The Bills are the best team in the league heading into the playoffs. Photo courtesy of AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Playoff Teams:
1. Buffalo Bills (13-3)
They depend a ton on Josh Allen, but they can still win that way. The defense is also good and can get stops in the red zone. They also have the ultimate motivation and emotional factor, as they are playing for their teammate Damar Hamlin.
2. San Francisco 49ers (13-4)
We will see how Brock Purdy holds up in the playoffs, which are a different atmosphere and pressure than the regular season. The rest of the roster is insanely talented though, and they play fast and physical, and will give every opponent a tough test.
3. Kansas City Chiefs (14-3)
Patrick Mahomes will win MVP and the offense has been clicking all season. This team could definitely win the Super Bowl.
4. Cincinnati Bengals (12-4)
They have a great all around roster and have no blatant weakness to their team, but their offensive line is banged up. They could have a potential matchup with the Bills or Chiefs but have to make sure they do not overlook their division rival Ravens this week.
5. Philadelphia Eagles (14-3)
They started the season great and still earned the one seed, but it has not looked good throughout the final month of season. The offensive play calling has been odd, they are lacking rhythm, and they are also dealing with some injuries to key players.
6. Dallas Cowboys (12-5)
They had a terrible showing, especially offensively, in their final game of the season. They do match up well with the Bucs, but as we have said before, Dak must take better care of the ball if they want to make a run.
7. Baltimore Ravens (10-7)
The defense has been playing well and Lamar Jackson is back for the playoffs, which gives them a much better chance. They face the Bengals in the first round, who they can definitely knock off.
8. Minnesota Vikings (13-4)
The Vikings have been a fraudulent team all season. Their offense is good but relies heavily on Justin Jefferson. Their defense is not good. I think they will lose in round one, and would not be surprised if they won, but there is no way they win two games in the playoffs.
9. Los Angeles Chargers (10-7)
The stars on the roster, such as Derwin James, Joey Bosa, Khalil Mack, and Justin Herbert really boost this team’s overall grade. They do not have a great all-around roster, but they do have difference makers who can make game-changing plays.
10. Jacksonville Jaguars (9-8)
They have a young, talented team that got hot at the right time and face the Chargers, a team they could definitely beat, as they proved earlier in the season when they won 38-10.
11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-9)
This team looked pretty bad for a majority of the season, and although they did look good against the Panthers in week 17, they still do not convince me that they are a good team. I know they have Tom Brady, but the entire operation has been poor this year and I do not see them making a postseason run.
12. Miami Dolphins (9-8)
This team would be higher if healthy, but they may be on a third or fourth string quarterback for their playoff game. We have seen how they have played in that situation this season, and it is not good.
13. Seattle Seahawks (9-8)
Geno Smith played well this season and they outperformed expectations, and they have quality draft capital to work with to add to the team. They have a tough test in the playoff against the 49ers, and will probably lose, but they have a bright future.
14. New York Giants (9-7-1)
This was a phenomenal coaching job by Brian Daboll and his assistants. The roster is not great all around, but they were able to make the playoffs and overachieved mightily this season.
Non-Playoff Teams:
15. Detroit Lions (9-8)
The offense was very good all season and the defense improved over the course of it, and they were very close to a playoff spot.
16. Green Bay Packers (8-9)
The Packers sold once again in a big spot where the pressure was on. They have an interesting offseason ahead, obviously around the status of Aaron Rodgers.
17. New England Patriots (8-9)
The defense is a good unit but it could add some playmakers. Offensively, there has to be a change at offensive coordinator and more weapons for Mac Jones. The basic level of the offense was infuriating to watch at times.
18. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-8)
Mike Tomlin once again over .500 and has still never had a season below it. This was not a great roster and they were still able to finish 9-8, which was impressive.
19. Washington Commanders (8-8-1)
They were solid but could not find consistent quality quarterback play. The defense is good and the weapons on offense are good, but they need to be more consistent all around.
20. New York Jets (7-10)
Started hot but were terrible down the stretch and had a messy quarterback and locker room situation. Robert Saleh must do a better job of controlling his locker room. Guys talk way too much, there is a lack of direction, and nobody seems to be on the same page. They have talented players but need to grow and mature.
21. Tennessee Titans (7-10)
7 straight losses to end the season but they do have a few nice young players, they just need to retool their roster and definitely improve their offensive line and weaponry.
22. Carolina Panthers (7-10)
I thought this team was much worse than they were early in the season but they improved. Their defense is pretty good and Sam Darnold was solid, but they should head into next season with a better QB.
23. New Orleans Saints (7-10)
A strange season for the Saints with tons of injuries and a messy QB situation.
24. Las Vegas Raiders (6-11)
An up-and-down season, where some weeks they would look good, other weeks they would look terrible, and other weeks they would look good in the first half and then collapse. Also, it seems that they are moving on from Derek Carr at QB. They have a few nice star players, but need more all-around talent and depth.
25. Cleveland Browns (7-10)
Deshaun Watson was getting used to playing football again in his games back this season, and there were a few spurts of Texans Deshaun Watson, but also a ton of bad play too. Their defense also needs work heading into next season.
26. Los Angeles Rams (5-12)
A very underwhelming season and now may be without a head coach, as Sean McVay has speculated he may be leaving. Could see a vastly different roster next season as well, possibly without some familiar faces.
27. Atlanta Falcons (7-10)
They outperformed my expectations but still need more difference makers and a better quarterback.
28. Denver Broncos (5-12)
The defense was great for most of the season and gives this team hope for next season. Russell Wilson was terrible in the beginning of the season but slowly made more plays towards the end of the season, and they will be getting a new head coach, maybe Sean Payton, so there could be some improvement next season.
29. Arizona Cardinals (4-13)
They are looking for a new GM and head coach and want Kyler Murray’s input for head coach, which I don’t think is a great idea. They definitely need to rework and improve their roster if they want to be competitive next season.
30. Houston Texans (3-13-1)
They played hard until the end and have some nice players, but they need a quarterback and more playmakers. They do not have enough difference makers on their current roster.
31. Chicago Bears (3-14)
Earned the first pick in the draft so they struggled to win games, but have Justin Fields and other young pieces to build around, as well as tons of draft capital and cap space to work with this offseason. The future is bright if they make the right moves.
32. Indianapolis Colts (4-12-1)
This team was a mess this season and will likely be looking for a new QB and head coach in the offseason. If they stick with Jeff Saturday, well, good luck.
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