Approaching the final Wild Card game of the 2025 NFL Playoffs, we have seen five teams eliminated thus far, and the playoffs have really turned into what we thought they would be - ultra-competitive. The parity in the NFL this year has been insane, and it's surely going to carry into the deeper rounds.
The teams that have been eliminated so far all have notable issues, and this is true even with getting into the playoffs, only further proving how hard it is in today's NFL to build a consistent, winning product.
Let's power rank the five teams that have been bounced out of the 2025 NFL Playoffs as the Wild Card Round finishes.
Power ranking every eliminated playoff team as Wild Card Round continues
5. Carolina Panthers
It's hard to look at the Carolina Panthers as being a viable team, as they were a losing team in the regular season and finished the year 8-10, including the playoffs. Week to week, this team simply wasn't consistent enough, and I believe the main issue here is Bryce Young.
It would shock me if the Panthers didn't do some type of homework on another QB. Young has probably earned a fourth season, as his 2025 season was his best, but he's a very limited player and someone that the previous regime drafted, not the current one.
The Panthers did have a fun season, and the fanbase did get to witness a home playoff game after years of dysfunction , but as of right now, I would be surprised if Carolina got into the playoffs in 2026. There is a lot to clean up.
4. Philadelphia Eagles
It's another year with a bad offense for the Philadelphia Eagles, and it seems like this unit won't be good unless they hire a top-5 offensive coordinator like they once had in Shane Steichen and Kellen Moore. Philly just wasn't a very threatening team this year, so it's no surprise that they went one-and-done.
Not only are there coaching issues, but once again, the limitations at quarterback were put on full display this year.
3. Los Angeles Chargers
The Los Angeles Chargers are a good team but are also not built the correct way. Even if Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater were healthy, the offensive line would still be missing another starter or two, and for weeks now, it's been the offensive line that has effectively ruined things.
However, there is also something to say about Justin Herbert, who has been flat-out horrendous in his three career playoff starts. Overall, LA is one of the more 'good' teams in the NFL. There isn't much of anything that is 'great' with this team, and if they lose defensive coordinator Jesse Minter to a head coaching job, things are going to get very dicey.
But 22 regular season wins in two years is not at all a bad spot to be in, so we have to give them credit for that.
2. Green Bay Packers
If not for a ton of mounting injuries, the Green Bay Packers likely would have beaten the Chicago Bears, but it's hard to come back from losing guys like Micah Parsons and Tucker Kraft, two foundational pieces on either side of the ball.
The Packers were 9-3-1 at one point in 2025 and were in the driver's seat in the NFC North. This team getting back on track in 2026 could simply boil down to getting healthier. They've made the playoffs three years in a row with Jordan Love under center and are about guaranteed to win another 10 or 11 games in 2026.
Green Bay is second in our power rankings.
1. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars won 13 games in the regular season and captured the AFC South title. Between the year one coaching staff and having to deal with Josh Allen, the Jags just did not have enough in the Wild Card Round, but the future is extremely bright for this team.
The Jags are still likely the AFC South favorite when 2026 rolls around, and what we did see with this team is a well-rounded unit, featuring an efficient offense and a stingy defense that took the ball away with frequency.
Overall, many will point to this team in 2026 as a club that can represent the AFC in the Super Bowl.