Sportsnaut
The NFL Playoffs kicked off this weekend with Wild Card Weekend, seeing a few thrilling second-half comebacks with most of the favorites largely coming out on top. As we look ahead to the Divisional Round, it’s time to re-rank the remaining teams in the playoffs and offer something for eliminated clubs.
Let’s dive into our NFL Power Rankings after the Wild Card Round, highlighting one player each eliminated team must re-sign and ranking the teams remaining in the NFL Playoffs. We’ll have a final update after the Monday Night Football game between the Houston Texans (7) and Pittsburgh Steelers (9).
With the way the NFC teams performed in the Wild Card Round, the Seattle Seahawks should be feeling even better about their chances at home in the Divisional Round. Seattle gets a rematch against the 49ers, with its rival this time without George Kittle and starting multiple backups at linebacker. There is still a very real path to San Francisco getting revenge, but the Seahawks look like the best team in the NFC right now.
In terms of pure ceiling, the Los Angeles Rams have the highest of any team remaining in the NFL playoffs. However, Matthew Stafford’s penchant for multi-turnover games every so often does not mix well with a Rams secondary that has been exposed in the second half of the season. Drawing a matchup in Chicago for the Divisional Round, the Rams’ chances of pulling off another road victory will likely depend on whether Stafford protects the football against a defense that led the NFL in interceptions.
Josh Allen found a way to victory again, this time snapping his winless streak n the road in the playoffs. What’s particularly impressive is that Allen did this on a Sunday where James Cook was held under 50 rushing yards and the engine of this Bills offense averaged just 3.0 yards per carry. Beating the Jaguars was a massive test passed by Buffalo and with how the rest of the AFC looks right now, there are plenty of reasons to think Allen can get this team to the Super Bowl.
It was not a crisp playoff victory for the New England Patriots, but all that matters is they are headed to the Divisional Round and get to host either the Pittsburgh Steelers or the Houston Texans. Drake Maye made the plays he needed to against one of the league’s most well-coached defenses, and Rhamondre Stevenson put the offense on his back when the passing game was not working early. If New England’s defensive success in the Wild Card Round can carry over into next week, there is a real chance of the Patriots reaching the AFC Championship Game in Maye’s second season.
We have just as many questions about Bo Nix’s inconsistency as we do about the Denver Broncos’ defensive dip late in the season and the absence...
