Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
glenn erby

NFL Power Rankings: Where do playoff teams land entering Super Wild Card Weekend

The 2023 NFL regular season is over for 18 teams who, because of injuries, lack of talent, or inconsistency, will now watch the most important tournament in all sports.

The 14 teams representing the AFC and NFC in the 2024 NFL postseason have been set, and both conferences have multiple teams capable of bringing home a Lombardi Trophy.

Baltimore suffered a loss to Pittsburgh in the season finale, but they’re still the top seed in the AFC, and when the entire roster is on the field, they are, without a doubt, the best team in the NFL.

San Francisco is the No. 1 seed in the NFC, while the 3rd-seeded Dallas Cowboys could offer the most significant resistance with the Eagles’ late-season collapse.

With the NFL’s Black Monday upon us and 12 other teams set for Super Wild Card Weekend, we’re unveiling our first postseason power rankings.

32
Carolina Panthers 2-15

Jan 7, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) scrambles in the third quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

31
Washington Commanders 4-13

Jan 7, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell (14) attempts a pass against the Dallas Cowboys during the second half at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

30
New England Patriots 4-13

Jan 7, 2024; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick (center) walks off the field after the game against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

29
Arizona Cardinals 4-13

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) is forced out of bounds by Seattle Seahawks linebacker Darrell Taylor (52) during the fourth quarter at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Jan. 7, 2024.

28
Los Angeles Chargers 5-12

Jan 7, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Easton Stick (2) throws a pass during the fourth quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports

27
Tennessee Titans 6-11

Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) runs the ball towards Jacksonville Jaguars safety Antonio Johnson (26) during the first quarter at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024.

26
New York Giants 6-11

New York Giants quarterback Tyrod Taylor (2) looks for an open teammate in the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, January 7, 2024.

25
New York Jets 7-10

Jan 7, 2024; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New York Jets running back Breece Hall (20) makes snow angels with his teammates after scoring a touchdown against the New England Patriots during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports

24
Minnesota Vikings 7-10

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Nick Mullens hands off the ball against the Detroit Lions defense at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024.

23
Chicago Bears 7-10

Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields (1) throwns under pressure from Green Bay Packers linebacker Lukas Van Ness (90) during their football game Sunday, January 7, 2024, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers defeated the Bears 17-9.Wm. Glasheen USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

22
Atlanta Falcons 7-10

Jan 7, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) hands off to running back Bijan Robinson (7) against the New Orleans Saints during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

21
Las Vegas Raiders 8-9

Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

20
Denver Broncos 8-9

Jan 7, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders interim head coach Antonio Pierce cheers with fans after the Raiders defeated the Denver Broncos 27-14 at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

19
Seattle Seahawks 9-8

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16) catches a two-point conversion against the Arizona Cardinals to give his team a 21-20 lead in the fourth quarter at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Jan. 7, 2024.

18
New Orleans Saints 9-8

Jan 7, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen looks on against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

17
Jacksonville Jaguars 9-8

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) throws against the Tennessee Titans during their game at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024.

16
Indianapolis Colts 9-8

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) runs the ball on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024, during a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

15
Cincinnati Bengals 9-8

Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson (91) stands on the sideline in the fourth quarter of the NFL game between Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati on Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024.

14
Philadelphia Eagles 11-6

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) looks for an open teammate, during the first quarter, Sunday, January 7, 2024.

The Eagles are the only team in the postseason to have not won two or more of their last five games, and they’re without a doubt playing the worst football of all the teams in the postseason.

13
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 9-8

Jan 7, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) drops back to pass against the Carolina Panthers during the second quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

The Bucs will host the Eagles for the second time this season on Monday Night Football, but it’s the hometeam with all the momentum after winning the NFC South for the third straight season.

12
Green Bay Packers 9-8

Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones (33) celebrates after defeating the Chicago Bears during their football game Sunday, January 7, 2024, in Green Bay, Wisconsin.Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin.

Green Back is back in the postseason, as Jordan Love threw for 316 yards and connected with Dontayvion Wicks on a pair of touchdowns as the Packers earned a wild-card berth with a 17-9 victory over the Chicago Bears on Sunday.

The Packers erased a 2-5 start by winning seven of their last 10 games, including three straight.

They’ll head to Dallas for an intriguing matchup against the red-hot Cowboys.

11
Pittsburgh Steelers 10-7

Dec 31, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) carries the ball against the Seattle Seahawks during the second half at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

Playing in a driving rain storm all afternoon, the Steelers kept their playoff hopes alive while snapping the Ravens’ game-winning streak.

10
Houston Texans 10-7

Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Rookie C.J. Stroud threw for 264 yards and two scores, Devin Singletary scored the go-ahead touchdown on a 3-yard TD run with 6:20 to play and the Texans are the AFC South champs after a 23-19 victory over Indianapolis on Saturday night.

They’ll host the Cleveland Browns on Saturday afternoon.

9
Miami Dolphins 11-6

Jan 7, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) throws the football against the Buffalo Bills during the first quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

Miami had their chances on Sunday night, but after a 21-14 loss to Buffalo at home, they hit the road and face Kansas City at Arrowhead Stadium as the No. 6 seed.

8
Los Angeles Rams 10-7

Jan 7, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Carson Wentz (11) throws a pass against San Francisco 49ers cornerback Samuel Womack III (0) for a two-point conversion during the fourth quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

With Matthew Stafford resting, former Eagles’ No. 2 overall pick, Carson Wentz led the Rams to the NFC’s 6th seed with a 21-20 win over the 49ers on Sunday.

Stafford will return to the lineup in a scene out of a movie script, as the Rams head to Detroit to face the Lions and former Rams No. 1 overall pick, Jared Goff.

7
Cleveland Browns 11-6

Cleveland Browns quarterback Jeff Driskell (12) throws a pass in the fourth quarter of the NFL Week 18 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Cleveland Browns at Paycor Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024.

Cleveland coach Kevin Stefanski rested most of his starters Sunday in a 31-14 loss to Cincinnati. The Browns will play at AFC South champion Houston in the wild-card round on Saturday.

6
Detroit Lions 12-5

Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff scrambles during a play against the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024.

Detroit got the win, but at what cost, as the Lions won a franchise record-tying 12th game, beating Minnesota, but lost standout rookie tight end Sam LaPorta to a potentially serious knee injury.

LaPorta had a 2-yard touchdown catch midway through the first quarter and later exited with a knee injury as the Lions went on to beat the Vikings 30-20 on Sunday.

The No. 3 overall seed, they’ll welcome Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams to Ford Field for a matchup with multiple storylines.

Detroit starting quarterback Jared Goff was the No. 1 overall pick by the Rams in the 2016 NFL draft, leading Los Angeles to a Super Bowl appearance.

5
Kansas City Chiefs 11-6

(Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Playing without Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, the Chiefs rallied behind veteran Blaine Gabbert, defeating the Los Angeles Chargers 13-12 while resting most of their starters.

Kelce finished the year with 984 receiving yards, ending the All-Pro tight end’s bid for an eighth straight 1,000-yard season.

Gabbert completed 15 of 30 passes for 154 yards in his first start since 2018 with Tennessee.

With the Chiefs (11-6) locked into the AFC’s No. 3 seed for the playoffs, they’ll host the sixth seeded Miami Dolphins.

4
Buffalo Bills 11-6

Jan 7, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) drops back to pass against the Miami Dolphins during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports

After being 5-5 in Mid-November, including a heartbreaking loss to the Eagles, Buffalo is now among the best teams in the NFL, and the No. 2 seed in the AFC after a 21-14 win over the Dolphins in Miami.

The Bills will host the Steelers at home on Sunday.

Josh Allen finished 30 of 38 for 359 yards and two touchdowns.

He was intercepted on back-to-back drives to open the game, but led his team back for their sixth win out of their last seven games.

3
Dallas Cowboys 12-5

Jan 7, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) attempts a pass against the Washington Commanders during the second half at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

After leading the NFL with 15 interceptions last season, Dak Prescott led the league with 36 TD throws to only nine picks, and the 12-5 Dallas Cowboys are the No. 2 seed after a 38-10 win over Washington.

Dallas will host Green Bay on Sunday afternoon in a rating bonanza for FOX.

2
San Francisco 49ers 12-5

Jan 7, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Sam Darnold (14) runs with the ball during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports

The 49ers rested their starters and fell to Carson Wentz and the Rams on Sunday. San Francisco is the No. 1 overall seed in the AFC and will have the first round off with a bye.

1
Baltimore Ravens 13-4

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – JANUARY 06: Isaiah Likely #80 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates with teammates after a touchdown in the second quarter of a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at M&T Bank Stadium on January 06, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

Playing without Lamar Jackson and critical starters, the Ravens fell to the Steelers 17-10 at rainy M&T Bank Stadium.

John Harbaugh’s team is the No. 1 overall seed and will have the Wild Card Weekend off with a bye, but it could be on a collision course with the hated Browns.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.