1. Chiefs: 14-3
Once again, the Kansas City Chiefs are the number-one seed in the AFC. It’s the fifth-straight season that the team has held the distinction. Kansas City also has a first-round bye and could potentially host another AFC championship game. Because of the event that occurred last Monday night with Bills safety Damar Hamlin, Kansas City was put in the position of wrapping up the top seed by Saturday against the Raiders. If Buffalo gets to the AFC championship game and face the Chiefs, the game will be played at a neutral location.
2. 49ers: 13-4
The San Francisco 49ers come in at no.2 on our NFL playoff power rankings post. With rookie QB Brock Purdy under center, the 49ers did not miss a beat as a top heavyweight in the NFC. In fact, the team went on ten-game winning streak after losing starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo for the remainder of the season. With Minnesota losing in Week 17, the Niners became the NFC’s second seed in the playoffs. They will be a difficult matchup for any team that they will face in the playoffs, including the Philadelphia Eagles.
3. Bengals: 12-4
While the Bengals and their fanbase are disappointed on how the outcome played out from a postseason aspect, the team is capable of winning in both home and away scenarios. Last season, two out of the Bengals three playoff games were on the road.
4. Eagles: 14-3
The Philadelphia Eagles were able to secure the NFC’s number one seed in the playoffs after a Week 18 victory over the Giants. The first-round bye will allow Philadelphia to rest some of it’s core players that recently battled injuries. Whoever they face in the divisional-round, will be in for a fight.
5. Bills: 13-3
Can the Bills finally get past the Kansas City Chiefs and get back to the Super Bowl? With the roster that has been assembled, it’s highly possible.
6. Cowboys: 12-5
The Cowboys were able to put together back-to-back playoff appearances for the first time since the late 2000s. However, if they want to advance past the wild-card round, they must a face Buccaneers that has look inept in a lot of areas this season.
7. Vikings: 13-4
Minnesota will either get blown out in the playoffs or they will keep it close and pull off a dramatic victory. Plain and simple. The Vikings are 10-0 in one-score games in 2022.
8. Buccaneers: 8-9
Tampa Bay has traits that are similar to what we see in the Vikings when it comes to playing in close games. As long as Brady can have the ball in his hands last, they will have a shot at winning in the playoffs. The Bucs 8-9 record is Brady’s first-ever losing season, however; records do not matter once the playoffs start.
9. Jaguars: 9-8
The Jacksonville Jaguars ended the Tennessee Titans three-year postseason run which includes two back-to-back AFC South titles. Jacksonville’s push to the division crown started in a season-changing victory over the Cowboys in Week 15. It’s fair to say that the Jaguars will steamroll through the AFC South for the next three to five seasons. They have the right combination at the quarterback/head coach position in Doug Pederson and Trevor Lawrence.
10. Giants: 9-7-1
First-year Giants head coach Brian Daboll accomplished two important things this season. He was able to minimize the costly mistakes that were made by QB Daniel Jones and he guided the team to the playoffs. I don’t expect much from this club once the playoffs start, but you never know how things will playout.
11. Chargers: 10-7
Brandon Staley was able to fend off the Sean Payton coming to Los Angeles rumors for at least another year after leading the Chargers into the postseason. However, with the roster that has been put together, their record should be much higher than 10-7.
12. Ravens: 10-7
Right now, there have been mixed reports on the playoff status of Ravens QB Lamar Jackson. League reporters have shared different stories on when the former first-round pick will return to action. The most recent transaction released by Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio is that Jackson’s status is unknown at this time. If Baltimore wants to have any type of success against the Bengals next Sunday, it has to be with no.8 under center at QB.
During the SNF Halftime show, @ProFootballTalk reports “the team truly does not know whether or not [Lamar Jackson] will be available when they return to Cincinnati.” pic.twitter.com/tpw1PQPeM9
— Baltimore Beatdown (@BmoreBeatdown) January 9, 2023
13. Dolphins: 9-8
The Miami Dolphins will head down to Orchard Park, New York for the second time this season. However, playoff survival is a stake this time. But who will be the starting quarterback? Both Teddy Bridgewater and starter Tua Tagovailoa are dealing with injuries. Tagovailoa suffered another concussion in the Week 16 game against Green Bay while Bridgewater injured his fingered on his throwing hand. According to head coach Mike McDaniel, Tagovailoa is still in stage 3 of the concussion protocol recovery phase. If that’s the case, be prepared to see Bridgewater starting for Miami next week.
14. Seahawks 9-8
No one expected the Seahawks to be where they are right now. The season was supposed to be a year where they build towards the future. Seattle clinched a playoff berth after the Detroit Lions pulled off a shocking 20-16 win over the Green Bay Packers in the season finale at Lambeau Field. A rematch with the San Francisco 49ers awaits them in the wild card round of the playoffs.
Nonplayoff Teams: 15-32
15. Lions: 9-8
16. Steelers: 9-8
17. Commanders: 8-8-1
18. Packers: 8-9
19. Patriots: 8-9
20. Panthers: 7-10
21. Falcons: 7-10
22. Saints: 7-10
23. Jets: 7-10
24. Titans: 7-10
25. Browns: 7-10
26. Raiders: 6-11
27. Broncos: 5-12
28. Rams: 5-12
29.Colts: 4-12-1
30. Cardinals: 4-13
31. Bears: 3-14
32. Texans: 3-13-1
