The Eagles are home-field in NFC but not No. 1 spot
Based on recent play, there are some playoff teams that may not be able to make it through the next round. There are teams with bad records but who have played well down to the end.
Some teams have home-field advantage during the postseason, even though they might not be the best in their conference.
The Philadelphia Eagles are a good example. They went 0-2 without Jalen Hurts under center, and when he returned, the Eagles beat the Giants’ backups for all their playoff spoils from the NFC East to the No. 1 seed.
This is a fantastic way to finish a remarkable regular-season. But does that mean they are the most successful team in the league?
Here are the final power ratings for the regular season of 2022.
32. Houston Texans (3-13-1
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Last week: No. 32
Houston sports fans were expecting the Texans would do what they know best: lose. However, quarterback Davis Mills manages to pull off a fourth quarter comeback. He hits tight end Jordan Akins for a game winning touchdown on fourth and 20, and again for the two-point conversion. The No. 2 overall pick, Lovie Smith lost his job, and general manager Nick Caserio’s seat got a little warmer as he partakes in his third coaching search in as many offseasons on the job.
31. Arizona Cardinals (4-13)
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Last week: No. 31
If not for the fact they have Kyler Murray under contract through the 2028 season — with a possible though costly out in 2025 — the Cardinals would be ready to start fresh with coach Kliff Kingsbury fired and general manager Steve Keim gone. The Cardinals are rather pressured to get it right and not waste any of Murray’s prime on a rebuild.
30. Chicago Bears (3-14).
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Last week: No. 29
It is rare to win when you play Nathan Peterman. But, the Bears landed the No. The Bears picked the No. 1 overall pick in 2023’s NFL draft. Chicago may have Justin Fields as their playmaker, but they still need a catalyst to help them on the defensive side. The Bears were 29th in total defense, 32nd in scoring defense.
29. Indianapolis Colts (4-12-1)
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Last week: No. 30
As has been Indianapolis’ problem since 2019, they just need a quarterback. The wakeup call should have been Jacoby Brissett being forced to start Week 1 of the season after Andrew Luck retired. Instead, they signed Philip Rivers. It worked. It hasn’t worked since. A new coach should be in place for the Colts. Jonathan Taylor, who is a better quarterback, would be the perfect complement to help a young signal-caller adjust to life in the NFL.
28. Las Vegas Raiders (6-11).
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Last week: No. 27
Derek Carr is effectively gone. The Raiders will dedicate their offseason to finding a replacement. For Las Vegas, the Raiders can count on Josh Jacobs running back and Davante Adam wideout. They were 28th in total defense, 26th in scoring defense. That could have been due to the turnovers as the defense’s average starting field position was their own 29-yard line, tied with the Cleveland Browns for the eighth-worst in the league.
27. Denver Broncos (5-12)
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Last week: No. 28
It seemed like the Broncos were unlikely to win another game. As horrendous as the offense was, the defense wasn’t so bad, which is why defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero is getting looks across the league for coaching jobs. The Broncos were tied with the Tennessee Titans as the best total defense, and the eighth-best in scoring defense. Certainly the Broncos need a new coach, but clearly the defense isn’t broken and their focus should be on fixing the offense.
26. New York Jets (7-10).
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Last week: No. 23
Coach Robert Saleh wasn’t able to undo the current “same old Jets” conundrum that Todd Bowles couldn’t solve in 2015: turn a promising season into a playoff berth. In the regular season, the Jets’ greatest problem was at quarterback. It appears that it will be their biggest problem this offseason. Does Zach Wilson’s era seem over?
25. Washington Commanders (8-8-1).
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Last week: No. 27
Part of Washington’s problem was missing Chase Young. The defense came in at No. The defense finished No. 5 in total defense, and No. 7 in points allowed. 7 in allowed points. They had the 12th most sacks (43), and the seventh-most quarterback hits (107). Washington should make a significant investment in quarterback training if they are playing elite defense.
24. Cleveland Browns (7-10).
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Last week: No. 22
The Browns were dysfunctional as they made a slow recovery at quarterback beginning in Week 13. If Jacoby Brissett had been left in the center, could they have made it to the playoffs? Kevin Stefanski will now have a No. In the offseason, Kevin Stefanski will have a No. 1 signal caller.
23. Atlanta Falcons (7-10).
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Last week: No. 24
The Falcons appear to be in a great place. They can compete with teams of similar talent level and give scare to good teams, as they did with San Francisco 49ers (Week 6, Los Angeles Chargers) and Baltimore Ravens (16 Week 16). The No. It is the No. 8 overall pick in 2023 NFL draft. This puts them in sell territory in case a desperate quarterback-needy team needs it.
22. Carolina Panthers (7-10)
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Last week: No. 25
Before anyone gets too far ahead and decides to promote Steve Wilks from interim to full-time coach, or just let Sam Darnold takeover as QB1, consider half of the Panthers’ wins in the post-Matt Rhule era came against NFC South teams, a division that was the second-worst in the NFL in 2022. Are the wins against Seattle and Detroit against a potential playoff team the real Panthers, or just a late-season mirage.
21. Tennessee Titans (7-10)
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Last week: No. 18
As was the case upon completing Mike Vrabel’s first season with the Titans, they have to figure out their quarterback situation. Joshua Dobbs was a tremendous player for someone who had only been in this building for two and a quarter weeks. Their real investment is in Malik Willis. Tennessee is ready to end Ryan Tannehill’s chapter? Is Derrick Henry still the undisputed battering ram of the offense?
20. New Orleans Saints (7-10)
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Last week: No. 17
Andy Dalton’s last win of at least six games came in 2017, when the Cincinnati Bengals won 7-9. Will the Saints’ wideouts turn back the clock for the 35-year-old? New Orleans’ defense was secretly stingy as they finished the sixth-best total defense and ninth-best scoring defense.
19. Los Angeles Rams (5-12)
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Last week: No. 21
The Rams were able to take on the Seahawks in their home arena and earn them a playoff spot. The Rams will be back in 2023 with Sean McVay and better health. This is a testament to how the team never gave up, despite a terrible season.
18. Baltimore Ravens (10-7).
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Last week: No. 20
Although the Ravens made it to the playoffs, their defense must be strong to keep them out of the wild card round. Despite the problems with quarterback, the defense held strong as they tied the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for 10th in total defense and third in scoring defense.
17. New England Patriots (8-9).
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Last week: No. 14
Mac Jones has been the focus for the Patriots’ woes, but they finished the ninth-best total defense and 11th-best scoring defense. With 30 takeaways, they tied the San Francisco 49ers as the second-most. They should be in the playoffs if Jones can get New England to help him take another step.
16. Miami Dolphins (8-9)
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Last week: No. 14
Miami battled throughout the season and it appears Mike McDaniel has a measure of a solution on how to handle Tua Tagovailoa’s availability under center. An ending season that was shambolic ended with the Dolphins losing the wild-card by one score, any attempt to keep it at that level would be considered a success.
15. Seattle Seahawks (9-8).
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Last week: No. 19
Geno Smith struggled and Kenneth Walker provided 21 carries for 112 yards. The defense held strong despite losing the turn battle 2-1. Seattle is No. 5 overall — thanks to their trade with the Denver Broncos involving Russell Wilson — to significantly improve next year.
14. Green Bay Packers (8-9).
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Last week: No. 7
Green Bay relied heavily on younger players and worked through assistant departures which had an effect on their record as well as play earlier in the season. Despite the loss at home to the Lions, there is hope that they will get better.
13. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-8).
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Last week: No. 11
The Steelers might be able to make the playoffs if they go to an 18-game NFL season. This is a remarkable feat, thanks to Mike Tomlin’s ability to keep the team together and go 7-2 after their bye weeks. They also finished with a winning record. Similar to 2013, when they went 2-6, but ended up going 6-2 for an even 8-8 record. The Steelers did not make it to the playoffs again until 2018, however. Pittsburgh was able to qualify for the playoffs in 2014-17, and even made it to the AFC Championship Games twice.
12. New York Giants (9-7-11)
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Last week: No. 12
The move that brought the No. The Philadelphia Eagles received the No.1 seed in the NFC. They got to see their backup handling the offense on the road.
11. Detroit Lions (9-8)
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Last week: No. 15
It’s almost unthinkable to put this in writing, lest they consider it. But every team that loses in playoffs should face the Lions to prove just how good Detroit could have been if they were allowed to participate. Dan Campbell rallied the team, and the Lions don’t seem to be a rebuild. Is that enough to sustain the momentum in the offseason. They are willing to give up Jared Goff in favor of a younger quarterback.
10. Dallas Cowboys (12-5)
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Last week: No. 5
Even though Dak Prescott is taking the blame for the Cowboys’ 26-6 loss in Washington, the entire team was atrocious. Washington started deep in Dallas territory after special teams made two mistakes. Terry McLaurin threw three touchdown passes and had three catches totalling 74 yards. Jahan Dotson threw three passes for 72 yards. Ultimately a Cowboys failure in the wild-card round will result in Mike McCarthy being on the hot seat — if not by Jerry Jones, then by the fans and media. Get ready, Monday night could be dramatic.
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-9)
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Last week: No. 13
The Bucs tied for 10th in total defense and 13th in scoring defense. With 20 takeaways, the Bucs were tied for ninth place. They had eight during the last three games. And, yes, the most revered quarterback of all time is still below center. He threw for third-most passing yards and tied for second with five game-winning drives. Still want to take on this division-champ-with-losing-record at home?
8. Jacksonville Jaguars (9-8)
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Last week: No. 8
The Jaguars are a great example of a team that is peaking at the right moment. What is encouraging going forward, regardless of what happens in the playoffs, is it was because of sustainable events: Trevor Lawrence developing, Doug Pederson’s coaching, and younger defensive players coming into their own. The Jaguars may be able to keep their jaws open in the AFC South for a while.
7. Minnesota Vikings (13-4)
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Last week: No. 10
Still, the Vikings could still fall to the Giants 27-3 by halftime. This is similar to what happened to them to Week 17 to the Packers. Minnesota must play more complete games, as it is too difficult to sustain comeback heroics throughout a playoff run.
6. Los Angeles Chargers (11-6)
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Last week: No. 6
The Chargers get help back. It could give them an extra boost in the playoffs. One of Justin Herbert’s best attributes that should help the Chargers is his protection of the football. Herbert finished sixth in the NFL with 1.4%, just behind Trevor Lawrence. Los Angeles will have a greater chance to win their first playoff match since 2018, if Herbert makes fewer errors.
5. Cincinnati Bengals (12-4)
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Last week: T-1
What has aided the Bengals’ winning streak is their protection of Joe Burrow. Their entire winning streak has been comprised of games where Burrow gets sacked once or twice — none more than that. They can be dangerous if Cincinnati protects Burrow.
4. Philadelphia Eagles (14-3).
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Last week: No. 9
Jalen Hurts is the MVP case for the Eagles’ performance without him. Just count the losses played with Gardner Minshew at center. Philadelphia is still a bit of enigma as they beat the Giants’ backups for their advantageous start to the postseason. Will the Eagles really show up in divisional round?
3. San Francisco 49ers (13-4)
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Last week: No. 3
San Francisco may have actually been better off not getting the bye but the No. They can keep their winning streak going by being a 2 seed. They also get two consecutive home playoff games in the next two weeks. Unlike some teams the 49ers keep rolling with their backup quarterback, although sustained winning may take the “backup” label off Brock Purdy going forward.
2. Kansas City Chiefs (14-3).
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Last week: No. 4
It is January, which means things won’t get hard for Kansas City unless they play Buffalo, Kansas City, or it is the AFC Championship Game.
1. Buffalo Bills (13-3)
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Last week: T-1
Bills will be the team with the greatest emotional boost heading into the playoffs. Damar Hamlin His heroic comeback. How long will Buffalo be in a position to maintain this momentum? The Bills might be able take this momentum to Glendale if Josh Allen, who was tied for the second most touchdown passes with 35, plays at an elite level. If the defense, which was the strongest in the NFL with 27 takeaways and the best in the NFL, keeps opposing offenses out of their way, it may be possible.