NFL Playoff Standings 2018: Updated AFC, NFC Records and Power Rankings
After a compelling Wild Card Weekend, we're left with eight teams in the playoff hunt. Where do clubs still vying for a title stand in the latest power rankings?
As seen in the opening round, what happened in the regular season doesn't carry over to the playoffs. The Los Angeles Rams finished the 2017 campaign as the top-scoring team in the league but produced 13 points at home following a rest week for starters.
The Tennessee Titans barely made the postseason with lackluster performances but pulled off an upset over the Kansas City Chiefs who went into the matchup with a four-game win streak.
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The non-playoff team standings remain consistent, but how should we view the hierarchy in the top eight?
First, check out team standings and matchups set for the divisional round.
Playoff Standings and Matchups
AFC
No. 1 New England Patriots (13-3) vs. No. 5 Tennessee Titans (10-7)
No. 2 Pittsburgh Steelers (13-3) vs. No. 3 Jacksonville Jaguars (11-6)
NFC
No. 1 Philadelphia Eagles (13-3) vs. No. 6 Atlanta Falcons (11-6)
No. 2 Minnesota Vikings (13-3) vs. No. 4 New Orleans Saints (12-5)
Week 17 Power Rankings
1. New England Patriots (13-3)
2. Pittsburgh Steelers (13-3)
3. New Orleans Saints (12-5)
4. Minnesota Vikings (13-3)
5. Atlanta Falcons (11-6)
6. Jacksonville Jaguars (11-6)
7. Philadelphia Eagles (13-3)
8. Tennessee Titans (10-7)
9. Carolina Panthers (11-6)
10. Los Angeles Rams (11-6)
11. Buffalo Bills (9-8)
12. Kansas City Chiefs (10-7)
13. Seattle Seahawks (9-7)
14. Dallas Cowboys (9-7)
15. San Francisco 49ers (6-10)
16. Baltimore Ravens (9-7)
17. Los Angeles Chargers (9-7)
18. Detroit Lions (9-7)
19. Washington Redskins (7-9)
20. Arizona Cardinals (8-8)
21. Oakland Raiders (6-10)
22. Cincinnati Bengals (7-9)
23. Miami Dolphins (6-10)
24. Green Bay Packers (7-9)
25. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-11)
26. Denver Broncos (5-11)
27. Chicago Bears (5-11)
28. New York Giants (3-13)
29. Indianapolis Colts (4-12)
30. New York Jets (5-11)
31. Houston Texans (4-12)
32. Cleveland Browns (0-16)
New Orleans Saints Move to No. 3
Minnesota Vikings fans will oppose, but the New Orleans Saints rank No. 3 in the post-wild-card rankings. It sounds unfair since one team earned a first-round bye. However, between the two clubs, which roster do you trust more in a playoff setting?
We'll watch a matchup between the Saints and Vikings play out in Sunday's second divisional-round contest. For now, we'll focus on why New Orleans jumps to the third spot despite losing in Week 1 to the Vikings.
Throughout the season, running backs Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram grabbed headlines, but Drew Brees showed why he's still one of the best quarterbacks in the league Sunday. When the Carolina Panthers clamped down on the Saints ground attack, the 38-year-old signal-caller propelled this team to a victory with an impressive performance, throwing for 376 passing yards and two touchdowns.
Can the Vikings rely on quarterback Case Keenum when their top-10 rushing offense doesn't perform at its best?
The Saints will travel on the road with an offense asking opponents to pick their poison with a top-five ground attack and a future Hall of Fame quarterback who can still carve up a formidable pass defense. Don't forget, the New Orleans defense looks much better on all three levels.
Resurgent Atlanta Falcons at No. 5
At times, the Atlanta Falcons resembled its 2016 form but also lost its identity as an offensive powerhouse on other occasions. In playoff action, this team flipped the switch and knocked off the NFC West champions.
Quarterback Matt Ryan didn't throw for 300-plus yards against the Rams, but the balanced offensive attack kept the chains moving and possessed the ball.
Atlanta held possession for 37:35—almost two-thirds of the contest, which left Los Angeles with little margin for error. The Rams committed two turnovers and settled for two field goals on productive drives.
An improved defensive group elevates the Falcons to the No. 5 spot ahead of the Jacksonville Jaguars, who have not seen their offense click over the past few weeks. Atlanta's offensive unit isn't as productive as the previous year, but the defense has noticeably improved in 2017.
Philadelphia Eagles Drop to No. 7
After quarterback Carson Wentz suffered an ACL tear in Week 14, the Philadelphia Eagles have continued to drop in the power rankings. Backup signal-caller Nick Foles' production justifies the continuous plunge.
There's a reason the Eagles list as the only home 'dog in divisional-round matchups, per OddsShark.
At some point in the postseason, a team needs a capable quarterback to win games unless there's a stifling defense to shut down the opponent. The Eagles have shown critical flaws in both areas.
Foles completed 50 percent or less of his pass attempts in the last two outings with one touchdown and two interceptions. The defensive unit surrendered 29 points to the hapless New York Giants in Week 15.
Philadelphia's front seven must aggressively pursue Ryan in the pocket and crowd running lanes to limit Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman in the backfield. If not, Atlanta could have its way at Lincoln Financial Field at the weekend.
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