2024 Postseason Power Rankings

14. Pittsburgh Steelers (AFC #6)

The Steelers are doing exactly what they do every year. They get the requisite number of wins for Mike Tomlin to keep his streak while TJ Watt is remaining elite. Russell Wilson’s Denver ghost returned over the Christmas marathon of games and the Steelers found themselves on the wrong side of the ‘elite’ conversation.

13. Denver Broncos (AFC #7)

Bo Nix has shocked most of the world with Sean Payton shepherding his boyish elder statesmanship. The Denver defense stepping up is the real story with Pat Surtain surging toward the end of the season. They got the chance to pimp their collar against the junior varsity Chiefs in Week 18. They might be Buffalo’s worst nightmare is Bo can pull off some of the theatrics in western New York.

12. Houston Texans (AFC #4)

Houston will host a playoff game and that’s most of the reason I believe in them more than most of the other teams in similar spots. Stroud has yet to inspire those hoping he would jump into the Top 5 conversation, but he does have a playoff win on his limited resume, so we could see something we’ve never seen before.

11. Washington Commanders (NFC #6)

Jayden Daniels is a rookie. No one should believe in him nor his team heading into the postseason, but here’s the thing, the guy is pretty clutch. From his heroics versus Cincy to his most recent success shooting the fair one with Atlanta, Jayden has been that dude. His presumptive win of the Rookie of the Year honors is narrative driven, but it is well worth it. The Commanders have figured out their defensive woes while staying steady in a crowded NFC.

10. Los Angeles Chargers (AFC #5)

Jim Harbaugh (and Jesse Minter) have completely turned this team around. Justin Herbert is aided by a ravishing run game and efficient defense as well as Ladd McConkey. The Chargers lack talent that will assuredly grow in the coming years, but if Herbert can toss some of the wonderful passes we’ve seen from him in the past through the AFC, Los Angeles might just have enough to make a run.

9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (NFC #3)

Baker Mayfield’s numbers should have thrust him into the MVP conversation if previous Browns-tinged biases didn’t hinder his ascension. Baker is officially a top 10 QB being that he has won his division in back-to-back seasons, particularly with a window of injuries this season. Todd Bowles’ defense doesn’t allow teams to run the football, but their secondary has some questions to answer. If Baker can prove to the world (again) that he’s a player to be feared, Tampa will reflect that quality.

8. Los Angeles Rams (NFC #4)

Matthew Stafford and Sean McVay are the only people in their professions not in Kansas City to have won a Super Bowl most recently. The Rams beat the Bills and scored 44 points before they scored the same amount in their next three contests. The Rams will host a playoff game for what it’s worth and their veteran presence must be respected.

7. Green Bay Packers (NFC #7)

The Packers are the only #7 seed in NFL playoff history to win a postseason matchup. They are once again in the same spot against the NFC East champ. They haven’t been able to beat any of the teams ahead of them in the NFC race, but Jordan Love’s unpredictability lends itself to crazy things happening (for better or worse). Green Bay is once again the youngest team heading into the playoffs, but Matt LaFleur has shown an adaptability and flexibility to help out where the team needs.

6. Minnesota Vikings (NFC #5)

The Vikings missed their shot at the kings of the jungle and receive the consolation prize of heading to Hollywood to play the Rams. Sam Darnold has millions of dollars potentially hanging in the balance within the last few weeks. He’s aided by the extreme talents of his wide receiver room, but his novelty legend may continue. Brian Flores’ defensive scheme has tortured nearly every quarterback he throws the headset on against. Kevin O’Connell is officially eclipsed the easy label of young offensive genius and grown into a true leader of men.

5. Baltimore Ravens (AFC #3)

I believe that the Ravens have graduated to the category the Bills are leaving. Their quarterback may be their biggest weapon, against their opponent and themselves. Lamar Jackson is the unicorn amongst unicorns and Derrick Henry has added to the complexity of facing Baltimore. The early season defensive worries were solved by the unknown cultural forces (the collaborative ghost of Ray Lewis and Ed Reed). Lamar has had some playoff troubles in the past but shook some of them against Houston last year. If Baltimore can impose their will, there aren’t many teams that can stop them and could celebrate like their forefathers.

4. Detroit Lions (NFC #1)

The Lions’ injuries on defense have been incredibly overstated due to their winning. Dan Campbell can appear cartoonish, but the sweaty shouting may look really good with a shiny accessory in New Orleans. Jared Goff and the offense have stayed afloat with Jahmyr Gibbs waltzing into the elite back conversations. Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn may be coaching their last games as Campbell’s chief lieutenants, so they could be auditioning for the likes of the Bears, Jaguars, and Patriots. Jared Goff scored three points the last time he was in the Super Bowl and could face the Fangio scheme before he even returns. Dan Campbell’s folksy, familiar vibe also lends itself to the feeling that your stubborn friend wants to keep going for it on 4th down. The only problem is that it’s real life and not Madden. None of that may matter because they may jump on a team in the Big Easy and dominate to the tune of 52-6.

3. Philadelphia Eagles (NFC #2)

Jalen Hurts has not played a game since Week 15 because of a concussion and with Philly’s first round draw having some vengeance in their souls due to their Brazilian brawl to open the season. The Packers are probably the toughest first round draw, but Philly has developed into the most fearsome team in the NFC for a reason. Kellen Moore hasn’t appeared in any head coaching conversations and neither has Vic Fangio, but their controls over their sides of the ball have been mighty impressive. The Eagles have the most weapons and best offensive line for Jalen Hurts to play around with and could host throughout if the bracket breaks. The Eagles are one of two NFC teams that have represented the conference in the Super Bowl with a high scoring performance, something most teams have never accomplished.

2. Buffalo Bills (AFC #2)

Josh Allen’s best season (post Brian Daboll) will conclude with an MVP trophy, but most don’t realize that he is probably the most trustworthy playoff quarterback east of the Mississippi River. If it wasn’t for Patrick Mahomes, the Bills probably could have hoisted a trophy of their own over the last half decade. The Buffalo defense has melted a bit over the last few weeks, but their individual performers boast incredible Havoc numbers, so they could have the solo playmakers to create memories in Bills lore.

1. Kansas City Chiefs (AFC #1)

The back-to-back reigning champions’ result from Week 18 should be nullified. This is when the Chiefs turn on the magic. Last year, their first playoff game was an effective blowout of the Dolphins in the wild card and this year’s bout will be the lowest remaining seed after the Wild Card is over. Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Chris Jones, and Andy Reid stand at the precipice of history and have rested more than anyone else heading in the postseason. With Baltimore and Buffalo on a collision course on the other side of the playoffs, Kansas City could host a beat up “rival” in what some call The Arrowhead Invitational. Everyone hate that reality, but the Chiefs have set themselves up the best to conclude what has never been done before.