AFC

#1 Seed: Kansas City Chiefs (15-2)

Despite showing a record of 15-2, the Chiefs certainly do not play like a team with 15 wins. It feels as if this Chiefs team just does not have the magic it once had. Superstar QB Patrick Mahomes has regressed, star tight end Travis Kelce has regressed, the defense, which was the catalyst in their Super Bowl victory last season, has regressed, and there are injuries to key players. However, despite all of this, they are still the Chiefs. They still have Mahomes, they still have Home Field advantage, and they have by far the most experience of any team in the playoffs. With aspirations of the first ever 3-peat, and with one of the best crowds in Arrowhead Stadium, one thing is for certain: never count out Patrick Mahomes in January. So the question is, will a team finally take them down, or will they continue their dominance and make history in the process?

#2 Seed: Buffalo Bills (13-4)

Despite coming into the season with expectations of falling off from the last couple of seasons after trading All-Pro receiver Stefon Diggs and losing many players on the defense, the Bills have proved many wrong. Superstar QB Josh Allen has been playing like the MVP in what has easily been the best season of his career. Along with that, many players, such as rookie wide receiver Keon Coleman, WR Khalil Shakir, Rookie RB Ray Davis, and 3rd Year RB James Cook, have all stepped up in the absence of Diggs. While this offense has been elite thus far, the defense has been mediocre at best, with several concerning showings this season. However, with Allen playing at an MVP Level, and with teams having to go to Buffalo for both the Wild Card and the Divisional, will the Bills finally get over the hump, or will they face similar fate to past years?

#3 Seed: Baltimore Ravens (12-5)

After just falling shy of the Super Bowl last season, Baltimore is out for revenge. With 2x MVP Lamar Jackson playing what may be his best season of his career, and adding one of the best RB’s in the league in Derrick Henry. The Ravens are a team no one wants to face. The Ravens are hot at the perfect time, as they have won 4 straight. The defense has become elite this path month, being great both against the run and the pass. Lamar is putting up unbelievable passing numbers while still being the best runner at the QB position. Derrick Henry put up over 2,000 yards from scrimmage and is still one of the NFL’s premier offensive players. The Ravens have the weapons and the experience to beat anybody in the league, and entering the playoffs winning 4 straight and taking the AFC North, they are a team nobody wants to play.

#4 Seed: Houston Texans (10-7)

 Coming into the season, many thought the Texans would be a serious contender in the AFC. However, that just hasn’t been the case. This Texans offense, that was putting the league on notice last season, has been absolutely decimated by injuries this year. Star WR Stefon Diggs tore his ACL in Week 8, WR Nico Collins, who was leading the league in receiving yards before he got hurt, has missed around half the season, and WR Tank Dell suffered a gruesome injury against the Chiefs in Week 16, as he tore his ACL, tore his MCL, tore his LCL, suffered damage to his Meniscus, and dislocated his kneecap in an injury that may unfortunately prevent him from playing football again. Not to mention, there have been countless injuries on the O-line. All of this has resulted in a major sophomore slump for 2023 OROY and Pro Bowl QB CJ Stroud, as he has majorly regressed this season both by the stats and by the eye test. Houston has taken a step back from last season, and with teams like the Chiefs, Bills, Ravens, and Chargers, there is a very good chance the Texans are a 1st round exit.

#5 Seed, Los Angeles Chargers (11-6)

Head coach Jim Harbaugh has changed everything about the Chargers, from the way they draft and sign players, to the way they run their offense, their mentality, and their ideology in general. This has worked out for the better. With star QB Justin Herbert playing his best football of the season as of late, and with a top 5 defense, lead by star safety Derwin James, the Chargers can give any team a run for their money. Due to their lack of experience and just lack of talent on the roster in general, this Chargers team probably will not get too far. However, they could easily win a playoff game and make their divisional round game very close. 

#6 Seed: Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7)

The Steelers were in a race for the #1 seed at one point in the season. However, they have lost 4 straight entering the postseason, and they have not looked like a playoff team while doing so. QB Russell Wilson’s play has dropped quite drastically in the month of December, they cannot get the run game going, and everyone has just struggled in the latter half of the season. However, their defense, lead by former DPOY and current DPOY favorite TJ Watt, can win them games alone. With a pass rush duo of Watt and Alex Highsmith, former all-pro Minkah Fitzpatrick at Safety, multiple time pro-bowl defensive tackle Cam Heyward, and a cornerback duo of second year player Joey Porter Jr. and Donte Jackson, this defense can win games alone. Nevertheless, with the offensive struggles, they are likely a first round exit.

#7 Seed: Denver Broncos (10-7)

Coming into the season, the Broncos didn’t have many expectations. With a rookie QB in Bo Nix, and with little weapons for him, many expected the Broncos to be a rebuilding team. However, they exceeded expectations, and they made the playoffs. Rookie QB Bo Nix has been great in the second half of the season, and he would win OROY if another QB didn’t have the best rookie season of all time. They have a top 5 offensive line in the league. But most of all, they have the best defense in the league. Their defense, led by all-pro corner Patrick Surtain II, has been electric. Players such as 1st time pro-bowl linebacker Nik Bonitto, one of the best tacklers in the league in Alex Singleton, impact defensive linemen in John Franklin-Myers and Zach Allen, and a DPOY candidate in Patrick Surtain II, have all contributed to making this defense the best in the league. However, with them having to play the Bills in the first round, and the fact that they just do not have enough talent on the roster yet, the Broncos are likely a first round exit. Regardless, this season has been a huge success for them.

NFC

#1 Seed: Detroit Lions (15-2)

Unlike the Chiefs, the Lions do play like a team with 15 wins. They have finally put all the pieces together. Led by last season’s Coach of the year Dan Campbell, the Lions have all the pieces to make a super bowl run. Multiple time pro bowl QB Jared Goff is their leader on offense. They have the best RB duo in the league in the strong and powerful David Montgomery and the explosive and fast Jahmyr Gibbs. They have great weapons in all-pro Amon-Ra St. Brown, speedster Jameson Williams, and a pro bowler last season at tight end in Sam LaPorta. They have a top 5 offensive line in the league. Most of all, they have one of the best offensive minds in the game: OC Ben Johnson. The defense also has some amazing talent as well, like star defensive end Aidan Hutchinson and interception leader Kerby Joseph. However, they are injured beyond belief. So will the Lions continue dominating the league, or will their defensive injuries be too much to overcome for them?

#2 Seed: Philadelphia Eagles (14-3)

After starting 2-2 and looking shaky at times, the Eagles managed to win 12 of their last 13 and look very dangerous. With weapons on offense like former all-pro QB Jalen Hurts, all-pro WR AJ Brown, star WR Devonta Smith, and this season’s OPOY favorite in RB Saquon Barkley, this offense can put up points in many ways. As for the defense, they have players like star DT Jalen Carter, and standout rookie CB duo in Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean. With starpower and experience, the Eagles are going to be a contender in the NFC.

#3 Seed: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-7)

The Bucs have now won 4 straight NFC South titles. Led by QB Baker Mayfield, who is having the best season of his career, and future Hall of Fame WR Mike Evans, who recently made history with 11 straight seasons with at least 1,000 receiving yards, tying Jerry Rice, Tampa Bay is a team that can hang and even beat any team in the league. They actually beat both Detroit and Philly in the regular season, and also blew out the Commanders. Tampa Bay also has some stars on defense such as safety Antoine WInfield Jr., and defensive tackle Vita Vea. They also have one of the best offensive linemen in the league in Tristian Wirfs. The Bucs have a team that can beat anyone, but they are just too inconsistent to be a contender in the NFC.

#4 Seed: Los Angeles Rams (10-7)

After starting 1-4, many wrote the Rams off. But they managed to turn it around and win their division. With stars on offense like Super Bowl champion QB Matthew Stafford, last season’s breakout RB Kyren Williams, 2021 OPOY in WR Cooper Kupp, and star WR Puka Nacua, and with a front seven featuring players like DROTY favorite Jared Verse, star DT Kobie Turner, rookie DT Braden Fiske, and speedy edge Byron Young, this Rams team has experience, firepower, and have won 10 out of their last 13. If they can get past the Vikings in the first round, do not be surprised if they make a run.

#5 Seed: Minnesota Vikings (14-3)

Before the season started, nearly everyone thought the Vikings were going to be bad. But they shocked everyone, winning 14 games and looking dominant in the process. QB Sam Darnold, who was largely considered a bust, has revived his career with the Vikings, They also have 2022 OPOY and one of the best wideouts in the league in Justin Jefferson. However, the real strength of this team lies in its defense. Coached by defensive coordinator Brian Flores, this defense has been lights out. To start off, they have an edge duo consisting of Johnathan Greenard, who has 12 sacks on the season, and breakout linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel, who is a DPOY candidate. Their off the ball linebackers include a great duo in breakout star Blake Cashman and 2nd year player Ivan Pace Jr. Both have been amazing and majorly exceeded expectations in their role. In the secondary, they have CB Byron Murphy Jr. Who under Flores, managed to turn his game into a shutdown corner, being one of the best all season. On the other side, they have 2019 DPOY Stephon Gilmore, who despite his age, has been great for the Vikings. They have a safety core that features Cam Bynum, Josh Metellus, and Harrison Smith. The one thing the Vikings lack is experience, but with their talent, they may be able to win it all for the first time in their history.

#6 Seed: Washington Commanders (12-5)

Everyone expected the Commanders to improve slightly after going 4-13 last season. They drafted dual-threat QB from LSU Jayden Daniels 2nd overall, made Cowboys DC Dan Quinn their HC, and the rest was history. They exceeded expectations majorly, as Daniels had one of the best rookie seasons of all time, leading a top 5 offense and being the runaway favorite for OROY. Their offense also features the likes of breakout RB Brian Robinson Jr., and star WR Terry McLaurin. With an above average O-line, and OC Kliff Kingsbury calling the plays on offense, they managed to have a top 5 offense and dominated teams. They also have lots of balance and experience on defense, featuring the likes of linebackers Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu, edge rushers Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler Jr., and a defensive tackle core of nose tackle Da’ron Payne, stud rookie Johnny Newton, and star DT Johnathan Allen, who was recently activated off of IR. Their secondary is easily their weak point, even though star CB Marshon Lattimore should be coming back from his injury for the playoffs and rookie CB Mike Sainristil has been solid for the most part. With a stacked NFC and a lack of experience, it might just be too much for the Commanders.

#7 Seed: Green Bay Packers (11-6)

The Packers made the Divisional as the youngest team ever in football last season. With higher expectations, the Packers have barely met them. Despite starting the season 11-4, they dropped two games straight to cap off the regular season. Despite being healthy for most of the season, they have been decimated by the injury bug as of late, especially on defense. They lost superstar CB Jaire Alexander to a PCL tear, starting linebacker Quay Walker, stud rookie safety Evan Williams, and multiple other players have gotten hurt. The Packers are losing at the worst time possible, combine this with the fact that they are decimated by injuries and have to go on the road for the entire playoffs. It just doesn’t seem likely they will be able to even put up a fight in Round 1.