NFL Analysis

1/14/25

7 min read

2025 NFL Divisional Round Playoffs Power Rankings: Which Round 1 Winners Moved Up?

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) runs for a gain of about three yards during the first half of the Buffalo Bills wild card game against the Denver Broncos at Highmark Stadium.
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) runs for a gain of about three yards during the first half of the Buffalo Bills wild card game against the Denver Broncos at Highmark Stadium.

We saw several blowout wins in Round 1 of the 2024-2025 NFL Playoffs, which is common. It’s hard to win on the road in the playoffs, and we saw some massive point spreads going into the weekend. But with the final four teams set in each conference, we should have some incredible games upcoming over the next few weeks.

But how do the playoff teams stack up compared to one another going into Round 2? Here are our divisional-round power rankings after NFL Wild Card Weekend:

These rankings include teams still playing and teams eliminated last weekend.

Divisional Round Power Rankings

1. Kansas City Chiefs (15-2) Kansas City Chiefs logo

Previous Ranking: 1  Arrow Neutral

The Kansas City Chiefs are big winners from Round 1, as the Ravens and Bills will meet in Round 2. Meanwhile, the Chiefs will host the Texans, who they just beat a few weeks ago.

Houston’s defense has been excellent this season, but its lackluster offense will be a real issue on the road. The Chiefs have a very favorable road to get back to the Super Bowl again this year.

Next Game: Saturday, Jan. 18 vs. Texans


2. Detroit Lions (15-2) 

Previous Ranking: 2 Arrow Neutral

The Detroit Lions were expecting to play the Vikings in Round 2, but they will face Jayden Daniels and the Commanders instead.

The Lions are massive favorites and have to be thrilled with how the bracket turned out for them as the No. 1 seed.

Next Game: Saturday, Jan. 18 vs. Commanders


3. Philadelphia Eagles (14-3) 

Previous Ranking: 3 Arrow Neutral

The Philadelphia Eagles might be the most talented team in the league, and we saw that play out again on Sunday. Jalen Hurts did not play well, yet the Eagles still managed to beat the Packers by double-digits.

Philadelphia’s defense has been outstanding during the last two months and could be the reason it makes it back to the Super Bowl this year.

Next Game: Sunday, Jan. 19 vs. Rams


4. Buffalo Bills (13-4) 

Previous Ranking: 4 Arrow Neutral 

Bo Nix and the Broncos scored a touchdown on the opening drive of the game, but the Buffalo Bills proceeded to score 31 unanswered points in a blowout victory.

Buffalo’s offensive line was dominant on Sunday, and its run game has allowed them to really control the clock in big-time contests. That’ll need to happen again next Sunday when the Bills host the Ravens in Round 2.

Next Game: Sunday, Jan. 19 vs. Ravens


Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) throws the ball to receiver Puka Nacua (17) against the Minnesota Vikings during their playoff game at State Farm Stadium.
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) throws the ball to receiver Puka Nacua (17) against the Minnesota Vikings during their playoff game at State Farm Stadium.

5. Los Angeles Rams (10-7) 

Previous Ranking: 10 Arrow Up

The Sean McVay and Matthew Stafford duo strikes again. They clearly weren't worried about being the No. 4 seed after sitting everyone in Week 18. But the bigger story is the defense, which caused Sam Darnold to panic all game long.

The Los Angeles Rams will go to Philadelphia in Round 2, and that's a very tough matchup for them. But with McVay and Stafford, you never know.  

Next Game: Sunday, Jan. 19 vs. Eagles


6. Baltimore Ravens (12-5) 

Previous Ranking: 6 Arrow Neutral

Lamar Jackson has had some postseason struggles in the past, but not this week. Despite not having their No. 1 receiver, the Baltimore Ravens put up 28 points against the Steelers and rushed for 300 yards.

Jackson played a fantastic game, and the offense was in complete control. He’s never played better, and this feels like their best chance to reach a Super Bowl since he was drafted in 2018.

Next Game: Sunday, Jan. 19 vs. Bills


7. Washington Commanders (12-5) 

Previous Ranking: 7  Arrow Neutral

Is there anything that Jayden Daniels can’t do? Rookie quarterbacks don’t win on the road in the playoffs, but Daniels isn’t an ordinary rookie. He is a special talent, and he has the Washington Commanders in Round 2 of the playoffs already.

Even if they aren’t able to pull off the upset in Detroit, this has been a magical season for Daniles and the Commanders, and the vibes in Washington couldn’t be better.

Next Game: Saturday, Jan. 18 vs. Lions


8. Houston Texans (10-7) 

Previous Ranking: 14 Arrow Up

Maybe the most shocking result of the weekend was the Houston Texans taking care of business against the Chargers. Los Angeles was favored going into the game, but Houston was outstanding on defense. It made Justin Herbert look very average, and the offense did enough to close out the game.

There are still some major concerns on that side of the ball, but this is the second consecutive season in which DeMeco Ryans has won at least one playoff game. Kudos to the Texans for finding a way to win despite a rocky end to their regular season.

Next Game: Saturday, Jan. 18 vs. Chiefs


Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) jogs off the field after a play during the game against the Houston Texans in an AFC wild card game at NRG Stadium.
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) jogs off the field after a play during the game against the Houston Texans in an AFC wild card game at NRG Stadium. Troy Taormina-Imagn Images.

9. Los Angeles Chargers (11-6) 

Previous Ranking: 8 Arrow Down

The Los Angeles Chargers couldn’t have looked worse in Round 1. After scoring at least 34 points in the last three games of the season, they put up just 12 against the Texans.

Justin Herbert played arguably the worst game of his career, and they lost by double-digits in Houston. This was a tough loss but an overall good season for Jim Harbaugh in his first season back in the NFL.

Next Game: N/A


10. Minnesota Vikings (14-3) 

Previous Ranking: 5  Arrow Down

The Minnesota Vikings had quite a magical season, losing to just two teams all season. Unfortunately, they played the Lions and Rams in back-to-back weeks.

The moment looked too big for Sam Darnold, and the offensive line just couldn't hold up. Losing in Round 1 after a 14-win season is a massive disappointment, and the Vikings have a lot of big decisions to make this offseason.

Next Game: N/A


11. Green Bay Packers (11-6) 

Previous Ranking: 9 Arrow Down

The Green Bay Packers were one of the toughest teams in the league to figure out for most of the season. They destroyed all of the bad to average teams. But anytime they faced top-tier competition, they would come up short.

That was the case again in Round 1 of the playoffs, as the Packers just didn’t look ready to match the Eagles' speed and physicality. Four turnovers certainly didn’t help, but this feels like a step back for the Packers after making the divisional round last year.

Next Game: N/A


12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-7) Tampa Bay Buccaneers logo

Previous Ranking: 12 Arrow Neutral 

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the NFC South again but failed to reach the divisional round after a narrow loss to the Commanders. The defense's inability to get key stops haunted them all year and proved to be an issue in the postseason.

The Bucs have to feel great about the development and play of Baker Mayfield, but the defense needs a massive rebuild if they want to be competitive in the NFC anytime soon.

Next Game: N/A


13. Denver Broncos (10-7) 

Previous Ranking: 13 Arrow Neutral 

The Denver Broncos were 8.5-point underdogs against the Bills in Round 1, and it wasn’t hard to see why. Denver’s defense has been awesome all season, but Josh Allen can pick apart nearly any defense in the NFL.

The Broncos just didn’t have the firepower to keep up with the Bills, and that was to be expected with such a young roster. Denver should be highly encouraged after Bo Nix’s rookie season, but now is the time for them to surround him with more talent going into Year 2.

Next Game: N/A


14. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7) 

Previous Ranking: 15 Arrow Up  

Another year, another disappointing playoff loss for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

This is now the eight straight season without a playoff win for Mike Tomlin, and nearly every loss has been by double-digits. It’s clear that things have gotten stale in Pittsburgh, but will the Steelers be bold enough to make big changes? Probably not. Expect the Steelers to be right back in the same position next year.

Next Game: N/A


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