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Ranking all 14 NFL playoff teams: Who can win it all?
Of the 14 teams left standing after NFL Week 18, a select few have legitimate chances to win it all. Here’s a ranking of all 14 playoff teams in terms of Super Bowl viability, breaking down why they may or may not emerge from the pack.
1. Green Bay Packers
Led by the reigning MVP and odds-on favorite to repeat in Aaron Rodgers, the Packers are the most well-rounded unit in the postseason with a prolific, versatile offense and an improved defense full of playmakers. Rodgers also just got top blindside protector David Bakhtiari back from injury to further bolster the team’s chances.
2. Kansas City Chiefs
After a troubling 3-4 start to the season, the Chiefs gradually worked their way back into top form, going 9-1 the rest of the way. Their offense again ranks among the NFL’s most prolific. Their defense ranks tied for fifth in takeaways with 29. And they boast ample postseason experience, having appeared in the last two Super Bowls.
3. Buffalo Bills
Back-to-back winners of the AFC East for the first time in 30 years, Buffalo checks a lot of boxes: talented young QB, top-10 offense, top-ranked defense, gradual improvement each year. It all rides on Josh Allen. Unlike Rodgers and Patrick Mahomes, however, he remains unproven under the brightest lights.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tom Brady. Enough said. They’re thin at receiver, but the GOAT gives them a chance, and they’re getting some reinforcements back on both sides of the ball. Experience also should serve them well. Health and depth questions will hang over them.
5. Los Angeles Rams
A star-studded cast of playmakers. Top-10 rankings on offense and defense. One of the best coaching staffs in football. There’s a lot to like about this Rams team that has gone all-in, repeatedly shipping off firstround picks to acquire the best veteran talent. Matthew Stafford is the biggest question mark. He tends to force things at times, and his turnovers often keep foes alive. The veteran passer closed out the season with three consecutive multiple-interception games.
6. Dallas Cowboys
They boast the most prolific offense on the season both in yards (407 per game) and points (31.2 per game). And their defense has big-play potential. If all goes their way, there’s no reason why they shouldn’t contend. But, inconsistencies at times plague them on both offense and defense.
7. San Francisco 49ers
They certainly have the roster to contend with almost any team in the postseason. However, waves of injuries hampered their efforts, and they had to fight tooth and nail to the finish. They secured a postseason spot by pulling off an authoritative comeback victory over the Rams. The Niners do have a tough defense and rushing attack, and Jimmy Garoppolo can make some big-time throws. If they get some momentum, experience from their Super Bowl run two seasons ago could prove valuable.
8. Tennessee Titans
The road to the Super Bowl goes through Nashville. They’re a physical bunch on offense and defense, and even without Derrick Henry, they’ve maintained their run-first identity. The 2020 rushing leader could be making a comeback after missing much of the season after foot surgery. However, Ryan Tannehill remains inconsistent when asked to assume a heavier throwing load.
9. Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals closed out the season with a 4-6 record. Kyler Murray has game-changing abilities. But their success hinges on whether Kliff Kingsburry can make the necessary in-game adjustments.
10. New England Patriots
They own one of the stingiest defenses in the league, as well as a punishing rushing attack – both key ingredients for playoff football. They could find themselves able to compete in games against a lot of teams. But if they have to play from behind, their chances aren’t great, as rookie Mac Jones isn’t (yet) at the point where he can put a team on his back.
11. Cincinnati Bengals
They have got one of the best ascending duos in Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase and an effective rushing attack led by Joe Mixon and can go toe-to-toe with just about any offense in the league. But the Bengals are pedestrian on defense in yards (350.8 per game) and points (22.1 per game) allowed and takeaways (21).
12. Las Vegas Raiders
The picture of resilience, the Raiders have endured all kinds of drama – the split with Jon Gruden, the loss of Henry Ruggs III following his fatal alleged drunken driving incident, the dismissal of several underperforming high draft picks. During the tumultuous early stretch of the season, the leadership of quarterback Derek Carr kept this unit afloat. And then Rich Bisaccia grew into his role as interim head coach and has pushed the right buttons during a 5-2 finish to the season. However, getting their first postseason win since 2002 could prove too daunting a task.
13. Pittsburgh Steelers
In what has been Ben Roethlisberger’s farewell tour, the Steelers scratched and clawed their way into the playoffs while receiving the help they needed from the Raiders and Jaguars. T.J. Watt leads a tough defense, but the Steelers have an anemic offense with a virtually nonexistent downfield passing attack.
14. Philadelphia Eagles
After a shaky start, the rebuilding Eagles and first-year head coach Nick Sirianni found their identity and put together a league-leading rushing attack to eke out a wild-card berth. However, the Eagles were 1-7 against winning teams, and eight of their nine wins came against teams with shaky quarterback situations.