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The NFL playoff picture is starting to crystalize as we head toward 2024.
Week 16 started with the Los Angeles Rams’ statement win over the New Orleans Saints. The Rams now are in pole position to earn the second wild-card spot and a Wild Card Weekend date with the Detroit Lions.
In Chicago, the Bears bounced back from a horrific loss in Cleveland with a 27-16 win over a relatively listless Cardinals team. The Bears’ playoff hopes are all but dashed but wins over the Falcons and Packers to finish the season will create some positive momentum heading into the offseason.
San Francisco 49ers (11-3): The 49ers are head and shoulders above the rest of the NFL. A Christmas Day win over the Baltimore Ravens will fully cement them as the only elite team in the Super Bowl contender tier.
Baltimore Ravens (11-3): Lamar Jackson enters the homestretch in the thick of the MVP race. If he can outplay Brock Purdy and vanquish the 49ers on Monday night, the award should be his to lose.
Miami Dolphins (11-4): In holding off the Cowboys at home, the Dolphins finally beat a team with a winning record. Can they follow it up with a win over the Ravens in Week 17 and prove they are legitimate Super Bowl contenders?
Dallas Cowboys (10-5): The Cowboys just can’t win on the road. That’s bad news as Sunday’s loss all but guarantees they’ll be the NFC’s fifth seed, meaning they’ll likely have to win three straight road playoff games to get to the Super Bowl.
Philadelphia Eagles (10-4): The Eagles could very well finish at 13-4, but there’s little they can do over the next few weeks to prove they’ll be able to go toe-to-toe with the 49ers in late January.
Buffalo Bills (9-6): The Bills morphed back into the pitiful November version of themselves against the Chargers but managed to avoid a landmine that would have tanked their playoff changes. Buffalo might be the most dangerous team in the AFC come playoff time, but they’ll have to make it to the dance first.
Kansas City Chiefs…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/schrocks-nfl-power-rankings-where-052211544.html
Author : NBC Sports Chicago
Publish date : 2023-12-25 05:22:11
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