The NFL Playoffs have arrived, but that doesn’t mean that we stop with our weekly power rankings. Over the past several weeks, we have been eliminating teams from the rankings as they were eliminated from playoff contention, so it’s only fitting that now that the playoffs are here, we do a power rankings of those teams!
Kansas City Chiefs
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – JANUARY 13: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs reacts as he takes the field before the AFC Wild Card Playoffs against the Miami Dolphins at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on January 13, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
They get the first-round bye in the AFC and are likely to face either the Chargers or Texans unless there is a major upset.
Detroit Lions
DETROIT, MICHIGAN – AUGUST 12: Jared Goff #16 of the Detroit Lions takes the field to play the Atlanta Falcons for a NFL preseason game at Ford Field on August 12, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
They get the bye in the NFC, thanks to their huge win on SNF. They are likely to face the Vikings or Rams in the divisional round, barring a massive upset by the Packers or a Commanders win in Tampa.
Buffalo Bills
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – OCTOBER 16: Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills calls a play at the line during the third quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on October 16, 2022 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jason Hanna/Getty Images)
They are only ahead of the Ravens here because they will have home field advantage if the two teams meet in the divisional round. To get to that game, they will have to take on the Broncos, who squeezed into the playoffs on the final day.
Baltimore Ravens
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – JANUARY 06: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens reacts after a play against the Los Angeles Chargers during the fourth quarter in the AFC Wild Card Playoff game at M&T Bank Stadium on January 06, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
They are playing their best football at the right time. They are as good as any team in the league right now, but possibly having to play in Buffalo and then in KC to get to the Super Bowl affects their ranking.
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 could be as high as second on this list, but Jalen Hurts has been out with a concussion, and there is a risk that he either doesn’t play or that he isn’t the best version of himself. So because of that uncertainty, this is where they rank this week.
Minnesota Vikings
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – SEPTEMBER 15: Quarterback Sam Darnold #14 of the Minnesota Vikings throws a pass against the San Francisco 49ers during the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 15, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
Their loss on SNF sent them down to the fifth seed and also raised questions about how Sam Darnold can handle big situations like a playoff game. They have a tough task going into LA this weekend.
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 will host a good Vikings team, but at this point in the season, the Rams can beat anyone. They have a Super Bowl winning combo at QB and Head Coach and have gotten much stronger as a team as the season has progressed.
Washington Commanders
LANDOVER, MARYLAND – OCTOBER 06: Jayden Daniels #5 of the Washington Commanders rushes against the Cleveland Browns at Northwest Stadium on October 06, 2024 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
It is tough for a rookie QB to win in the playoffs, but if there is one who could do it this season, Jayden Daniels is the guy for the job. He has been fantastic all season long and he can seemingly keep pace with any QB and any offense. How he will fare on the road is a big question.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 10: Bucky Irving #7 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers carries the ball to score a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers at Raymond James Stadium on November 10, 2024 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
Although they are behind the Commanders on this list, they are the home team in the matchup against them. Their run game will be a huge part of why they win if they do, however I give them little to no chance at beating the Eagles in the divisional round which is another reason why they are behind the Commanders who already have a win against the Eagles this season.
Los Angeles Chargers
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 15: Joey Bosa #97 of the Los Angeles Chargers in a defensive stance during the first half against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at SoFi Stadium on December 15, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ric Tapia/Getty Images)
They have a good matchup in the wild-card round against the Texans, however, even if they do win, chances are that they have to go to KC where they are simply overmatched.
Green Bay Packers
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – DECEMBER 31: Jordan Love #10 of the Green Bay Packers looks to pass the ball in the fourth quarter of the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 31, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
They struggled to end the season, and things won’t get any easier for them as they head into Philly against a very well-rounded Eagles team.
Pittsburgh Steelers
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – JANUARY 06: T.J. Watt #90 of the Pittsburgh Steelers reacts after a sack in the third quarter of a game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on January 06, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
They are limping into the playoffs and have to head to Baltimore to take on a team that is far better than them right now. Anything is possible when the two teams meet up, but the Ravens should win this game and possibly by double-digit points.
Denver Broncos
TAMPA, FL – SEPTEMBER 22: Bo Nix #10 of the Denver Broncos celebrates after a touchdown during the first quarter of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on September 22, 2024 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
They snuck into the playoffs with a win against the Chiefs backups. Bo Nix had a great rookie season, but having to go into Buffalo and beat Josh Allen seems like a tall task.
Houston Texans
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – SEPTEMBER 10: C.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans attempts a pass against the Baltimore Ravens during the first half at M&T Bank Stadium on September 10, 2023 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
They are arguably only in the playoffs because they play in the worst division in the NFL. Still, they are here, and once the playoffs begin, anything is possible.
