NFL Playoffs Power Rankings: From Pretenders to Contenders

Do you have time for one last NFL Playoff preview type article? Then look no further. A guide to which teams are in the best position to win Super Bowl LV in Tampa come February 7 has arrived, from the pretenders to the contenders. Let’s get right to it.

Tier 5: Seriously, they made the playoffs?

14. Chicago Bears

13. Washington Football Team

Every AFC playoff team had a winning record, with even the 10–6 Miami Dolphins unable to fit in this expanded format which includes 7 teams from each conference. The NFC was not the same case, with the Bears and Washington Exhibits A and B. You need great play on both sides of the ball to be a Super Bowl contender, and while these teams feature considerable defensive talent in Linebacker Khalil Mack and Defensive End Chase Young respectively. Washington gets the higher rank because Alex Smith is a better quarterback than Mitch Trubisky. They’ll have mountains to climb to overcome the Saints and the Buccaneers.

Tier 4.5: Suffering Bad Luck

12. Cleveland Browns

The stars aligned for the Cleveland Browns to make the playoffs for the first time since 2002, and then they quickly dispersed after qualification was at hand. If they were at full strength, they would have serious upset potential against a vulnerable Steelers team. While Baker Mayfield is not yet a top tier quarterback, he is more than capable to get the best out of…