Ranking NFL Teams Need A One Seed the Most

Since the NFL expanded their postseason to seven teams per conference in 2020, the competition for the first seed in the AFC and NFC has elevated. The second seed no longer receives a first round bye, so it’s all or nothing when it comes to leading the conference to secure homefield advantage and some rest. We’ll rank the NFL teams in contention for the one seed that need it the most.

When a team has the ability to pick up a yard with an unstoppable play, it doesn’t really matter where the game takes place. The Eagles’ fortunes will mostly rely upon their offensive execution and ability to improve the production from their secondary. If they are able to grab the NFC’s one seed and play in front of the Philadelphia faithful, it will be an added bonus.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan is one of the best game planners in the NFL, which allows his players to be put in optimal positions to succeed. Additionally, their offensive and defensive lines are arguably the most physical in the league, which overrides any road adversity they may face in the postseason.

Baltimore has made the playoffs in four of the last five seasons, and are hoping for a Super Bowl run in 2023. They’ve played at home and on the road in recent years and it hasn’t seemed to make a tangible difference, and it likely won’t this year either. The Ravens will try to keep key pieces healthy for the stretch run, something that didn’t happen last season.

Jacksonville’s fortunes took a turn for the worst when quarterback Trevor Lawrence suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 13. We’ll see what his availability looks like in the coming weeks, but it stands to reason that his mobility would be somewhat compromised. A week off in January could help Lawrence get back to 100%, but the Jaguars face an uphill road to get the first seed.

Dallas’ struggles in the playoffs are well documented, but it feels like the Cowboys are a different team this year, especially at home. The atmosphere at AT&T Stadium seems to bring their energy level to new heights, and puts opposing teams in a bind against a swarming defense. It feels like homefield advantage would notably help tilt the scales in Dallas’ favor.

It’s hard to believe, but Patrick Mahomes has actually never played a road playoff game in his career. It’s a testament to how formidable Kansas City has been since he’s been the starter, but also opens the door for questions about how the Chiefs would handle a raucous away game. Kansas City hasn’t been as dominant in 2023, so having home playoff games at Arrowhead would aid quite a bit.

Conventional wisdom would suggest that the Dolphins would require homefield in the playoffs in order to have optimal conditions for their high octane passing game. A counterargument could also be made that Tyreek Hill is such a mismatch that it doesn’t matter where Miami’s games are played. Regardless, the fan base would love to host a playoff tilt for the first time since 2009.

The Lions have been one of the best stories in the league, and could make some noise in the postseason if the road to the Super Bowl in the NFC goes through Ford Field. Detroit has a massive opportunity to improve those chances with a late-season matchup with the Cowboys. A young team would greatly benefit from a delirious home crowd in January.