NFL Power Rankings: Bills, Bears and 49ers among risers heading into Division Round of playoffs
Published: Jan 13, 2026 at 09:43 AM
In the realm of the NFL playoffs, the 2019 Wild Card Round was a standout, with four out of six games decided by a single score. Fast forward to 2022, and the trend continues, with another four one-score games. But the real question is, can we top the first round we just witnessed? Teams leading at the two-minute warning started the postseason 0-3, setting the stage for an intriguing Division Round.
The top-seeded Seahawks and Broncos are set to grace the stage, promising another thrilling banquet. The round is a quarterback's dream, with MVP candidates Drake Maye and Matthew Stafford, and reigning MVP Josh Allen, all in the top tier. Caleb Williams and Maye, in their playoff debuts, showcased brilliance and sloppiness in equal measure. The question remains: what's in store for these second-year pros in their second postseason outings? And where do Sam Darnold, C.J. Stroud, and Brock Purdy fit into the rankings?
While top-tier performances are expected from these quarterbacks, some may flame out, like Trevor Lawrence, Jalen Hurts, Justin Herbert, and Aaron Rodgers did in the opening round. The quality of defenses may hold the key, with two of the best Ds entering the ring this week.
The Seattle Seahawks, ranked 1, will face the San Francisco 49ers, ranked 8, in a rematch after splitting the first two matchups. The Seahawks, led by Mike Macdonald's defenses, have dominated Kyle Shanahan's offenses, including a recent impressive performance against Christian McCaffrey. With George Kittle out, the 49ers' hopes rest on Sam Darnold's ability to turn over the ball, but Seattle's balance makes this a challenging task.
Rank 2, the New England Patriots, won their first playoff game in seven years, thanks to a dominant defense, excellent special teams, and a balanced offense. Drake Maye had a special moment in his debut, but faces a tougher test against the Houston Texans' defense. The Patriots' D has flown under the radar, and the question remains: who is coordinating this unit?
Rank 3, the Denver Broncos, watched as the AFC's No. 3 seed was eliminated, and the No. 2 seed struggled to score. Despite mild doubts about their top-seed status, the Broncos face Josh Allen, who delivered a stellar performance in Jacksonville. The Broncos' pass rush could be a problem for the Bills, but Allen's playmaking should give Denver some issues.
Rank 4, the Buffalo Bills, led by Josh Allen, showcased resilience despite a beating. Allen, one of the toughest quarterbacks, threw a beauty of a game and ran 11 times, scoring two TDs. The Bills forced two interceptions and earned a red-zone turnover, with Greg Rousseau heating up the pass rush and Tre'Davious White having a 'turn-back-the-clock' performance.
Rank 5, the Houston Texans, dominated the Pittsburgh Steelers, with DeMeco Ryans' defense sacking Rodgers four times and running back two turnovers for touchdowns. However, C.J. Stroud had a challenging night, with three head-scratching turnovers. The Texans' WR Nico Collins is a concern, but Christian Kirk and Woody Marks stepped up in Pittsburgh.
Rank 6, the Los Angeles Rams, won a road thriller but know they have work to do before facing the Chicago Bears. Penalties and special teams issues almost cost them in Charlotte. Matthew Stafford had rough patches but calmly led L.A. back to the top in the fourth quarter. The Rams must improve to reach their previous level of potency.
Rank 7, the Chicago Bears, beat their archrivals in a thriller, keeping the party going. Caleb Williams' improbable fourth-and-8 completion kept the comeback hopes alive. The Packers' errors kept Chicago in the game, but the Bears made the necessary plays. It's a complete and definitive performance, with Ben Johnson, Williams, and the rest of the miracle workers riding the wave.
Rank 8, the San Francisco 49ers, beat the Eagles with a fitting performance, checking off nearly every box. Major injuries, a torn Achilles for George Kittle, and Brock Purdy's up-and-down performance didn't deter them. Christian McCaffrey was huge, and Kyle Shanahan's trick-play TD pass was a highlight. The 49ers are now 8-2 away from home this season.
Rank 9, the Jacksonville Jaguars, ended a thrilling season in Duval, but it was a bitter end. Trevor Lawrence made big throws, but his two INTs were killers. The Jags couldn't convert Buffalo's fumble into points and missed a field goal at the end of the half. Despite this, the potential under Liam Coen is exciting.
Rank 10, the Philadelphia Eagles, faced a tough end to a long, trying season. Jalen Hurts threw three straight incompletions, and the offense suffered dry spells. A missed extra point didn't help, but the team needs offensive changes to contend for the Super Bowl.
Rank 11, the Los Angeles Chargers, ended their season with a playoff whimper, despite Jim Harbaugh's impressive group. The ending still stings, and the future of offensive coordinator Greg Roman is uncertain. The team must address operational problems to compete next season.
Rank 12, the Pittsburgh Steelers, watched as Mike Tomlin and Aaron Rodgers walked off the field with their futures in question. The team has been stuck in neutral, and even with Rodgers' boost, it doesn't feel sustainable. The franchise, known for stability, suddenly seems rocky.
Rank 13, the Green Bay Packers, blew an 18-point lead to the Chicago Bears, ending their season. Matt LaFleur's future was already in question, and the team struggled to handle success and stress. A few months ago, they were Super Bowl contenders, but now, everything has fallen apart.
Rank 14, the Carolina Panthers, showed valiant effort, hanging with the Rams multiple times. Bryce Young's aerial work and Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker's contributions are notable. The Panthers are getting closer, with a nucleus of a desirable offense and room for improvement on defense.
