B/R Experts NFL Power Rankings for Every Playoff Team

The NFL's second season is here.

After a wild regular season in which the final postseason spot was determined on the regular season's final play, the 14 participants for this year's playoffs have been determined.

Some are familiar names—eight of the teams in this year's postseason field also made the playoffs a year ago. But eight old faces means six new ones, including the top seed in the NFC and a No. 2 seed in the AFC that won all of four games in 2024.

Some teams are rolling into the playoffs. The top-seeded Seattle Seahawks have won nine of 10, while on the AFC side, the Houston Texans have peeled off nine straight wins. Other teams limped into the postseason.

It's going to be a wild ride over the next month—one that will conclude in Santa Clara at Super Bowl LX.

As the playoffs get underway, Bleacher Report NFL analysts Gary Davenport, Kris Knox, Maurice Moton and Brent Sobleski have come together to rank this season's postseason participants, from the potential Cinderellas to the favorites to take the field at Levi's Stadium on February 8.

14. Carolina Panthers (8-9, NFC No. 4 Seed)

AP Photo/Peter Joneleit

Panthers QB Bryce Young

It's hard to believe in a sub-.500 team that needed a rival to punch its ticket to the postseason following back-to-back losses. The Carolina Panthers are that club in this field of 14, making them stand out as pretenders.

In Week 13, the Panthers beat the Los Angeles Rams at home, where they'll face off again this week. However, Carolina hasn't played well recently, turning the ball over five times over the last two weeks.

Rams head coach Sean McVay played his starters in Week 18 to reestablish some momentum, which could be the difference-maker in the matchup between these teams.

If the Panthers pull off the upset, they'll earn tremendous respect as a team that belongs among the contenders. Until then, they have a lot to prove. - Moton

13. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7, AFC No. 4 Seed)

AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar

Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers

On one hand, it would be unwise to discount the Pittsburgh Steelers. After all, this is a franchise whose last losing season came over 20 years ago.

The problem with Pittsburgh is that while the Steelers won 10 games and the AFC North, they did so with a team that has flaws that will be exposed in the postseason.

They have been inconsistent on offense ahead of a matchup with arguably the NFL's best defense in the Wild Card Round. The defense has been more aluminum curtain than steel, ranking in the bottom five of the NFL against the pass. And Aaron Rodgers is just 12-10 in those 22 postseason starts.

Could Pittsburgh steal a win at home against Houston in the Wild Card Round? Maybe. But once this team has to hit the road and play the AFC's elite, the party's over. - Davenport

12. Green Bay Packers (9-7-1, NFC No. 7 Seed)

AP Photo/David Dermer

Packers RB Josh Jacobs

The Green Bay Packers backed into the postseason and don't feel nearly as formidable as they did earlier in the year. Losing star pass-rusher Micah Parsons and standout tight end Tucker Kraft to season-ending ACL tears has a lot to do with that.

However, Green Bay does have enough remaining talent on the roster to make some noise in the postseason.

Quarterback Jordan Love is healthy after missing time with a concussion, and he played like a legitimate MVP candidate at times during the regular season. Josh Jacobs is the sort of running back who can take over a game, the Packers' collection of young pass-catchers is potent, and Green Bay's defense remains above-average, even without Parsons.

How will resting key players in Week 18 impact the Packers during the Wild Card Round? That remains to be seen, but few will be shocked if Green Bay beats Chicago after splitting the regular-season series. - Knox

11. Los Angeles Chargers (11-6, AFC No. 7 Seed)

AP Photo/Julio Cortez

Chargers QB Justin Herbert

For much of this season, the Chargers have been the AFC's version of the Seattle Seahawks: a really good team that just wasn't being talked about as a legitimate Super Bowl contender.

But then the Chargers' offensive line was hit by injuries, including the loss of both starting tackles. As a result, quarterback Justin Herbert has taken a beating. And after resting their starters in Week 18, the Bolts have to travel to face a Patriots team with one loss since September on a two-game skid.

If Herbert's left hand is better, the Chargers have the defense, weapons and quarterback to hang with anyone.

However, a deep postseason run would require some 2012 Joe Flacco-esque playoff magic from Herbert—and that's not easy to imagine playing behind five matadors. - Davenport

10. Chicago Bears (11-6, NFC No. 2 Seed)

AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh

Bears QB Caleb Williams

The Bears must return to what made them successful when the team went on a five-game winning streak in the middle of the season and won seven of eight games coming out of the team's bye.

Chicago did that by becoming a run-first offense. The coaching staff leaned on its physical offensive line, utilized D'Andre Swift and rookie Kyle Monangai effectively and took pressure off of quarterback Caleb Williams. 

Head coach/offensive play-caller Ben Johnson went away from that approach late in the regular season, and the Bears lost two in a row entering the postseason and three of their last five.

Chicago can't go into the playoff matchups expecting Williams to win games. He's still too inconsistent. Yes, the sophomore quarterback's flashes are blindingly bright. At the same time, he's likely to make a mistake at some juncture, which will put him at a disadvantage when other NFC squads can lean on the likes of Matthew Stafford, Brock Purdy and Jordan Love. - Sobleski

9. Houston Texans (12-5, AFC No. 5 Seed)

AP Photo/Maria Lysaker

Texans edge Will Anderson Jr.

The Houston Texans couldn't overcome a sluggish start to the season and still win the AFC South. However, they won nine straight games to finish the campaign and enter the playoffs about as hot as anyone in either conference.

Houston's defense is championship-caliber, and we've known that for most of the year. What should worry other teams is the fact that the offense has started to find an identity under first-year coordinator Nick Caley.

The Texans haven't been as consistent offensively as they'd probably like to be at this point in the year. However, they've identified budding difference-makers such as rookie wideout Jayden Higgins, rookie running back Woody Marks and second-year back Jawhar Jordan.

Houston has only lost two games since its Week 4 bye. Both came against teams that are now No. 1 seeds in the postseason, and they came by a combined 11 points. This is a team that can win it all. - Knox

8. Philadelphia Eagles (11-6, NFC No. 3 Seed)

AP Photo/ Jeffrey T. Barnes

Eagles RB Saquon Barkley

How will the Philadelphia Eagles' decision to rest starters in Week 18 affect their chemistry in the Wild Card Round? The answer to that question could impact the entire NFC playoff race.

Philly lacked offensive cohesion at various points in the regular season, and the defense hasn't always been good enough to counter. While it had a top-10 scoring defense on the season, it had some struggles against the run, which isn't ideal against this year's NFC field.

Yet, the Eagles are still the defending champs. They won their last three meaningful games of the regular season and nearly won a meaningless finale with backups. If they're in a rhythm to open the postseason and gain confidence against a banged-up San Francisco 49ers team in the opening round, they'll be a very tough out.

If Philadelphia comes out flat and falls behind early, though, it could just as easily be one-and-done in the playoffs. - Knox

7. San Francisco 49ers (12-5, NFC No. 6 Seed)

AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn

49ers RB Christian McCaffrey

The San Francisco 49ers are one of the most fascinating teams in this year's playoff field.

They have been blasted by injuries all season on both sides of the ball and have struggled to rush the passer, logging an NFL-low 20 sacks for the season.

However, thanks largely to another great season from running back Christian McCaffrey, the Niners were in play for the NFC's No. 1 seed until the regular season's final week.

When San Francisco is firing on all cylinders offensively, it can beat any team in the NFC. But if the Niners come out flat the way they did in Week 18 against the Seattle Seahawks, they won't make it past this week's trip to Philadelphia. - Moton

6. Jacksonville Jaguars (13-4, AFC No. 3 Seed)

AP Photo/Gary McCullough

Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence

The Jaguars may not have pulled out the No. 1 overall seed in the AFC during the final weekend of play, but they needed plenty of help to make that happen.

Even so, Jacksonville is the best team in the conference at this very moment. Let's take that a step further: No team is playing at a higher level as the NFL enters the win-or-go-home stage of the 2025 campaign. 

Liam Coen's squad won eight straight games entering the postseason. More importantly, quarterback Trevor Lawrence is playing the best football of his career, which finally places him among the NFL's best. As a unit, Jacksonville scored more touchdowns this year than any other season in franchise history. 

On the other side of the ball, the Jaguars defense is the stingiest against the run, which will make any opponent one-dimensional and predictable. - Sobleski

5. Buffalo Bills (12-5, AFC No. 6 Seed)

Winslow Townson/AP Images for Panini

Bills RB James Cook

This season's version of the Buffalo Bills is different from recent campaigns.

They aren't as reliant on Josh Allen to do everything as they attempt to make their first Super Bowl appearance in 32 years. Instead, the Bills can lean on others to get the job done. 

First and foremost, running back James Cook is now the driving force behind the Bills' offense. The NFL's leading rusher ran for 100 or more yards in nine different games. Even when Cook didn't play in Week 18, Ray Davis ran for 151 yards against the New York Jets. 

Furthermore, the Bills field a top-10 defense again after falling to 17th a year ago. 

The sixth seed may be Buffalo's worst slotting during the team's current seven-year playoff streak, but the Bills just might be more dangerous now than they've ever been. - Sobleski

4. Los Angeles Rams (12-5, NFC No. 5 Seed)

AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson

Rams QB Matthew Stafford

For a sizable chunk of the season, the Los Angeles Rams looked like the best team in the NFL. Quarterback Matthew Stafford was going to win his first MVP award, and the team appeared to be headed back to the Super Bowl.

However, the Rams then dropped two straight (including a wild loss to Seattle), and now a team that has looked vulnerable in recent weeks will be on the road in the postseason, where it is just 5-4 as opposed to 7-1 at SoFi Stadium.

However, Los Angeles should have Davante Adams back for next week's game at Carolina. A Week 13 setback in Charlotte is when the Rams' late swoon truly started—and they know it. And when it plays to its ceiling, L.A. may still be the most balanced and talented team in the NFL.

Welcome to the 2025 playoffs—where every contender has at least one significant question mark. - Davenport

3. Denver Broncos (14-3, AFC No. 1 Seed)

AP Photo/David Dermer

Broncos edge Nik Bonitto

The Denver Broncos earned the AFC West crown and the conference's No. 1 seed with a 14-3 record and a championship-caliber defense. Yet, they still feel like one of the shakiest top seeds we've seen in some time.

Defense has been Denver's strength all season, and it even struggled at times during the final stretch, allowing 26 or more points three times in the final six games. Meanwhile, offensive chemistry issues have been just as problematic as the defense has been promising.

The Broncos' offense averaged fewer than 20 points over the final three games, including contests against Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers teams that were missing several key players.

Here the Broncos are, though. They're two wins away from Super Bowl LX, they'll hold a potent home-field advantage in January, and they have a defense that is legitimately dominant when at its best.

Considering how much will favor Denver in the coming weeks, anything short of a Super Bowl appearance should be viewed as a disappointment. - Knox

2. New England Patriots (14-3, AFC No. 2 Seed)

AP Photo/Greg M. Cooper

Patriots QB Drake Maye

Drake Maye carved up defenses in the regular season, throwing for 4,394 yards, 31 touchdowns and eight interceptions with a 72 percent completion rate. He's a legitimate MVP candidate, a regular-season award, but the second-year signal-caller will experience playoff intensity for the first time.

Fortunately for Maye, New England has a balanced roster with battle-tested veterans on the defensive side of the ball. The Patriots will carry some momentum from their 14-win season into the playoffs as their young quarterback continues to grow with his supporting cast that includes rookie left tackle Will Campbell and first-year running back TreVeyon Henderson.

Skeptics may worry about the Patriots' inexperience, but a win over the Los Angeles Chargers in the Wild Card Round could turn some of their doubters into believers. - Moton

1. Seattle Seahawks (14-3, NFC No. 1 Seed)

AP Photo/Rusty Jones

Seahawks QB Sam Darnold

Welcome to the Sam Darnold Revenge Tour v. 2.0.

To be fair, the quarterback isn't the sole reason the Seahawks just set a franchise record for regular-season wins. He's not even the biggest one—Seattle has been suffocating on defense and sports a punishing ground game.

But as the Minnesota Vikings found out the hard way, Darnold's 14-3 record as the starter in 2024 was no fluke. His numbers this year are down compared to 12 months ago, but he still surpassed 4,000 passing yards for the second straight year and made plays when he needed to.

This is a team that has won seven straight and nine of 10, and three in a row against teams that are in the NFC playoff bracket.

However, until Darnold shows he can shake off last year's postseason meltdown, the Revenge Tour will be incomplete—and he'll have to wait for the divisional round to do that. - Davenport