NFL Power Rankings - Playoff Edition
NFL Power Rankings are selected by a panel of theScore's football editors.
With the regular season over, we rank all the playoff teams fighting to capture the Lombardi Trophy.
Jump to:
BAL | BUF | DEN | DET | GB | HOU | KC | LAC | LAR | MIN | PHI | PIT | TB | WAS
1. Detroit Lions (15-2)
The Lions enter the playoffs as hot as any team in football after dominating the Vikings to secure the NFC's No. 1 seed and the NFC North crown in the final game of the campaign. Detroit's defense will need to keep finding ways to answer opponents despite being decimated by injuries to reach Super Bowl LIX.
2. Buffalo Bills (13-4)
Buffalo won 10 of its 11 matchups between Weeks 6 and 17 before resting its starters in the regular-season finale against New England. The Bills scored 40 points and Josh Allen was responsible for six touchdowns in the team's lone loss over that stretch. No team should be eager to face this squad.
3. Kansas City Chiefs (15-2)
The Chiefs are no longer the betting favorites to take home the Lombardi Trophy, but no one should count them out - after all, they won 15 games despite some notable struggles. Key starters like Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce will enjoy multiple weeks of rest before opening their playoff run in the divisional round.
4. Baltimore Ravens (12-5)
Lamar Jackson seems to make plays we've never seen every time he takes the field. The Ravens and Steelers split their two regular-season games, but Baltimore looked significantly better when they squared off in Week 16. Jackson, Derrick Henry and Co. will look to carry that momentum, and the momentum of their four-game win streak, into the third matchup.
5. Philadelphia Eagles (14-3)
The Eagles' plus-160 point differential ranks second behind only the Lions (plus-222) this season. Taking down Jordan Love and the Packers won't be easy, but Philly's multitude of weapons and stout defense should give them a chance against every opponent it sees in the playoffs.
6. Minnesota Vikings (14-3)
There's no time to wallow in self-pity following a deflating loss to the Lions with the NFC North at stake. The Vikings can take out their frustrations as a lower seed in the NFC bracket. Expect Minnesota's defense to add to its league-high 33 takeaways to give Sam Darnold and the offense plenty of opportunities to light up the scoreboard.
7. Los Angeles Chargers (11-6)
Jim Harbaugh has led a team to a Super Bowl hosted in New Orleans once, and he's eyeing a repeat performance with the Chargers. The path to victory might favor L.A. - the AFC West club has racked up over 110 rushing yards in each of its three wins to close out the regular-season slate.
8. Green Bay Packers (11-6)
Jordan Love appears to have escaped serious harm in Green Bay's final regular-season outing, but Christian Watson is likely out indefinitely. Stumbling into the postseason after back-to-back losses isn't ideal, but this team is just one year removed from pulling off a surprising run to the divisional round.
9. Los Angeles Rams (10-7)
Perhaps no team faces a more daunting path to the Super Bowl than the Rams. With veterans Matthew Stafford and Sean McVay in the fold, L.A. boasts plenty of playoff experience to look to for inspiration, which is invaluable for a young roster that's been counted out many times before.
10. Washington Commanders (12-5)
With defensive-minded head coach Dan Quinn and an offensive juggernaut powered by rookie passer Jayden Daniels and coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, Washington could very well cause problems if taken lightly this postseason. Momentum is on the Commanders' side, too - they enter the playoffs on a five-game winning streak.
11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-7)
The Buccaneers are tough to beat when they're firing on all cylinders. Baker Mayfield put together a 41-touchdown season with his arm while rookie running back Bucky Irving has added a jolt to the running game. Mayfield and Co. have proven they have the confidence to hang with postseason-caliber clubs with key wins over the Lions, Eagles, Chargers, and Commanders, who they'll see again this weekend.
12. Denver Broncos (10-7)
Denver brought in Sean Payton to reverse its misfortune of consistent disappointment. In his second year as head coach, he did just that: Payton led the Broncos back to the postseason for the first time since 2015. Rookie quarterback Bo Nix has gotten into a rhythm while Vance Joseph's defense ranks third in points allowed and features Defensive Player of the Year candidate Patrick Surtain.
13. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7)
Pittsburgh nosedived into the playoffs after losing its final four regular-season contests. There's not a lot to be optimistic about with Russell Wilson's play seriously regressing over the past month. And, as a reminder, Mike Tomlin is still searching for his first playoff win since the 2016 campaign.
14. Houston Texans (10-7)
The Texans opened the campaign 6-2 before losing five of their last nine matchups to close the year. Houston was once a popular pick to be a strong AFC contender but now limps into the playoffs as a lifeless shell of its former self.