As of now, the current NFL Playoff Picture is quite shocking, as there are a ton of surprising teams in interesting spots. For example, the Carolina Panthers are currently leading the NFC South and primed to host a playoff game if they can fend off the Tampa Bay Buccaneers down the stretch.
In the playoffs, teams that make a run are solid in the trenches, generally healthier than other teams, have solid QB play, and can run the ball well. As we progress down the final couple of weeks of the regular season, we'll see the best teams in the league settle into the highest playoff seeds.
Let's take a deeper dive into the current playoff picture and power rank the teams that are most likely to go one-and-done when the playoffs roll around.
Power ranking the current playoff teams most likely to go one-and-done
5. Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers seemed primed to win the NFC North this year, but they are now without Micah Parsons and are 9-5-1 on the season, having lost two games in a row, including a crucial divisional game against the Chicago Bears in Week 16. The Packers are just going in the wrong direction and would have to get a ton of help to win the NFC North.
It's very likely that the Packers settle into the no. 7 playoff seed again and are on the road in the first round, which could very likely come against the Chicago Bears, a team that they just lost to at Soldier Field...
4. Los Angeles Chargers
The Los Angeles Chargers keep stacking wins, but this team has struggled along the offensive line all year, and that is simply a recipe for disaster in the NFL. We did see this Chargers' team get blown out in the first round of the playoffs last year, and if LA does settle into a Wild Card seed again, they could endure the same fate, as the team just isn't built for this late in the season.
3. Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles seem to be an 'every other year' type of team. In the 2021 and 2023 NFL Seasons, they were one-and-done in the playoffs, and in the 2022 and 2024 seasons, they were in the Super Bowl. Well, it's an odd-numbered year here in 2025, and the Eagles, as I have said for months now here, just do not have that 'bite' that they did in 2024.
The entire offense has taken a step back, and the defense, while great, doesn't get to the QB as much as you would like. While Philly does have more playoff experience than most teams, the things a team must to in order to win a playoff game are things that Philly has not done well this year, so this could be a one-and-done team.
2. Pittsburgh Steelers
My main issue with the Pittsburgh Steelers is that this team is thoroughly average. Sure, Aaron Rodgers' playoff experience can come into play here, but there are about 50 other players on the roster, so let's not pretend like this is a great Steelers team. I think the story has been fun for the Steelers this year, and I bet Rodgers is having a great time, but what does this team do well enough that makes you think they can win a postseason game?
It's been the same song and dance for Pittsburgh for years now - be just barely good enough to get into the playoffs and lose in the first round...
1. Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers have been an outstanding story this year, and third-year QB Bryce Young is actually playing decent football, but the Panthers obviously aren't quite there yet and are likely hosting the second-place team in the NFC West in the first round. If the playoffs began today, the Los Angeles Rams would come to town again.
While Carolina has beaten some very good teams this year, the playoffs are a different atmosphere, and while they could be a great team in 2026, 2025 will turn out to be a different story.