Brad Biggs' final NFL rankings for 2019 season
Last week's ranking in parentheses.
1. Ravens 14-2 (1)
The Ravens became the NFL's greatest rushing offense of all time with 3,296 yards, surpassing the 1978 Patriots (3,165) by gaining 223 yards in Sunday's season-ending victory over the Steelers. In an era of high-flying passing offenses, that's quite an achievement for coach John Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman. Quarterback Lamar Jackson has been down with the flu, so the bye week with the No. 1 seed will help.
2. Saints 13-3 (2)
This might be Sean Payton's finest coaching job to date. While the Saints enter the playoffs as the No. 3 seed and will host the Vikings in the wild-card round, they played six weeks without quarterback Drew Brees and managed to win 13 games. Running back Alvin Kamara also dealt with injuries, but Payton kept the team on track and now the Saints must win three games to reach the Super Bowl. It doesn't seem like a long shot.
3. 49ers 13-3 (4)
The 49ers locked down the No. 1 seed in the NFC, capping a fantastic regular season for coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch, when the 49ers kept the Seahawks out of the end zone - by inches - at the end of Sunday night's game. It's the first time the Niners have been the top seed in the NFC since 1997. This is a complete team that will be difficult to beat at Levi's Stadium.
4. Chiefs 12-4 (3)
The Patriots' misfortune in losing to the Dolphins allowed the Chiefs to rise to the No. 2 seed in the AFC, which could key at least a return to the AFC title game.
