Power ranking all 14 NFL playoff teams

With the regular season over, there are now 14 NFL teams left standing. But while they are hoping to win Super Bowl LIX and lift the Lombardi Trophy, that dream will only become a reality for one team. 

As a way to cap off our NFL power rankings, here’s how the 14 playoff teams rank compared to each other. 

1. Detroit Lions (15-2) 

The Lions have been the NFC’s best team all season and proved that again by beating Minnesota on Sunday night to claim the No. 1 seed. They have everything that screams being championship caliber: a quarterback playing at an elite level, offensive weapons, a coach who gets the most out of his players and a defense who can step up when called upon. While it might be strange for Detroit to be in this position, anything shy of a Super Bowl appearance will be a grave disappointment. 

2. Baltimore Ravens (12-5) 

With Lamar Jackson possibly in line to win his third MVP and Derrick Henry fitting in perfectly and balancing the offensive attack, the Ravens are dangerous. As long as they keep up the same level of play from recent weeks, this could finally be the year for Baltimore to win the AFC with Jackson. 

3. Buffalo Bills (13-4) 

The Bills laid an egg in their regular-season finale, but that doesn’t matter in the grand scheme of things. Buffalo is still poised to make another run with Josh Allen often at his best in the biggest games. Despite past playoff losses to the Chiefs, the Bills did beat Kansas City this season and they also have a statement win over Detroit. 

4. Kansas City (15-2) 

Even when they appeared vulnerable throughout the season, the Chiefs still found a way to win. It’s just never wise to count out Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes in the playoffs, especially as they attempt to become the first franchise to ever win three straight Super Bowls. 

5. Philadelphia Eagles (14-3) 

The Eagles didn’t let Saquon Barkley go for the rushing record, resting him so he would be fully ready to pursue something more important — a championship. Philadelphia has plenty of talent, but it will only go as far as Barkley can carry it. 

6. Minnesota Vikings (14-3) 

Any disappointment about failing to earn the No. 1 seed shouldn’t overshadow the remarkable season the Vikings put together. But with that said, Sam Darnold isn’t happy to just reach the playoffs. If he can play mistake-free football and find the firepower around him, Minnesota will be a tough out. 

7. Washington Commanders (12-5) 

Jayden Daniels has provided Washington fans with hope they haven’t felt in a long time. However, will Daniels’ inexperience make the NFL postseason stage too big for the rookie? 

8. Green Bay Packers (11-6) 

Which Packers team is going to show up in the playoffs? That’s the question looming over Green Bay. When Jordan Love is at his best, Green Bay can beat anyone. Running back Josh Jacobs might even be able to steal a game on his back, too. It’s the defense that’s the biggest concern for Green Bay. 

9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-7) 

Baker Mayfield’s continued career resurgence has been fun to watch and made the Buccaneers offense one of the most explosive in football. But it’s tough to overcome a struggling defense all the way through a postseason, even in such an offensive era. 

10. Los Angeles Chargers (11-6) 

Jim Harbaugh successfully turned the Chargers around in his first year as head coach in Los Angeles, but that doesn’t mean he’s satisfied just making the playoffs. The Chargers have been inconsistent at times, but they also don’t depend on Justin Herbert putting up monster numbers in order to win like in years past. 

11. Los Angeles Rams (10-7) 

Sean McVay and Matthew Stafford know how to win a championship, doing so just three years ago. They will have the advantage of knowing what it takes in any NFC matchup, but Stafford will have to find a way to generate more points or the Rams’ return to the playoffs will be short-lived. 

12. Denver Broncos (10-7) 

Rookie quarterback Bo Nix isn’t getting the credit he deserves for establishing himself as a solid dual-threat and doing what he had to do to get Denver back in the postseason. But like with Daniels, it’s also hard to know how he will react in a playoff game environment. 

13. Houston Texans (10-7) 

After such an impressive rookie season by C.J. Stroud, many saw the Texans as a sexy pick entering 2024. Instead, they have been all over the place and have endured key injuries as well. 

14. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7) 

The Steelers might be a playoff team again, but no one in Pittsburgh believes they can actually win in the postseason. And a four-game losing streak to end the season warrants placing them at No. 14. 

The pressure is now on Mike Tomlin to prove he can still win when it matters the most in the playoffs, something he hasn’t been able to accomplish since 2016. Russell Wilson looks like a shell of who he was earlier this season, George Pickens’ poor play is only making matters worse, the defense has been exposed and drama continues to find the Steelers. 

All in all, it would be a miracle if this team even gets out of the wild-card round.