1. Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens are the undisputed No. 1 team in the league, as they have won five straight games and clinched the AFC North title. They have the best offense in the NFL, led by the MVP frontrunner Lamar Jackson, who has accounted for 39 total touchdowns and only six interceptions. Their defense is also elite, ranking second in points allowed and third in yards allowed. The Ravens have beaten some of the top contenders in the league, such as the 49ers, the Bills, the Patriots, and the Seahawks. They have a chance to secure the No. 1 seed and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs with a win over the Bengals in Week 1712.
2. San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers suffered a tough loss to the Ravens in Week 16, but they bounced back with a dominant win over the Rams in Week 17. They have the second-best offense in the NFL, averaging 29.9 points per game, and the fourth-best defense, allowing only 18.4 points per game. They have a balanced attack on both sides of the ball, with Jimmy Garoppolo throwing for 27 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, and Raheem Mostert leading the rushing attack with 772 yards and eight touchdowns. Their defense is anchored by Nick Bosa, who has 10 sacks and four forced fumbles, and Richard Sherman, who has three interceptions and 11 passes defended. The 49ers have a crucial game against the Seahawks in Week 17, which will decide the NFC West title and the No. 1 seed in the NFC34.
3. Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs have clinched the AFC West title for the fourth consecutive year, and they have won six straight games. They have the third-best offense in the NFL, scoring 28.7 points per game, and the seventh-best defense, allowing only 19.1 points per game. They have the best quarterback in the league, Patrick Mahomes, who has thrown for 25 touchdowns and four interceptions, despite missing two games due to injury. They also have a dynamic duo of Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce, who have combined for 2,105 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns. Their defense has improved significantly since the start of the season, thanks to the additions of Frank Clark and Tyrann Mathieu, who have six sacks and four interceptions, respectively. The Chiefs have a chance to get the No. 2 seed and a first-round bye in the playoffs with a win over the Chargers and a Patriots loss to the Dolphins in Week 1735.
4. New Orleans Saints
The Saints have clinched the NFC South title for the third straight year, and they have won four of their last five games. They have the fourth-best offense in the NFL, averaging 28.3 points per game, and the ninth-best defense, allowing only 20.9 points per game. They have the most prolific passer in NFL history, Drew Brees, who has thrown for 24 touchdowns and four interceptions, and broke the record for most career touchdown passes in Week 16. They also have the best wide receiver in the league, Michael Thomas, who has 145 receptions for 1,688 yards and nine touchdowns, and broke the record for most receptions in a single season in Week 16. Their defense is led by Cameron Jordan, who has 15.5 sacks and three forced fumbles, and Marshon Lattimore, who has one interception and 13 passes defended. The Saints have a chance to get the No. 1 seed and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs with a win over the Panthers and losses by the 49ers and the Packers in Week 173 .
5. Green Bay Packers
The Packers have clinched the NFC North title for the first time since 2016, and they have won four straight games. They have the eighth-best offense in the NFL, scoring 23.6 points per game, and the sixth-best defense, allowing only 18.6 points per game. They have the best quarterback-running back duo in the league, with Aaron Rodgers throwing for 24 touchdowns and three interceptions, and Aaron Jones rushing for 984 yards and 15 touchdowns. They also have a reliable receiver in Davante Adams, who has 72 catches for 903 yards and four touchdowns, despite missing four games due to injury. Their defense is led by Za’Darius Smith, who has 13.5 sacks and five forced fumbles, and Jaire Alexander, who has two interceptions and 15 passes defended. The Packers have a chance to get the No. 1 seed and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs with a win over the Lions and a 49ers loss to the Seahawks in Week 173 .
6. New England Patriots
The Patriots have clinched the AFC East title for the 11th consecutive year, and they have won two of their last three games. They have the fifth-best offense in the NFL, averaging 26.5 points per game, and the best defense, allowing only 13.2 points per game. They have the greatest quarterback of all time, Tom Brady, who has thrown for 22 touchdowns and seven interceptions, despite having a lack of weapons and a struggling offensive line. They also have a solid running game, with Sony Michel leading the way with 838 yards and six touchdowns. Their defense is the best in the league, with Stephon Gilmore leading the NFL with six interceptions and 18 passes defended, and Jamie Collins having seven sacks and three interceptions. The Patriots have a chance to get the No. 2 seed and a first-round bye in the playoffs with a win over the Dolphins in Week 173 .
7. Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks have clinched a playoff berth for the seventh time in eight years, but they have lost two of their last three games. They have the sixth-best offense in the NFL, scoring 26.4 points per game, and the 18th-best defense, allowing 24.8 points per game. They have the second-best quarterback in the league, Russell Wilson, who has thrown for 29 touchdowns and five interceptions, and is a strong candidate for the MVP award. They also have a talented receiving corps, with Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf combining for 1,821 yards and 13 touchdowns. Their defense is led by Bobby Wagner, who has 139 tackles and three sacks, and Shaquill Griffin, who has two interceptions and 12 passes defended. The Seahawks have a crucial game against the 49ers in Week 17, which will decide the NFC West title and the No. 1 seed in the NFC3 .
8. Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings have clinched a playoff berth for the third time in five years, but they have lost two of their last three games. They have the ninth-best offense in the NFL, averaging 25.9 points per game, and the fifth-best defense, allowing only 18.5 points per game. They have a balanced offense, with Kirk Cousins throwing for 25 touchdowns and five interceptions, Dalvin Cook rushing for 1,135 yards and 13 touchdowns, and Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs catching for 1,507 yards and 11 touchdowns. Their defense is led by Danielle Hunter, who has 14.5 sacks and three forced fumbles, and Harrison Smith, who has three interceptions and 10 passes defended. The Vikings have no chance to win the NFC North title, but they can improve their playoff seeding with a win over the Bears and a Seahawks loss to the 49ers in Week 173 .
9. Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles have won three straight games and are in control of their own destiny to win the NFC East title. They have the 14th-best offense in the NFL, scoring 23.3 points per game, and the 10th-best defense, allowing 21.6 points per game. They have a resilient offense, with Carson Wentz throwing for 26 touchdowns and seven interceptions, despite losing most of his top receivers and running backs to injuries. He has been helped by the emergence of Greg Ward and Miles Sanders, who have combined for 1,006 yards and six touchdowns. Their defense is led by Brandon Graham, who has 7.5 sacks and one forced fumble, and Malcolm Jenkins, who has 2.5 sacks and four passes defended. The Eagles have a chance to clinch the NFC East title and a playoff berth with a win over the Giants in Week 173 .
10. Houston Texans
The Texans have clinched the AFC South title for the fourth time in five years, and they have won three of their last four games. They have the 10th-best offense in the NFL, averaging 24.4 points per game, and the 17th-best defense, allowing 23.3 points per game. They have a dynamic offense, with Deshaun Watson throwing for 26 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, and rushing for 413 yards and seven touchdowns. He has a star receiver in DeAndre Hopkins, who has 104 catches for 1,165 yards and seven touchdowns. Their defense is led by Whitney Mercilus, who has 7.5 sacks and four forced fumbles, and Zach Cunningham, who has 132 tackles and two sacks.