With the chaotic 2025 season coming to a close, the playoffs look to be as crazy as ever. While we patiently wait for playoffs to kick off, let’s take a look at where playoff teams rank among each other. 

Tier Four: Just Happy To Be Here 

14. Carolina Panthers

For the first time since 2015, the 8-9 Panthers won the NFC South and slid into the playoffs in the final week. Carolina is slated to take on the Rams in the wild card round and although they have upset Los Angeles in the regular season, do they truly stand a chance this time?

Carolina has had a far from bad season in comparison to recent years. Young head coach Dave Canales has changed the culture and brought in guys to support it. Offensively, quarterback Bryce Young, wide receiver Tet McMillan and running back Rico Dowdle brought life to the offense. Meanwhile, young defensive stars like secondary players Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson, and defensive lineman Derick Brown have made this unit scary for any team to face. Despite the success they have ranked No. 15 in defense and No. 27 offensively in points per game with 18.3. 

Overall with the star talent, this team is still young and inconsistent in big moments. As much as I would love to see the Panthers prove me wrong and go on a cinderella run, I do not think it is possible for such a young and inexperienced team to face current NFC juggernauts like Los Angeles and Seattle, which is why the Panthers are truly just happy to make it.

13. Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers barely slid into the four seed in a winner-take-all Week 18 game against the Ravens. Although Pittsburgh managed to make the playoffs and pull off ten wins,  they are in a boat similar to the Panthers.

Just like the Panthers, the Steelers’ playoff berth was much deserved. The Steelers had a grim outlook on the season after losing star wide receiver George Pickens and barely managing to sign veteran Aaron Rodgers. Despite that they got it done. The defense had a solid year yet it could have been better, ranking No. 17 among all teams. The offense, on the other hand, was quite the surprise. The Steelers ranked No. 15 in offense with 23.4 points. This success was thanks to running back duo Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell, as well as the pass game which included Rodgers and receivers D.K. Metcalf and Calvin Austin III. 

Yet even with the Black and Gold looking the best they have in a while, the Steelers have struggled against top tier teams, and they have to face one in the Houston Texans in the first round. Although anything is possible, I can’t see a world where the Steelers defy the odds especially against a Super Bowl contender.

Tier Three: Anything Is Possible

12. Green Bay Packers

The Packers locked in the seven seed after finishing 9-7-1. The Packers are still a contender, yet they pale in comparison to who they looked to be a few weeks into the season.

Even with Green Bay having a star-studded roster they were only slightly above average this season. Green Bay was exactly middle of the pack offensively, ranking No. 16 in points per game at 23 points, and defensively they were only slightly above average, ranking No. 11. Don’t get me wrong, the Packers are a talented team. Quarterback Jordan Love has been a star barring a few underwhelming performances. Running back Josh Jacobs has also been his same old self and the pass game has been solid as well. Defensively even without star edge rusher Micah Parsons they’ve been strong up front, yet they’ve lacked the ability to guard any pass attack as of recent. 

Overall, the Packers are your definition of a dark horse. All the talent is there but you can never be sure it’s going to flash at the right time. I do believe that Green Bay has a solid shot to beat the Bears based on rivalry yet I can’t see them getting much farther, which is why they land at No. 12 on my list.

11. Los Angeles Chargers

The Chargers also slid into the seventh seed at a strong 11-6. This team, just like the Packers, truly has all the talent to pull together a strong playoff run, yet with too many injuries and inconsistent play it’s hard to see them contending in later rounds. 

Don’t get me wrong, the Chargers are a phenomenal team when healthy. Justin Herbert is debatably a top five quarterback in the NFL and with a star studded offensive line and studs all around him like running back Omarion Hampton, receiver Ladd McConkey and tight end Orande Gadsden II. Yet that all came crashing down with injuries to star tackle duo Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater, as well as other key pieces on the offensive line. Since then, Herbert has had to run for his life every single game, and the offense doesn’t compare to its starting strength. Even with the offensive struggles, the defense has been phenomenal this season in comparison to recent seasons. Defensive coordinator Jesse Minter has turned around this defense and made it contender-worthy as it ranks No. 9 across the league this season. 

Los Angeles has been knocked down all season. Between injuries and inconsistencies from stars it is hard to say if they will make it on luck to a true run or be a first–round exit. Although I think with the level of talent this roster contains they truly can surprise a few teams such as the Patriots, yet the lack of playoff success in recent years on top of major injuries has me uneasy about the Chargers chance of succeeding in the playoffs. Anything is  possible for the Bolts as they enter the playoffs, but chances are slimmer than Chargers fans would like to accept. 

Tier Two: Championship Contenders

10. Chicago Bears

Chicago has truly turned things around this offseason with the hiring of offensive mastermind Ben Johnson and has gone from 5-12 to 11-6 in just one season. With all the talent the Bears hold, they have been a fun team to watch and a challenging team to bet on, yet the Bears might be a bit too young to truly compete with the juggernauts. 

The Bears have transformed their team and it all starts with offensive scheming. Under Johnson’s regime, stars like Caleb Williams, D’Andre Swift and Rome Odunze have truly thrived. With rookies like Luther Burden III, Colston Loveland and Kyle Monongai also becoming threats, this offense has been a force to be reckoned with and it shows. It is not just the offense however, the defense has been dominant as well. Dennis Allen’s unit has recorded the most takeaways by any team with 31 turnovers.

The Bears have been scarier than ever, but one thing is true: more than half of this roster has never been in a playoff game. The talent is most definitely there when it comes to winning games against other talented teams, but if they do not know how to handle playoff football, they are going to have a rude awakening when they have to face a juggernaut of a team.

9. Buffalo Bills

It is hard to put the Bills at No. 9 because they might  be one of the most playoff experienced teams in this bracket, yet it feels that this team isn’t ready for the playoffs at all. 

Even with the 11-6 record, the Bills have struggled this season. The stats are in their favor as they rank No. 4 in points per game with 28.3 and No. 12 in defense. With a generally successful season, this roster is abysmal. The run defense has been horrendous due to injuries and lack of depth, and the secondary has been great but unable to make up for the front sevens issues. The offense has also been solid but it is only due to Josh Allen and James Cook III playing hero ball. Without a true receiver core and a stronger offense line, this offense truly struggled against good teams like the Eagles and Patriots this season. 

I will never count out the Bills in the postseason, when not facing the Chiefs this team is a hope-killer to any franchise they face. They have a weaker roster and I’m not sure they can ride Allen and Cooks’ back to glory, and this truly just may not be their year. 

8. Jacksonville Jaguars

Jacksonville has finally got what they have searched for for decades, a competent quarterback and head coach at the right time. With the success they have had this season in arguably their best season since the Blake Bortles era, one would think  they are unstoppable right? Well as much as I would like to believe that, I think there are definitely some factors that need to be considered.

The Jaguars talent is there no doubt. With an offensive mastermind at the helm like Liam Cohen, they truly could win it all with the talent he has been handed. Trevor Lawrence has turned into a superstar quarterback especially at the back half of the season and even with a weak receiver room by the looks of it, receivers P.J. Washington and Jakobi Meyers have been great options for him all season. The run game has been much more productive than last year under Cohen and the defense has been playing above average all season with superstars like Josh Hines-Allen and Devin Lloyd.

Jacksonville truly has all the talent to go far and with this unpredictable season, I think it is very reasonable to see them winning the AFC. Although they are a young and inexperienced team when it comes to the playoffs and  that often comes back to bite young and talented rosters when they face veteran-savvy teams that know how to play ugly football. I will not be surprised if the Jaguars go far, but I think they need to really get the motor running to win it all. 

7. San Francisco 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers finished the season within ten points of the No. 1 seed, which when considering the series of unfortunate events they’ve dealt with this season, was seriously impressive. As much as I would be happy for this franchise to make a run after a harsh year of injuries and bad luck, I think they have too many holes in their play to be a Super Bowl-ready team.

The 49ers offense has been maybe top three in the league since Purdy returned and has been consistent all season even with injuries, sitting at No. 10 offensively with 25.7 points per game. To be fair, it is hard to be unsuccessful with Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle and Brock Purdy leading the pack. The defense, on the other hand, has been a major hole for the 49ers. Since losing multiple key players like Nick Bosa, Fred Warner and others, the unit has been a setback for this team. The 49ers in December alone let up 24 points to the Titans, 27 to the Colts and 38 to the Chicago Bears, this defensive unit is seemingly relying on the offense to carry them and it is glaringly obvious.

I have no concerns about the 49ers offense, yet when this defense plays the way it has as of recent, if the offense is held up at all by an elite defense they stand no chance. The 49ers are one of the most playoff experienced teams in the playoffs, yet if they cannot get past these elite defenses like the Hawks or Texans, they have a very slim chance to win it all. 

6. New England Patriots 

The New England Patriots have finally returned to their former glory and went 14-3 on the season. The Patriots look like a contender, although some issues arise when it comes to beating other teams at their level.

One thing is for sure, that regardless of strength of the schedule, this team is very good. They have dominated the stat sheet on both sides, ranking No. 4  defensively, as well as No. 2 in the league in scoring offense. They could not have done this without their MVP-level quarterback Drake Maye, as well as head coach Mike Vrabel who changed the culture in New England. Players like Stefon Diggs, Kayshon Boutte and TreVeyon Henderson have truly helped elevate this offense, while defensively Christian Gonzalez, Marcus Jones and Carlton Davis III have been a few to truly support this team on the other side of the ball. 

The Patriots are a nightmare squad. Yet when considering the easy path they have had to the playoffs I cannot help but worry with their lack of experience they will not be ready to face a team that is as good as them if not better. Although I think they have truly a great chance to run the AFC, I am not sure if they can stand against a few of the teams above them. 

Tier One: Superbowl Loading…

5. Denver Broncos 

I may have not given the Broncos much praise in the regular season, but the playoffs are a different beast. Although the team has big holes in its play, the strengths are too strong to count them out and I think it is scary to think that the AFC runs through mile high. 

Defensively Denver is near perfect. Ranking top three, this unit has been a nightmare for any team they face as they rank just below Houston and Seattle. With stars like Nik Bonitto, Pat Surtain II and Riley Moss running the unit this team has been in safe hands, it has been the offense that has struggled the most instead. This offense, despite having one of the best records in the NFL, ranks at only No. 14 in points per game at 23.6. Even with the talent they have on offense in running back RJ Harvey, receiver Courtland Sutton and others, they have struggled under quarterback Bo Nix and have struggled to be a strong offensive unit this season. 

With this defense, I will never be surprised if the Broncos win a game, yet they need to be less sluggish on offense if they want to have playoff success. Although they are an experienced roster with a very experienced coach in Sean Payton, which is why they land at No. 5 here.

4. Philadelphia Eagles

I know, I know… the Eagles have not been the same selves this year. After winning the Super Bowl and maintaining most of their 2024 roster, I thought they could potentially win it all. Yet this season, they just have not been good offensively and it shows on the stat line.

Offensively this season, the Eagles have ranked No. 19 in points per game at 22.3, 4.9 points less than last year. With the loss of Kellen Moore the run and pass game have both lost their rhythm. Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkely and AJ Brown have all just not been on the same wave length and it truly has hurt the Eagles this season. One thing hasn’t changed though, and it is the defense. Vic Fangio’s defense has been elite all season and is ranked No. 5 in defensive statistics. Star corner duo Cooper DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell have not let anything go down in the air and the front seven has remained strong as well under Zach Baun and rookie linebacker Jihaad Campbell. 

The Eagles are just like a lot of these teams, excellent on one side of the ball, and struggling on the other. There are a couple things I will give Philadelphia: their ability to win ugly games, and their playoff experience. Experience and winning close games are some of the most essential skills to succeeding in the playoffs, and the Eagles have them both. If Philadelphia can figure out their offensive issues, I would not be surprised if they happen to win the NFC again.

3. Houston Texans

Houston has become a true contender after a 3-5 start and I am here for it. As much as I would be happy for the Texans to take it all the way, I think they have a few issues that may hinder them when competing on the big stage.

First off, the Texans defense is easily tied for the best if not the best defense in the league (besides the Seahawks) and have single-handedly won them games this season. The No. 2-ranked defense has a total of 29 takeaways only behind the Bears 33 and only three more points allowed than the Seahawks while losing two more games. The offense is what holds this team back from being the best. The Texans offense has been slightly above average, ranking at No. 13 in points per game at 23.8, yet they have struggled as C.J. Stroud Woody Marks have had to produce behind maybe the worst offensive line in the league. Besides the issue, this offense has been excellent when not considering that. Star receiver Nico Collins has been one of the best pass catchers in football and the other receivers around him have done more than expected of them.

Houston is dangerous. With the defense’s excellent play as long as the offense does their job in the playoffs they are the most prepared to win the AFC, which is why they rank top three and are my pick to win the AFC.

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2. Los Angeles Rams

The Rams have fallen off recently after losing a few close ones to the Falcons and Panthers late in the season.  I  do not think these rough games mean anything though for this talented roster’s playoff outlook. 

One thing is for certain, this offense is playoff-ready. The Rams offense is ranked No. 1 in points per game this season as the only team to break an average of 30 points per game at 30.5. MVP front-runner Matthew Stafford has been automatic in the pocket and playing maybe his best football yet. With Puka Nacua and Davante Adams as premier options for Stafford and Kyren Williams and Blake Corum getting it done on the ground, this offense is unstoppable at times. The defense, on the other hand, has struggled at times. They have still been a really strong unit, with a scary pass rush headed by Byron Young and Jared Verse they are a nightmare for any offensive line. The secondary has struggled at times, ultimately holding back this unit to being ranked No. 10 this season.

The Rams are so good that I believe they could win it all, although even with their elite play they have been shown to lose games they have no business losing, which is why they barely miss the mark as my choice to take the NFC and as the No. 1 team in the league. 

1. Seattle Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks, are the most playoff-ready team in the league. Even with a struggle to get going in the first half of games, this team is too good on both sides of the ball when they get going. 

I will give it to Seahawks doubters, they have a weird tendency to struggle in the first half. Against Los Angeles, Carolina and Atlanta they have shown that they will fall short to start the game. Even with those issues, the Sam Darnold-led offense still ranks No. 3 in points per game at 28.4, only behind the Rams and Patriots. This would all be impossible without the firepower on offense in Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Darnold. Although, even with a superstar offense, the defense has really stolen the show. This defense does not have a flaw. In every aspect of the game they have been nearly flawless, which is why they rank No. 1 in defense on the season. Whether it is Nick Emmanwori and Coby Bryant in the secondary, or Ernest Jones IV and DeMarcus Lawrence in the front seven, this defense is truly an immovable object.

Every team has its flaws, but this Seattle team is truly the closest thing to perfect. With the NFC running through Lumen Field, I think it would be really hard for the Seahawks to lose, which is why they are easily the best team in the playoffs and my choice to win the NFC.