As the NFL Playoffs approach, let’s take a closer look at each of the teams taking part in the postseason and examine their potential matchups and paths in the playoffs.
AFC:
Bills: After making the playoffs for the first time in 17 years, the Bills have to face the daunting Jacksonville Jaguars in the Wild Card Round. If they win that game, they would head to Foxborough to face the Patriots, another extremely difficult matchup. If they somehow manage to win that game, they would travel to the stadium of the other AFC championship game participant, most likely the Steelers. Although the Bills seem to lack the firepower and talent to keep up with some of the better AFC Playoff teams, their solid offensive line and running game could potentially keep them in games late, giving them a chance to pull some upsets.
Titans: The Titans built on progress made last year to qualify for the playoffs just two years removed from having the top pick in the NFL Draft. They start their playoff journey against the Chiefs and if they win, they would likely face the Patriots in Foxborough unless the Bills beat the Jaguars. The Titans face a tough matchup in a Chiefs team that closed the regular season on a hot streak despite facing a midseason lull. Stopping the Chiefs’ explosive offense will be a tough task, but the Titans have the potential to pull an upset.
Chiefs: The Chiefs, despite seemingly capsizing during the middle of the season, have recovered to close the season in strong fashion. If they defeat the Titans, they will face the Patriots in Foxborough unless the Bills manage to defeat the Jaguars. In contrast to their own streak, the Titans ended the regular season on a three game losing streak before pulling out an ugly, meaningless win against the Jaguars. Marcus Mariota’s inconsistency this season (12 touchdowns to 15 interceptions) when throwing the ball makes a Chiefs victory seem likely.
Jaguars: A dominant defense with stars on all three levels has been the key for Jacksonville’s return to the playoffs as they face the Bills in the Wild Card Round. If they win, they will face the Steelers in Pittsburgh, the same place where they had a dominating 30-9 win in Week 5. Although Jacksonville’s defense makes a win against the Bills seem likely, the inconsistency of Blake Bortles under center means that anything is possible during the game, ranging from multiple interceptions to an incredibly efficient performance.
Steelers: Although a last-second loss to the Patriots prevented the Steelers from gaining home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, the Steelers’ Super Bowl chances are still strong. The Steelers, after a first-week bye, will likely have to face the Jaguars at home and hope not to repeat the result of the previous game this season. Antonio Brown’s availability is critical for the Steelers’ Super Bowl hopes as his presence may be necessary for the Steelers to steal a tough win in Foxborough in the AFC championship game, but it seems like he will be healthy for the Playoffs.
Patriots: With home-field advantage secured throughout the Playoffs, the Patriots will be favored in their playoff run. At the moment, it appears likely that the Chiefs will be meeting the Patriots in Foxborough, although this may not be the case if either the Titans or Bills win. Comparisons will be made to the Chiefs’ season-opening destruction of the Patriots in Foxborough, but such comparisons are invalid because the two teams are completely different from the teams that played at the beginning of the season, with the Patriots solving defensive issues while the Chiefs found many offensive issues.
NFC:
Falcons: The Falcons will open in Los Angeles. If they beat the Rams, they will get a trip to Philadelphia the following week for a matchup with Nick Foles’ Eagles, who suddenly look a little vulnerable. Matt Ryan’s squad has been spotty on offense throughout the regular season, but a potential matchup with the offensively-challenged Eagles bodes well for the relatively experienced Falcons who could make another run to the Super Bowl this year if they can make it past the Rams.
Panthers: Although the old saying is that it’s difficult to beat the same team three times, the Saints appear to have Carolina’s number. If they manage to make it past the Saints in New Orleans, the Panthers would have a crack at the Vikings, a team they have already beaten in the regular season or the Eagles if the Rams beat the Falcons. At this point, every NFC playoff team would prefer to play the Eagles with their offense shifting due to the injury of Carson Wentz.
Saints: The Saints appear to have found glaring weaknesses on their team heading into the playoffs. A powerful rushing duo combined with a Hall of Fame quarterback passing to one of the league’s best receivers in Michael Thomas headlines the Saints’ strengths on offense combined with consistent play from all three levels of the defense. With the injury of Carson Wentz, the NFC is wide open and a team with an experienced, Super Bowl-winning quarterback in Drew Brees looks to take advantage of the void.
Rams: Under Sean McVay, the Rams have thrived on offense, averaging the most points per game in the league. As seen by the Rams’ game against the Vikings, however, dominant offenses are usually trumped by effective defenses in the Playoffs. If the Rams win against the Falcons, they will face the Vikings, the only team to truly shut down the Rams’ high-flying offense this season. Needless to say, they would have preferred to draw the Eagles in this instance.
Vikings: The Case Keenum-led Vikings will likely face the Rams in the Playoffs in order to head to the NFC Championship, unless the Falcons manage to upset them. In that case, the Vikings would face the winner of the Saints-Panthers game. The Vikings’ defense can keep them in the game against any team, and the only question would be if the offense can execute in order to keep up if teams start to score, which would be uncharacteristic of the defense. As long as the team plays to its identity, it should be playing for a Super Bowl in February.
Eagles: The great mystery of the NFC, nobody knows how good the Eagles will look when they play coming off a bye. With their likely opponent going to be the Saints, they will need to be at the top of their game, both offensively and defensively, in order to win that game. Even if the Eagles manage to win one game with Nick Foles under center, it is unlikely that they will win another against a playoff-caliber NFC squad.
