ESPN's Computer Thinks Worst Team In NFL Playoffs Is Obvious
The 2024-25 NFL Playoffs are set.
In the NFC, the Detroit Lions are the No. 1 overall seed, followed by the Philadelphia Eagles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Los Angeles Rams, Minnesota Vikings, Washington Commanders and Green Bay Packers.
In the AFC, the Kansas City Chiefs are the No. 1 overall seed, followed by the Buffalo Bills, Baltimore Ravens, Houston Texans, Los Angeles Chargers, Pittsburgh Steelers and Denver Broncos.
Who will emerge in New Orleans at Super Bowl 59 next month? ESPN's computer model has made its pick.
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - JANUARY 14: A view of the NFL Wild Card logo on Ford Field prior to a game between the Los Angeles Rams and \det in the NFC Wild Card Playoffs at Ford Field on January 14, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
ESPN's computer model, the Football Power Index, is going with the Detroit Lions to win Super Bowl 59. The Football Power Index is giving Dan Campbell's team the best odds of anyone to hold up the Lombardi Trophy next month. The Lions finished the year at 15-2, topping the Vikings in Week 18, and they'll head into the NFL Playoffs as the frontrunner.
But who's the worst team in the NFL Playoffs?
ESPN's computer model, the Football Power Index, thinks that's an easy pick, too.
According to the Football Power Index, the worst team in the NFL Playoffs is the Houston Texans. The Texans went 10-7 this year, winning the dreadful AFC South. They are set to host the Chargers in the Saturday afternoon Wild Card Game.
ESPN's Football Power Index has the Houston Texans ranked as the No. 18 team in the NFL. There are 14 teams in the playoffs, so ESPN's computer model believes that four non-playoff teams - the 49ers, Bengals, Dolphins and Cardinals - were better than the Texans this year.
The TV networks seem to agree. Once again, Houston has been given the worst TV slot of the Wild Card round - the Saturday afternoon matinee slot.
Perhaps the Texans will surprise, though. Houston is led by a promising second-year quarterback in C.J. Stroud and the Texans have some good talent on both sides of the football. They've been up and down this season, but maybe they'll turn things on at the right time.
Houston and Los Angeles are scheduled to kick off at 4:30 p.m. E.T. on Saturday.
The Wild Card Round game will be airing on CBS and Paramount Plus.
