game, and the Lions haven’t. By this time next week, tho, the Vikings could be above the Lions on this list, be division champs, and have a bye. They won a huge game against the Packers.
Philadelphia Eagles:
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – JANUARY 29: Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles takes the field against the San Francisco 49ers during the first quarter in the NFC Championship Game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 29, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
They walked, ran, and passed all over the Cowboys in week 17, even without Jalen Hurts. The Eagles are the number 2 seed in the NFC, despite having a worse record than both the Lions and Vikings.
Green Bay Packers:
LAS VEGAS, NV – OCTOBER 09: Jordan Love #10 of the Green Bay Packers gives assignments during an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on October 9, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
Their loss to the Vikings locks them into the 6th seed in the NFC,
Baltimore Ravens:
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – NOVEMBER 25: Quarterback Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens rushes for a touchdown in the third quarter against the Oakland Raiders at M&T Bank Stadium on November 25, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
They went into Houston on Christmas and completely demolished them. The win also gave them control of the AFC North, and they can clinch it with a win next week or a Steelers loss. The Ravens are going to be a tough team to beat in the AFC playoffs and could go into Buffalo or Kanas City and pull off an upset.
Los Angeles Rams:
ARLINGTON, TX – OCTOBER 29: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams drops back to pass during an NFL game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on October 29, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
They have withstood key injuries but are getting healthy at the right time. They have won 9 out of their last 11 games and are in first place in the NFC West. That win against the Bills a few weeks ago really opened up some eyes, and they took care of business Saturday night at home against the Cardinals this week.
Los Angeles Chargers
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 01: Newly appointed head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Los Angeles Chargers speaks to the media during a press conference at YouTube Theater on February 01, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Coach Harbaugh has his team in the playoffs, and they have been playing very good football over the past couple of weeks. They even have an outside shot at the 5th seed, which would set them up to play a struggling Houston team rather than having to go to face the 3rd seed, who will likely be the Ravens.
Pittsburgh Steelers:
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – AUGUST 9: Russell Wilson #3 of the Pittsburgh Steelers warms up before the preseason game against the Houston Texans at Acrisure Stadium on August 9, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
As bad as it’s been for them over the past few weeks, the Steelers are still guaranteed to be in the playoffs, and they have all the pieces necessary to beat anyone. There are a number of teams in the NFC, like the Bucs, Falcons, and Commanders, who could be in this spot as well, but they all have major holes, too. At least with Pit, they are locked into a spot and have a Super Bowl winnings Head Coach and QB.
