2024 B/R NFL Power Rankings: Where Does Every Team Rank Entering Playoffs, Offseason?
The NFL regular season has come to an end after 272 games, and the offseason has already begun for 18 of the league's teams. A few are already making changes at head coach.
However, 14 teams are playing on in this year's postseason tournament. For them, the ultimate goal is still a possibility: a place in Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas on February 11.
That target is more possible for some than others—the Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers have a better-than-average chance of a deep playoff run, but not so much for the Green Bay Packers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Pittsburgh Steelers.
As the dust settles on another wild regular season and we get ready for the postseason, Bleacher Report NFL analysts Gary Davenport, Maurice Moton and Brent Sobleski have come together one final time to rank the NFL's teams from No. 32 to No. 1.
Lets take one last ride, starting with a team that has been parked in the basement spot for a while.
32. Carolina Panthers (2-15)
1 of 32
Last Week: 32
Week 18 Result: Lost vs. Tampa Bay 9-0
The best thing that can be said about the Carolina Panthers' 2023 season is that it's over.
In a campaign that has essentially been one long low spot for the team, Sunday's loss to Tampa was a new nadir.
Carolina managed just 199 yards of total offense against the Bucs and converted just two of 12 third-down attempts. After being shut out 26-0 by the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Panthers were blanked in back-to-back games for the first time in franchise history.
They became the first team since at least 1991 to fail to run a single play while leading in the fourth quarter of a game.
Panthers quarterback Bryce Young had another miserable game, throwing for just 94 yards. Despite an awful debut season, though, the 2023 No. 1 pick still has the support of interim head coach Chris Tabor.
"I think when he is in year 12 and winning a lot of games and slicing people up a little bit, I think he will remember this first year and probably look back and say, 'you know what, it stunk at the time but this helped me get to where I am at,'" he said. "He has a really bright future."
Still, with C.J. Stroud leading the Texans to the playoffs as a rookie, it's hard not to view Carolina's decision to select Young instead as anything less than a major gaffe one year in.
31. Washington Commanders (4-13)
2 of 32
Last Week: 30
Week 18 Result: Lost vs. Dallas 38-10
We knew it was coming.
At the conclusion of a miserable season and with a new ownership group in Washington, it was a foregone conclusion that Ron Rivera's days were numbered. And sure enough, he was relieved of his duties Monday.
The veteran head coach thanked fans in a statement, while acknowledging that his team just didn't win enough games.
"I want every Washington fan to know how much I appreciate your unwavering support," Rivera said. "Through all the name changes, roster moves, non-football headlines and seasons that did not meet your expectations, you still stood by this team. We did win an NFC East title in 2020, but we fell short since then and for that, I am truly disappointed."
This is a team that needs a ground-up rebuild. There is no quarterback. The Commanders traded their two best pass-rushers in-season. There isn't a position group on the team (outside possibly wide receiver) that is above average.
Washington will pick second in April's draft, so that should afford the team a chance at solving the problem under center. But this isn't a rebuild that is going to happen overnight.
30. Los Angeles Chargers (5-12)
3 of 32
Last Week: 31
Week 18 Result: Lost vs. Kansas City Chiefs 13-12
The end of the season was a blessing for the Los Angeles Chargers, because 2023 was a mess.
Their season has been nothing short of a disaster. Quarterback Justin Herbert, wide receiver Keenan Allen and edge-rusher Joey Bosa all missed significant time with injuries; the defense was a disaster; and head coach Brandon Staley was fired.
Long story short, if it could go wrong, it did. But Moton sees something of a silver lining in the dark cloud that is the season that was.
"The Chargers had to bottom out in order to help quarterback Herbert," he said. "Last year, they made the playoffs with former head coach Staley, but the team went into a downward spiral without Herbert, which cost him his job back in December. The Chargers should hire a young offensive-minded head coach or an experienced lead skipper with a winning track record who can tap into Herbert's full potential.
"Despite an aging roster, the Chargers can easily get back into the postseason with the right head coaching hire in the offseason. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero, Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh seems like a potential candidate for the job."
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29. New England Patriots (4-13)
4 of 32
Last Week: 27
Week 18 Result: Lost vs. New York Jets 17-3
As the worst season of Bill Belichick's time with the New England Patriots came to a close, there was speculation galore that his long tenure as head coach could be over.
However, at the team's end-of-season presser, the 71-year-old didn't sound like a coach who was ready to walk away just yet.
"I'm under contract," Belichick said. "I'm going to do what I always do, which is every day I come in, work as hard as I can to help the team in whatever way I can."
He added: "I learned [a] lesson from my dad growing up—you work for the team that you're working for and do the best you can for it, until somebody tells you different. So that's not going to change."
It's a tricky spot for the Patriots as an organization and Robert Kraft as an owner. Yes, the past two years have been disappointing, but outright firing the most successful head coach in NFL history would be problematic...and expensive.
Granted, this doesn't mean Belichick will return to the sideline in New England this fall, but his fate may not be quite as sealed as some believe.
28. Arizona Cardinals (4-13)
5 of 32
Last Week: 29
Week 18 Result: Lost vs. Seattle 21-20
The Arizona Cardinals lost their season finale to the Seattle Seahawks, the finishing strokes on a four-win quagmire of a campaign.
However, despite the overall poor record, head coach Jonathan Gannon told reporters that he's excited heading into the offseason:
"Good things are on the horizon. I have never been more enthused going into an offseason in my life. I know what this team can be — a competitive, smart, tough team that is playing meaningful games right now. We laid the standard out. Obviously, the record is not what we want it to be, but the team-first mentality never wavered."
There are actually reasons for that optimism. After a strong finish to the 2023 campaign, Kyler Murray appears to have entrenched himself as the long-term answer at quarterback. The Cardinals have a pair of first-round picks with which to bolster the roster, including the No. 4 overall pick.
Of course, that optimism is going to come with increased pressure next year. With an entire season of Murray and some new talent on the team, the Redbirds are going to be expected to have considerably more success.
Another four-win season in 2024, and Jonathan Gannon won't be back for Season 3.
27. New York Giants (6-11)
6 of 32
Last Week: 27
Week 18 Result: Won vs. Philadelphia 27-10
Trouncing the rival Eagles in the season finale was a great capper to a rotten season for the New York Giants.
Their aspirations of a return trip to the playoffs were dashed fairly quickly, and the team now faces a couple of potentially major decisions.
The first decision really isn't one: Whether the Giants still believe in Daniel Jones at quarterback or not, the reality is that they are effectively stuck with him. Releasing him in 2024 would be cost-prohibitive and then some. The two are joined at the hip for at least one more year.
The future of Saquon Barkley in the Big Apple is much less certain. There has been speculation that the running back will be franchise-tagged for the second consecutive season, a notion that leaves the 26-year-old "numb."
"I feel like I went through the whole process last year," Barkley said of meeting with general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll. "We talked more than enough last year to be honest. Not just talking with Joe but the whole negotiation thing. I'm gonna let my agents handle that."
This is a pivotal offseason for the Giants. Are they the playoff team of a year ago or 2023's also-ran?
26. Tennessee Titans (6-11)
7 of 32
Last Week: 28
Week 18 Result: Won vs. Jacksonville 28-20
The Tennessee Titans ended their season on a high note, with their win over Jacksonville knocking the Jaguars out of the playoffs.
After a six-win campaign, though, there could be major changes coming. Head coach Mike Vrabel was the first--he was fired Tuesday.
After peeling off a season-high 153 rushing yards in Tennessee's big win, Derrick Henry certainly sounded like a player who believed his time in Nashville could be coming to an end.
"This is a great way to go out, especially against a division opponent, an opponent that I grew [up] down the street watching and looking at and following as a kid growing up," the 30-year-old told reporters. "So, it's all full circle, which is great to be able to finish with the win and finish with class."
Quarterback Ryan Tannehill, who also may have played his last game as a Titan, enjoyed watching Henry gash the Jaguars.
"To see him have the day he had today, it was a lot of fun for me as well," Tannehill said. "I turn my head and he gets through the line of scrimmage without much contact you know there's a chance at being a big one. And he had a couple of those, as well as the tough yards."
This iteration of the Titans came within a win of the Super Bowl in 2019, but that era appears to be over.
25. New York Jets (7-10)
8 of 32
Last Week: 25
Week 18 Result: Won at New England 17-3
The New York Jets closed out the 2023 season with a win over the New England Patriots, but that hardly washes off the stink of a 7-10 season in which the offense was 31st in total offense and 29th in scoring.
Of course, Aaron Rodgers was supposed to fix that offense, but he tore his Achilles tendon on the first series of the first game. The 40-year-old is already looking ahead to 2024, but he believes the Jets need a cultural overhaul.
"If you want to be a winning organization and put yourself in a position to win championships and be competitive, everything that you do matters," Rodgers told reporters. "The bulls--t that has nothing to do with winning needs to get out of the building. That will be the focus moving forward."
"Gang Green's season went down the toilet four snaps into Week 1 when Rodgers tore his Achilles," Moton said. "We told you week after week that Zach Wilson, Tim Boyle and Trevor Siemian wouldn't save the Jets' 2023 campaign, and they fell to the bottom of the power rankings over time. Fortunately for the Jets, they have a bright short-term future, assuming Rodgers makes a full recovery for the 2024 campaign. But he's going to need some help."
"In the offseason, the Jets must strengthen their offensive line," he added. "The team's passers took 64 sacks combined this year. Gang Green should also consider another addition at wide receiver. Back in March, New York signed Allen Lazard to a four-year, $44 million contract, and the team benched him multiple times in the second half of the 2023 campaign. He finished the term with 23 receptions for 311 yards and a touchdown.
"Rodgers' return alone isn't going to fix the Jets' putrid offense. General manager Joe Douglas has a bit of work to do in order to get the best out of his 40-year-old starting quarterback in 2024."
24. Denver Broncos (8-9)
9 of 32
Last Week: 23
Week 18 Result: Lost at Las Vegas 27-14
The moment the Denver Broncos were eliminated from postseason consideration, there became one overriding storyline in the Mile High City: What's next for Russell Wilson?
From the instant the nine-time Pro Bowler was benched for Jarrett Stidham, there has been speculation that was the end for the quarterback in Denver and he would be traded or released in the offseason despite an unprecedented amount of dead cap money.
However, Broncos head coach Sean Payton told reporters that no final decision has been made regarding Wilson's future:
"What we will do when the season end ... we do this whole process of the whole roster. We have a series of numbers and grades that I've learned early in my career. We go through every player, starting with the trainers, the strength [coaches], the position coaches, the coordinators, pro personnel, general manager and head coach. We'll do that, but we haven't begun at all to decide. Not just Russ, but any other player."
A reconciliation is at least possible, and the Broncos are certainly incentivized to make up. A trade or release of Wilson would effectively cripple their salary cap for at least the next two seasons.
It wouldn't be a divorce, it would be a disaster.
23. Atlanta Falcons (7-10)
10 of 32
Last Week: 22
Week 18 Result: Lost at New Orleans 48-17
As it turns out, triple sevens may not be so lucky after all.
After Sunday's blowout loss to the New Orleans Saints, the Atlanta Falcons finished 7-10 for the third consecutive season under head coach Arthur Smith.
It would be his last, and he was fired Sunday night.
In a statement, Falcons owner Arthur Blank said:
"Decisions like this are never easy and they never feel good. We have profound respect for Coach Smith and appreciate all the hard work and dedication he has put into the Falcons over the last three years. He has been part of building a good culture in our football team, but the results on the field have not met our expectations. After significant thought and reflection, we have determined the best way forward for our team is new leadership in the head coaching position."
"Arthur Smith's postgame outburst toward New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen perfectly summed up the Atlanta coach's entire tenure with the franchise. A lot of bluster accompanied by very little substance," Sobleski said.
"The Falcons finished with seven wins for the third straight season. They accumulated significant talent, with running back Bijan Robinson, wide receiver Drake London, tight end Kyle Pitts, a good offensive line and multiple strong pieces on defense. Yet Smith could never find the right approach to rise above mediocrity.
"In the end, he blew his stack because his team wasn't good enough to step up when its season hung in the balance. That's on him."
22. Chicago Bears (7-10)
11 of 32
Last Week: 20
Week 18 Result: Lost at Green Bay 17-9
Justin Fields should be used to this by now.
For the second consecutive season, the Chicago Bears have the first overall pick in the NFL draft. And for the second straight year, speculation abounds as to what that means for the 24-year-old's future.
For his part, Fields told reporters after Sunday's season-ending loss to the Packers that he's not interested in dwelling on things he cannot control:
"I control what I can control. And I'm going to get healthy this offseason, spend time with my family and get better. Like I said, we went through the same thing last year. We had the No. 1 pick, everybody was asking, 'What if? What if? What if?' And nothing happened. I'm not saying that nothing might happen, because, shoot, we all don't know."
Much like the first two seasons of his career, Fields was up-and-down in 2023. He posted the best passing numbers of his career, but they still weren't especially impressive. And that led Davenport to continue singing a song he has for some time now.
"The Bears can't pass on this opportunity to reset the contract timer at quarterback—not with options like Caleb Williams and Drake Maye on the table," he said. "With that said, I still believe that Fields can be a plus NFL starter, and a change of scenery and better coaching could do him a world of good.
"There will be interest in Fields on the trade market. Flip him and draft a new quarterback. That should be the plan."
21. Minnesota Vikings (7-10)
12 of 32
Last Week: 21
Week 18 Result: Lost at Detroit 30-20
After a 13-win 2022 season and an NFC North championship, the Minnesota Vikings entered 2023 with high expectations. But thanks in part to serious injuries to players such as quarterback Kirk Cousins and wide receiver Justin Jefferson, the campaign descended into disappointment.
With the curtain closed on a 10-loss season, the Vikings now have a number of major decisions to make.
There's the matter of whether to try to re-sign Cousins, who tore his Achilles tendon midseason. The 35-year-old isn't an elite signal-caller, but he's good enough to warrant interest from other teams and $40 million a season on a new deal.
Then there's edge-rusher Danielle Hunter, who finished the season fourth in the league with 16.5 sacks. He expressed interest in returning to Minnesota, but he also doesn't sound like a player interested in playing on a below-market deal.
"It's all I know. I came into this league, I don't know any better. Purple. Ever since middle school I've always been wearing purple. I'm here now. Purple," Hunter said. "I went out there, did what I was told to do. I was excited about how I played this year."
The Vikings have over $37 million in cap space per Over the Cap, but bringing Cousins and Hunter back could burn though that in the blink of an eye.
20. Las Vegas Raiders (8-9)
13 of 32
Last Week: 24
Week 18 Result: Won vs. Denver 27-14
The Las Vegas Raiders took it to the Denver Broncos on Sunday in a game that didn't much matter in the grand scheme of things.
However, as Bleacher Report's resident expert on all things Raiders noted, it was a big day for interim head coach Antonio Pierce.
"Pierce deserves a ton of credit for turning a hapless 3-5 team into a confident physical bunch," Moton said. "With a rookie quarterback (Aidan O'Connell) and first-year offensive play-caller (Bo Hardegree), Pierce finished the season with a 5-4 record as the team's lead skipper.
"Pierce has certainly earned consideration for the full-time job, but the Raiders should also cast a wide net in their search for a new head coach. Owner Mark Davis may want an offensive mind like the team's previous two head coaches, Jon Gruden and Josh McDaniels, to draft and develop a rookie quarterback."
"Pierce's suggestion to fill the offensive coordinator position on his staff will be a crucial part of his interview process," he added. "If Pierce can bring in a brilliant offensive mind, he could win the job over some of the other young candidates for the position. With that said, like every team with a head coaching vacancy, Jim Harbaugh's name should be at the top of the Raiders' wish list."
19. Cincinnati Bengals (9-8)
14 of 32
Last Week: 19
Week 18 Result: Won vs. Cleveland 31-14
The Cincinnati Bengals were playing for nothing but pride in Week 18, but their 17-point win over the rival Browns guaranteed them a winning record. That's no small feat for a team that endured a litany of injuries this season.
It was also Cincinnati's first win in the AFC North this season, and while head coach Zac Taylor lauded his team for finishing strong, he also made it clear that lack of success inside the division isn't close to acceptable.
"I thought our guys handled it professionally and finished it the right way," he said. "(But) going 1-5 (in the division) is in no way, shape or form acceptable to us."
"Joe Burrow's season-ending wrist injury could have tanked the Bengals' season," Sobleski said. "It didn't. Instead, Cincinnati won four of its last six games with Jake Browning leading the way. Browning played relatively well, but he won't make anyone forget about Burrow.
"At the same time, a strong finish shows how well-coached and good the Bengals' overall roster is. By finishing 9-8, every team in the AFC North held a winning record. It's the first occurrence of that happening since 1935.
"However, the squad could look significantly different next season, with Tee Higgins, Tyler Boyd, Jonah Williams, D.J. Reader and Chidobe Awuzie set to enter free agency. If this year taught us anything, it's that Cincinnati will remain competitive. But a significant shift may occur in the talent base."
18. Jacksonville Jaguars (9-8)
15 of 32
Last Week: 14
Week 18 Result: Lost at Tennessee 28-20
Collapse. That's the only thing that can be said about how the season ended for the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Not that long ago, they were an 8-3 team in play for the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs. But they finished this season on a 1-5 skid, and after falling in Nashville in the regular-season finale, the Jags will watch the postseason from home.
Quarterback Trevor Lawrence told reporters that he was at a loss for why things fell apart:
"For some reason we just didn't play as good as a team as the season went on. When we needed to be our best, we weren't. And last year was the opposite. When we needed to be our best and absolutely had to have it, we were, and we found a way to win up until the divisional [playoff loss in Kansas City]. You just have to bring that every week and there was a disconnect somewhere and obviously we weren't able to put that on the field in the back half of the season like we needed to give ourselves a chance to make the playoffs and go on a run."
Lawrence's injury didn't help, but there really was no one reason. The offense, the defense, the coaching staff...everyone played their part in a meltdown that will dog the franchise throughout the offseason.
17. Seattle Seahawks (9-8)
16 of 32
Last Week: 18
Week 18 Result: Won at Arizona 21-20
The Seattle Seahawks were in the mix for the postseason right up until the 4 p.m. slate of games on Sunday. They needed two things to happen: A win over the Arizona Cardinals and a loss by the Green Bay Packers to the Chicago Bears.
Only one of those things happened. The Seahawks controlled what they could, but the Packers won at Lambeau Field to end Seattle's season.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith told reporters that the abrupt ending to the campaign stung:
"The best way to describe it is bittersweet. Obviously, it's good to get a win. First thing's first. A road win, in the fashion we did today, it took everybody and came down to the wire. For us to let our own destiny slip out of our hands, that frustrates me a little bit. We had a chance. A chance to get to the playoffs and see what we could do. But we won today, and that's all we could have done."
However, Seattle has no one to blame but itself for missing the postseason. The team was inconsistent much of the season, and Smith's play slid relative to his Comeback Player of the Year season in 2022.
And just one day after the season ended, the signal-caller's future in Seattle was already a hot topic in the Pacific Northwest.
16. New Orleans Saints (9-8)
17 of 32
Last Week: 17
Week 18 Result: Won vs. Atlanta 48-17
The bad news for the New Orleans Saints is that by virtue of Tampa's win over the Carolina Panthers and Green Bay's victory over the Chicago Bears, there will be no playoffs in the Big Easy this season.
The good news is Derek Carr and the Saints finished the season strong. The quarterback threw four touchdown passes in a blowout win over the Atlanta Falcons that gave the Saints four wins in their last five games to close the season with an above .500 record.
Carr told reporters that while missing the postseason is unfortunate, the team's late surge offers the team something to build on for next year.
"It feels great because I think we proved over the last two months, like, it's not a fluke," he said of the Saints' production on offense.
"We all wanted it sooner. We all wanted it to look like that all the time," Carr added. "But hopefully this last half of the year has shown that this is what we can be going forward."
The Saints have a solid defense, eighth in the league in points per game allowed. If Carr and the offense can play consistently next year like they did down the stretch, New Orleans could enter 2024 as the favorites in the NFC South.
15. Indianapolis Colts (9-8)
18 of 32
Last Week: 13
Week 18 Result: Lost vs. Houston 23-19
For fans of the Indianapolis Colts, the weekend loss is likely still too fresh. The image of a wide-open Tyler Goodson dropping a fourth-down pass at the Houston 15 must still sting.
However, the reality is that the Colts even being in a "win-and-in" situation in Week 18 made the 2023 season something of a success.
Mind you, this was a team that played most of the season without starting quarterback Anthony Richardson, played a chunk of the season without running back Jonathan Taylor and had a first-year head coach in Shane Steichen.
In other words, while the season ended in disappointing fashion, there's room for optimism about the future.
"The Colts' season can be summed up with one play," Sobleski wrote. "On 4th-and-1 with the season on the line, backup quarterback Gardnew Minshew threw an off-target pass to Goodson. The backup running back couldn't make an adjustment to the ball since momentum took him away from the toss, and all of Indianapolis' hopes fell harmlessly to the ground."
He added: "To be fair, the Minshew effect served as a positive and a negative. He wasn't supposed to be in the lineup. The Colts weren't supposed to post a winning record. The entire group overachieved. But it could have done more.
"Still, the future is bright in Indianapolis, where this year's fourth overall pick, Richardson, will return to the lineup after shoulder surgery, Taylor should be ready for a full season and the rest of the roster will receive improvements. Steichen certainly lived up to his billing as an ascending coach."
14. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7, AFC No. 7 Seed)
19 of 32
Last Week: 16
Week 18 Result: Won at Baltimore 17-10
Not many pundits are going to give the Pittsburgh Steelers a chance at a long playoff run. This is a team that ranked 25th in scoring offense during the regular season. A team that was beaten by 14 points by the Arizona Cardinals in Week 13. A team that started three different quarterbacks this season and won in Week 18 largely because the Baltimore Ravens sat many of their starters.
But Pittsburgh's win, combined with Jacksonville's collapse Sunday, has put the Steelers in the playoffs. And defensive tackle Cameron Heyward told reporters that opponents who underestimate them do so at their own peril.
"Let us be dangerous," he said. "We have a formula that's working right now. Hopefully we can get some guys back in the fold. We're not going to discount ourselves. We know we've got work to do, and looking forward to it."
The Steelers will head to Buffalo as big-time underdogs in the Wild Card Round—and it appears they will have to try to knock off the Bills without their best defender. Edge-rusher T.J. Watt suffered an MCL injury in the win over the Ravens that has likely ended his season.
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-8, NFC No. 4 Seed)
20 of 32
Last Week: 11
Week 18 Result: Won at Carolina 9-0
The edict was clear for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 18: Beat the lowly Panthers and the Bucs would be NFC South champions and make the postseason for the fourth straight season.
It wasn't pretty, but Tampa got it done. The Bucs allowed just 199 yards of offense and 11 first downs.
After the victory, quarterback Baker Mayfield applauded the defense for picking up the offense's slack in Week 18:
"I can't say enough about our defense. A lot of guys stepped up and made big plays on defense. Offensively we ran the ball when we needed to. It wasn't a pretty win by any means and there is room for improvement. But now that we're in the playoffs, we're division champs, let's hit the reset button and go from there."
"Tampa didn't look like a team primed for a deep playoff run against the Panthers," Davenport said. "Mayfield threw for just 137 yards, the Buccaneers had just 228 yards of offense and were just six-for-16 on third down. But the Bucs ended the regular season with five wins in six games, and this week they face a reeling Eagles team that is barreling in the opposite direction.
"If the offense can get untracked, the Buccaneers have a real chance to advance to the divisional round."
12. Green Bay Packers (9-8, NFC No. 7 Seed)
21 of 32
Last Week: 15
Week 18 Result: Won vs. Chicago 17-9
It was a simple equation for the Green Bay Packers Sunday: Beat the rival Bears and the Pack would play on.
Green Bay accomplished that goal, and Jordan Love further staked his claim to being the long-term answer at quarterback in Titletown.
The 25-year-old played well down the stretch and Sunday was no exception, with 27 completions in 32 attempts for 316 yards and two scores. It was his fourth straight game with a passer rating over 100, and veteran cornerback Jaire Alexander talked him up after the game.
"I said it back in camp: He's the best quarterback in the league," Alexander said. "And he's been proving it these past few weeks."
Calling Love the best quarterback in the NFL may be pushing it, but Davenport has been impressed by what he's seen from the Packers over the last month.
"Let's be real, the Packers are probably going to lose in Dallas in the Wild Card Round," he said. "But this is a very young team only just now starting to figure it out.
"If Love's young receiving corps continues to improve and the Packers add a piece or two on defense, this is a team that could be very dangerous in the NFC North in 2024."
11. Houston Texans (10-7, AFC No. 4 Seed)
22 of 32
Last Week: 12
Week 18 Result: Won at Indianapolis 23-19
It's possible Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud won't win Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. But if he doesn't, it will be because Puka Nacua of the Rams broke a record that was over 60 years old and not because of anything the No. 2 pick hasn't accomplished this season.
After the Texans downed the Colts and Jacksonville lost to Tennessee, Houston won the AFC South. And edge-rusher Will Anderson Jr. said there's zero chance that happens without Stroud under center.
"Without [Stroud], we don't accomplish half of the things that we have," he told ESPN. "Man, [No.] 7 has been phenomenal for us. Everybody in this building appreciates having him and is blessed to have him here. We just got to give all credit to 7. His personality affects everybody in this locker room. His attitude and energy bleed through the whole locker room. It makes everybody want to step up and keep playing better."
Are the Texans a threat to knock off the likes of the Baltimore Ravens or Buffalo Bills in the AFC? Probably not. They will have their hands full with the Cleveland Browns in the Wild Card Round.
However, there isn't a team in the entire NFL that has exceeded expectations more than the Texans this year. And they appear to have hit the jackpot with last year's second (and third, because Anderson is no slouch) overall pick.
10. Philadelphia Eagles (11-6, NFC No. 5 Seed)
23 of 32
Last Week: 9
Week 18 Result: Lost at New York Giants 27-10
Remember when the Philadelphia Eagles were 10-1 and the No. 1 team in these rankings? Yeah, it's getting harder and harder for us, too.
Since then, the Eagles have won once in six games. The offense has been wildly inconsistent. A defense that was already scuffling is struggling that much more. The Eagles have gone from a Super Bowl favorite to a team that may not get out of Round 1 of the postseason.
For his part, Moton has his doubts about Philadelphia's chances in Tampa Bay this week.
"If not for a 10-1 start to the season and a playoff spot, the Eagles would have fallen out of the top 10 in these power rankings by the end of December," he said.
"They've lost five of their last six games, backing their way into the postseason. Because of their recent slump, they have to go on the road to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Wild Card Round. Philadelphia is ranked higher than Tampa Bay in this week's rankings, but the Eagles are definitely on upset alert.
"Perhaps we will see the Eagles flip the switch and their top-10 scoring offense wakes up, but their defense raises more concerns, especially if cornerback Darius Slay continues to miss time after a knee scope."
9. Los Angeles Rams (10-7, NFC No. 6 Seed)
24 of 32
Last Week: 10
Week 18 Result: Won at San Francisco 21-20
The Los Angeles Rams' victory over the San Francisco 49ers didn't mean that much given that mostly second-stringers were playing, but it did end a skid against the Niners by the Rams.
But what does mean something is that the Rams had already sewn up a playoff spot—and now Matthew Stafford will return to Detroit to face the Lions in the playoffs.
"Exciting for this team just to get back to where we are right now, to be honest with you," Stafford told reporters. "The opportunity happens to be in Detroit, which is fun for me on a personal level."
"It's utterly astounding to see how the Rams reloaded despite lacking first-round picks for so many seasons," Sobleski said. "Les Snead must have some magic in his bag, because he added multiple difference-makers outside this year's opening frame.
"Second-round pick Steve Avila solidified himself as the starting left guard; the team's pair of third-round selections, Byron Young and Kobie Turner, finished second and first, respectively, among rookies in sacks; and Puka Nacua is already a superstar setting rookie records in receptions and receiving yardage.
"To help matters, quarterback Matthew Stafford returned to form. The Rams may be young in multiple key areas, but they rebuilt their roster on the fly and it led to a quick turnaround."
Those rookie records Nacua set? The one for receiving yards was over 60 years old. That's the 2023 Rams in a nutshell.
8. Cleveland Browns (11-6, AFC No. 5 Seed)
25 of 32
Last Week: 8
Week 18 Result: Lost at Cincinnati 31-14
The Cleveland Browns may have gotten waxed in Cincinnati Sunday, but it didn't matter.
They were already locked into the AFC's No. 5 seed and had secured their most wins since re-entering the NFL in 1999, which is no small feat for a team that started five different quarterbacks in over the course of the season.
Now it's on to the playoffs to face the Texans, and edge-rusher Ogbo Okoronkwo told reporters he knows the team will have its hands full with Houston quarterback C.J. Stroud.
"I mean, C.J.'s a dynamic player," he said. "He's a really good quarterback, but we're going to definitely just watch the tape. We're going to treat him, we're going to respect them and just go and do our due diligence and do our homework on them."
"The Browns find themselves in an unfamiliar spot. They're no longer the prey. They're the hunters," Sobleski said. "Despite everything that could have gone wrong this season with all of the injuries throughout the roster, Kevin Stefanski and crew still finished tied for the AFC's second-best record.
"For the first time since the franchise's rebirth in 1999, the Browns clinched a playoff spot before the final week of play and sat key individuals during a meaningless contest against the Cincinnati Bengals."
He added: "The accomplishment means nothing without a serious postseason run, and Cleveland is more than capable of dismantling opponents mainly because its top-ranked defense. Myles Garrett will be on the hunt, with Stroud serving as his first target. Jim Schwartz's unit, coupled with veteran play from quarterback Joe Flacco, will make the Browns a tough out."
7. Miami Dolphins (11-6, AFC No. 6 Seed)
26 of 32
Last Week: 6
Week 18 Result: Lost vs. Buffalo 21-14
There was a time when it appeared the Miami Dolphins were going to walk away with the AFC East. In fact, it seemed they might take the AFC's No. 1 seed.
But then the Dolphins lost three of their last five games, including a Week 18 defeat at the hands of the rival Bills that cost Miami the AFC East.
Now, though, the Dolphins are a reeling No. 6 seed ravaged by injuries on defense that has to head to Kansas City on a short week to face the defending Super Bowl champion.
Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa told reporters he's aware of the uphill climb the team faces.
"We're going to have to come in tomorrow, we're going to have to watch the film, see things we can get corrected and then move on," he said. "It's a short week. We know that and it's going to be a tough road game for us."
Davenport doesn't see the Dolphins making that climb.
"The Dolphins just have too many things working against them," he said.
"Wide receiver Jaylen Waddle and running back Raheem Mostert didn't play last week. The team's top three edge-rushers and No. 1 linebacker are all out for the season. The temperatures in Kansas City are expected to be in single digits Saturday. And the Dolphins have played six games against teams with winning records this season—and won once. Their season ends this week."
6. Kansas City Chiefs (11-6, AFC No. 3 Seed)
27 of 32
Last Week: 3
Week 18 Result: Won at Los Angeles Chargers 13-12
Sunday's victory over the Los Angeles Chargers meant nothing for the Chiefs where the playoffs are concerned. Kansas City was already locked into the No. 3 seed in the AFC.
The concern now is whether the team's 15th-ranked scoring offense is good enough to navigate the AFC playoffs and get the Chiefs back to the Super Bowl.
As Michael David Smith noted for Pro Football Talk, while Patrick Mahomes' numbers in 2023 would be solid for many quarterbacks, it was the worst season of his career:
"Mahomes averaged 7.0 yards per pass, the worst of his career. He averaged 261.4 passing yards per game, the worst of his career. He threw a touchdown on 4.5 percent of his passes, the lowest of his career. He threw an interception on 2.3 percent of his passes, the highest of his career. His passer rating was 92.6, the worst of his career. He was sacked on 4.33 percent of his dropbacks, the most of his career."
"You can't ever count out a team led by Mahomes in a single-elimination tournament," Davenport said. "And the Chiefs should be able to get past a Dolphins team that has been ravaged by injuries in the Wild Card Round.
"But the Chiefs have already lost to the Buffalo Bills, and it's hard to see this team going into M&T Bank Stadium and beating the Baltimore Ravens. Is it impossible? No. Improbable? Yes.
5. Detroit Lions (12-5, NFC No. 3 Seed)
28 of 32
Last Week: 7
Week 18 Result: Won vs. Minnesota 30-20
The Detroit Lions had something to play for in Week 18: a narrow chance at the NFC's No. 2 seed. But given what happened in the Week 18 win over the Minnesota Vikings, they may wish they had pulled their starters.
Sam LaPorta became the record-holder for receptions by a tight end and just the third rookie TE to haul in 10 touchdown passes. But he also suffered a hyperextended knee and bone bruise that leaves his status for this week's tilt with the Los Angeles Rams in doubt.
Wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown told reporters that the timing of the injuries to LaPorta and Kalif Raymond is far from ideal.
"Our full intention this week was to play everyone and go out there and win," he said. "It's unfortunate. Guys can get hurt every game, but for it to be this game, I really just hope that they're both all right and will be playing next week."
The Lions' 12 wins are the team's most since 1991, which also happens to be the last time they won a postseason game. But heading into the postseason tournament short of one of its top offensive weapons is a very Detroit stroke of luck.
"Detroit will host at least one playoff game indoors at Ford Field, where Jared Goff can stand in the pocket and pick apart an opposing defense behind one of the league's best offensive lines," Moton wrote. "The Lions will have a tough wild-card matchup with Goff's former team, the Los Angeles Rams, who can also score in flurries, but Detroit's top-five run defense may be able to slow down rising star running back Kyren Williams. If so, Detroit just needs a Matthew Stafford turnover or two to gain control of the game."
4. Buffalo Bills (11-6, AFC No. 2 Seed)
29 of 32
Last Week: 5
Week 18 Result: Won at Miami 21-14
Not that long ago, it appeared the Buffalo Bills might not make the playoffs at all. There was a scenario in Week 18 where they could have been frozen out altogether.
Instead, the Bills beat the Miami Dolphins for the second time this season and are the AFC East champions for the fourth consecutive year.
After Buffalo won its fifth straight game, quarterback Josh Allen talked up his team's heart while addressing the media.
"What a resilient group. So proud of our guys," Allen said. "They battled their tails off. The final couple of drives I felt we found a groove on the offensive side of the ball. The ball was coming out of my hands the best all year."
The Bills have been inconsistent at times this season. And Allen's propensity for turnovers (he had three in Miami territory Sunday night) could be a killer in the postseason.
However, he is an elite quarterback, and Buffalo has a top-five offense in terms of yards per game, a top-five defense in terms of points allowed, and it's red-hot entering the playoffs.
In other words, the Bills are not going to be an easy out.
3. Dallas Cowboys (12-5, NFC No. 2 Seed)
30 of 32
Last Week: 4
Week 18 Result: Won at Washington 38-10
There isn't a team in the league that had more to gain by securing home-field advantage for as many playoff games as possible than the Dallas Cowboys.
At home this year, they were a perfect 8-0 and averaged 37.4 points per game while allowing 15.9 points per game. On the road, they were 4-5, averaged 23.3 points per game while surrendering 20.9 points per game.
Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb have emerged as, arguably, the most dangerous pitch-catch duo in the NFL this season.
Prescott told reporters that's because no pitch-catch duo put in more work over the offseason.
"I don't think there's another quarterback and receiver that has put in much time as me and CeeDee have, going back into the offseason," he said. "Understanding what I expect of him. Him understanding where I'm going to put the ball. Him understanding the belief that I have in him. I've told you I think he's the best receiver in the game."
The Cowboys were blasted by the San Francisco 49ers 42-10 in Santa Clara in Week 5 and roasted in Buffalo in Week 15. But Dallas won't have to hit the road until at least the NFC Championship Game; and they are very hard to beat at AT&T Stadium.
2. San Francisco 49ers (12-5, NFC No. 1 Seed)
31 of 32
Last Week: 2
Week 18 Result: Lost vs. Los Angeles Rams 21-20
Sunday's loss to the Rams meant nothing to the San Francisco 49ers, as the NFC's No. 1 seed was already sewn up. But now it gets real.
These 49ers aren't just looking to make an appearance in the postseason or win a game. There's only one goal: Winning Super Bowl LVIII.
Just as an example, when Christian McCaffrey won the rushing title, he became the first 49er in 70 years to claim that honor. But he told reporters he views that as a team award, but it's not the trophy he's really interested in:
"The rushing title is a really cool deal for me personally, because the run game is truly a testament to everybody on the field. It's not just the O-line, but obviously it starts through them and they're the base. But it's the quarterback getting the right calls, having an explosive pass game to open up some of the run game stuff, tight ends who block with extreme effort, best fullback on the planet, and then receivers who take a lot of pride in blocking as well. That rushing title, that's a team award, in my opinion, and one that I'm proud of, and I'm proud to be a part of a group like that."
The 49ers are loaded on offense, rank third in scoring defense and are the odds-on favorite to win the Super Bowl next month.
But they aren't our No. 1 team.
1. Baltimore Ravens (13-4, AFC No. 1 seed)
32 of 32
Last Week: 1
Week 18 Result: Lost vs. Pittsburgh 17-10
The Baltimore Ravens are hoping that history doesn't repeat itself.
Back in 2019, they secured the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs ahead of the final week of the season. They elected to sit quarterback Lamar Jackson and several other starters in the regular-season finale. Two weeks later, they were bounced from the postseason in unceremonious fashion by the Tennessee Titans in the divisional round.
While addressing the media, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said that he isn't concerned that what happened then will happen again now:
"We didn't score enough points, but it wasn't like we weren't moving the ball. I think we had really good practices and guys had good spirits. I think we had a good game plan; we just didn't get the job done in certain plays. So that's how football goes. I guess the long-winded point here is that you just look at where you're at with your team at this time and make the decisions that are best as you see it."
"Two full weeks off before he plays again could create a little rust for Jackson," Davenport said. "But had he played and gotten hurt (like Pittsburgh's T.J. Watt), that would have been a catastrophe. Jackson's a more mature player now, but even more importantly the passing-game weapons in Baltimore are exponentially better than a few years ago. The Ravens are the favorite to not only represent the AFC in the Super Bowl but also to win it. Nothing that happened in Week 18 changes that."
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