The 14-team field is finally all set for the 2020 NFL postseason.
It’s quite the 2020 NFL playoff field. All seven teams in the AFC have won at least 11 games and the Miami Dolphins finished 10-6 and missed out on a postseason invitation. In the other conference, the NFC East champion Washington Football Team owns a 7-9 record and the 8-8 Chicago Bears are headed to New Orleans for a first-round clash with the Saints.
So here are the final regular-season power rankings now that all 256 games have been played.
The franchise was looking to avoid becoming the first team since the 2001 Carolina Panthers to win in Week 1 and then lose the remainder of their games. They visited Indianapolis and faced the Colts’ team that they defeated on opening Sunday. But this was a totally different story as the Jacksonville defense was rolled to the tune of 273 yards rushing. Via NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the team is expected to move on from head coach Doug Marrone.
The club had already wrapped up last place in the NFC North for the third straight year when the Lions played host to the disappointing Vikings. And the club would close the season with a fourth consecutive loss as the Detroit defense surrendered 508 total yards and 37 points. And speaking of the latter, the Lions allowed a whopping 519 points in 2020 – the second-highest single-season total dating back to 1933. The ’81 Colts allowed 533 points.
Off back-to-back wins over the Rams and Browns, the Jets headed to Foxborough to take on the Patriots. The club’s last road win in this series came in the 2010 AFC Divisional Playoffs. And that losing streak at New England continued as Sam Darnold was sacked three times and threw two picks. The third-year quarterback also totaled 266 yards through the air and one score. On Sunday evening (via ESPN’s Adam Schefter), Adam Gase was let go.
The team had won its last two games entering Sunday’s clash with the rival Ravens and Zac Taylor’s squad was looking to play playoff spoiler. But for the second time this season when facing Baltimore, the Bengals were limited to three points. The Cincinnati defense was gashed for an unimaginable 404 yards on the ground and 525 total yards. Brandon Allen connected on only six of his 21 throws for 48 yards and served up a pair of interceptions.
Doug Pederson’s club would not be reaching the postseason for fourth consecutive year but could play spoiler with the Washington Football Team coming to town for a Sunday night clash. But Philadelphia’s disappointing year began with a loss to Ron Rivera’s team and ended the same way. Pederson’s offense, which utilized quarterbacks Jalen Hurts and Nate Sudfeld, gained only 215 total yards while the team committed three costly turnovers.
It’s been a long season for a team that made back-to-back playoff appearances in 2016 and ‘17. Now the Falcons are in the midst of a third consecutive losing season as they took on the Buccaneers at Tampa. Raheem Morris’ defense was gashed for 485 total yards – most of that through the air. Matt Ryan threw for 265 yards and two scores but also had one of the team’s two turnovers. The 12 losses are the Falcons most in a season since 2013.
Make it four consecutive losing seasons for the Men from Mile High, who took on the visiting Raiders. Denver’s defense has been a huge disappointment and the only way to were able to slow the Raiders down a little was courtesy of four takeaways. Still, Las Vegas’ rolled up 465 total yards and much of that through the air. Drew Lock threw for 339 yards and two touchdowns. A late Brandon McManus 63-yard field goal attempt was blocked.
Despite some big numbers of quarterback Deshaun Watson, it’s been a disappointing year for the Texans as the team played host to Derrick Henry and the Titans. Earlier this season, the club fell in overtime at Nashville, 42-36. This time around, the team scored 29 second-half points and with 18 seconds to play, the clubs were tied at 38-all. But Houston’s defense didn’t have any answers for an attack that rolled up 492 yards and lost on the final play.
While the club is in the midst of a third consecutive losing season, the Panthers are an improved team from a year ago. They hosted the shorthanded New Orleans Saints on Sunday and simply couldn’t stack up with one of the NFL’s deepest teams. Quarterbacks Teddy Bridgewater (2) and P.J. Walker (3) combined for five interceptions while not forcing a turnover. Carolina allowed a surprising 156 yards rushing to the depleted Saints’ backfield.
Joe Judge’s club still had hopes of winning the NFC East if they could knock off the visiting Cowboys and Washington lost at Philadelphia on Sunday night. And the Giants held up their end of the bargain in snapping a seven-game losing streak in this rivalry. New York overcame two Daniel Jones’ turnovers as the second-year pro also threw for 229 yards and two scores. The Giants sacked Andy Dalton six times but there would be no playoffs.
It’s been a disappointing year for Vikings’ team whose defense is in the middle of a rebuilding program. They visited Detroit and were without running back Dalvin Cook for personal reasons. But that hardly mattered against a team that had allowed the most points in the league. Kirk Cousins – who overcame three sacks – totaled 405 yards through the air and three scores and the Minnesota offense rolled up 508 total yards in sweeping the Lions again.
Losers of three times as many games as they did a year ago, the Niners hosted the division-champion Seahawks at Arizona. Kyle Shanahan’s club appeared primed to pull off the upset and owned a 16-6 advantage with less than 15 minutes to play. But the Seahawks responded with 20 straight points to take control and drop the 49ers’ home record (the last 3 games at Arizona) to 1-7. And the club finished last this year after a Super Bowl appearance.
Winners of three consecutive games, the Cowboys could still win the NFC East with a win over the Giants and a little help on Sunday night. But all of that went out the window as Mike McCarthy’s club trailed 20-6 in the second quarter, narrowed the gap to one point early in the fourth quarter but could never catch up. Dallas could not protect quarterback Andy Dalton, who was sacked six times and also served up a costly end zone interception.
Losers of three straight games by a combined 84-24 score, the disappointing Patriots hosted the revitalized New York Jets. And Bill Belichick’s club scored more points on Sunday than they had in their previous three contests. Cam Newton threw for 242 yards and three scores and also caught a 19-yard TD pass from wide receiver Jakobi Meyers. The Pats rushed for 166 yards, the vast majority of that coming from Newton (79) and Sony Michel (76).
It adds up to another disappointing season for the Silver and Black, who could salvage a .500 campaign with a win at Denver. It was a back-and-forth clash between these AFC West rivals and once again, the Raiders took a late lead. The Broncos needed less than 25 seconds to get into field goal range but Brandon McManus’ 63-yard try was blocked. Jon Gruden’s team turned over the ball four times and still managed to gain 465 total yards in the victory.
Veteran quarterback Alex Smith would get the start for the Washington Football Team as they traveled to Philadelphia for a prime time clash with the Eagles. A victory by Ron Rivera’s squad would give the club its first division title and playoff appearance since 2015. It was far from a masterpiece and Smith threw just as many touchdown passes (2) as interceptions. But Washington’s defense pitched a shutout in the second half for the win.
Winners of three consecutive games, the Bolts made their way to Arrowhead Stadium looking to take on a Chiefs’ team that had defeated him in 12 of the previous 13 meetings. Rookie Justin Herbert had another huge outing, throwing for 302 yards and three scores while also running for one touchdown. The Chargers closed the year with four straight wins. But is a 7-9 record enough to ensure head coach Anthony Lynn returns to the team in 2021?
Big Red was still hoping to grab a playoff berth when they took on the Rams in Los Angeles. Second-year quarterback Kyler Murray came into the contest hurting, was eventually replaced by Chris Streveler and then reappeared late in the game. Regardless, Kliff Kingsbury’s offense managed only 214 total yards and after taking a 7-0 first-quarter lead never scored again. The Cardinals lost five of their last seven games after a 6-3 start.
A victory over the rival Packers by Matt Nagy’s squad would put the Bears in the playoffs for the second time in three years. Chicago came into the game having scored 30-plus points in four straight games but was shackled by Green Bay’s bend-but-don’t-break defense. Nagy’s club gained a respectable 356 total yards but was limited to one touchdown and three field goals. Still, the 8-8 Bears earned a trip to the postseason when the Cardinals lost.
Miami could reach the playoffs for the first time since 2016 if they could knock off the AFC East champions at Orchard Park. But the team was overwhelmed in all facets of the game, allowing eight touchdowns via the ground (2), air (4), a punt return and also a pick six – one of three interceptions thrown by rookie Tua Tagovaiola. DeVante Parker caught seven passes for 116 yards in a losing effort. And the improved Dolphins fell short of the playoffs.
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – JANUARY 03: Jonathan Taylor #28 of the Indianapolis Colts is tackled by Chris Claybrooks #27 of the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first quarter at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 03, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
The battered Rams gave quarterback John Wolford the start in place of injured Jared Goff as they hosted the Cardinals, with both teams in search of a playoff invitation. Los Angeles’ defense limited Arizona to only 214 total yards and a first-quarter touchdown. The Rams turned over the ball twice, including one interception by Wolford. But Troy Hill offset that by returning a Cardinals’ interception 84 yards for a TD and the Rams are playoff-bound.
The team is playoff bound for the first time since 2007 and on Sunday looked to complete a sweep of the rival Falcons for the first time since 2015. Veteran Tom Brady did throw one interception but he more than offset that with 399 yards through the air. He found both Chris Godwin and Antonio Brown twice for touchdowns and the wideouts finished with 133 and 138 receiving yards, respectively. Bruce Arians’ club secured the NFC’s No. 5 seed.
The Colts’ season began with a loss of Jacksonville and they hosted the Jaguars hoping not only to win but get some help in terms of vying for a playoff spot. Rookie running back Jonathan Taylor continued his recent hot streak, totaling 30 carries for 253 yards and two scores. Matt Eberflus’ defensive unit totaled six sacks of Mike Glennon and allowed only 283 total yards. And Miami’s loss earlier in the day was exactly what the doctor ordered.
The Titans could win their first AFC South title since 2008 with a victory at Houston. Running back Derrick Henry has owned the Texans lately, running for 200-plus yards in each contest. And he did it again thanks to 250 yards and two touchdowns on 34 carries. Tennessee owned a 31-15 third-quarter lead but wound up squandering it and needing some late heroics via Ryan Tannehill and Sam Sloman, who hit a 37-yard field goal off the post at the gun.
Seattle’s defense has played much better as of late and the team made its way to Arizona for a clash with the San Francisco. Pete Carroll’s offense struggled for three quarters and settled for a pair of field goals. But Russell Wilson found Tyler Lockett twice in the final 15 minutes and running back Alex Collins added an eight-yard touchdown run with 1:49 to play as the NFC West champions locked up the No. 2 seed in the NFC by playing turnover-free football.
A victory on Sunday at home against the AFC North champion Steelers would put the Browns in the playoffs for the first time since ‘02. The team built a 24-9 fourth-quarter only to see Pittsburgh respond with a pair of touchdowns to get within two points. But the Cleveland defense held on a two-point conversion attempt. The team recovered the onside kick and quarterback Baker Mayfield secured the win with a run on third down to help kill the clock.
A win by the Ravens at Cincinnati and the team was headed to the playoffs for the third consecutive year. The team remained hot on offense as quarterback Lamar Jackson threw three touchdown passes (1 interception) and also ran for 97 yards. Rookie J.K. Dobbins rushed for 160 yards and two scores as John Harbaugh’s club rolled up an amazing 404 yards on the ground. All told, Baltimore outgained the host Bengals by 330 total yards (525-195).
Mason Rudolph would be the starting quarterback for the Steelers as the AFC North champions ventured to Cleveland to take on the desperate Browns. Mike Tomlin’s club trailed by 15 points in the fourth quarter but got a pair of TD passes from Rudolph. But Pittsburgh failed on a game-tying two-point conversion attempt and never saw the ball again. The Steelers lost four of their last five games after an 11-0 start and host the Browns next week.
Sean Payton’s club would be minus a slew of key players – most notably running backs Alvin Kamara and Latavius Murray – as the Saints headed to Charlotte to take on the Panthers. But journeyman Ty Montgomery wound up carrying 18 times for 105 yards and the team ran for 156 yards. Throw in 201 passing yards and three touchdown strikes via Drew Brees and the Saints rolled. The defense picked off Carolina quarterbacks a combined five times.
A victory by Matt LaFleur’s club would not only give the Packers a second consecutive 13-win season but lock up the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs. And once again, quarterback Aaron Rodgers was on his game as he hit on 19 of his 24 throws for 240 yards and four scores without an interception. Meanwhile, the Green Bay defense gave up 356 total yards but only one touchdown. It was the second year in a row the Packers swept this longtime rivalry.
The club could lock down the two seed in the AFC playoffs with a home win over the Dolphins. The Bills could also finish 6-0 versus their AFC East rivals with a victory. Sean McDermott’s team put up eight touchdowns four different ways – including a score via an interception return by Josh Norman. Wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie has quite the afternoon, catching a pair of touchdown passes and also taking back a punt 84 yards for a score.
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Veteran Chad Henne got the start for the defending Super Bowl champions, who took a 10-game winning streak into their clash with the Chargers. Andy Reid’s team seemed pretty disinterested with the No. 1 seed in the AFC locked up and the team’s play reflected that. The Chiefs ran for 51 yards and Henne threw for 218 yards and two scores. But in between the Bolts owned the afternoon. Still, Kansas City finished with an NFL-best 14-2 record.