Our guide to the NFL playoffs: Reasons for hope — and concern — for all 14 teams

2024 NFL Playoffs: A Deep Dive into the Teams, Players, and Matchups

The 2024 NFL playoffs have arrived, and the excitement is palpable as fans gear up for a thrilling postseason. The Kansas City Chiefs and the Detroit Lions have secured the No. 1 seeds in the AFC and NFC, respectively, earning them a well-deserved first-round bye. Meanwhile, the remaining 12 teams are set to battle it out in the wild-card round, which promises to be a weekend full of intense matchups and high-stakes drama. With games spread across Saturday, Sunday, and a Monday night showdown on ESPN/ABC, there’s plenty of action to look forward to.

As we dive into the playoffs, several questions loom large: Which teams are poised for deep playoff runs? Which squads have vulnerabilities that could be exposed during the wild-card weekend? And which players are likely to be the game-changers that propel their teams toward Super Bowl LIX?

To help answer these questions, our NFL Nation team reporters have analyzed each of the 14 playoff teams, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses. Additionally, analytics writer Seth Walder has identified a key stat for each team, while Ben Solak provides a heat check rating (from 1 to 10) for each squad. We’ve also assessed each team’s updated chances of winning it all using ESPN’s Football Power Index (FPI). (Odds are via ESPN BET.)

AFC

Kansas City Chiefs (15-2)

Odds to win Super Bowl: +350
FPI chance to make Super Bowl: 27.9%

First game outlook: The Chiefs, with the AFC’s top seed, will face the lowest-seeded wild-card team remaining in the divisional round. They have a strong track record against potential opponents, boasting a 5-1 record against the Texans, Chargers, Steelers, and Broncos this season.

Reason for hope: A revitalized offense led by Patrick Mahomes, with key contributions from Hollywood Brown and Xavier Worthy, has the Chiefs looking formidable.

Reason for concern: Pass protection remains a challenge, with Mahomes sacked 36 times this season.

Stat to know: Chris Jones recorded 62 pass rush wins, the most by a defensive tackle this season.

Heat check rating: 10

Buffalo Bills (13-4)

Odds to win Super Bowl: +475
FPI chance to make the divisional round: 67.6%
FPI chance to make Super Bowl: 21.3%

First game outlook: The Bills will host the Broncos, a team they haven’t faced this season, in their sixth straight postseason appearance.

Reason for hope: Josh Allen’s MVP-caliber season and the Bills’ potent offense.

Reason for concern: Inconsistent third-down defense.

Stat to know: Allen has the lowest sack rate (2.6%) among QBR-qualified quarterbacks.

Heat check rating: 8

Baltimore Ravens (12-5)

Odds to win Super Bowl: +550
FPI chance to make the divisional round: 72.5%
FPI chance to make Super Bowl: 27.1%

First game outlook: The Ravens will face the Steelers in a rubber match, having split their regular-season meetings.

Reason for hope: The Ravens’ strong finish to the season, with a dominant defense.

Reason for concern: Lamar Jackson’s playoff struggles.

Stat to know: The Ravens’ defense ranked first in EPA allowed per opponent dropback from Weeks 11-18.

Heat check rating: 9

Houston Texans (10-7)

Odds to win Super Bowl: +6000
FPI chance to make the divisional round: 47.6%
FPI chance to make Super Bowl: 6.1%

First game outlook: The Texans will host the Chargers, marking their eighth wild-card weekend home game since 2011.

Reason for hope: A strong defense that pressures quarterbacks effectively.

Reason for concern: Offensive inconsistency, particularly against split-safety coverage.

Stat to know: The Texans rank 24th in EPA per play since Week 10.

Heat check rating: 5

Los Angeles Chargers (11-6)

Odds to win Super Bowl: +2500
FPI chance to make the divisional round: 52.4%
FPI chance to make Super Bowl: 8.8%

First game outlook: The Chargers will face the Texans, marking their fourth playoff appearance since 2010.

Reason for hope: Jim Harbaugh’s playoff experience and the team’s turnaround.

Reason for concern: Inconsistent offense, particularly in the second half of games.

Stat to know: The Chargers rank in the top six in EPA allowed per designed run play and per dropback.

Heat check rating: 5

Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7)

Odds to win Super Bowl: +7500
FPI chance to make the divisional round: 27.5%
FPI chance to make Super Bowl: 4.1%

First game outlook: The Steelers will face the Ravens, with a history of playoff success against Baltimore.

Reason for hope: Russell Wilson’s ability to energize the offense.

Reason for concern: Defensive lapses and communication issues.

Stat to know: The Steelers’ offense is significantly more effective with George Pickens on the field.

Heat check rating: 1

Denver Broncos (10-7)

Odds to win Super Bowl: +6000
FPI chance to make the divisional round: 32.5%
FPI chance to make Super Bowl: 4.7%

First game outlook: The Broncos will face the Bills in their first playoff game since winning Super Bowl 50.

Reason for hope: A strong defense that ranks highly in several categories.

Reason for concern: A high percentage of three-and-out drives.

Stat to know: The Broncos play more man coverage than any other team.

Heat check rating: 7

NFC

Detroit Lions (15-2)

Odds to win Super Bowl: +450
FPI chance to make Super Bowl: 41.4%

First game outlook: The Lions will host the lowest-seeded wild-card winner in the divisional round.

Reason for hope: A high-powered offense with multiple playmakers.

Reason for concern: An injury-riddled defense.

Stat to know: The Lions have blitzed 42% of the time since Aidan Hutchinson’s injury.

Heat check rating: 8

Philadelphia Eagles (14-3)

Odds to win Super Bowl: +650
FPI chance to make the divisional round: 50.3%
FPI chance to make Super Bowl: 14.6%

First game outlook: The Eagles will host the Packers in a rematch of their season opener.

Reason for hope: Elite personnel and a strong roster.

Reason for concern: Slow starts in games.

Stat to know: The Eagles rank first in both EPA per designed carry on offense and defense.

Heat check rating: 8

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-7)

Odds to win Super Bowl: +3000
FPI chance to make the divisional round: 58.5%
FPI chance to make Super Bowl: 11.1%

First game outlook: The Buccaneers will host the Commanders, a rematch of their season opener.

Reason for hope: A versatile, high-powered offense.

Reason for concern: Defensive struggles with health and consistency.

Stat to know: The Buccaneers recorded more YAC over expectation than any other team.

Heat check rating: 2

Los Angeles Rams (10-7)

Odds to win Super Bowl: +3500
FPI chance to make the divisional round: 45.5%
FPI chance to make Super Bowl: 5.7%

First game outlook: The Rams will host the Vikings, a team they defeated earlier this season.

Reason for hope: Drastic defensive improvement.

Reason for concern: An inconsistent offense.

Stat to know: Puka Nacua has a 40% target rate, the highest since 2007.

Heat check rating: 4

Minnesota Vikings (14-3)

Odds to win Super Bowl: +800
FPI chance to make the divisional round: 54.5%
FPI chance to make Super Bowl: 9.6%

First game outlook: The Vikings will face the Rams, a team they lost to earlier this season.

Reason for hope: Balance on both offense and defense.

Reason for concern: Reliance on rookie kicker Will Reichard.

Stat to know: Sam Darnold’s completion percentage over expectation has improved significantly.

Heat check rating: 7

Washington Commanders (12-5)

Odds to win Super Bowl: +3000
FPI chance to make the divisional round: 41.5%
FPI chance to make Super Bowl: 5.3%

First game outlook: The Commanders will face the Buccaneers, a team they last faced in the playoffs in 2020.

Reason for hope: Quarterback Jayden Daniels’ playmaking ability.

Reason for concern: A weak run defense.

Stat to know: Daniels recorded 59 total EPA on designed runs and scrambles.

Heat check rating: 3

Green Bay Packers (11-6)

Odds to win Super Bowl: +1600
FPI chance to make the divisional round: 49.7%
FPI chance to make Super Bowl: 12.2%

First game outlook: The Packers will face the Eagles, a team they lost to in their season opener.

Reason for hope: Strong running game and ability to force turnovers.

Reason for concern: Lack of wins against top NFC playoff teams.

Stat to know: Jordan Love ranks fifth in QBR with a 68.7.

Heat check rating: 2