Power Ranking the NFL Playoff Teams

The NFL playoffs are finally here. The top fourteen teams in the league have separated themselves from the rest and are set to duke it out on the road to the Lombardi trophy. This postseason is complete with front runners and dark horses, storylines and rivalries. It’s sure to be a captivating month of football. Here’s my attempt at power ranking the NFL playoff teams:

14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

For a brief moment on Sunday afternoon, it looked like the Buccaneers were going to let the NFC South slip out of their fingers. After an eight-point win over the Saints, Tampa Bay secured their spot in the postseason. This team is headlined by an efficient running game and a dangerous passing attack. At their best, the Buccaneers’ offense can keep up with anyone. They will certainly need to be at their best to string together wins this postseason.

13. Pittsburgh Steelers

After a red-hot start to the 2024 season, Pittsburgh’s stock seems to have plummeted. The Steelers lost each of their last four games of the regular season, ending up with the sixth seed in the AFC. They’ll face off with the Ravens in the wild card round. Pittsburgh’s defense, led by edge rusher T.J. Watt, is capable of affecting any offense. Their offense, however, is too one-dimensional to warrant a higher ranking on this list.

12. Houston Texans

Despite their season-long struggle to protect C.J. Stroud in the pocket, the Texans managed to win the AFC South for the second year in a row. Houston has leaned on young defensive backs like Jalen Pitre and Derek Stingley Jr. to become a top-five defense in terms of yardage. However, the Texans’ offense has taken a step back this year. Stroud has seen his passer rating drop almost fifteen points from the mark it hit last season.

11. Los Angeles Rams

The Los Angeles Rams swooped in to take the NFC West crown at the end of the season after Arizona and Seattle led the division for the majority of the year. This is a below-average defense led primarily by players with limited playoff experience. Sean McVay is the architect of one of the league’s best passing offenses. As this team has regained their health late in the season, they’ve become a serious threat in the NFC.

10. Denver Broncos

A year ago, the Denver Broncos seemed to be a franchise in disarray. The Russell Wilson trade had failed horribly, and Sean Payton was thought to be past his prime. Payton has pulled the Broncos out of the depths and into a playoff spot this season. The Broncos’ offensive line has been one of the top groups in the NFL, only allowing Bo Nix to be sacked 24 times. Denver has benefited from career years from defensive stars like Patrick Surtain II and Nik Bonitto.

9. Green Bay Packers

While the Green Bay Packers have seen a slight drop in quality over the last few weeks, they’re still a force to be reckoned with in the NFC. Jordan Love is capable of dicing up any defense he faces with his ability to throw off-platform into tight windows. The Packers’ defense has become a top-ten unit under first-year coordinator Jeff Hafley. If last year’s playoff thrashing of the Dallas Cowboys is any indication, playoff opponents should be wary of the Packers.

8. Washington Commanders

Jayden Daniels has been nothing short of a revelation for the Washington Commanders. Along with coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, Daniels has led the fifth-highest-scoring offense in the NFL this season. Daniels is likely to win the Offensive Rookie of the Year award, but he’ll be looking to add a playoff win to his resume. The Commanders’ offensive line has clear weak spots for defenses to exploit.

7. Los Angeles Chargers

Jim Harbaugh seems to have completely turned this organization around. In his first year, the Chargers have gone 11-6 and are favored to win a playoff game. Justin Herbert, despite his mediocre counting stats, is playing as well as any quarterback in the league right now. The Chargers have struggled in a few big games this season, posting a record of 2-5 against playoff opponents.

6. Minnesota Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings have been the NFL’s most surprising team this year. ESPN posted the Vikings’ win total at just 6.5 before the season. Minnesota more than doubled that number, winning fourteen games and falling just one win short of the top seed in the NFC. Quarterback Sam Darnold is capable of making big mistakes in crucial moments, but Kevin O’Connell has structured the offense to support him.

5. Baltimore Ravens

Lamar Jackson has played at an MVP level once again. Few teams have been able to contain the Ravens’ backfield duo of Jackson and Derrick Henry. The two have combined for nearly 3,000 rushing yards this season. Baltimore is top five in the league in scoring, but they’ve taken a step back on defense. Without Mike MacDonald, the Ravens’ defense has fallen near league average in most statistical categories.

4. Philadelphia Eagles

The Philadelphia Eagles may have the most talented roster in football. Saquon Barkley has benefited greatly from his change in scenery, rushing for over 2,000 yards behind one of the best offensive lines in the league. Jalen Hurts has battled an injury in recent weeks, but he has returned to practice this week. With or without Hurts, the Eagles’ defense has the ability to keep them in any game.

3. Buffalo Bills

Coming into the season, the Buffalo Bills were expected by most to take a step back. Instead, they’ve been one of the top two offenses in the league and have cruised to a 13-4 record. Josh Allen has as good a chance as anyone to with the MVP award this season after scoring 40 touchdowns with just 11 turnovers. The Bills are severely banged up on defense, so they’ll need backups to step up in a big way in order to go on a run in the playoffs.

2. Kansas City Chiefs

Despite having a total point differential of just 59 (one of the lowest among playoff teams), the Chiefs finished the season atop the AFC. With the level of playoff experience this team has, it’s hard to make a case against them. Patrick Mahomes has taken the Chiefs to six consecutive AFC Championship games. It’s difficult to imagine that he wouldn’t help extend that streak this year.

1. Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions have been dominant on offense all year, scoring more than any other team by a wide margin. The unstoppable running back duo of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery has combined for over 2,000 yards this season. The Lions’ primary weakness comes on the defensive side of the ball. Detroit has suffered multiple significant injuries on defense this year, leaving them thin across the board. Still, defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn has produced a top-ten unit.

For more from Michael Haney, check out The Football Ranker