NFL Playoff Power Rankings: Where teams stand entering the postseason

The NFL Playoff Power Rankings are selected by a panel of theScore's football editors, including Mike Alessandrini, Jack Browne, Michael McClymont, and Arun Srinivasan.

1. New Orleans Saints (13-3)

All eyes on you, New Orleans. With a fearsome offense featuring an MVP candidate, two dynamic running backs, a stout offensive line, and a seemingly-unstoppable receiver, the Saints have every chance at steamrolling the rest of the NFC. If the defense holds, you may be looking at the Super Bowl LIII champions. - Alessandrini

2. Los Angeles Rams (13-3)

The Rams fell flat last season so they have a lot to prove in 2019. Sean McVay and Aaron Donald receive most of the attention, but it's Jared Goff who must lead a breakthrough in January. Los Angeles is 2-3 against the other NFC playoff teams this year - with both wins coming against Seattle - but this is the NFL's best squad on paper. No more excuses. - Alessandrini

3. Chicago Bears (12-4)

Is there a team anyone would rather avoid in this year's playoffs? Facing the league's No. 3-ranked defense in frigid Windy City weather will be a difficult task. In the end, though, the Mitchell Trubisky-Matt Nagy connection will be more important. If the Bears want their second Super Bowl, these two must create magic. If they can, look out. - Alessandrini

4. Kansas City Chiefs (12-4)

Patrick Mahomes' unbelievable sophomore season should earn him the MVP award and no offense will be more feared in the postseason than Kansas City's. The defense, on the other hand, is the opposite of Super Bowl-caliber. It's said defense wins championships. What do the Chiefs have to say about it? - Browne

5. New England Patriots (11-5)

The 2018 Patriots lack the aura of invincibility that's surrounded so many iterations of Bill Belichick's team. But counting out New England hasn't gone well for the rest of the AFC in the past. No team may benefit more from a first-round bye. - Browne

6. Los Angeles Chargers (12-4)

L.A. cooled off to end the season, with Philip Rivers throwing six picks in the final three games. The near-miraculous return of tight end Hunter Henry from a torn ACL gives the quarterback a much-needed safety valve, especially against a dominant Ravens defense that held the Chargers to their lowest scoring output of the season in Week 16. - Browne

7. Seattle Seahawks (10-6)

Raise your hand if you had Seattle qualifying for the playoffs this year. Be honest. Russell Wilson and Pete Carroll lead the Seahawks, but Bobby Wagner and the new-look defense deserve a ton of credit as well. We've seen magic from this team before so there's little reason to believe it can't happen again. - Alessandrini

8. Baltimore Ravens (10-6)

While the rest of the league zigs, the Lamar Jackson-led Ravens continue to zag - to amazing results. The rookie quarterback has silenced those who doubted the viability of his playing style in the NFL. He's by far the worst passer left in the AFC, but he's a terrifying threat when coupled with Baltimore's elite defense. - Browne

9. Houston Texans (11-5)

In Bill O'Brien's four seasons at the helm, Houston has advanced to the divisional round just once - and that was after beating the Connor Cook-led Raiders in 2016. Due to the presence of Deshaun Watson, this is easily the best team of the O'Brien era. But the Texans must do a better job protecting the signal-caller if they're going to make some postseason noise. - Browne

10. Dallas Cowboys (10-6)

If defense does indeed win championships, then Dallas may be in good shape. The Cowboys boast a strong stop unit that features a number of young stars ready to wreak havoc on their opponents. When the offense has to chip in, it's time to feed Zeke. Despite questionable coaching, this formula has Dallas looking like a dangerous playoff team. - Alessandrini

11. Philadelphia Eagles (9-7)

Is this The Nick Foles Story: Part II, or will the magic end in Philadelphia? Similar to last season, Doug Pederson's squad is an underdog after a number of key injuries. Even if the Eagles fall short of the repeat, a second straight deep run would arguably be more impressive than their 2018 triumph. - Alessandrini

12. Indianapolis Colts (10-6)

Indy is arguably the least talented playoff team in the AFC, but few squads enter the postseason running as red-hot as Frank Reich's Colts, who went 9-1 over their last 10 games. They're playing with house money; no one expected them to sniff the postseason. And with more than $100 million in cap space in 2019, they aren't going away any time soon. - Browne

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