Opinion: Reasons to believe in and worry about each of NFL's playoff-bound teams
With two weeks left in the NFL’s regular season, eight of the 12 playoff spots have been clinched.
Additional jockeying for seeding will take place in Weeks 16 and 17, and four spots remain up for grabs. But the picture is coming into view now that we know that the NFC bracket will feature the Seattle Seahawks, Green Bay Packers, New Orleans Saints and San Francisco 49ers, while the AFC field will include the Baltimore Ravens, New England Patriots, Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills.
As the reshuffling of seeding and seesaw battles of some divisional leads have reflected, this race is wide open. Sure, the distinction of the league’s elite squads is pretty clear. However, it’s hard to pinpoint the clear-cut favorite in either conference.
Each of these eight playoff locks can make legitimate arguments for why they can win it all. However, it’s also evident why any of those eight could falter.
Here’s a look at the reasons to believe and worry about each playoff-bound squad.
NFC
Seahawks – Believe in them because they have Russell Wilson, whose wizardry gives them a chance against any defense. His offense has the backing of a hungry defense that features a good blend of experience and youth. Worry about them, however, because injuries have diminished the effectiveness of the defense, which puts more pressure on the offense. For as great as Wilson is, at times, his cast of playmakers display their youth-based limitations. If an opponent can manage to hold Wilson in check, there’s no one capable of bailing him out.
Packers – Believe because Matt LaFleur and Aaron Rodgers have gotten in sync, and the first-year head coach does a great job of scripting an attack that highlights what the quarterback does best. Improved health at the skill positions has this offense again clicking after some midseason snags. Worry about them because although their defense can get after quarterbacks, the unit is guilty of inconsistencies that give opponents chances. Against upper-echelon teams, Green Bay has had mixed results.
Saints – Believe because Drew Brees and Sean Payton rank among the best quarterback-coach tandems out there. Michael Thomas is the best receiver in the game, and this veteran roster is battle-tested. Worry about them because at times, it feels as though their talented defense forgets to show up and gives up so many yards and points that pressure mounts on the offense. At times, Alvin Kamara has sputtered, and Brees has only 13 touchdown passes inside the red zone and only eight inside the 10, which both rank among the worst for starting quarterbacks.
49ers – Believe because they have one of the best defenses in football. They’re aggressive, opportunistic and do a great job of limiting opponents, regardless of the style of play. San Francisco’s offense also features great balance. Tight end George Kittle is also one of the league's most unstoppable forces. Worry, however, because although he has played well in the second half of the season, questions remain about Jimmy Garoppolo’s consistency. If they have to play from behind, it’s a toss-up on whether he can carry his team.
AFC
Ravens – Believe because they’re led by the most electrifying player in the game in Lamar Jackson, who just set a new single-season rushing record (1,109 yards) for quarterbacks. He also has recorded 22 touchdown passes inside the 20 (tied with Wilson for first) and a league-best 16 inside the 10. And their defense, which features both talented veterans and newcomers alike, gives opponents fits as well. Worry about Jackson’s limited experience in the postseason. It’s hard to say how he’ll do once he faces a team like the Patriots for a second time. If some team can contain him in the pocket, can he win games with his arm?
Patriots – Believe because, hello, it’s Tom Brady and Bill Belichick. They’ve been here again and again, and they’ve repeatedly shown us that its foolish to bet against them. New England also boasts the best defense, and as the old adage says, “offense wins games, but defense wins championships.” Worry because despite his greatness, Brady and his unit have not looked good in the second half of the season. Favorite target Julian Edelman has battled injuries and looks like a shell of himself. The rest of Brady’s wideouts are young and inconsistent, and the Pats aren’t running the ball as effectively as they did a year ago. Also worry about how this defense will fair against a super athletic quarterback like Jackson or Patrick Mahomes, who beat New England in the regular season.
Chiefs – Believe because after a midseason funk that coincided with Mahomes' injuries, the Chiefs appear to have regained their stride at the right time. Mahomes has rekindled his connection with Tyreek Hill, and Travis Kelce remains the best tight end in the AFC. A defense that underperformed for much of the year has suddenly seemed to figure things out thanks to improved health and comfort in new coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s system. Worry because that offensive line still isn’t great, and if teams can get to Mahomes, this offense goes south. It’s also hard to say whether this defensive success is sustainable or if the Chiefs’ struggles against the run will crop back up at the most inopportune time.
Bills – Believe because they’re a gritty team paced by an aggressive defense and a fearless, young quarterback. The Bills perfectly embody the mentality of coach Sean McDermott. Their defense, which has given up the second-fewest points (15.9 per game) in the league, always seems to give this team a chance, and the run-first offense made steady strides as Josh Allen has become more comfortable in Year 2. Worry because although they have a strong run game, Buffalo’s offense doesn’t light up the scoreboard, averaging just 20.8 points per game. Allen has energized his teammates with his willingness to pick up tough yards with his legs, but he's averaging just 6.7 yards per pass attempt and owns a quarterback rating of 84.6, which is 24th in the league. If asked to match blows with a high-scoring opponent, Buffalo could be sunk.
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