Key Highlights
- Six teams have been eliminated from the NFL playoff race.
- The Denver Broncos and San Francisco 49ers are among the remaining eight teams with varying levels of confidence in their postseason prospects.
- The Chicago Bears and Houston Texans offer unique challenges due to their recent performance and schedule.
- Buffalo Bills and Los Angeles Rams are favored due to their well-rounded performances, but face road challenges.
- Seattle Seahawks have a favorable path with the 49ers’ current struggles.
The NFL Playoffs Enter the Divisional Round
The NFL playoffs are now in the Divisional Round, and the landscape is far from certain. With several teams having already been eliminated, the remaining eight groups still have a chance to claim the Lombardi Trophy.
Each of the editors behind NFL.com’s weekly game picks column—Ali Bhanpuri, Tom Blair, Brooke Cersosimo, Gennaro Filice, and Dan Parr—have ranked every team in reverse order based on their likelihood of winning it all. Here’s a breakdown:
The Remaining Teams
Starting with the San Francisco 49ers, who are the No. 6 seed, they have a total confidence score of 7 points out of 40 and face a daunting path that includes playing on short rest against the Seahawks followed by potentially facing either the Bears or Rams in the conference championship.
Next up is Denver Broncos, ranked seventh with a 12-point confidence score. Despite their strong regular season performance and being the No. 1 seed, they are faced with tough matchups starting with the Bills in the Divisional Round.
The Chicago Bears
The Bears rank sixth with a 15-point confidence score. They have demonstrated resilience by obliterating deficits quickly but face significant challenges with the Rams and potentially the Seahawks in their path to the Super Bowl.
The Houston Texans
Ranked fifth, the Texans have a strong defense that commands global respect. However, their offense is struggling, and their path includes a tough matchup against the Patriots or Steelers followed by either the Broncos or Bills.
Top Teams in the NFL Playoffs
The Buffalo Bills, with a 27-point confidence score, lead the pack among the remaining teams. The Bills have proven resilience under Josh Allen and are favored to win, especially against road challenges ahead.
The Los Angeles Rams follow closely with a 36-point confidence score. They have a balanced offense and potent pass rush but face significant concerns on their third level of defense and special teams.
Seattle Seahawks
Rounding out the top four, the Seahawks are ranked first with a 39-point confidence score. Their path is made easier by the 49ers’ current struggles, allowing them to focus on potential matchups against either the Bears or Rams in their way to the Super Bowl.
Conclusion
The NFL playoffs have always been unpredictable, and this year is no exception. While certain teams like the Broncos and Seahawks are favored due to their well-rounded performances, they still face significant challenges. The road ahead for all remaining teams will be filled with twists and turns that could change everything in the final moments of each game.
Stay tuned as we witness the exciting journey of these eight teams to determine who will stand tall at the end of this championship run.