NFL Power Rankings Playoff Edition – New Arrivals

The NFL playoffs are here and about 44% of the league will be in contention for a Lombardi trophy. All of these teams have tremendous talent and a few flaws, but who’s the favorite?

You could argue that there is no clear cut favorite this year, but some teams have an easier road than others.

Here’s a quick look at how strong of a chance each playoff team has to finish on top.

 

1. Detroit Lions (15-2)

Player To Watch: Kerby Joseph – Defensive Back

The Lions have the best offense in the league and they can score in the blink of an eye. Their defense has held up through a ton of injuries and has played good enough to keep them in every game. Dan Campbell looks poised to lead Detroit to their first Super Bowl championship.

Joseph led the NFL in interceptions and seems to be the only member of the secondary that’s healthy. He will have to go against some heavy hitters in the passing game on the NFC side, but he’s lived up to the challenge all season.

 

2. Kansas City Chiefs (15-2)

Player To Watch: DeAndre Hopkins – Wide Receiver

When they finally hit the field in the divisional round, they’ll have a couple of weeks off. Will it result in rest or rust? The rest of the AFC will need to go through Kansas City if they want to win the Super Bowl and that’s never an easy trip.

Hopkins has his best chance to win a Super Bowl and he has the best quarterback in the business throwing him the football. He will most likely take advantage at every opportunity that comes his way.

 

3. Baltimore Ravens (12-5)

Player To Watch: Mark Andrew – Tight End

Lamar Jackson might have his best chance to win his first title. Baltimore’s offense has legitimate weapons and a defense that can match up with any team in the league. Can Jackson himself duplicate his regular season production in the postseason?

Andrews started the season off slow, but finished the season leading the team in touchdowns. It will be hard for defenses to account for him with everything else they will have to defend.

 

4. Buffalo Bills (13-4)

Player To Watch: James Cook – Running Back

Josh Allen and company have at times looked like the best team in football and at other times looked very beatable. The offense really doesn’t have a go to guy (other than Allen) and that could pose a problem in the playoffs. Can they get over the hump this year?

Cook led the league in rushing touchdowns and can hurt teams in the passing game. That type of weapon is invaluable, especially on third down situations. He and Allen could dominate games on the ground as a duo.

 

5. Philadelphia Eagles (14-3)

Player To Watch: Jalen Hurts – Quarterback

The Eagles’ smash mouth style of football travels well and they’ll host at least one playoff game. It’s going to to be hard to stop Saquon Barkley and the Eagles wide receivers simultaneously.

Hurts has been in concussion protocol since before Christmas, but is slated to return for the Wild card round. If he can shake off the rust, Philadelphia will be able to go anywhere and go toe to toe with any opponent.

 

6. Minnesota Vikings (14-3)

Player To Watch: Andrew Van Ginkel – Outside Linebacker

Are the Vikings the best team ever to have to go on the road on Wildcard weekend? An advantageous defense that forced 33 turnovers in the regular season and an offense that scored 44 touchdowns can do some major damage during a playoff run.

Van Ginkel might as well be called “Mr. Pick Six” after grabbing two more of them in the regular season. He also had 11.5 sacks and 79 total touchdowns. You can be assured he will be all over the field making plays.

 

7. Green Bay Packers  (11-6)

Player To Watch: Tucker Kraft – Tight End

The Packers are heading to the postseason on a sour note and they’ll need to fix a few things if they want to win their first Super Bowl since 2010. Jordan Love has already had a small level of playoff success, but in Green Bay they only respect Lombardi trophies.

Tucker Kraft is a name that hasn’t been talked about enough this season. He was second on the team in receptions and he led the Packers in touchdown catches. A good security blanket for Love, especially on third down.

 

8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-7)

Player To Watch: Vita Vea – Nose Tackle

Baker Mayfield and his merry band of Bucs are set to play what should be one of the closer matchups this weekend. They come in riding a hot streak, winning six out of their last seven games and they’ve been scoring in bunches. This team has a dark horse type vibe to it – they might be the sleeper team in the NFC.

When you watch Vita Vea chew up offensive lineman with ease, it’s almost shocking. A never ending motor equipped with an immense level of strength makes Vea more than a handful. Look for him to be somewhere around all of the defensive plays that happen behind the line of scrimmage.

 

9. Los Angeles Rams (10-7)

Player To Watch: Jared Verse – Outside Linebacker

The Rams were riding a five game winning streak until they rested their players to end the season. Don’t let the numbers fool you, this team can score and it can happen suddenly. Defenses in the playoffs need to beware of the Rams, but can their defense hold up?

Verse has been a menacing pass rusher in his rookie season. Don’t look at the 4.5 sacks alone, because he had 11 tackles for a loss and 18 quarterback hits. We’ve seen ferocious pass rushers take over in the playoffs before and Verse has a knack for creating chaos.

 

10. Los Angeles Chargers (11-6)

Player To Watch: Ladd McConkey – Wide Receiver

The run first, run second philosophy isn’t really how Jim Harbaugh and company has gotten it done. The Chargers come into the playoffs with the number one scoring defense, not to mention a formidable passing attack. Harbaugh just has a winning touch to him and this Chargers team will be one of the toughest outs in the postseason.

The upstart rookie McConkey has been a godsend to Justin Herbert and the offense. Averaging 14.0 yards per catch and snagging first down after first down, McConkey is one of the main reasons for the Chargers’ scoring success. It’s rare that a rookie has been in as many big games as McConkey has and he’ll be ready for the big stage.

 

11. Washington Commanders (12-5)

Player To Watch: Jayden Daniels – Quarterback

The Commanders are the surprise team in the NFC and many people think the ride isn’t necessarily over. A balanced team with a defensive minded head coach and a Phenom running the offense, the Commanders have everything you want in a playoff team. Now they have to go out and prove they belong.

There can’t be a bigger reason to watch Commanders games than Jayden Daniels. He can (and will) create offense with his legs if all else fails and to be honest all else hasn’t failed too much this season. Daniels can continue his historic rookie season and maybe cap it off with a title: he’s been that good this season.

 

12. Denver Broncos (10-7)

Player To Watch: Marvin Mims – Wide Receiver

Well, Sean Payton had everyone fooled into thinking he was finished, but now finds himself as one of the most experienced coaches in the playoffs. Denver has been doing it with defense all year and when they limit the big plays they’re extremely lethal. Bo Nix has progressed in every game and now he can start to write his legacy with a couple of wins.

Mims has big play ability every time he touches the ball. He can not only influence the game on offense, but he could also be big in the return game. With most of the defense focusing on Courtland Sutton, Mims could get loose for some big ones.

 

13. Houston Texans (10-7)

Player To Watch: Joe Mixon – Running Back

The Texans have  had an up and down season, but now they have a chance to erase all of the negative with a long playoff run. If they can avoid the scoring droughts and mental lapses on defense, they could pose a legitimate threat to the title.

Mixon hasn’t had more than 14 carries in any of the Texans last four games. The Texans need to find a way to get more yards on the  ground to open up their passing game and Mixon has proven he could carry the load.

 

14. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7)

Player To Watch: Alex Highsmith – Defensive Lineman

The staple of consistency, the Steelers come into the playoffs riding a miserable four game losing streak. One thing they do not lack is experience, but you usually need the talent to flank that knowledge if you plan on making a deep playoff run. If their last few games are any indication, Pittsburgh is in serious trouble.

With T.J. Watt getting a ton of double teams and overall attention, teams often forget how disruptive Highsmith can be. If he get a lot of one on one matchups, he will definitely give Baltimore problems. Pittsburgh will need a big game from that side of the football and Highsmith could be the catalyst.