Well the 2025 season is finally over and as a Chiefs fan, I can say thank goodness. Now we know what Raiders fans feel like every year. Speaking of the Raiders, did you know that they lead all teams with the most losses in the last 30 years? They also have the most coaches with 15 over the same time span. Ouch. But don’t worry, we aren’t done talking Chiefs as I will have some stuff on them throughout the playoffs. But in good news I don’t have to rank them as I’ll only be ranking the teams left going forward. So lets dive in to who is left starting with team 14 all the way to my top ranked team.

14. Panthers

The Panthers lost to the Bucs in a rainy mess of a game of two teams that aren’t good. Then they needed the Falcons who just fired their coach to beat the Saints which did happen. So we have everyone’s favorite thing, a team with a losing record hosting a playoff game. They did beat the Rams before, so they have that going for them, but they are the team least likely to go to the Super Bowl.

13. Chargers

The Chargers have a good team. Unfortunately, some of them aren’t playing. They may be the team to beat in the West next year, but they are just too banged up to go on the road and beat the Patriots and then the Broncos and then some other team. Per usual, this is not the Chargers year.

12. Steelers

While it was sort of fun to watch Aaron Rodgers win the division and make the playoffs by beating the Ravens, they also lost to the lowly Browns the week before. I wouldn’t put it past them to win one more game, but they are not making a run.

11. Packers

Much like the Chargers, they are just too banged up to be taken seriously. They are limping into these playoffs and I don’t see them making much noise. However, they have surprised in the playoffs before so LeFluer and Jordan Love know what it takes. I’m just skeptical they will be able to stop the other team from scoring.

10. Bears

I think Ben Johnson has done a heck of a job. I like their running backs and skill position guys. But their defense is suspect, and although Caleb has had some big moments, I still don’t trust him, especially to win 3 or 4 games in a row.

9. Texans

This one is pretty simple, I love their defense and don’t love their offense. They could go to the Super Bowl or lose in the first round because of it. But their defense is sensational and will keep them in every game. And they have won 9 in a row which is hard to ignore.

8. 49ers

49ers are pretty much the opposite, I love their offense but their defense has issues, namely too many injuries. But Shanahan will have the offense well prepared and the defense is lead by an excellent coordinator. I thought they really needed home field advantage and the bye to make a realistic run.

7. Bills

They have Josh Allen and the experience going for them. Their run defense is terrible and their receivers aren’t very good. Everyone is saying Josh Allen needs to get it done because Lamar, Burrow and Patrick aren’t in the playoffs. But it should really be because Patrick is out. Josh is 0-4 against the Chiefs when it matters most. Of course that isn’t Josh’s fault because nothing ever is. Josh is also 0-4 on the road in the playoffs which isn’t ideal as the 6 seed.

6. Eagles

They have problems. They are sort of a mess. But they win a lot and have a shot to go back to back which no one is talking about. Sirianni is an idiot but he is their idiot. The team is super talented. I’m real nervous they are going to pull their crap together and make a run.

5. Patriots

They have arguably been the most dominant team all year but they have also played the easiest schedule in the league. Drake Maye is awesome. I trust Vrabel to have them ready. But they will play more good teams if they make a run than they did all year. I think they absolutely have a shot to make a run and won’t be surprised if they do. I don’t not believe in them, I just have a little doubt because of the competition.

4. Rams

They have been a little shaky the last few weeks. I think getting Davante Adams back will help the offense get back to their normal ways. I’m not sure what is going on with the defense either. Maybe the Rams peaked too early, but they are still the team I trust the most because of the coach and the Quarterback.

3. Broncos

The Broncos have a great pass rush. They have won a lot of close games. But they have also played an easy schedule. I trust teams that win close games though. I don’t like Sean Payton, never have. But he has been here before so the team should be well prepared. I’m just concerned about how the team has struggled against the back up Chargers and back up Chiefs the last two weeks. Typically they have played to the level of their competition but three weeks ago they got worked over by the Jags. So, although I believe in them maybe more than most, the recent game bias is in effect for me.

2. Jaguars

I am sure now that I believe in them, they will lose this weekend. But they have the most balanced team in the AFC. They are great at defending the run. They can run the ball. Their QB is playing at the highest level of his NFL career. Their coach, who I thought was pretty goofy early on, seems to have this team completely all in and moving on all cylinders. They have already gone to Denver and won fairly easily. What’s my hesitation? Trevor could revert to old Trevor habits under the pressure. But my biggest hesitation is just that they are the Jags.

1. Seahawks

Do I all of the sudden trust Sam Darnold? I do not. But that defense is suffocating. They have the best home field advantage outside of Arrowhead and they have athletes everywhere. Now Sam can still Darnold all this up and they could lose in the divisional round. But with that D at home, they got as good of a shot as anyone to make it to the Super Bowl.

My votes for regular season awards:

MVP: Matt Stafford, Runner up: Drake Maye Who will actually win: Matt Stafford

It’s a two person race that I have gone back and forth on. But Maye hasn’t played anyone, and if a guy throws for 4,700 yards and 46 TDs he typically gets the award.

Offensive Player of the Year: Christian McCaffrey, Runner up: JSN Who will actually win: JSN

JSN has been great and I won’t be mad if he gets it. But McCaffrey has 1200 yards rushing and almost a thousand yards receiving. Over 2k of offense from one guy and he basically was the 49ers offense for a stretch when everyone was hurt.

Defensive Player of the Year: Myles Garrett, Runner up: Doesn’t matter, Who is going to win it: Myles Garrett

When a guy sets a new single season sack record, they win Defensive player of the year. Even if Joe Burrow made it a little easier than it should have been.

Coach of the year: Liam Cohen, Runner up: Mike Macdonald, Who is going to win: Mike Vrabel

Sooo many great choices this year. Kyle Shanahan, Sean Payton, Demeco Ryans and Ben Johnson also deserve consideration. Any of them are deserving of the award. I personally give Cohen the edge just because of what he is getting out a team that was a disaster the last few years. But Macdonald has been outstanding in back to back years in Seattle. Vrabel is deserving as well and certainly turned around the Pats quickly and will likely win due to East Coast bias.

My Ever changing Super Bowl Prediction: Rams over Jags

I still believe in the Rams even though I probably shouldn’t. And riding the hot hand in the AFC with the Jags. They will both probably lose this weekend because that’s how my football season has been going.

Tune in later this week for my top 10 Chiefs memories from Wild Card Weekend and then Friday I’ll drop my predictions for this weekends games.