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The 2022-2023 NFL playoffs are here. Fourteen teams — seven in the AFC, seven in the NFC — still have a shot at winning Super Bowl 57 by playing in the league’s annual championship tournament.
But putting seeding and BetMGM odds aside, how do the playoff teams in the current field stack up against each other in the race to bring home the ring? Here’s taking a look at all their real chances to emerge as Super Bowl victors, No. 1 through No. 14:
MORE NFL PLAYOFFS: Full TV schedule | Wild-card breakdown | Updated bracket
NFL playoff power rankings 2023
1. Kansas City Chiefs (AFC No. 1 seed)
The Chiefs (+350 at BetMGM) always be a threat to win it all because of Patrick Mahomes, who likely will his second regular-season MVP award. Kansas City has diversified with its offense with a more effective power running and spreading the ball a little more around in the passing game. Defensively, the Chiefs have held up well against the run and made up for some coverage concerns with the AFC’s most productive pass rush. Their complete profile makes them the favorites.
2. San Francisco 49ers (NFC No. 2 seed)
The 49ers (+550) are the real team to beat in their conference and return to the Super Bowl for the first time in three years. They can do everything offensively around rookie Brock Purdy with their blocking and diverse skill players. They can be downright dominant defensive with Nick Bosa and Fred Warner setting the tone in the front seven. The only concerns are Purdy’s inexperience and some holes in the secondary.
3. Philadelphia Eagles (NFC No. 1 seed)
The Eagles (+500) were high-flying on their way to the Super Bowl for much of the season but they hit a few snags defensively and offensively in two consecutive losses before Week 18 with Gardner Minshew needing to start. With Jalen Hurts back, they can move the ball and score to their desired level, but their championship run is likely to come down to consistent defense vs. both pass and run.
MORE: Emotional Bills dedicate win vs. Patriots to Damar Hamlin
4. Buffalo Bills (AFC No. 2 seed)
The Bills (+400) have fielded a deep and nasty scoring defense as expected and have back it up with a prolific power rushing attack padded plenty by Josh Allen. Their passing game has been a disappointment at times, with more mistakes and fewer explosive plays. But Allen can get red-hot again with his big arm in the playoffs and the pass defense also can clean up better on back end. A reset for the tournament is just what Buffalo needed.
5. Cincinnati Bengals (AFC No. 3 seed)
The Bengals (+750) have followed up well on their AFC championship season with Joe Burrow as an elite established passer. They don’t mind being a limited rushing team and a big-play seeking offense again because it fits their identity. Defense remains the key. Cincinnati can still stop the run but needs more out of its pass rush to make enough plays in coverage to complete a conference title repeat.
MORE: Sporting News’ expert playoff predictions, Super Bowl 57 picks
6. Los Angeles Chargers (AFC No. 5 seed)
The Chargers (+2500) are peaking at the right time offensively and defensively, riding a five-game winning streak into the playoffs. They got ripped by the Jaguars in Week 3 with a banged-up Justin Herbert, but their defense is now capable of playing lights out. Herbert and Austin Ekeler have plenty around them to score the necessary complementary points. Los Angeles can make the top three in the AFC sweat if it can cool off Jacksonville on the road.
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (NFC No. 4 seed)
The Buccaneers (+2500) and the offense has dropped off its scoring by 11-plus points per game from last season, when that average number was just short of 30. But given it’s Tom Brady and all the weapons he has, nobody will underestimate this pass-first offense. The defense also can become a bigger factor if it can rediscover some its dominance against the run.
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8. Dallas Cowboys (NFC No. 5 seed)
The Cowboys (+1100) were rolling as the top scoring offense in the NFC because they are well balanced and methodical with some big-play potential when needed. Tony Pollard, Ezekiel Elliott and the rushing attack have been the foundation. Dak Prescott is locked into CeeDee Lamb and others passing, but he can’t afford to keep up the key turnovers. The defense needs to be less sloppy against the run and in coverage so it’s not as dependent on making big plays with the lead.
9. Jacksonville Jaguars (AFC No. 4 seed)
The Jaguars (+5000) have greatly improved offensively with Christian Kirk, Travis Etienne Jr, Zay Jones and Evan Engram to boost Trevor Lawrence in Year 2 under Doug Pederson behind more reliable blocking are evident. But their young playmaking defense has done more in key situations of late, getting in on the scoring fun with TDs in three of the past four weeks. Riding five consecutive wins out of a hot second half plus Pederson’s Super Bowl 51 pedigree make them a dangerous division winner, a la the Bengals last year.
MORE: Why Joshua Dobbs’ fumble in Titans-Jags sparked heated debate
10. Minnesota Vikings (NFC No. 3 seed)
The Vikings (+3000) needed until Week 18 against a shell of a Bears team to get their first blowout victory since Week 1. They have overcome a terrible scoring defense with the required offensive points, going 11-0 in one-possession games. They’re battle-tested in the first season under offensive-minded Kevin O’Connell, but it doesn’t bode well the Eagles and Cowboys were among the teams that routed them. The Vikings are volatile right from the wild-card round.
11. Baltimore Ravens (AFC No. 6 seed)
The Ravens (+4000) have defense still as their playoff calling card. They are dominant against the run and although they can give up passing yards, their pass rush-coverage combination can be tough at critical times. The offense needs some spark beyond the traditional rushing attac. They will hope Lamar Jackson’s knee is good enough to provide that with running and passing after a long pre-playoff layoff.
MORE: Will Tua Tagovailoa play in the playoffs?
12. Miami Dolphins (AFC No. 7 seed)
The Dolphins (+5000) saved their season and ended their five-game losing streak with a strong defensive performance against a bad Jets offense. They hope they can get a QB upgrade from rookie Skylar Thompson for the playoffs, either to Tua Tagovailoa or Teddy Bridgewater. That may not be close to enough right away against the Bills’ explosive offense and a defense capable of containing their pass-leaning attack.
13. Seattle Seahawks (NFC No. 7 seed)
The Seahawks (+5000) were the last team to qualify for the playoffs and have an immediate tough test in a return trip to San Francisco, a red-hot division rival that dominated the matchup twice n the regular season. But they do have competent QB play from Geno Smith, a strong running game from rookie Kenneth Walker III and a daunting pass defense. Pete Carroll’s team is playing with a ton of house money and will play like there’s nothing to lose, but some run defense woes and red zone issues will likely make it a short stay.
14. New York Giants (NFC No. 6 seed)
The Giants (+6000), no matter what happens in the playoffs, have had a big breakthrough season under offensive-minded rookie coach Brian Daboll, with Daniel Jones being the biggest beneficiary. Jones is a gamer with his running and passing, even with often limited big-play help from Saquon Barkley and his receivers. A porous run defense, however, will likely hasten their exit, given its backed up by a now struggling pass defense.
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