Nam Y. Huh / Associated Press
1. Green Bay Packers (13-3)
2. Kansas City Chiefs (14-2)
3. Buffalo Bills (13-3)
4. New Orleans Saints (12-4)
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (11-5)
6. Baltimore Ravens (11-5)
7. Cleveland Browns (11-5)
8. Los Angeles Rams (10-6)
* Ratings based on the author’s opinion
The Kansas City Chiefs and Green Bay Packers did not play on Wild Card Weekend, so we have less data to analyze them than the rest of the teams on this list.
But it stands to reason that despite the Cleveland Browns losing more than 40 to the Pittsburgh Steelers or the Los Angeles Rams defeating the Seattle Seahawks division rival without healthy quarterbacks, a full season’s work speaks for more than one game … even if it is a very important game.
Until we see something that leads us to believe differently, the Packers and Chiefs will remain at the top of the NFL ranking, going through the eight games of the divisional round.
Aaron Rodgers has been here many times and has one of the best arsenal of weapons he has ever had in the playoffs; wideout Davante Adams led all recipients on goals with 18 touchdowns, while running back Aaron Jones was tied for fourth in his 11th position group. Closed end Robert Tonyan, who came out of nowhere this year, also added 11 trips to the end zone of its own for the Packers.
Patrick Mahomes, for his part, has not been here often, but he made the most of his travels and is the current Super Bowl MVP. Chiefs wideout Tyreek Hill was second in his touchdown position group, with 17, and tight end Travis Kelce equaled Tonyan’s total of 11.
Buffalo Bills, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Baltimore Ravens did not dominate their opponents on Wild Card Weekend, but they did the job.
Does Cleveland Browns deserve to be at the top of this list after shaming the Steelers on Sunday night? Possibly, but Baker Mayfield and the Cleveland attack had a terrible help from some unexpected and incredible defensive moves. The Browns may surprise us in this postseason, but they tie a decisive showdown against the Chiefs in the divisional round.
The Rams were certainly nothing to be despised as they dismantled the Seahawks 30-20, but key players in almost every position of importance have suffered injuries, including Aaron Donald and Cooper Kupp, and their quarterback situation remains changing, both Jared Goff and John Wolford remains on a day-to-day basis. Someone has to be last on the list; this does not mean that the team sporting the league’s No. 1 defense cannot cause further damage in these playoffs.