The Pittsburgh Steelers won in dramatic fashion over the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday Night Football and clinched the final playoff spot. The Steelers are now the fourth seed in the AFC and will host the Houston Texans.
There are a ton of competitive Wild Card matchups on the slate for next weekend, so this round could bring some shocking results. And to the surprise of no one, some playoff teams just aren't going to be able to make a run, but some figure to be playing well into January.
Let's power rank the entire NFL playoff field after Week 18 action.
Power ranking all 14 playoff teams after Week 18 action
14. Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are one of the rare instances where a team with a losing record makes the playoffs. The Panthers won the NFC South and get to host the Los Angeles Rams in the first round. Not only are the Panthers average at best, but the quarterback is also average at best. This team doesn't have enough firepower or good enough QB play to win a game this year.
13. Pittsburgh Steelers
Another average team is the Pittsburgh Steelers, who again found a way into the playoffs, but the Steelers again finished 10-7 and are again a team that doesn't feel threatening in the postseason. Pittsburgh is likely not making it out of the first round, as the roster is just fine and the quarterback play, while solid overall, isn't quite good enough, either.
12. Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers finished with nine wins in the regular season and are again playing the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. The Packers having way more postseason experience over the Bears could benefit them in this one, but the Packers are also banged up and have pretty much limped into the playoffs.
Green Bay is another team with a very small chance at making any sort of run.
11. Philadelphia Eagles
The defending Super Bowl champions have been inconsistent on offense this year. The defense should be able to keep them in games, but this Philly squad isn't close to the 2024 team. The other important thing here is that the quarterback isn't good enough to makeup for the other roster deficiencies, so this team won't accomplish much here in 2025.
10. Los Angeles Chargers
The Los Angeles Chargers rested many of their starters in Week 18 and got blown out by the Denver Broncos, who needed a win to secure the top seed in the AFC. Denver had a lot to play for, and with LA being locked into a Wild Card seed, they didn't have much to play for. The offensive line has been a huge issue this year and is going to be the main reason why this team won't make a run. Justin Herbert can be great, but he's also struggled big-time in the postseason. LA could win a game, but that's being generous.
9. Chicago Bears
There is an element of 'we don't know any better' with the Chicago Bears that could make them a threat in the playoffs, but Chicago can't stop the run well and cannot generate QB pressure consistently. This team is probably still a year away, but winning the NFC North in Ben Johnson's first year is flat-out amazing.
8. San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers got 'little brothered' by the Seattle Seahawks in Week 18. San Fran is again dealing with injuries, but even at full strength, there just isn't enough roster talent for this team to make any sort of run this year. The Niners did double their win total from 2024, so that's an accomplishment.
7. Buffalo Bills
Buffalo isn't quite as good as they have been in previous years and are in Jacksonville to play the Jaguars. The Bills have kept many of the same faces around for too long and might end up getting overwhelmed by someone at some point in the postseason.
6. Los Angeles Rams
Matthew Stafford is on his way to his first ever MVP award after throwing 46 touchdowns in the regular season. The Rams lost out on the top seed and the NFC West title, but this team is still a juggernaut and did win it all back in 2021, so if any Wild Card team could make a run this year, it's the LA Rams.
5. Houston Texans
The Houston Texans were once 0-3. They are now 12-5. The insane turnaround is one heck of a coaching job by DeMeco Ryans and his staff. This defense is punishing and will be the main reason why this team could make a deep playoff run. CJ Stroud is also quite experienced in the playoffs already.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars
Trevor Lawrence has been on a heater recently and could help lead the Jacksonville Jaguars to the Super Bowl. The Jags have been that good this year and did beat the Broncos in Denver, a place they'll have to again win if they hope to make it to Super Bowl LX. Jacksonville is a well-rounded, tough out of a team.
3. New England Patriots
The New England Patriots shocked the NFL world and went 14-3 in the regular season. They host the Los Angeles Chargers in the first round. New England got stellar QB play from Drake Maye this year and fielded one of the toughest defenses in the NFL. While the Pats aren't overpowering teams with sheer roster talent, this team is as well coached as any club in the NFL, period.
The Pats probably won't make it to the Super Bowl, but they can win a game or two.
2. Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are a juggernaut and the first seed in the AFC, going 14-3 in the regular season and just flat-out overwhelming many opponents on defense. Many still do not think this team is a legitimate contender, but they're the top seed in the AFC for a reason, and QB Bo Nix simply made plays all year when his team needed it the most. Denver is no. 2 in our power rankings.
1. Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks are the one seed in the NFC and will have to win just two games at home to make the Super Bowl. Offensively, Seattle is great, and they're on another level on defense. Mike Macdonald will have this team ready to go, but the one concern I have is Sam Darnold's turnover problem and if he can show up in the big games here in the playoffs.