With the NFL playoffs being set and starting in a week, I thought I'd count down my favorites heading into the post season, starting with #12:
12) Green Bay Packers (10-6) - The Green Bay Packers are playing like anything but a playoff team right now. If it wasn't for their 6-0 start this season, they'd likely be sitting at home for the playoff. The team is just 4-6 in their last 10 games, the Packers' receivers aren't getting separation, their offensive line isn't protecting Aaron Rodgers or creating running lanes for their tailbacks, and even Rodgers has been made to look pedestrian. Even if Green Bay wins at Washington in the first round of the playoffs, which won't be easy, they'll then have to go on the road to face either Carolina (15-1) or Arizona (13-3). I'd be shocked if the Packers make it past the 2nd round.
11) Houston Texans (9-7) - Here's a team that started the season 2-5, but have won 7 of their last 9 games, are playing some of the best defense in all of football, and will be starting the postseason at home against Kansas City. For how the Texans started the year, just making the postseason has to be seen as a success, let alone if they win the postseason. Outside of DeAndre Hopkins, Houston doesn't have much to be frightened about on the offensive side of the ball and I have trouble seeing them win in Denver or Foxboro if they get by the Chiefs. However, given the uncertainty at quarterback in Denver and the injury problems in New England, it's not completely out of the question.
10) Washington Redskins (9-7) - Washington is playing good football right now, probably their best of the season. The offense is clicking at the right time and they'll be playing their first round game at home against the struggling Green Bay Packers. If they win that game, their second round battle against either Carolina or Arizona will be difficult, but given how crazy the NFL is, anything's possible.
9) Cincinnati Bengals (12-4) - One has to feel sorry for Marvin Lewis and Andy Dalton this year. After the two have struggled in the postseason the past four years, this appeared to finally be the season where the Bengals would make some noise in the playoffs. That was before Dalton, in the midst of an MVP-type season, went down with a broken right thumb. While he might be able to return for the team's playoff game this coming Saturday, it's uncertain just how healthy and ready he will be to take on the hot and division rival Pittsburgh Steelers. Given that, unless Dalton is a miracle-healer and is void of rust, I have a difficult time seeing the Bengals make it far into the postseason.
8) Minnesota Vikings (11-5) - This team is an up-and-comer, has one of the best running backs in the league, a young and exciting receiving corps, an improving defense, and a good coach. They'll be a tough out, as they typically play good defense, don't turn the ball over, and have some of the best special teams in the league. Having said that, however, they also have to play Seattle in the first round. If they can get past Seattle, anything is possible, but beating the red hot Seahawks will be quite the difficult task.
7) Denver Broncos (12-4) - This team is somewhat reminiscent of Baltimore Ravens and Tampa Bay Buccaneers teams from the past, where they fed off a great defense to win games and eventually win the Super Bowl. The questions reside on offense, especially at quarterback. Peyton Manning struggled early before being sidelined with an injury. Brock Osweiler had done a decent job as a game manager prior to struggling on Sunday against San Diego. Manning returned to lead the team back to a victory, in large part due to an effective ground game. If the Broncos' offense can gel at all and avoid the turnovers, this team could very well find themselves in the Super Bowl. To this point in the season, however, I'm not convinced that's going to happen.
6) New England Patriots (12-4) - The history and reputation are there. Due to that, I have to believe most analysts will pick the Patriots to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl. History and reputation earned from past achievements can't guarantee present success, however. The New England Patriots' offensive line is in shambles, as is their secondary. Just ask Tom Brady, who's extremely grateful for the bye week after suffering rib and ankle injuries in Sunday's loss to then 5-10 Miami. This team is 2-4 in their past 6 games, after starting the season 10-0. If the Patriots are healthy and clicking, they can beat anybody in the league. But with the way they've been playing of late, they could lose to any team in the league as well.
5) Kansas City Chiefs (11-5) - Record wise, this is the hottest team in the NFL. After starting the year 1-5, the Chiefs have reeled off ten consecutive victories. Kansas City isn't exceptional in any one area, but are good in every area, which makes them a tough team to beat. Alex Smith actually has a vertical threat this season in Jeremy Maclin, which he's sorely lacked in the past. This team rarely beats themselves and just seems to find ways to win by game's end. While it's unlikely, this is a sleeper pick of mine to reach the Super Bowl.
4) Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6) - It's been a crazy season in Pittsburgh. Ben Roethlisberger, Michael Vick, and Landry Jones have all gotten starts for the team. La'Veon Bell was lost for the season. DeAngelo Williams suffered an injury this past weekend and his status for next week's game against Cincinnati is uncertain. The team temporarily threw their playoff hopes away by losing to Baltimore last week, before catching a break and seeing the Buffalo Bills defeat the New York Jets this past Sunday in order to sneak into the postseason. Now, at 10-6 and in the playoffs, here's the AFC team no one else wants to play. This is a team with a Super Bowl-winning coach and quarterback, loads of speed on offense, and an opportunistic defense. Ironically enough, so long as Williams is able to play on Saturday, for how beaten up this team was throughout the early- and mid-portions of the season, they may be one of the healthiest AFC teams come playoff time.
3) Carolina Panthers (15-1) - I like this team. I like their old-school style of football. Cam Newton is a beast of an athlete and the team has finally learned how to best utilize his talents this year. Unfortunately for the Panthers, their secondary is battered and bruised, which could come back to haunt the team if/when they play the likes of Arizona or Seattle. The Cardinals' aggressive passing attack matches up very well with the Panthers' secondary, and with the way Russell Wilson has been playing, the Seahawks do as well. Carolina could very well represent the NFC in the Super Bowl this year, but it's going to be far from easy for the NFC favorite.
2) Arizona Cardinals (13-3) - This may be the all-around best, balanced team in football at the moment. The team has one of the best, most balanced offenses in the league, not to mention a top 5-caliber defense, solid special teams, and great coaching. They may have laid an egg against Seattle on Sunday, but don't let that fool you into thinking this isn't one of the best teams in the league. The Cards will get a week off to get healthier and should make a decent run for the Super Bowl.
1) Seattle Seahawks (10-6) - If there's one team I wouldn't want to play right now, it's the Seattle Seahawks. After starting the year 4-5, they've won 6 of 7, are clicking on offense like never before in the Pete Carroll era, and are back to playing Legion of Boom defense. Russell Wilson is playing lights out at quarterback; the team's offensive line is improving; their receivers are stepping up; and regardless of who starts at tailback, he seems to have no problem gaining 100 yards in a game. They may be a 6 seed, but with how well they're playing and their playoff experience (and success), they look more like a 1 seed to me.
12) Green Bay Packers (10-6) - The Green Bay Packers are playing like anything but a playoff team right now. If it wasn't for their 6-0 start this season, they'd likely be sitting at home for the playoff. The team is just 4-6 in their last 10 games, the Packers' receivers aren't getting separation, their offensive line isn't protecting Aaron Rodgers or creating running lanes for their tailbacks, and even Rodgers has been made to look pedestrian. Even if Green Bay wins at Washington in the first round of the playoffs, which won't be easy, they'll then have to go on the road to face either Carolina (15-1) or Arizona (13-3). I'd be shocked if the Packers make it past the 2nd round.
11) Houston Texans (9-7) - Here's a team that started the season 2-5, but have won 7 of their last 9 games, are playing some of the best defense in all of football, and will be starting the postseason at home against Kansas City. For how the Texans started the year, just making the postseason has to be seen as a success, let alone if they win the postseason. Outside of DeAndre Hopkins, Houston doesn't have much to be frightened about on the offensive side of the ball and I have trouble seeing them win in Denver or Foxboro if they get by the Chiefs. However, given the uncertainty at quarterback in Denver and the injury problems in New England, it's not completely out of the question.
10) Washington Redskins (9-7) - Washington is playing good football right now, probably their best of the season. The offense is clicking at the right time and they'll be playing their first round game at home against the struggling Green Bay Packers. If they win that game, their second round battle against either Carolina or Arizona will be difficult, but given how crazy the NFL is, anything's possible.
9) Cincinnati Bengals (12-4) - One has to feel sorry for Marvin Lewis and Andy Dalton this year. After the two have struggled in the postseason the past four years, this appeared to finally be the season where the Bengals would make some noise in the playoffs. That was before Dalton, in the midst of an MVP-type season, went down with a broken right thumb. While he might be able to return for the team's playoff game this coming Saturday, it's uncertain just how healthy and ready he will be to take on the hot and division rival Pittsburgh Steelers. Given that, unless Dalton is a miracle-healer and is void of rust, I have a difficult time seeing the Bengals make it far into the postseason.
8) Minnesota Vikings (11-5) - This team is an up-and-comer, has one of the best running backs in the league, a young and exciting receiving corps, an improving defense, and a good coach. They'll be a tough out, as they typically play good defense, don't turn the ball over, and have some of the best special teams in the league. Having said that, however, they also have to play Seattle in the first round. If they can get past Seattle, anything is possible, but beating the red hot Seahawks will be quite the difficult task.
7) Denver Broncos (12-4) - This team is somewhat reminiscent of Baltimore Ravens and Tampa Bay Buccaneers teams from the past, where they fed off a great defense to win games and eventually win the Super Bowl. The questions reside on offense, especially at quarterback. Peyton Manning struggled early before being sidelined with an injury. Brock Osweiler had done a decent job as a game manager prior to struggling on Sunday against San Diego. Manning returned to lead the team back to a victory, in large part due to an effective ground game. If the Broncos' offense can gel at all and avoid the turnovers, this team could very well find themselves in the Super Bowl. To this point in the season, however, I'm not convinced that's going to happen.
6) New England Patriots (12-4) - The history and reputation are there. Due to that, I have to believe most analysts will pick the Patriots to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl. History and reputation earned from past achievements can't guarantee present success, however. The New England Patriots' offensive line is in shambles, as is their secondary. Just ask Tom Brady, who's extremely grateful for the bye week after suffering rib and ankle injuries in Sunday's loss to then 5-10 Miami. This team is 2-4 in their past 6 games, after starting the season 10-0. If the Patriots are healthy and clicking, they can beat anybody in the league. But with the way they've been playing of late, they could lose to any team in the league as well.
5) Kansas City Chiefs (11-5) - Record wise, this is the hottest team in the NFL. After starting the year 1-5, the Chiefs have reeled off ten consecutive victories. Kansas City isn't exceptional in any one area, but are good in every area, which makes them a tough team to beat. Alex Smith actually has a vertical threat this season in Jeremy Maclin, which he's sorely lacked in the past. This team rarely beats themselves and just seems to find ways to win by game's end. While it's unlikely, this is a sleeper pick of mine to reach the Super Bowl.
4) Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6) - It's been a crazy season in Pittsburgh. Ben Roethlisberger, Michael Vick, and Landry Jones have all gotten starts for the team. La'Veon Bell was lost for the season. DeAngelo Williams suffered an injury this past weekend and his status for next week's game against Cincinnati is uncertain. The team temporarily threw their playoff hopes away by losing to Baltimore last week, before catching a break and seeing the Buffalo Bills defeat the New York Jets this past Sunday in order to sneak into the postseason. Now, at 10-6 and in the playoffs, here's the AFC team no one else wants to play. This is a team with a Super Bowl-winning coach and quarterback, loads of speed on offense, and an opportunistic defense. Ironically enough, so long as Williams is able to play on Saturday, for how beaten up this team was throughout the early- and mid-portions of the season, they may be one of the healthiest AFC teams come playoff time.
3) Carolina Panthers (15-1) - I like this team. I like their old-school style of football. Cam Newton is a beast of an athlete and the team has finally learned how to best utilize his talents this year. Unfortunately for the Panthers, their secondary is battered and bruised, which could come back to haunt the team if/when they play the likes of Arizona or Seattle. The Cardinals' aggressive passing attack matches up very well with the Panthers' secondary, and with the way Russell Wilson has been playing, the Seahawks do as well. Carolina could very well represent the NFC in the Super Bowl this year, but it's going to be far from easy for the NFC favorite.
2) Arizona Cardinals (13-3) - This may be the all-around best, balanced team in football at the moment. The team has one of the best, most balanced offenses in the league, not to mention a top 5-caliber defense, solid special teams, and great coaching. They may have laid an egg against Seattle on Sunday, but don't let that fool you into thinking this isn't one of the best teams in the league. The Cards will get a week off to get healthier and should make a decent run for the Super Bowl.
1) Seattle Seahawks (10-6) - If there's one team I wouldn't want to play right now, it's the Seattle Seahawks. After starting the year 4-5, they've won 6 of 7, are clicking on offense like never before in the Pete Carroll era, and are back to playing Legion of Boom defense. Russell Wilson is playing lights out at quarterback; the team's offensive line is improving; their receivers are stepping up; and regardless of who starts at tailback, he seems to have no problem gaining 100 yards in a game. They may be a 6 seed, but with how well they're playing and their playoff experience (and success), they look more like a 1 seed to me.
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