NFL 2022: Post-Divisional Round Power Rankings

The Divisional Round of the 2022-23 NFL playoffs is over, and while some games were more eventful than others, the final field of four teams has been set for next weekend.

But before we look at the Conference Championship Games, my weekly Power Rankings series continues. Which teams are peaking at the right time with just three games left in the season?

All eight teams that played last week will be ranked, based on their total season performance as well as how hot or cold they are right now.

Read on for my Post-Divisional Round Power Rankings, and if you’d like to debate or discuss any rankings, or want to follow for more weekly NFL content including Picks and Power Rankings, be sure to connect with Sak Sports Blog on Twitter or on Facebook!

Post-Divisional Round Power Rankings

The road to the Super Bowl runs through Kansas City. pic.twitter.com/TjHL1DTRpy
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) January 22, 2023

Kansas City Chiefs (15-3) [Last Week: 1]
- There’s a bit of an asterisk with the Kansas City Chiefs: concerning Patrick Mahomes’ ankle injury. But the AFC’s #1 seeded-team took care of business in their first home playoff game of the season, beating the Jaguars 27-20 for their 15th overall win of the season.
Cincinnati Bengals (14-4) [Last Week: 5]
- I was nearly tempted to put the Cincinnati Bengals at #1, after Joe Burrow and company walked in to Orchard Park and defeated the Buffalo Bills handily in a snowy road win. Looking at the big picture of the past two seasons, the Bengals have consistently been a top team, and another Super Bowl trip is certainly possible if Burrow can do the usually impossible, again: defeating Mahomes on the road in the postseason.
Philadelphia Eagles (15-3) [Last Week: 3]
- Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles manhandled the New York Giants in the third meeting of the year between the two NFC East teams, prevailing 38-7. The Eagles remain at #3: don’t take it as a slight to Philadelphia, but rather a compliment to the two teams ahead of them.
San Francisco 49ers (15-4) [Last Week: 2]
- Brock Purdy and the San Francisco 49ers struggled to put up points at the same rate they have been the last few weeks, but the defense held up in a 19-12 win over the Dallas Cowboys to earn their second straight NFC Championship Game trip.
Buffalo Bills (14-4) [Last Week: 4]
- Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills have had some disappointing, but tight, ends to their Super Bowl dreams in past seasons, but this one hurts different after Buffalo was blown out 27-10 by the reigning AFC champions.
Dallas Cowboys (13-6) [Last Week: 6]
- Like clockwork, an above average regular season performance translated to a shallow postseason run for the Dallas Cowboys. After defeating the Buccaneers last week, Dallas fell 19-12 to San Francisco in the second round of the playoffs, with Dak Prescott throwing two unfortunate interceptions.
New York Giants (10-8-1) [Last Week: 7]
- The New York Giants got absolutely hammered by the Philadelphia Eagles in the divisional round: but the general vibe from both the media and fans is that this was a highly successful season, and that Brian Daboll deserves Coach of the Year consideration. But New York can’t bask in the personal growth victory for too long: big decisions loom regarding both Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley.
Jacksonville Jaguars (10-9) [Last Week: 8]
- Hats off to the Jacksonville Jaguars as well, for going from the worst record in the NFL to AFC South champions in just one season. Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars even made in interesting in Kansas City, ultimately losing by just one score.