What’s up everyone? Happy New Year and hope things are going well. I thought this over and I ranked the teams based on overall performance prior to the playoffs. Love it or hate it, this is MY power rankings. Everyone has an opinion, and I would love to hear it.

I also want to thank everyone that took the time to even skim through my power rankings. It’s not perfect, but I put in a lot of effort to set this up and make this work. If you have any suggestions on how I could make this better, please let me know. All positive comments and football trash talk are welcomed. Be careful with the football trash talk because I can respond pretty damn well with it lol Otherwise, have a great rest of your week. If your teams made the postseason, good luck!

TEAMS CONSIDERED

14. BRONCOS

13. SEAHAWKS

12. BENGALS

11. PACKERS

10) WASHINGTON COMMANDERS

No one expected Washington to flirt with the wild card this season. But they were resilient enough to find a way after an early hot start and finished their season with five straight wins. The Hail Mary win definitely played a part in their success. Who deserves the credit? GM Adam Peters? Coach Dan Quinn? Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels? How about all of them??? How about everyone in the Commanders organization and fans that supported them??? This was a special season for a team that went through a turnover on their staff and a toxic owner that poisoned the organization. Miracle plays and the willingness to never give up got them here to play more football in January. The Commanders could play Cinderella if the football gods allow it.

9) LOS ANGELES CHARGERS

The Chargers were expected to finish between second and third in the AFC West, but not many expected them to make the playoffs. But when a team has Jim Harbaugh on their staff, anything’s possible. They played smashmouth, run first, grinding out football to not only control the game, but win too. Defense had a fantastic year statistically along with their on-field performance stifling opponents. Justin Herbert’s numbers may not show like past years, but he still played his best football under Harbaugh. The team could make some noise and potentially find their way into the second weekend of the playoffs.

8) TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

There’s plenty of Baker Mayfield haters around, but there’s also people that admire him for his moxie and balling ability. I’m one of those who admires him since I’m a longtime Sooner fan. He balled this season and I’m glad the organization brought him back as the long-term quarterback. Kudos to them working out a deal to bring back Mike “Mr. 1000” Evans too. Them and rookie running back Bucky Irving were pretty damn good as an offensive trio. They have the complementary unit on that side to probably make Tampa a hard out in the postseason. However, they’re hoping their defense survives the postseason with the number of injuries they have suffered through.

7) MINNESOTA VIKINGS

The Vikings were off to a great start at 5-0. Then they came out of a bye losing back-to-back against the Lions and Rams. Then they finished off their regular season strong despite coming up short against the Lions on Sunday Night. Here’s my question with Minnesota: Are they actually for real? 10 games were decided by eight points or less and seven of them were against non-playoff teams, and they had some big leads evaporate by the end of the game. Minnesota’s not a bad team, but I have a feeling their playoff run might end sooner than later like their recent playoff history. They face the Rams at L.A. where they struggled against pressure throughout while their pass defense struggled against Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp. Minnesota’s defense better ready themselves for a long day at L.A.

6) LOS ANGELES RAMS

The Rams timing for a playoff run were far better than the Cincinnati Bengals. I talked with Rams fans, and they weren’t happy with the injuries taking place earlier this season. I was also told when their key players including Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp were healthy, they’re a good football team. Yes, I was harsh on them in my Power Rankings and took crap for it (especially being a Niner fan lol), but I ranked them where they were before because of their defensive inconsistencies. However, their key wins were against the 49ers (x2), the Vikings, the Seahawks, and the Bills. This is a good team when healthy and this young defense plays consistent and confident. If they do it right as a whole, they’re a very hard out in the postseason against any team, and I mean any team!!!

5) PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

The Eagles were expected to win the division after adding Saquon Barkley to a backfield that’s grateful for one of the best and deepest offensive lines in football. He tore apart nearly every defense imaginable to a 2,000-yard season in his career, helping carry Philly to a division title and the second NFC seed. Defense is young and hungry and should play an impact in how far this team goes alongside Barkley, but it’ll also be determined by Jalen Hurts taking care of the ball too.

4) BUFFALO BILLS

We assumed Buffalo takes a step back after losing key pieces on offense and defense. And yet, the team goes as Josh Allen goes. Allen was searing hot while having James Cook along for the ride with complementary receivers and tight ends backing him up. Defense played well enough to make Buffalo a viable Super Bowl contender. How they fare against teams like Baltimore and Kansas City remains to be seen. But again, as long as Josh Allen’s on the field, the team goes as he goes.

3) BALTIMORE RAVENS

At the beginning of the season, Baltimore was nowhere near a Super Bowl contender because of offensive line problems, the secondary struggles, and injuries. Eventually, they cooked, and Baltimore proved to be a Super Bowl contender after all. Adding Derrick Henry and seeing the offensive line improve alongside MVP candidate Lamar Jackson and rising star Zay Flowers, Mark Andrews, Isaiah Likely, and Rashod Bateman spells trouble for anyone that runs into them. If the pass defense plays well, Baltimore’s right on the Super Bowl doorstep.

2) KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

The Chiefs are still the Chiefs until someone defeats them in the postseason. The last team to do it…the Cincinnati Bengals. Guess what? They’re not in the postseason thanks to the Denver Broncos. Unless a team signs Tom Brady to a current AFC playoff team, Kansas City likely find themselves in New Orleans in February. Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Chris Jones, Steve Spagnuolo, and Andy Reid will be ready for any and everything that comes there way for a potential 3-Peat Super Bowl victory.

1) DETROIT LIONS

Detroit came out biting off kneecaps from the get-go. Unfortunately, their opponents responded leading to an immense number of injuries across the depth chart, especially on defense. Not having Aidan Hutchinson and David Montgomery kind of affected the team, but they still have that Dan Campbell mindset to still play their best and grittiest football. Jared Goff went supernova this season with his efficient throws behind one of the best offensive lines in football. Super Bowl aspirations are there and it’s difficult to tell who in the NFC will challenge them

MY PLAYOFF PREDICTION

I’m riding the Lions bandwagon…and Baker Mayfield’s Bucs.