There are a dozen teams looking to play in Super Bowl LIV on February 2. How do the 12 contenders rank from top to bottom?
It started with 32 teams and it’s down to 12 when it comes to capturing the NFL’s 100th championship and the 54th in the Super Bowl Era. This year’s postseason field includes the defending champion New England Patriots and a fairly experienced field in terms of recent postseason experience. The club that ended the longest playoff drought of this field was the San Francisco 49ers and they were in the NFC title game in 2013.
So how does this not-so-dirty dozen rank from No. 12 to numero uno? Included here the teams’ final win-loss records and their current seeding in their respective conferences. As for the rankings, postseason experience is one factor and so is how each of these teams is performing at the moment.
12. Minnesota Vikings
10-6 (Wild Card)
No. 6 Seed in NFC
Overview: It was a team that was in some ways was carried by its offense this season, quite the departure from recent years. Quarterback Kirk Cousins (who sat out the season finale) and running back Dalvin Cook enjoyed big years, although the latter did miss the final two games of the season. The former did a much better job of taking care of the football, especially after a shaky start. Cook ran for 1,135 yards and 13 scores and was second on the team with 53 receptions behind Stefon Diggs. Having Adam Thielen healthy is a plus. On defense, Danielle Hunter led the clubs with 14.5 sacks but this unit was inconsistent at best.
Postseason History: The Vikings are in the playoffs for the third time in five seasons dating back to 2015. Their last appearance was two years ago when they reached the NFC Championship Game. The club has dropped four straight road playoff games dating back to a loss at Philadelphia in the ‘04 divisional round.
This Week’s Opponent: Zimmer’s club clashes with the NFC South champion New Orleans Saints. It’s the fifth postseason meeting between the clubs (dating back to 1987) and the fourth time the clubs will battle in three seasons. A year ago on a Sunday night at Minnesota (Week 8), the Vikings fell by a 30-20 score.
Next: No. 11
11. Tennessee Titans
9-7 (Wild Card)
No. 6 Seed in AFC
Overview: This became a different offensive club once head coach Mike Vrabel made the change from Marcus Mariota to Ryan Tannehill. The latter, who battled injuries his final three seasons with the Dolphins (and missed all of ‘17), had quite the stretch run and brought much more consistency behind center. It was another productive year for running back Derrick Henry, whose 1,540 rushing yards (16 touchdowns) led the NFL. Tennessee’s defense and special teams came up with its share of timely plays. It added up to a fourth consecutive 9-7 finish, this one after the team dropped four of its first six games.
Postseason History: After failing to reach the playoffs for eight consecutive seasons from 2009-16, the Titans are back in the playoff tournament for the second time in three years. The franchise is just 3-7 in its last 10 postseason outings dating back to that memorable 23-16 setback in Super Bowl XXXIV to the Rams.
This Week’s Opponent: It’s back to Foxborough for a playoff meeting with the New England Patriots. The teams met two years ago in the divisional round and the Titans came up short, 35-14. But a season ago at Nashville (Week 10), Vrabel’s team rolled to a 34-10 victory over the eventual Super Bowl LIII champions.
Next: No. 10
10. Buffalo Bills
10-6 (Wild Card)
No. 5 Seed in AFC
Overview: It was a 2019 season that got off to a rough start when quarterback Josh Allen turned over the football four times in the first half of the season opener vs. the Jets. But the Bills rebounded to win that game and got off to a 3-0 start. Allen’s ball security got better as the season evolved and this became a very dangerous football team that showed its mettle on more than one occasion. Sean McDermott’s squad featured a much-improved offensive line and a defensive unit it made it shared big plays. But that latter unit also showed a vulnerability to the run which cost them dearly on more than one occasion.
Postseason History: McDermott has led the club to the playoffs for the second time in three years. But the franchise hasn’t won a postseason game since defeating the Dolphins in the 1995 wild card round. In 2017, the Bills fell at Jacksonville, 10-3, the franchise’s fifth consecutive playoff setback dating back to ‘95.
This Week’s Opponent: The club faces the Texans at Houston. The teams have never met in the playoffs and this will mark just the 10th encounter between the franchises dating back to 2002. The Bills are 1-4 in the last five meetings dating back to 2009, including a tough 20-13 loss at Houston last season in Week 6.
Next: No. 9
9. Philadelphia Eagles
9-7 (NFC East champions)
No. 4 Seed in NFC
Overview: For the second straight year, Doug Pederson’s club finished 9-7. But unlike both 2017 and ‘18, the season concluded with quarterback Carson Wentz at the helm. He had his ups and downs with turnovers but came up big during the team’s four-game winning streak to close the year. A lot of the offensive issue had to do with a rash of injuries, most notably the wide receiving corps. But reminiscent of 2018, Pederson’s club played its best football late and it resulted in a second NFC East title in three years. Jim Schwartz’s defensive unit finished 10th in the NFL in yards allowed, including third vs. the run.
Postseason History: The Eagles are in the playoffs for the third straight year. It’s the team’s longest such stretch since the early days of the Andy Reid Era, when the club made five consecutive appearances from 2000-04. Pederson has led the club to four playoff wins in five tries, including a victory in Super Bowl LII.
This Week’s Opponent: It’s the second meeting of the season with the Seattle Seahawks, who came to Philadelphia in Week 12 and handed the Birds a 17-9 setback. It’s the first postseason encounter between the franchises. All told, the Eagles have dropped five consecutive games in this series dating back to 2011.
Next: No. 8
8. Houston Texans
10-6 (AFC South champions)
No. 4 Seed in AFC
Overview: In stark contrast to a year ago when they dropped their first three games, the Texans were a steadier football team in 2019. Although there were some bumps along the way, this team played effective football when it counted most. Houston’s offensive line was much better than a year ago and that paid big dividends for quarterback Deshaun Watson and a ground attack led by the duo of Carlos Hyde and Duke Johnson. Bill O’Brien’s defense was a bit erratic and the team certainly missed defensive end J.J. Watt. But the star performer should be around this Saturday for this first postseason tilt.
Postseason History: The Texans are in the playoffs as AFC South champions for the sixth time in nine seasons dating back to 2011. That includes four of the last five seasons under O’Brien. But none of the previous five editions was able to get past the divisional round. Is this the year that finally all changes?
This Week’s Opponent: O’Brien’s club hosts the Buffalo Bills in Saturday’s early game. It’s the 10th meeting between the clubs but the first in the postseason. The Texans own a one-game lead in the series standings and came away with a 20-13 home win last season (Week 6) in the clubs’ last encounter.
Next: No. 7
7. Seattle Seahawks
11-5 (Wild Card)
No. 5 Seed in NFC
Overview: The team closed the year with consecutive home losses to the Cardinals and 49ers, the last costing the Seahawks a chance to win the NFC West. It was a season in which Russell Wilson and the team needed every point it could muster. Pete Carroll’s club finished with 11 wins and with a stunning plus-7 scoring differential (405-398). Wilson threw for 4,110 yards and 31 scores while turning over the football only seven times. The team signed the “Beastmode” from the past last week in Marshawn Lynch to aid a battered running back corps. The defense was vulnerable all year but Carroll’s squad forced 32 turnovers.
Postseason History: With Wilson at the helm, Carroll’s Seahawks are in the playoffs for the seventh time in eight seasons dating back to 2012. The Super Bowl XLVIII champions own an impressive 8-5 record over that span in the playoffs and more times than not has won at least one postseason game each year.
This Week’s Opponent: Carroll’s team heads to the City of Brotherly Love for the second time this season. Back in Week 12, Wilson and company came away with a tough 17-9 win, the Seahawks’ fifth consecutive victory vs. the Eagles dating back to 2011. But this is the first playoff meeting between these franchises.
Next: No. 6
6. New England Patriots
12-4 (AFC East champions)
No. 3 Seed in AFC
Overview: When it was all said and done, Bill Belichick’s team actually won more games this season (12) than they did a year ago (11). But this was a team that finished 4-4 in its last eight outings after starting the season 8-0. Quarterback Tom Brady had his ups and downs. The calling card for this club was an excellent defense spearheaded by cornerback Stephon Gilmore. But the Patriots head into the postseason off a perplexing 27-24 home loss to the Miami Dolphins that has put them in the position to play a wild card game for the first time since 2009. Still, these defending champions are always dangerous.
Postseason History: No franchise in NFL history has won more postseason games (37). The Patriots are also in the playoffs for a record 11th consecutive year and have appeared in four of the past five Super Bowls. A trip to South Florida in early February would tie the mark set by the Buffalo Bills from 1990-93.
This Week’s Opponent: Since defeating the Tennessee Titans, 35-14, in the 2017 AFC Divisional Playoffs at New England, the Patriots have played in five more postseason games – including losing (LII) and winning (LIII) a Super Bowl. But Belichick’s team did lose to the Titans at Nashville, 34-10, in Week 10, last season.
Next: No. 5
5. Green Bay Packers
13-3 (NFC North champions)
No. 2 Seed in NFC
Overview: New head coach Matt LaFleur proved to be a breath of fresh air to the team. The Packers more than doubled their victory total from a year ago, when they finished 6-9-1 and quarterback Aaron Rodgers appeared hobbled all season via a Week 1 knee injury. The franchise went out and spent money this offseason, signing outside linebackers Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith and safety Adrian Amos and they made a big difference. But you could make a case that the team’s most valuable player was running back Aaron Jones, who finished with 1,558 scrimmage yards and 19 touchdowns for LaFleur’s 13-3 club.
Postseason History: It’s the NFL’s 100th campaign and 13 of the previous 99 have resulted in Packers’ championships. This mark Green Bay’s ninth trip to the postseason since 2009 and first since ‘16. But the franchise hasn’t reached and/or hoisted the Lombardi Trophy since prevailing in Super Bowl XLV in 2010.
Potential Opponents: As the conference’s No. 2 seed, LaFleur’s Packers will host either the Saints, Eagles or Seahawks in the divisional round in the final of the four games that weekend. Green Bay did not face either New Orleans or Seattle this season but fell at home to Philadelphia, 34-24, in Week 4 at home.
Next: No. 4
4. San Francisco 49ers
13-3 (NFC West champions)
No. 1 Seed in NFC
Overview: It’s been quite the year of growth for this club. This was a Niners’ team that won 13 games after a 4-12 finish in 2018. That’s tied for the third-biggest turnaround in NFL history in terms of increased wins from one season to the next. While quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo struggled early, he came into his own as the season wore on with help from tight end George Kittle and midseason addition in the form of wide receiver Emanuel Sanders. A defense that started strong began to show cracks the last nine games, allowing 27 offensive TDs after surrendering just seven offensive touchdowns the first seven contests.
Postseason History: The last time the Niners hosted a playoff game was in 2012 when they routed the Packers in the divisional round. That season resulted in an appearance in Super Bowl XLVII. Only the New England Patriots (6) and Pittsburgh Steelers (6) have won more Lombardi Trophies than the 49ers (5).
Potential Opponents: Kyle Shanahan’s club could welcome the Eagles, Seahawks or Vikings to Levi’s Stadium on Saturday, January 11. The only one of those three clubs the Niners faced this season was the ‘Hawks, who handed the 49ers their first loss of 2019 in overtime, 27-24, in Week 10 at San Francisco.
Next: No. 3
3. Kansas City Chiefs
12-4 (AFC West champions)
No. 2 Seed in AFC
Overview: This past offseason, the organization made a change at defensive coordinator and hired Steve Spagnuolo. He installed the 4-3 and the hope was that the team could bounce back from a year in which it allowed 421 points in the regular season and 37 points at home in the overtime loss in the AFC title game. It took a little time but the club’s current six-game winning streak has a lot to do with that improvement. Patrick Mahomes didn’t set the world on fire in his second season as a starter. These Chiefs appear to be a team that can beat you in numerous ways and that bodes well with the playoffs ahead.
Postseason History: It’s been a struggle for quite some time when it comes to the playoffs. The Chiefs’ lone NFL title came via a 23-7 victory over the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl IV a mere 50 years ago. This is Kansas City’s fifth straight trip to the playoffs and sixth appearance in seven years under Reid.
Potential Opponents: Reid’s team could face either the Patriots, Texans or Bills in the divisional round when the team returns to action on January 12. Of course, the postseason has been a nightmare for this franchise for decades. The Chiefs own a 10-19 all-time playoff record, including a 3-8 ledger at home.
Next: No. 2
2. New Orleans Saints
13-3 (NFC South champions)
No. 3 Seed in NFC
Overview: For the second straight year, Sean Payton’s squad came up with 13 regular-season victories and for the third consecutive season are NFC South champions. After finishing 7-9 three years in a row from 2014-16, the Saints are an impressive 37-11 in their last 48 regular-season games. The club was able to survive without Drew Brees for five games thanks to Teddy Bridgewater. The Saints’ skill position performers include running backs Alvin Kamara and Latavius Murray, tight end Jared Cook and wideout Michael Thomas, he of an NFL-record 149 receptions. An effective defense has struggled a bit as of late.
Postseason History: Under Payton and Brees, the Saints own a combined 8-6 postseason record dating back to 2006, including a Super Bowl win in ‘09. It’s the franchise’s eighth playoff appearance under this duo. It’s been quite a turnaround for a club that owned a dismal 1-5 postseason record from 1967-2005.
This Week’s Opponent: Payton’s club hosts the Minnesota Vikings this Sunday in the first of the two NFC wild card games. The teams last met on a Sunday night a year ago in the Twin Cities (Week 8) and the Saints came up with a 30-20 win. It’s the fifth postseason between the clubs and second in three years.
Next: No. 1
1. Baltimore Ravens
14-2 (AFC North champions)
No. 1 Seed in AFC
Overview: John Harbaugh’s club set a single-season franchise record for wins (14), set a new NFL team record for rushing yards in a season (3,296) and led the league with 531 points. Second-year quarterback Lamar Jackson made incredible progress this year, hitting on 66.1 percent of his throws and an NFL-high 36 TD passes (six interceptions). He also set a new league mark for rushing yards by a quarterback (1,206) and did all of this in 15 games. Mark Ingram and Gus Edwards also had big years out of the backfield. The midseason acquisition of cornerback Marcus Peters was huge for a surging defense that struggled early.
Postseason History: The Ravens are in the playoffs for the second straight year and the seventh time under Harbaugh, who owns a 10-6 postseason record – including a victory in Super Bowl XLVII. The franchise is also the number-one seed in the conference for the first time in its 24 seasons in the NFL.
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Potential Opponents: The AFC North champions, winners of 12 consecutive games, will face either the Texans, Bills or Titans when they take the field again on the evening of Jan. 11. Earlier this season, the red-hot Ravens routed Houston at home, 41-7, in Week 11, and won at Buffalo, 24-17, in Week 14.