NFL Divisional Round Power Rankings: Josh Allen’s and Lamar Jackson’s epic clash is Super Bowl-caliber matchup

And then there were eight.

After almost five months of action, we have finally reached the NFL's divisional round -- the league's de facto quarterfinals to help decide who will eventually hoist the Lombardi Trophy in New Orleans next month. And hoo boy, we're in for a doozy.

In Kansas City, DeMeco Ryans' upstart Houston Texans defense gets the next crack at trying to upend the first three-peat in modern NFL history. In Detroit, the Washington Commanders' dynamo young quarterback is up against a Detroit Lions team of destiny and vibes that also happens to be a juggernaut. Meanwhile, Jalen Hurts is on a mission to prove he isn't a liability for an otherwise complete Philadelphia Eagles roster trying to stave off the hottest squad remaining in the postseason field.

For dessert? We get the MVP-caliber Josh Allen against the MVP-caliber Lamar Jackson in Orchard Park. Somehow, this Super Bowl-caliber matchup isn't actually the Super Bowl. My goodness.

In advance of this weekend's divisional round festivities, let's power rank the eight remaining NFL teams left in these playoffs. I'm sure there will be no disagreements, and if there are, rest assured it's because I specifically hate your favorite team and only your favorite team.

8. Houston Texans

Wild Card rank: 14

DeMeco Ryans’ defense pummeled a one-note Los Angeles Chargers offense, rattling Justin Herbert en route to the worst game of his career. It’s certainly possible the Texans’ elite defense does the same to Patrick Mahomes, to a degree, but don’t bet on it. Either C.J. Stroud delivers in Kansas City, or Houston is going home in the divisional round for the second straight year.

7. Washington Commanders

Wild Card rank: 11

Jayden Daniels has an uncanny ability to make something out of otherwise dead plays. It doesn't always result in a chunk gain, but it is often enough to keep the chains moving and the Commanders' offense in a good rhythm. Daniels will need to be unimpeachable, an absolute superhero, if Washington is to defeat the titan Lions in front of a raucous home crowd on Saturday night. Let's see how clean his red cape really is.

6. Philadelphia Eagles

Wild Card rank: 4

The Eagles' broken passing game has reached a point of no return. Jalen Hurts was beyond uninspiring against the Green Bay Packers' defense in the wild-card round. He was so bad that it's a fair question to wonder whether the rest of the Eagles' otherwise elite team is enough to win three more games this postseason if Hurts will continue playing like this. Which, uh, probably not. And the worst news for Philly? A confident, red-hot Rams team that has won 10 of its last 12 games where starters played meaningful snaps is coming to visit. Gulp.

5. Los Angeles Rams

Wild Card rank: 7

Matthew Stafford has a 19 to five touchdown-interception ratio in his last 12 starts (where the Rams are 10-2). The Rams' defense has allowed a total of 33 points in the last four games in which they were trying to win. Holy cow. Oh, and Sean McVay remains arguably the NFL's premier coach. Allow me to introduce the biggest Super Bowl dark horse left in this year's postseason field.

4. Kansas City Chiefs

Wild Card rank: 3

The NFL's regular season has undoubtedly been diminished by an additional 17th game. But it's still the most meaningful "first season" in any American sports league. And for taking it seriously with a 15-2 No. 1-seeded campaign, the Chiefs' reward is a flawed Texans squad in the divisional round. If Kansas City simply plays its game against the lowly AFC South champion, it should reach the AFC title game for an astonishing seventh consecutive year.

3. Baltimore Ravens

Wild Card rank: 5

Lamar Jackson is playing the best football of his career. Because of that, Derrick Henry is enjoying the biggest running lanes of his career. The Ravens' defense has been in shutdown mode for over a month now. All of this together comprises a lethal contender cocktail. As long as Jackson doesn't drop off production-wise like he has in the past, these Ravens are more than capable of winning the Super Bowl.

2. Detroit Lions

Wild Card rank: 1

In the aftermath of arguably the greatest regular season in franchise history, the Lions' reward is trying to overcome Offensive Rookie of the Year phenom Jayden Daniels, potentially followed by what might be a poetic NFC title game against Matthew Stafford -- Detroit's prince who was once promised.

(In the tone of "Who said Steph Curry can't shoot?): who said this wasn't a Lions' dream season?

1. Buffalo Bills

Wild Card rank: 2

There's beating inferior competition, then there's turning it into a fine paste. The latter is what the Bills did to the Denver Broncos last weekend, outclassing the NFL's No. 1 defense without breaking much of a sweat. Sean McDermott's defense is rounding into form at the right time, and Josh Allen looks like a superstar ready for his first Super Bowl. Though, Lamar Jackson and (probably) Patrick Mahomes are standing in the way. Phew. What a time to be alive in Western New York.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: NFL Divisional Round Power Rankings: Josh Allen’s and Lamar Jackson’s epic clash is Super Bowl-caliber matchup