NFL Postseason Preview
By: Peyton Schultze
In a year as wide-open as any in recent history, several key players will make a difference in their team’s pursuit to reach Atlanta, such as Chiefs’ QB, Patrick Mahomes (pictured).
Back in early September, the Jacksonville Jaguars and Green Bay Packers were being labeled as preseason Super Bowl contenders after impressive wins in the first few weeks. In October, the Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans were being written off as having a shot at running the table in the AFC. And in November, the Carolina Panthers, Minnesota Vikings, and Pittsburgh Steelers looked as if they had a legit chance of making a deep run in the postseason. Yet here we are, finally arriving on December 31st and the New Year, with the playoffs one week away. Few answers have been found in this so-far wacky season, and continuous statements by football analysts have been proven false week after week. “Andrew Luck will be washed up after shoulder surgery”. “The Patriot dynasty is over”. “The Chargers can’t win any big games”. “The Chiefs are foolish to trade a player like Alex Smith”. “So much for another postseason berth for the Eagles”. Statements like these throughout the league have been proclaimed at some point this season, yet have consistently been proven wrong. In a season as wide open as any, practically any team in the 2019 NFL Playoffs will enter postseason play with a relatively decent chance of raising the Lombardi Trophy in February. The Los Angeles Rams and Chargers possess some of the best rosters in the league with stars across the board. The New England Patriots seem to have taken a step back, yet still have the great Tom Brady. The Colts, Chiefs, Seahawks, and Saints all have MVP candidates to lead their team throughout the playoffs. So who will push through the gauntlet known as the NFL playoffs and actually meet in Super Bowl LIII? Our guide to all twelve playoff teams as the postseason begins on January 5th.
NFC
New Orleans Saints
Will Drew Brees capture his second Super Bowl title?
While this season has certainly been hectic throughout, it has mostly been smooth sailing for the Boys in the Bayou. Entering the playoffs as the most likely Super Bowl “favorite”, Drew Brees and Co. will enter the postseason with home field advantage throughout and a loaded roster full of stars. A common misconception about the Saints is that they depend solely on the right arm of Brees. However, time management and crucial plays on defense are just as much a part of their gameplan as anything. With a running game featuring the power of Mark Ingram and elusiveness of Alvin Kamara, the Saints have one of the top rushing attacks in the league running behind one of the best, and most underrated, offensive lines in the league. On the defensive side of the ball, the Saints like to shut down the opposing team’s running game early (2nd in the league defending the run) and force teams to air it out against a solid secondary. However, the Saints’ biggest advantage entering the postseason will be playing in the Superdome and not having to leave New Orleans until potentially the Super Bowl. Instead of having to travel across the coast to Los Angeles or to the freezing cold temperatures of Chicago, the Saints can sit comfortably knowing that they can play behind a noisy home crowd in ideal playing conditions. The Saints will be a tough out, perhaps the toughest in the league, in the playoffs, and have a very good chance of representing the NFC in Atlanta on February 3rd.
Los Angeles Rams
Can the Rams overcome their late-season worries and get to Super Bowl LIII?
Throughout the season, the Rams often looked like a sure-fire Super Bowl lock. Then came the bye week. Since their bye week, the Rams have often played sluggish on offense and have yet to meet their full potential on defense. However, for the Rams, maybe that is a good sign for their future. In Week 17, Jared Goff finally looked like his former self, after a brutal 4 game stretch, and threw for four touchdowns against San Francisco. Goff may be the ultimate key in the postseason for the Rams, as they may very well go just as far as he takes them. Heading into the playoffs, the Rams will have one major advantage: Todd Gurley on about 3 weeks of rest. After hampering a knee injury the last two weeks of the season, the bye will once again provide rest to Gurley and the rest of the Rams. The Rams will also own the advantage of not having to leave Los Angeles until a possible NFC Championship Game against New Orleans, which will help their offensive flow and keep them out of the windy conditions of Chicago where they previously struggled in their worst performance of the season. The Rams may very well be the most confusing team entering the playoffs, as a team full of stars that just has not seemed to hit its stride quite yet. Potentially, there’s a chance their defense finally turns it on and head coach, Sean McVay, features a game plan with a ton of touches for Todd Gurley that leads to pretty easy wins for the Rams. But potentially, there’s also a chance of an early round exit for a team full of question marks. Only time will tell for the flashy superstars out west.
Chicago Bears
Daaa Bears: The South Siders have brought their hard-nosed roots back to the football-crazed city of Chicago.
As the NFL’s most unlikely juggernaut looking back towards the beginning of the year, the Bears are hitting their stride at the perfect time. Winners of their last 4, the Bears possess the best defense in the NFL led by the preseason acquisition of Khalil Mack. While Mack is a star and has elevated this D to the next level, the Bears’ defense has playmakers all across the board. Akeim Hicks. Eddie Jackson. Roquon Smith. Danny Trevathan. The Bears have studs on defense that make them the NFL’s mightiest defensive unit. However, what has made this Bears’ team so dangerous has been the emergence of their offense and creative playcalling of the likely Coach of the Year, Matt Nagy. With one of the best coaching staffs in the league, Nagy and the Bears have made something out of nothing with the Bears’ offense, playing to the strengths of the young quarterback, Mitchell Trubisky, and featuring speedy players such as Tarik Cohen and Allen Robinson. The Bears have a tough matchup with the red-hot and high flying Philadelphia Eagles during Wild Card Weekend, but the Bears have the roster and potential to not only win their first round matchup, but also make a run towards the Super Bowl. Look for Chicago to run the table in the NFC playoffs as the NFL’s ultimate dark horse, featuring the scariest unit on the defensive side of the ball in the league.
Dallas Cowboys
Are Dak and Zeke the next Troy and Emmett for the ‘Boys? Only the playoff success of the young duo will determine that.
What a ride it has been for the Dallas Cowboys in 2018. After losing to the Tennessee Titans in Week 9 on Monday Night Football, the sky finally fell for the Cowboys. However, one week later, the Cowboys stormed into Philadelphia and routed the defending Super Bowl champions on their own home field. The rest since then is history. Recovering from the cellar of the NFL, the Cowboys have re-emerged as a legit threat in the NFC, led by Dak, Zeke, and newcomer, Amari Cooper. These three have transformed the Cowboys offense into a formidable unit in the second half of the season by helping win 7 of their last 8. Yet this Cowboy team is not defined by their offense. As a top three defense in the league, the Cowboys feature a very young unit on defense that has kept up with some of the league’s best offenses. Linebackers such as Leighton Vander Esch and Jaylon Smith have been revelations for the ‘Boys and helped turn them into a team defined by their defense. The Cowboys certainly have their limitations, but can compete with any team in the league on one of their good days. It’s unclear if the Cowboys have the ability to make a deep run against NFC powerhouses, but the Cowboys do possess perhaps the single most impressive win of the season by any team, by dismantling the mighty Saints on Thursday Night in Week 13. Can the Cowboys get to Atlanta for the Super Bowl? It remains to be seen. But Dallas will certainly make things interesting, as they always do, in the pursuit of another Lombardi Trophy.
Seattle Seahawks
Could the dangerous Seahawks find a way to sneak into the Super Bowl?
Perhaps no team has been as unlikely, and accepting of their roster, as the Seattle Seahawks in 2018. In what was expected to be a rebuilding year for Seattle has transformed into a potential Super Bowl worthy season for the men in the Pacific Northwest. Pete Carroll, fresh off a new extension to keep him in Seattle for several seasons, has put on his best coaching job to date this season, transforming a limited roster with holes in the preseason into a legit contender. By taking the pressure off of Wilson and establishing the run once again, reminiscent of their Super Bowl winning season, the Seahawks feature a simple, yet explosive, offense that has matched up with some of the NFL’s best. While their key to success is certainly still laid upon Wilson’s shoulders, Seattle has done a phenomenal job by retooling their roster and complimenting Wilson’s style of play with power backs and explosive weapons on the outside. On defense, the Seahawks remain strong and solid. With star talents such as Frank Clark and Bobby Wagner, the Seattle defense remains a solid unit that is capable of making big stops and getting off the field on third down. The Seahawks are a team to be reckoned with in the NFC and will be a challenge for any team they match up with, especially with the MVP-caliber talents of Russell Wilson that is capable of making big plays in the postseason. Don’t sleep on Seattle. They have a solid shot of shocking some of the NFC’s best en route to a possible Super Bowl appearance.
Philadelphia Eagles
Can Nick Foles lead the Eagles on another magical postseason run finishing in a Super Bowl title?
There’s just something about Nick. Another season, another stretch run by the Eagles, led by their backup signal-caller. Their last run ended in a Super Bowl win. Can this one? While the Eagles have battled injuries and a Super Bowl hangover all season, they are finally hitting their stride at the perfect time. Starting with their massive Week 15 win in LA over the Rams, the Eagles have won their last three games and found a way to sneak into the postseason over the Minnesota Vikings. It’s hard to credit the success of a team based solely on one man, but Nick Foles has provided a late-season spark for the Eagles that had lacked prior to his appearance in Week 15. Entering the playoffs, the Eagles will not feature certain key players that helped them on their 2017 Super Bowl run due to injuries. Yet there is still hope for the Birds. Zach Ertz had the best season for a tight end in league history. The Eagles still have a lethal pass rush capable of changing a game with big plays. And the Super Bowl LII MVP had been unreal in his last 3 starts. Although Foles is hampering a rib injury that could affect him in the playoffs, the quarterback is not expected to have a serious condition or miss time. This makes the Eagles the NFL’s ultimate wild card. Full of experience and veteran leadership, the Eagles are a young and upcoming team’s (like the Bears) worst nightmare. This makes the Eagles visit to Chicago all the more interesting over Wild Card Weekend. Can Foles really lead the Eagles to another title? Who knows, but expect Philly to make things interesting and cause a legit scare in the conference.
AFC
Kansas City Chiefs
Could Patrick Mahomes finally lead the Chiefs to the promised land?
Few saw the emergence of Patrick Mahomes coming before the regular season began. Yet Andy Reid made the tough decision of moving on from Alex Smith (a successful starter) and switching to Mahomes for the 2018 season. And wow, has it paid off. Leading the Chiefs to the best record in the AFC, the likely-MVP has been a superstar from Week 1 of this season and carried Kansas City through parts of the season. While Mahomes is spectacular, the Chiefs are still more than just him. With players such as Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce on offense, the Chiefs have the most dynamic O in the league capable of outscoring anyone. However, offense has not been their Achilles’ heel. A defense that ranks among the worst in the NFL has been the downfall of the Chiefs throughout the season, and could haunt them in the playoffs. However, the Chiefs at least have found the return of Eric Berry promising, and still have a strong pass rush that could be valuable in the postseason, as quarterbacks are forced to make plays late and on third down in clear passing situations. The Chiefs will have a big advantage by playing at home throughout the AFC playoffs, especially when it comes to a potential matchup with the Patriots that prohibits Kansas City from having to travel to Foxborough. However, the Chiefs have no greater advantage than that of their star quarterback. While the Eagles may be the NFL’s overall wild card, no player will be more crucial to their team’s success, and the end result of the NFL playoffs, than that of Mahomes. His ability to carry a team and put points on the board consistently will serve the Chiefs well and could eventually result in a Super Bowl appearance. But can Mahomes really power his way to reach Atlanta for the Super Bowl? Only time will tell for the dynamic and electric Chiefs.
New England Patriots
Is the end near for Tom Brady and the Patriots, or can they reach the Super Bowl again for the 3rd straight year?
Compared to their typical standards year in and year out, the 2018 season has been somewhat of an outlier for the New England Patriots. Tom Brady did not post a MVP-type season. They almost lost on a Hail Mary against Chicago and did lose on the “Miami Miracle” in Week 15. Their defense was sloppy and slow. Yet here they are again, getting a first round bye and the two seed in the AFC. While the Patriots seem vulnerable compared to past years, they still have the duo of Brady and Belichick that is battle-tested and ready to once again compete in the gauntlet of the NFL playoffs. While their offensive weapons on the outside are aging and on the decline, the Patriots’ running backs have been outstanding for New England all year. Featuring a power running game with Sony Michel and the reception-happy James White, the Patriots best shot on offense is to control the clock by establishing the run and using Brady to convert on 3rd down and make plays down the field. On defense, the Patriots lack any sort of star-power, yet still have a decent secondary capable of sticking to a gameplan and shutting down top targets. It would be foolish to say the Patriots are not the same and that they have no shot in the conference. It would also be foolish to say this is one of the better Patriot teams of the generation. Yet for New England, you can never say never when it comes to January football and Super Bowl appearances, especially for as long as Tom Brady is still around. New England may face several real threats in the AFC, but it will take a lot for a team to un-seat them as AFC Champions.
Houston Texans
Are the Texans for real, or are they just a first-round exit in the making?
After a documented 0-3 start to the season, the Texans rattled off 9 straight wins on their journey to an AFC South crown. With a superb season from Deshaun Watson and a solid defense with JJ Watt and Jadeveon Clowney, the Texans have a loaded roster full of talent across the board. Yet, the Texans have been exposed in recent weeks following losses to Indianapolis and Philadelphia. The Texans are certainly a playoff worthy team, yet their season seems somewhat incomplete due to their lack of success against playoff bound teams such as the Colts and Patriots. However, it is hard to say the Texans are not legit due to the big game status of Watson. As the young quarterback showed during his collegiate time at Clemson, Watson has a knack for playing his best on the big stage with the highest stakes. Combine that with a solid running game and one of the league’s best WRs in DeAndre Hopkins on the outside, the Texans have some awesome players that have potential to go head-to-head with anyone in the league. The Texans face a tough task in the Wild Card Round, facing the hot Colts and the spectacular Andrew Luck. However, escaping with a win over Indianapolis and scheduling a rematch with their former postseason rival in New England would widen the eyes of players and coaches alike around the league to take the Texans seriously. Don’t count out Deshaun just yet in the wide-open AFC.
Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens are well-coached and feature a creative run game that causes confusion among even the league’s best defenses.
While Baker Mayfield has been known for “feelin’ dangerous” throughout the 2018 season, the Ravens were the ones feeling dangerous in Week 17. As they enter the postseason tournament, the Ravens may be the most unique and scary team in the league. Since Lamar Jackson’s insertion into the starting lineup, the Ravens have gone on a roll, winning 6 of their last 7 against several solid AFC teams such as the Chargers and Browns. Speaking of Jackson, he has added a component to the Ravens’ overall scheme that has made it confusing for opposing defenses. Combining that with the emergence of Gus Edwards at running back, the Ravens ground game has ranked among the league’s best all season. However, this Ravens’ team is defined by their gutsy and hard-nosed defense. With a very solid mixture of young players and key veterans such as Terrell Suggs and Eric Weddle, the Ravens have the makings of a Super Bowl defense. The Ravens are a team certainly built to win in the postseason, led by John Harbaugh in one of his best coaching seasons. However, the Ravens will face the mighty LA Chargers over Wild Card Weekend in the best matchup of the first round. The two teams met in Week 16 in which Baltimore rolled, but expect the Chargers to be fired up and motivated to spoil the Ravens’ season. The Ravens may be a team of destiny or one step away from losing to the Chargers, but if they can escape with a victory, they could make a strong run towards Atlanta for Super Bowl LIII.
Los Angeles Chargers
Could Philip Rivers finally make his first trip to the Super Bowl?
No team in the AFC, perhaps the NFL, may be as complete as the Los Angeles Chargers are. Offense, defense, and special teams. The Chargers are loaded across the board with playmakers all around. Yet even with a roster this good, is this finally the year for the previously-miserable Bolts? True playoff success has haunted the legacy of quarterback, Philip Rivers, from cementing his place in Canton, and this may be his best shot of his career to finally make it to the Super Bowl. With players such as Melvin Gordon and Keenan Allen surrounding Rivers on offense, the Chargers have the ability to go up against any defense and compete. However, this team will not most likely advance in the playoffs because of their offense. No, that will be decided by their underrated, but game-changing, defense. With Pro Bowl studs such as Melvin Ingram, Joey Bosa, and rookie sensation, Derwin James, the Chargers have an awesome defense capable of shutting down opposing offenses. The Chargers will face an extremely tough matchup over Wild Card Weekend against Baltimore, a team they previously lost to, and will have to be on top of their game against the hungry Ravens. However, the Chargers should not be worried about having to travel on the road. In fact, the Chargers have yet to lose outside the city of Los Angeles and have been one of the best road teams in the NFL all season. If the Chargers can run over Baltimore and advance to the Divisional Round, the Chargers can match up and beat anybody they face in their quest for their first Lombardi Trophy in franchise history.
Indianapolis Colts
The Colts, led by Andrew Luck, are a real threat in the AFC right now as they enter the postseason.
Becoming only the 3rd team in NFL history to make the playoffs after a 1-5 start, the Indianapolis Colts are red-hot and ready to compete with the AFC’s best in January. Led by the miraculous Andrew Luck in an MVP-type season, the Colts are back in the postseason for the first time since 2014 and ready to make noise in a wide-open conference. Indy’s greatest strength entering the tournament, other than their quarterback, may be their vastly improved offensive line under the new direction of head coach, Frank Reich. Protecting Luck coming off a major shoulder injury has been the Colts’ top improvement this season, but has also returned a previously absent running game to the table, led by Marlon Mack. Add weapons like TY Hilton and red zone threat, Eric Ebron, and the Colts have a very good offense that is clicking at the right time. While their defense is still up and coming, the Colts’ D has been a solid unit that has often generated turnovers and sacks when they needed to. Yet this team, for now, will largely go as far as their offense takes it. Their defense is timely, yet not elite, and therefore shifts the focus back to the Indianapolis offense. However, the Colts at least have the weapons and quarterback to make a run. Can Luck reel off a few upsets in the AFC and possibly even make a Super Bowl appearance? Based off his awesome comeback season, absolutely. While it will take a lot for Indy to overcome teams such as Houston, Kansas City, and rival New England, it will be interesting to see if the Colts get a little lucky in the tournament and find a way to sneak through the AFC.
Predictions
Can New Orleans capture their second Super Bowl title in franchise history?
Wild Card
(3) Chicago over (6) Philadelphia
(5) Seattle over (4) Dallas
(6) Indianapolis over (3) Houston
(5) Los Angeles C over (4) Baltimore
Divisional
(1) New Orleans over (5) Seattle
(3) Chicago over (2) Los Angeles R
(1) Kansas City over (6) Indianapolis
(5) Los Angeles C over (2) New England
Championship
(1) New Orleans over (3) Chicago
(5) Los Angeles C over (1) Kansas City
Super Bowl
(1) New Orleans over (5) Los Angeles C