8. Buffalo Bills
(10-6. Last week: 8)
The Bills lost to the Jets in a game that had no playoff implications. That’s why coach Sean McDermott barely played quarterback Josh Allen and many of his starters. The Bills will face Houston in the first round of the playoffs. Anything the Bills do in this year’s postseason is gravy. It’s more about the future. With Tom Brady getting older, New England can’t own the AFC East forever. The Dolphins and Jets have some rebuilding to do. The Bills already are good and could overtake the Patriots next year.
7. Seattle Seahawks
(11-5. Last week: 6)
The script was all set. Seattle running back Marshawn Lynch, re-signed by the team just this week, was on the field with less than a minute left. The Seahawks had a first down at the 1-yard line. All Lynch had to do was leap over the pile and score, like he’s done so many times in the past. But the Seahawks inexplicably ran out the play clock and took a 5-yard penalty that they weren’t able to overcome. That cost the Seahawks the NFC West championship and dropped them to the No. 5 seed. Seattle now has to travel to Philadelphia for a wild-card matchup.
6. New England Patriots
(12-4. Last week: 3)
It’s not often that the Patriots lose a game with big playoff implications. Yet that’s what happened Sunday as Miami upset New England in Foxborough. That cost the Patriots the AFC’s No. 2 seed and a first-round bye. Instead, they’re the No. 3 seed and must play in the wild-card round for the first time since 2009. New England fans have been nitpicky this year because the Patriots haven’t been as sharp offensively as in past years. Maybe the Miami game shows that fans are right to have doubts. The Patriots have to be far better in the postseason if they’re going to repeat as Super Bowl champions. But as long as Tom Brady and Bill Belichick are around, anything remains possible.
5. Kansas City Chiefs
(12-4. Last week: 7)
The Chiefs did their part Sunday with a win against the Chargers. Then, they caught an unexpected break as Miami stunned New England. That gives Kansas City the AFC’s No. 2 seed and a first-round bye. That’s important, as the Chiefs start their annual crusade to prove coach Andy Reid can win it all. Reid never did that in Philadelphia, and he hasn’t done it yet in Kansas City. But this team is one of Reid’s best. He had a good quarterback in Donovan McNabb in his Philadelphia days. But he’s got a better one in Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes. That may be enough to get the Chiefs past Baltimore and into the Super Bowl.
4. Green Bay Packers
(13-3. Last week: 5)
The Packers weren’t overly impressive in a 23-20 victory at Detroit. But they’ve been winning ugly lately. But wins are wins and this one earned the Packers a first-round bye in the playoffs and a home game in the second round. Playing in Lambeau Field obviously is a big advantage for the Packers. But they need to improve their all-around game, because the playoffs are much more intense than the regular season. Give credit to first-year coach Matt LaFleur for getting the Packers to where they are and getting along with quarterback Aaron Rodgers. After picking up Mike McCarthy’s mess, LaFleur has to be a leading candidate for Coach of the Year.
3. San Francisco 49ers
(13-3. Last week: 4)
The last game of the NFL’s 100th NFL season might have been the best of the year and perhaps one of the greatest ever. Although San Francisco dominated the first half, Seattle came back and took the game down to the wire. But San Francisco ended up winning, 26-21. That was enough to give the 49ers the NFC West crown and a No. 1 playoff seed. That gives San Francisco a bye and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. This one was well earned. San Francisco used a balanced offense to win. More importantly, the defense came through when it mattered most. The San Francisco defense, helped by a Seattle delay-of-game penalty, stopped the Seahawks inches from the goal line. That creates a much easier path for the 49ers, who would’ve had to go to Philadelphia in the first round if they had lost to the Seahawks.
2. New Orleans Saints
(13-3. Last week: 2)
Very quietly, the Saints set an NFL record Sunday while blowing out Carolina. New Orleans finished the season committing only eight turnovers. That’s remarkable under any circumstances. But it’s especially impressive considering that the Saints did it with quarterback Teddy Bridgewater starting five games (all wins) in place of an injured Drew Brees. Heading into the postseason, Brees and the New Orleans offense (especially receiver Michael Thomas) are as good as ever. That’s the trademark of a team coached by Sean Payton. But the Saints are particularly dangerous this year because they have the best overall defense of the Payton era.
1. Baltimore Ravens
(14-2. Last week: 1)
The Ravens sat most of their starters because they already had clinched the top seed in the AFC playoffs. That’s a long way from where a lot of experts thought the Ravens would be when the season started. Some observers were critical of Baltimore for letting veteran Joe Flacco go and turning to second-year quarterback Lamar Jackson. Many said Jackson was nothing more than a glorified running back. With 1,206 rushing yards and seven touchdown runs, Jackson proved he can run effectively. But he also showed he can throw by passing for 36 touchdowns. Jackson is going to be the league’s Most Valuable Player. The Ravens are the best team in football. They just have to prove it again in the postseason.
Pat Yasinskas has covered the NFL since 1993. He has worked for The Tampa Tribune, The Charlotte Observer and ESPN.com and writes for numerous national magazines and websites. He also has served as a voter for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.