NFL Power Rankings: Bills, Bears and 49ers among risers heading into Division Round of playoffs

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Back in the four-game-format days, the 2019 Wild Card Round was pretty darned strong. More recently, four out of the six wild-card contests in 2022 were one-score games.

But I can’t remember — not recently, anyway — as good a first round as what we just saw. Let’s start with this: Teams leading at the two-minute warning started this postseason 0-3.

Two thrillers on Saturday, two more on Sunday, and the final two games were one-score games in the fourth quarter. Even if it lost a little steam late, c’mon: It was a great Wild Card Weekend.

Typically, the Divisional Round is where the real meat and potatoes are served, and we welcome the top-seeded Seahawks and Broncos to the table. May we receive another bountiful banquet, please.

It’s interesting to think of this round in QB terms, with MVP candidates Drake Maye and Matthew Stafford — and, of course, reigning MVP Josh Allen — in the top tier. Caleb Williams and Maye were intermittently brilliant but also sloppy in their respective playoff debuts. What’s in store for those two second-year pros — as well as Bo Nix — in postseason start No. 2? And where do we slot Sam Darnold, C.J. Stroud and Brock Purdy?

Top-tier performances are possible for all of these quarterbacks, but it wouldn’t be shocking to see some of them flame out, the way Trevor Lawrence, Jalen Hurts, Justin Herbert and Aaron Rodgers did in the opening round. Maybe it’s the quality of the defenses that deserve the credit for that. And two of the best Ds are entering the ring this week.

NOTE: Up/down arrows below reflect movement from the Wild Card Round Power Rankings.

Seattle will get a third crack at San Francisco after splitting the first two matchups. Week 1, when we had no clue what this team could become, the Seahawks lost at home. Week 18, when they’d established themselves as arguably the NFL’s most complete team, they shut down the 49ers in their own building. This one is in Seattle, and the ‘Hawks know they’re expected to win, preparing again for the team they just beat. Mike Macdonald’s defenses have done a number on Kyle Shanahan’s offenses in recent history, including a few weeks ago, impressively bottling up Christian McCaffrey. And now George Kittle (Achilles) is out. If the Seahawks’ run game can hum the way it did in the Week 18 bout, the 49ers will be in trouble. San Francisco’s best hope is that Sam Darnold turns turnover-happy, but Seattle has the balance needed to not force the issue.

It wasn’t the prettiest of performances, but the Patriots won their first playoff game in nearly seven years thanks to a dominant defensive performance, excellent special teams and a balanced offensive attack, even though they left some points out on the field against the Chargers. But about that defense … Yes, the Bolts helped New England with some curious play-calling and their own personnel issues. Still, this was really fine execution by the Patriots’ D, which has flown under the radar this season. Seriously, can anyone outside of the six New England states tell you who is coordinating this unit? (Answer: Interim coordinator Zak Kuhr, who has done a terrific job since taking the reins when DC Terrell Williams was diagnosed with cancer in September.) Drake Maye had some special moments in his playoff debut, but he’ll have to be sharper this coming Sunday in Foxborough. Going against a very tough Texans defense, the degree of difficulty is raised.

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