7. LOS ANGELES CHARGERS: The Chargers are locked into a wildcard spot, with no real incentive to play their starters this week, heading to Denver. Realistically, they’ll be heading to New England or Jacksonville.
6. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS: This has been a career season for Trevor Lawrence. He has likely led his Jaguars to a division title and home playoff game. They had an epic playoff game against the Chargers and Justin Herbert a couple of years ago…they may be facing them again during Wildcard week.
5. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES: The Eagles are a dangerous team. There has been turmoil for much of the year…not unlike years’ past, but we’re on the cusp of the playoffs, and here are the Eagles, standing again. There hasn’t been a repeat NFC East champion in two decades, until this season. They still have Devonta Smith and AJ Green for Jalen Hurts to throw to, and a highly motivated Saquon Barkley in the backfield. “To be the man, you have to beat the man,” Ric Flair… Until the Eagles are beaten, they are The Man.
4. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS: With Drake Maye’s performance this week and Matthew Stafford’s performance, Maye could have secured the MVP. Mike Vrabel could very well win Coach of the Year. They will realistically end up with the No. 2 seed in the AFC and at least one home playoff game.
3. DENVER BRONCOS: The Broncos are a home win away from securing the No. 1 seed in the AFC and a first-round bye. That would mean they’d be two home wins away from a Super Bowl berth.
