NFL Playoff Power Rankings: The Deepest Field Ever Offers No Easy Path to Super Bowl Glory
The road to Super Bowl LX appears uniquely open, with the current 14-team NFL playoff bracket arguably representing the most deeply competitive field in league history. Unlike seasons dominated by a singular powerhouse, the absence of a truly transcendent team has created a landscape where a compelling case can be made for at least 12 of the participants to make a legitimate championship run.
The strength at the bottom of the bracket underscores this parity. Both the Los Angeles Chargers in the AFC and the Green Bay Packers in the NFC may be the most formidable No. 7 seeds the current format has ever seen. As the postseason begins, here is a ranking of contenders from least to most likely to hoist the Lombardi Trophy.
14. Carolina Panthers
Any scenario involving a Panthers Super Bowl appearance would be historic, albeit for the wrong reasons. Their -69 point differential ranks among the worst for a playoff team in NFL history. While they have shown flashes with wins over Green Bay and Los Angeles (Rams), they remain clear underdogs in every potential matchup.
13. Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh’s improbable 10-win season masks significant flaws, ranking 25th in offensive yards and 26th in yards allowed. While Aaron Rodgers’ return to the playoffs is a compelling narrative, the team’s overall limitations make a deep run a steep challenge.
12. San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers' offensive firepower, which averaged 42.3 points in December, makes them perpetually dangerous. However, a defense decimated by injuries—missing stars like Fred Warner and Nick Bosa—and finishing 27th in defensive DVOA, casts doubt on their ability to win three consecutive road games. Their ranking speaks more to the field's strength than their own weakness.
11. Green Bay Packers
Injuries have dramatically lowered Green Bay’s ceiling, with key absences on both sides of the ball contributing to a late-season slide. Yet, as a No. 7 seed, their talent level and pedigree give them a more credible case for an NFC run than most teams in that slot historically have possessed.
10. Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers defy the typical No. 7 seed profile. At 11-5 before resting starters, they boast a top-five defense that has been stifling since mid-October. The elite head coach-quarterback duo of Jim Harbaugh and Justin Herbert is a proven postseason asset. Their fate hinges on whether a battered offensive line can hold up.
9. Chicago Bears
Chicago’s season has been defined by inconsistency, oscillating between statement wins and puzzling losses. Securing the No. 2 seed is an accomplishment, but their erratic performance suggests they may be one more offseason away from being a reliable championship pick.
8. Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles’ formidable roster and recent championship pedigree ensure they cannot be dismissed. However, a persistently inconsistent and inefficient offense—ranking in the bottom half of the league in both passing and rushing yards—raises legitimate questions about their ability to string together four elite performances.
7. Buffalo Bills
A Josh Allen-led team always has a puncher’s chance, as the quarterback can single-handedly carry a squad. However, concerning blowout losses and a leaky run defense (5.1 yards per carry allowed) are significant red flags. A championship run would require Allen to be otherworldly for an entire month.
6. Houston Texans
Houston presents the classic championship formula of a dominant defense paired with efficient quarterback play. Their Week 12 demolition of Buffalo’s offense served notice. With C.J. Stroud improving and a favorable wild-card matchup, the Texans, riding a nine-game win streak, are a legitimate threat in the wide-open AFC.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars
Perhaps undervalued, the Jaguars combine a high-level offense led by a prolific Trevor Lawrence with a disruptive, takeaway-hungry defense. Winners of eight straight, they possess the balanced profile of a team built for January success, even as they enter the playoffs as underdogs.
4. New England Patriots
While their schedule strength is a valid concern, a 14-3 record in the NFL is never accidental. With an MVP-caliber season from quarterback Drake Maye and the guidance of Coach of the Year candidate Mike Vrabel, the Patriots have the top-end talent and coaching to beat any opponent, regardless of their regular-season résumé.
3. Los Angeles Rams
Many will tab the Rams as a popular championship pick, thanks to the combination of MVP favorite Matthew Stafford, coach Sean McVay, and a favorable first-round draw. The primary obstacle is the daunting prospect of winning three consecutive road games, a task that keeps them just outside the top tier.
2. Denver Broncos
The Broncos’ 14-3 record, fueled by an extraordinary number of close wins, invites skepticism. Yet, the value of the AFC’s No. 1 seed cannot be overstated. The monumental advantage of needing only two home victories to reach the Super Bowl, in a format where top seeds have recently thrived, gives Denver the clearest and simplest path of any AFC contender.
1. Seattle Seahawks
The NFL’s best regular-season team earns the top spot by pairing a historically great defense with an efficient, game-managing offense. While questions surround quarterback Sam Darnold’s playoff mettle, Seattle’s formula is clear: leverage a dominant defense, utilize playmakers like Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and avoid critical mistakes. With home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs, the Seahawks are the most probable champions in a wildly unpredictable field.
