National Football League

Giants make noise in Bucky Brooks' playoff power rankings

Updated Jan. 17, 2023 7:46 p.m. ET

Wild-card weekend got off to an exciting start with some amazing comebacks and great individual performances.

Heading into the divisional round, here's my take on the top playoff teams.

In extending their winning streak to 11 games, the 49ers showcased the offensive diversity and defensive dominance that makes them a tough out as a title contender.

'49ers looked like a team who could win it all'

Daryl Johnston and Joe Davis discuss the 49ers cruising to victory against the Seahawks and explain why San Francisco could win the Super Bowl.

2. Kansas City Chiefs

As the master of bye week preparation based on his 27-4 record after a bye, Andy Reid has spent extra time in the lab concocting a game plan that could put Patrick Mahomes & Co. in their fourth straight AFC Championship Game.

3. Philadelphia Eagles

The much-needed bye week enabled Jalen Hurts to rest and recover as he attempts to lead the Eagles through a challenging NFC playoff field. With a week to regain his MVP form, the third-year pro could help the Eagles re-emerge as the most-feared heavyweights in the tournament.

4. New York Giants

The scrappy G-Men are more than a feel-good story under Brian Daboll. The rookie head coach has unlocked Daniel Jones' talents as a dual-threat playmaker with the potential to take over games. In a single-elimination tournament in which quarterback play is routinely the deciding factor, the Giants might ride the hottest quarterback in the NFC to the title round.

Giants upset Vikings in Super Wild Card Weekend

Skip Bayless and Shannon Sharpe react to the Giants' upset victory over Vikings.

5. Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals have the most complete team in the playoff field but need to bring their A-game to knock off the contenders on their path to back-to-back Super Bowl appearances. If Joe Burrow & Co. find their groove, it could be hard to keep Who Dey?! Nation from making another run at the title.

6. Buffalo Bills

The Bills' explosive offense flashes the capacity to light up the scoreboard with Josh Allen at the helm, but the ultra-talented gunslinger must curb his turnovers to give his squad a chance to maximize their potential as title contenders.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars

Doug Pederson has quickly whipped the Jaguars into shape as playoff contenders. Although the team is far from perfect, the Jaguars' resilience and emerging quarterback could make them a tough out in the Divisional round.

Jaguars shock Chargers by erasing a 27-0 deficit

Shannon Sharpe explains why this game was more about the Chargers than the Jaguars.

8. Dallas Cowboys or Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The winner of the Monday night wild-card matchup will face an uphill climb to reach the top of the mountain in the NFC.

Bucky Brooks is an NFL analyst for FOX Sports. He regularly appears on "Speak For Yourself" and also breaks down the game for NFL Network and as a cohost of the "Moving the Sticks" podcast. Follow him on Twitter @BuckyBrooks.

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