DETROIT, MICHIGAN – JANUARY 03: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions celebrates a touchdown by Marvin Jones Jr. #11 during the first quarter of the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field on January 03, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
The 14-team field is finally all set for the 2020 NFL postseason.
It’s quite the 2020 NFL playoff field. All seven teams in the AFC have won at least 11 games and the Miami Dolphins finished 10-6 and missed out on a postseason invitation. In the other conference, the NFC East champion Washington Football Team owns a 7-9 record and the 8-8 Chicago Bears are headed to New Orleans for a first-round clash with the Saints.
So here are the final regular-season power rankings now that all 256 games have been played.
32
Jacksonville Jaguars 1-15
Last week: L, 28-14 at IND
Last rank: 32nd
The franchise was looking to avoid becoming the first team since the 2001 Carolina Panthers to win in Week 1 and then lose the remainder of their games. They visited Indianapolis and faced the Colts’ team that they defeated on opening Sunday. But this was a totally different story as the Jacksonville defense was rolled to the tune of 273 yards rushing. Via NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the team is expected to move on from head coach Doug Marrone.
31
Detroit Lions 5-11
Last week: L, 37-35 vs MIN
Last rank: 31st
The club had already wrapped up last place in the NFC North for the third straight year when the Lions played host to the disappointing Vikings. And the club would close the season with a fourth consecutive loss as the Detroit defense surrendered 508 total yards and 37 points. And speaking of the latter, the Lions allowed a whopping 519 points in 2020 – the second-highest single-season total dating back to 1933. The ’81 Colts allowed 533 points.
30
New York Jets 2-14
Last week: L, 28-14 at NE
Last rank: 29th
Off back-to-back wins over the Rams and Browns, the Jets headed to Foxborough to take on the Patriots. The club’s last road win in this series came in the 2010 AFC Divisional Playoffs. And that losing streak at New England continued as Sam Darnold was sacked three times and threw two picks. The third-year quarterback also totaled 266 yards through the air and one score. On Sunday evening (via ESPN’s Adam Schefter), Adam Gase was let go.
29
Cincinnati Bengals 4-11-1
Last week: L, 38-3 vs BAL
Last rank: 27th
The team had won its last two games entering Sunday’s clash with the rival Ravens and Zac Taylor’s squad was looking to play playoff spoiler. But for the second time this season when facing Baltimore, the Bengals were limited to three points. The Cincinnati defense was gashed for an unimaginable 404 yards on the ground and 525 total yards. Brandon Allen connected on only six of his 21 throws for 48 yards and served up a pair of interceptions.