The NFL Playoff Picture is beginning to heat up, and Week 15 is the first time this season we have some playoff-clinching scenarios for certain teams, and there is also a division-clinching scenario this week with the New England Patriots.
More than most previous seasons in recent NFL memory, this year has been more competitive, and there is a legitimate argument for about 10 different teams to win the Super Bowl this year. It should make for an exciting postseason, as we could see some wild finishes in the first round alone.
Let's power rank the 14 current playoff teams as Week 15 approaches.
Power ranking every playoff team as Week 15 approaches
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
It's hard to love what the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have done this year, as there is a regression across the board, and we really just have not seen this team, at any point in the Baker Mayfield/Todd Bowles era, be anything more than good.
13. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are barely hanging onto the AFC North lead, and while they are in first place, it's mostly due to the Baltimore Ravens hitting a regression spot in 2025. The Ravens have not gotten into a groove this year and have struggled to stay healthy. The Steelers also don't have much of an identity and just have no clear advantages over most of their opponents.
This team is relatively irrelevant and would go one-and-done in the playoffs.
12. Philadelphia Eagles
Now losers of three in a row, the Philadelphia Eagles are showing signs of their 2023 selves and have regressed across the board, but the inefficiency of the offense is obvious. Jalen Hurts is a huge problem for this team, and it really doesn't seem like many people want to talk about that yet.
11. Los Angeles Chargers
The LA Chargers' brutal offensive line is going to be a main reason why this team goes one-and-done in the playoffs. They cannot adequately protect Justin Herbert, but the defense is stingy, and Herbert can be quite good at times. LA is a good-not-great team and no. 11 in our power rankings.
10. San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers have dealt with a ton of injuries this year and are still 9-4 despite what they have gone through. The overall roster talent isn't what it used to be, as we are honestly seeing more of a stellar coaching job done by Kyle Shanahan and his staff. The Niners are still in play for the NFC West title, but they just do not have that bite that they used to have in previous seasons.
9. Jacksonville Jaguars
The frisky Jacksonville Jaguars are the no. 9 team in our power rankings. This is another example of great coaching doing most of the work. The roster isn't all that threatening, but two things that the Jags do very well that also go hand-in-hand is run the ball and stop the run. Those two things could help this team close the deal in the AFC South and even win a playoff game, but the Jags are still a year or two away.
8. Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills have concerns on the defensive side of the ball, and the offense just isn't what it used to be. I am not so sure that Buffalo is able to even get to the AFC Championship Game this year. The roster is just average and there aren't many top-end playmakers.
7. Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears put up a decent fight against the Green Bay Packers in Lambeau, but the better team won. The Bears, like some other teams in this section, might still be a year away, but it's impossible to ignore the strides this team has made under Ben Johnson. Chicago is definitely a team I could see making the Super Bowl in 2026 if they have the right type of offseason.
6. Houston Texans
All of a sudden 8-5 on the season after an 0-3 start, the Houston Texans could legitimately make a deep playoff run this year - the defense is that good, and the offense is beginning to hit their stride. While they still trail in the AFC South, I am not so sure that's the case when the playoffs begin.
5. Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks are one of the more well-rounded teams in the NFL, but concerns about Sam Darnold in big games is valid. Seattle is 10-3 on the season and is in a good position to win the NFC West this year, but they have already lost to the LA Rams. Seattle has already hit their win total from the 2024 season and are, oddly enough, a lot better on the road than they are at home.
4. New England Patriots
Winners of 10 in a row, the 11-2 New England Patriots could clinch the AFC East title in Week 15 with a win over the Buffalo Bills. The Patriots' overall roster talent isn't special, but head coach Mike Vrabel could runaway with the Coach of the Year award this season. New England is also getting a huge breakout from second-year passer Drake Maye, and there really isn't much of anything this team can't do.
3. Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers were able to fend off the Chicago Bears in Week 14 and are now in first place in the NFC North. The Packers not only have an explosive defense, but Jordan Love is playing the best football of his career. With each passing week, I get the sense that the Packers can win the NFC this year and play in Super Bowl 60.
2. Los Angeles Rams
Matthew Stafford is surely the MVP of the league right now. The Los Angeles Rams are no. 2 in our power rankings and are just humming everywhere. The special teams, oddly, is their main weak link, so that could actually be a unit that impacts them when the playoffs roll around, but this team is well-coached on offense and defense and, in my opinion, the clear-cut favorite to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl.
1. Denver Broncos
Sporting the most clutch QB in the NFL and the top pass rush, the Denver Broncos have it all and are good enough to win the Super Bowl this year. Having not lost a game since September, the Broncos are making the right plays at the right time. On paper, this roster could be the best in the league, and like a few others high on this list, there isn't much Denver cannot do at this point.