The field is set for the NFL postseason in 2023, after a wild 2022 ended with a similarly wild Week 18.
And while Super Bowl 57 in Arizona is just about a month away, there’s no time like the present to start rooting for certain matchups in the title game … that is, if you’re not a fan of the 14 teams left vying for a championship.
So we’re ranking the 10 best matchups by watchability for those of us who don’t have rooting interests. We’re looking for the best possible games, the ones with must-see storylines and just a general sense of a contest we’d be excited to tune in for:
10
Miami Dolphins vs. San Francisco 49ers
Two straight weeks of the-student-has-become-the-teacher talk about Mike McDaniel coaching against his former boss, Kyle Shanahan. I’m here for it. Also, the game itself would be an intriguing chess match.
This is the best Mike McDaniel video of all time
— Smoke (@nickysmokess) January 9, 2023
9
Los Angeles Chargers vs. Dallas Cowboys
I looked around at the teams in the postseason and tried to come up with the most chaotic game. This is it. Both teams are flawed and both teams have great offenses that are fun to watch. If you want a 37-34 kind of game, this is it.
8
Cincinnati Bengals vs. San Francisco 49ers
The Bengals make it back to the Super Bowl for a second straight year, the Niners try once again to win their first since Super Bowl XXIX in 1995. Also, this could mean a Mr. Irrelevant — Brock Purdy — could be starting a Super Bowl game … or could Jimmy Garoppolo come back? Intriguing!!
7
Kansas City Chiefs vs. San Francisco 49ers
REVENGE GAME ALERT! The Niners lost Super Bowl LIV to the Chiefs, as you might recall, in a game that Patrick Mahomes won in a comeback effort.
6
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Philadelphia Eagles
A fantastic game on paper, nothing more than that. Two unreal offenses and electrifying defenses, going head to head.
5
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Philadelphia Eagles
See above. A great game, along with the Andy Reid beating his old team storyline.
4
Buffalo Bills vs. Dallas Cowboys
TIME TO CIRCLE THE WAGONS! Because it’s the 1990s all over again with this one: The Cowboys beat the Bills twice with Buffalo making its third and fourth straight Super Bowl appearances in XXVII and XXVIII. This would be so much fun.
3
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
ANOTHER REVENGE GAME! Mahomes tries to get back at Brady for Super Bowl LV, in which the Chiefs QB was chased all night long.
2
Buffalo Bills vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Here’s where I’ll start to talk about how so many NFL fans are pulling for the Bills after what they’ve gone through this season. This would be an entertaining game either way, but that’s added in.
1
Buffalo Bills vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
My goodness. I can’t imagine a single NFL fan outside of the Bucs’ fanbase rooting for Brady in this situation. The Bills could get their first ring, one for Damar Hamlin too. Plus, Brady going for yet another title. The perfect possible matchup.
