Windy City Gridiron
With the conclusion of Week 18’s final Sunday Night Football matchup of the year, the end of the 2025 NFL regular season has become a reality. For the 14 teams headed to the playoffs, a new season has begun. For the 18 other teams that missed the dance, their offseasons will get a jumpstart. Especially those who will be in the market for a new head coach and/or general manager. Every year, it seems like the season goes by in the blink of an eye, even with the extra game added in. As usual, there were plenty of surprise teams, but unlike previous seasons, more disappointments than usual. Before we close the page on our regular season WCG Power Rankings, we’ll rank the 14-team playoff field and provide parting thoughts on those heading home until July.
Ranking The 14-Team Playoff Field
**1. Seattle Seahawks (14-3)
One year after missing the playoffs by a game at 10-7, they left no doubt in 2025 as to whether or not they belong. It felt like all season, the Seahawks and Rams were jockeying for the top spot in the conference. Yet, somehow, the 49ers hung around and forced a Week 18 battle for not only the NFC West title, but the NFC’s No. 1 seed. In the end, the Seahawks went on the road to Levi’s Stadium and dominated a low-scoring game, securing the NFC West title and the No. 1 seed. With a bye week before their first playoff game, it’s time to wish the rest of the NFC good luck.
**2. Denver Broncos (14-3)
Even if it might not feel like it, the Broncos were a playoff team last year. Yet, in most onlookers’ view, their legitimacy as the AFC’s best team has been questioned almost all season. Heading into Week 18, they had been involved in 13 one-score games, while going 11-2 in those contests. Some might argue that’s not sustainable, but with an elite defense and an offense capable of scoring 33 points in one quarter, the results speak for themselves. The AFC will go through Mile High, and that’s no easy feat to overcome. Broncos fans should feel great about where they’re heading into the postseason.
**3. New England Patriots (14-3)
There have been plenty of pleasant surprises in the league this season, but I’d argue that none has been more significant than what Mike Vrabel and Drake Maye have done in New England. The Patriots were a team that had won eight combined games over the previous two seasons, and came close to doubling that total in Vrabel’s first season. Maye’s sophomore season has been nothing short of magical, and there’s a real shot he comes away as the league MVP. They are a well-rounded team, but if all goes well, this is just the start of another great run in Foxborough.
**4. Jacksonville Jaguars (13-4)
Stop me if you’ve heard this a few times already, but the Jaguars are yet another one of the league’s surprising...
