With the common season over, there at the moment are 14 NFL groups left standing. However whereas they’re hoping to win Tremendous Bowl LIX and raise the Lombardi Trophy, that dream will solely develop into a actuality for one crew.
As a strategy to cap off our NFL energy rankings, this is how the 14 playoff groups rank in contrast to one another.
1. Detroit Lions (15-2)
The Lions have been the NFC’s finest crew all season and proved that once more by beating Minnesota on Sunday night time to assert the No. 1 seed. They’ve every thing that screams being championship caliber: a quarterback enjoying at an elite stage, offensive weapons, a coach who will get probably the most out of his gamers and a protection who can step up when referred to as upon. Whereas it may be unusual for Detroit to be on this place, something shy of a Tremendous Bowl look will probably be a grave disappointment.
2. Baltimore Ravens (12-5)
With Lamar Jackson presumably in line to win his third MVP and Derrick Henry becoming in completely and balancing the offensive assault, the Ravens are harmful. So long as they sustain the identical stage of play from current weeks, this might lastly be the yr for Baltimore to win the AFC with Jackson.
3. Buffalo Payments (13-4)
The Payments laid an egg of their regular-season finale, however that does not matter within the grand scheme of issues. Buffalo remains to be poised to make one other run with Josh Allen usually at his finest within the largest video games. Regardless of previous playoff losses to the Chiefs, the Payments did beat Kansas Metropolis this season they usually even have a press release win over Detroit.
4. Kansas Metropolis (15-2)
Even after they appeared susceptible all through the season, the Chiefs nonetheless discovered a strategy to win. It is simply by no means sensible to depend out Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes within the playoffs, particularly as they try to develop into the primary franchise to ever win three straight Tremendous Bowls.
5. Philadelphia Eagles (14-3)
The Eagles did not let Saquon Barkley go for the dashing file, resting him so he could be totally able to pursue one thing extra necessary — a championship. Philadelphia has loads of expertise, however it should solely go so far as Barkley can carry it.
6. Minnesota Vikings (14-3)
Any disappointment about failing to earn the No. 1 seed should not overshadow the outstanding season the Vikings put collectively. However with that stated, Sam Darnold is not glad to only attain the playoffs. If he can play mistake-free soccer and discover the firepower round him, Minnesota will probably be a tricky out.
7. Washington Commanders (12-5)
Jayden Daniels has offered Washington followers with hope they have not felt in a very long time. Nonetheless, will Daniels’ inexperience make the NFL postseason stage too massive for the rookie?
8. Inexperienced Bay Packers (11-6)
Which Packers crew goes to indicate up within the playoffs? That is the query looming over Inexperienced Bay. When Jordan Love is at his finest, Inexperienced Bay can beat anybody. Operating again Josh Jacobs would possibly even have the ability to steal a recreation on his again, too. It is the protection that is the most important concern for Inexperienced Bay.
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-7)
Baker Mayfield’s continued profession resurgence has been enjoyable to look at and made the Buccaneers offense one of the crucial explosive in soccer. Nevertheless it’s robust to beat a struggling protection right through a postseason, even in such an offensive period.
10. Los Angeles Chargers (11-6)
Jim Harbaugh efficiently turned the Chargers round in his first yr as head coach in Los Angeles, however that does not imply he is glad simply making the playoffs. The Chargers have been inconsistent at occasions, however in addition they do not depend upon Justin Herbert placing up monster numbers with a view to win like in years previous.
11. Los Angeles Rams (10-7)
Sean McVay and Matthew Stafford know how you can win a championship, doing so simply three years in the past. They are going to have the benefit of understanding what it takes in any NFC matchup, however Stafford must discover a strategy to generate extra factors or the Rams’ return to the playoffs will probably be short-lived.
12. Denver Broncos (10-7)
Rookie quarterback Bo Nix is not getting the credit score he deserves for establishing himself as a stable dual-threat and doing what he needed to do to get Denver again within the postseason. However like with Daniels, it is also laborious to know the way he’ll react in a playoff recreation atmosphere.
13. Houston Texans (10-7)
After such a formidable rookie season by C.J. Stroud, many noticed the Texans as a horny decide coming into 2024. As a substitute, they’ve been everywhere and have endured key accidents as effectively.
14. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7)
The Steelers may be a playoff crew once more, however nobody in Pittsburgh believes they’ll really win within the postseason. And a four-game dropping streak to finish the season warrants inserting them at No. 14.
The stress is now on Mike Tomlin to show he can nonetheless win when it issues probably the most within the playoffs, one thing he hasn’t been capable of accomplish since 2016. Russell Wilson seems to be like a shell of who he was earlier this season, George Pickens’ poor play is just making issues worse, the protection has been uncovered and drama continues to search out the Steelers.
All in all, it might be a miracle if this crew even will get out of the wild-card spherical.
