NFL Playoffs power rankings: Bills, Cowboys among top challengers for 49ers, Ravens
The NFL regular season is over and 14 teams still have a chance to win the Super Bowl.
But which teams are the most likely to win the Super Bowl this season?
We rank all 14 teams in the NFL Playoffs from least likely to most likely to win the Super Bowl this postseason, with the No. 1 seeded San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Ravens with the best chance as they get a bye during Wild Card Weekend and only need to win two games to make Super Bowl 58 in Las Vegas.
If those teams are the favorites, which other teams are the top contenders? Which could be dark horses for the NFL Championship?
Which teams have the best chance to lift the Vince Lombardi Trophy at the end of the NFL Playoffs?
Check out our NFL power rankings heading into the first-round NFL postseason games, with each team's ranking before NFL Week 18 in parenthesis.
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14. Pittsburgh Steelers (11)
The Steelers won three straight games to make the playoffs, finishing with a 10-7 record. But they will need their defense to carry them to have a chance and T.J. Watt's injury makes that a lot less likely.
13. Green Bay Packers (15)
The Packers went 9-8, but face the daunting task of beating the Cowboys in Dallas, something that hasn't been done this season. Jordan Love has shined this season, but Dallas' defense can be very tough.
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12. Houston Texans (12)
The Texans lost to Cleveland at home in Week 16, 36-22. They face the Browns at home on Saturday, but face a tough road for a lengthy, and surprise, playoff run. Just being here is a win for Houston, although it may want more.
11. Philadelphia Eagles (6)
Yes, we're dropping the Eagles. How could we not? Philadelphia is limping into the postseason with two straight losses and losses in five of its last six games. That doesn't exactly inspire confidence for a return trip to the Super Bowl.
NFL Playoffs power rankings: Bills, Cowboys among top challengers for 49ers, Ravens
10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (17)
Too high for the 9-8 Buccaneers? Perhaps. But that first-round game against the Eagles no longer seems so daunting and they will be at home, giving them a chance for at least a first-round win.
9. Miami Dolphins (7)
Too steep of a drop for Miami? They went 8-2 at Hard Rock Stadium, making them a tough out at home. The problem is, they will be on the road to open the postseason, where they went just 4-4. Good luck winning in Baltimore or Buffalo or Kansas City in January.
8. Los Angeles Rams (10)
The Rams went 10-7 and entered the postseason on a 4-game win streak. Matthew Stafford returns to Detroit in the NFC Wild Card game with a defense that could give Jared Goff fits. Don't count them out.
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7. Cleveland Browns (3)
Maybe we're being too hard on the Browns, dropping them after their loss in a meaningless game to the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 18. Still, this team's playoff run likely will be on the road, where it went just 3-5.
6. Kansas City Chiefs (9)
Maybe this is too high, but Kansas City, which went 11-6, has the experience factor. The Chiefs also have Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid. You can't count out the defending champions.
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5. Detroit Lions (5)
We're a little concerned about their chances in the first round, but this team went 12-5 on the year and scored the third-most points in the NFC. It would not surprise us if the Lions went on a run.
4. Dallas Cowboys (4)
The Cowboys are here based on the fact that they could play at least two playoff games at home as the No. 2 seed in the NFC. They went 8-0 at AT&T Stadium during their 12-5 regular season.
3. Buffalo Bills (8)
The Bills enter the playoffs with an 11-6 record after winning five straight games to end the regular season. They are 7-2 at home at could host at least two games at Highmark Stadium this postseason, a place no one wants to play at in January.
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2. San Francisco 49ers (2)
The 49ers have the coveted bye week in the NFC playoffs after earning the No. 1 seed in that conference. They went 12-5 and allowed the fewest points of all NFC teams. That makes them the NFC favorite.
1. Baltimore Ravens (1)
The Ravens went an NFL best 13-4 on the season, which included a win over the 49ers. They have a first-round bye and home-field advantage in the AFC. That makes them No. 1 on this list.
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Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: NFL Playoffs power rankings: Bills, Cowboys among top challengers
