{"id":102090,"date":"2021-01-15T11:34:59","date_gmt":"2021-01-15T16:34:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=102090"},"modified":"2021-01-15T11:34:59","modified_gmt":"2021-01-15T16:34:59","slug":"2021-divisional-playoffs-rankings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2021\/01\/15\/2021-divisional-playoffs-rankings\/","title":{"rendered":"2021 Divisional Playoffs Rankings: Top Four Teams"},"content":{"rendered":"

Each year, the divisional playoffs matchups bring the top quarter of the league to the spotlight for a chance to compete for their conference championships and potentially move on to the game\u2019s biggest stage. Luckily, this season was no different, even in the midst of a global pandemic. Out of the remaining eight teams in the playoffs, here are the top four ranked based on their strengths that put them ahead of the others and the weaknesses that could hold them back. To read more about the four bottom-ranked teams left in the divisional playoffs, check out the first article in this series entitled <\/span>2021 Divisional Playoffs Ranks: Bottom Four Teams<\/span><\/i><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Top Four Teams – 2021 Divisional Playoffs Rankings<\/h2>\n

4. Baltimore Ravens<\/span><\/h3>\n

What a turn around in the last month of the season for the <\/span>Baltimore Ravens<\/span><\/a>. After starting off the season a disappointing 6-5, the Ravens have come storming back, winning their last six games, including last week\u2019s wild card triumph over the AFC South champion <\/span>Tennessee Titans<\/span><\/a>. Not only did this quiet the critics of Lamar Jackson<\/a>\u2019s inability to win in the playoffs, but it also showed incredible growth for the reigning MVP by notching his <\/span>first win of his career when trailing by ten or more points<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Sure the Ravens had a soft schedule to close out the season, but they got the job done and in true 2019-contender fashion. The difference this time around though? In their playoff rematch with their <\/span>newly cemented foes<\/span><\/a>, that Baltimore defense shut down the 2020 rushing champion Derrick Henry. And what\u2019s more, is they continued to defy standards with their one-of-a-kind ground game between the tailbacks and the x-factor abilities of Jackson. One thing that will have to become a bigger part of their game if they want to make it to the final dance, however, is more consistent passing out of Jackson. He has looked much better later in the season, but the Ravens need their franchise quarterback to hit on all cylinders to give them a chance at a deep playoff run. They continue their journey with a tough battle on a potentially snowy night in Buffalo this coming Saturday in the divisional playoffs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The team with the best chance to overtake the reigning Super Bowl champion <\/span>Kansas City Chiefs<\/span><\/a> in the AFC needs great play-making abilities on defense and an assortment of uniqueness and explosiveness on the offensive side of the ball. All signs point to the Ravens as the team with the best competition for that scenario.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Lamar Jackson: 179 Pass Yards
Ryan Tannehill: 165 Pass Yards<\/p>\n

Lamar Jackson: 136 Rush Yards
Derrick Henry: 40 Rush Yards pic.twitter.com\/PHBjAd0U5j<\/a><\/p>\n

— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) January 10, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n