NFL Power Rankings: Packers replace Bills at No. 2 ahead of Championship Sunday

And then there were four

The Chiefs Bills Packers and Buccaneers are the final teams standing and only one of them will have ownership rights to the Lombardi Trophy in three weeks

The Divisional Round Playoffs were rugged with each of the last two NFL MVPs exiting action due to a concussion The Chiefs survived the loss of Patrick Mahomes while the Ravens headed home after another January elimination game that created more questions than answers

The order of the final Power Rankings until after the Super Bowl tells you who I feel will be playing the seasons final game in Tampa but any of the four remaining teams makes sense as a champion This is a fine Final Four in the NFL In the words of the immortal Bart Scott Cant waitRank1

Kansas City Chiefs15 2

Previous rank No 1

The Chiefs looked cooked Patrick Mahomes was in the locker room with a concussion and Chad Henne had just thrown a first and 25 arm punt interception to set up the Browns with the ball and the chance to take the lead in the fourth quarter Momentum was cresting for a Cleveland team that looked destined to pull off another huge upset But the KC defense forced a stop and Henne made back to back plays a 13 yard scramble on third and long and a 4th and 1 completion that saved the day at Arrowhead That game deciding throw completed to Tyreek Hill in the flat should go down as one of the gutsiest calls in postseason history Thats why we love Big Red Tyrann Matheiu said of Andy Reid after the game We always know hes got one play in the chamber Big Red Giant onionsRank21

Green Bay Packers14 3

Previous rank No 3

The Packers are going back to the NFC title game for the second consecutive year because their offense is just impossible to deal with On Saturday in a game where they werent even operating at peak efficiency the Pack rolled up nearly 500 yards of total offense in a 32 18 win over the Rams Aaron Rodgers was barely touched by the LA pass rush while continuing to feast on the opposition with a host of play action dimes Rodgers was 8 for 10 passing for 98 yards on play action per Next Gen Stats including the game icing 58 yard touchdown strike to Allen Lazard in the fourth quarter Rodgers plays in an offense that is perfectly catered to his strengths and if you ask us head coach Matt LaFleur doesnt get enough credit for finding the balance thats made Green Bay nearly unstoppable this seasonRank31

Buffalo Bills15 3

Previous rank No 2

The Josh Allen led offense has been the focus of attention when talking about the rise of the Bills as a superpower but it was Leslie Fraziers defense that carried Buffalo to the precipice of the Super Bowl on Saturday The Bills stymied reigning MVP Lamar Jackson with a stellar game plan and Taron Johnson authored one of the most seismic plays in franchise history a 101 yard pick six in the third quarter that provided a 14 point swing in a 17 3 win in raucous Orchard Park The Bills have been out gained by their opponents in both playoff wins but theyve made the key plays when it mattered most Its that feeling for the moment that makes champions and the Bills are one win away from capturing their first AFC title since the teams legendary but star crossed run in the early 90sjavascriptfalseDavid Carr Bills have very good chance of upsetting ChiefsRank42

Tampa Bay Buccaneers13 5

Previous rank No 6

Sundays win over the Saints should forever be remembered as The Devin White Game The second year linebacker delivered a superstar performance totaling 11 tackles a key fumble recovery and the game swinging interception of Drew Brees in the fourth quarter of a 30 20 win that sent the Bucs to the NFC title game for the first time since the teams 2002 Super Bowl season Tampa Bays swarming defense turned four Saints turnovers into three touchdowns wiping away all memories of two regular season losses to New Orleans in which Tampa Bay was outscored by 46 points Everybody always asked What was our identity White said after the game We didnt have an answer But Coach BA Bruce Arians had an answer He said Were some m f s who are gonna find a way to win the game They sure did Rank5

New Orleans Saints13 5

Previous rank No 5

If this is the end for Drew Brees its a reminder that the conclusion of a pro athletes career rarely has a storybook ending even for the legends Brees looked every bit his 42 years in the Saints 30 20 loss to the Bucs throwing three interceptions while piloting a limited attack that managed its only splash on a trick play touchdown pass from Jameis Winston After the loss Brees said he hadnt made any decisions on his future but the reality was all over the Superdome field for 35 hours The Saints were one of the best teams in football over the last four years but they were never able to get over the hump in January The time is right to explore a different path to the mountaintop Rank62

Baltimore Ravens12 6

Previous rank No 4

After the 101 yard pick six after their MVP exited with a concussion after the final play of a dispiriting 17 3 loss to the Bills the Ravens were left once again to answer questions about why their offense had sputtered out in another playoff setback Whenever youre the No 1 rushing offense and the 30 something passing team thats not right Marquise Hollywood Brown said Thats not balance We got to find a way to balance our game Brown isnt wrong Greg Romans offense still feels too one dimensional especially when the opposition is able to push back against the preferred mode of operation Baltimore could make adjustments to scheme and personnel but its Lamar Jackson who will remain the key figure Can he lift his team when it matters most The Ravens still believe but at some point theyll need to see confirmationjavascriptfalseBucky Brooks Why the Ravens need a true No 1 receiverRank71

Cleveland Browns12 6

Previous rank No 8

The future appears bright for these Browns but its always dangerous to make assumptions in sports You might only get one crack at making a playoff run and Cleveland had a chance on Sunday Down five points in the fourth quarter with the ball chasing a Chiefs team playing without Patrick Mahomes That was Baker Mayfields star making moment and the chance for an iconic drive that would exorcise demons of postseasons past But the Browns managed one first down before punting then allowed Chad Henne to close out the game Dont get it twisted By almost any measure this season was a huge success in Cleveland But when you have the chance to do something special in January when the Football Gods crack open a window and leave the door unlocked you have to get yourself into that house The Browns couldnt do itRank81

Los Angeles Rams11 7

Previous rank No 7

Aaron Donalds emotional reaction at the end of Saturdays 32 18 loss to the Packers told the story of a generational superstar physically unable to deliver when his team needed him most That was clearly a tough pill to swallow for Donald a fearsome competitor compromised by a rib injury suffered the previous week in Seattle With Donald limited the typically formidable Rams defense was picked apart by a Packers attack that rolled up 484 yards in the win A few years back Sean McVays offense could pick up the slack but thats not where the Rams are right now Its no surprise that McVay and the LA brain trust are pondering their options after a second consecutive underwhelming campaign from Jared Goff If theres a feasible way to pivot you get the feeling the Rams will do it