All good things must come to an end. This last weekend may be the first of 2026, but it was also the last weekend of the NFL regular season. The playoff picture is now officially set. The recaps of the games are going to be very brief. That’s because, at the end, I break down what all the teams whose offseason has started need to do, and what the playoff teams still standing need to do to win. For those fans who saw their team eliminated, I’m sorry, and this may feel like I’m dragging your heart around (getting the Stevie Nicks reference out of the way now), but it must be done. Let’s dive into the finale of the NFL regular season.
SEAHAWKS 13 – 49ERS 3
We start with one of the most consequential games of this weekend. The Seattle Seahawks defeated the San Francisco 49ers, locking up the division and the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs. This gives the Seahawks a bye next week, while also ensuring that the 49ers will likely have to travel the whole postseason unless they can make the Super Bowl. (Note: San Francisco’s stadium will be hosting this year’s Super Bowl.) Sam Darnold finished with 198 passing yards, but no touchdowns. Brock Purdy had a horrific game, throwing for only 127 yards and an interception.
PANTHERS 14 – BUCCANEERS 16
This game was played before the Seahawks and 49ers, but this was much more meaningful. The NFC South division title was on the line, and it was also the last unclaimed playoff spot in the bracket for the NFC. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers needed to win, and they needed the Saints to win the next day. The reason behind this is because of the tiebreaking scenarios involved. The Buccaneers accomplished one-half of that by defeating the Carolina Panthers. Bryce Young finished the game with 266 passing yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. Baker Mayfield ended up with 203 passing yards, a touchdown, and an interception. So, the Buccaneers came through, but…
SAINTS 17 – FALCONS 19
The Atlanta Falcons’ victory over the New Orleans Saints ended the Buccaneers’ slim chances of making the playoffs. This created a three-way tie for the NFC South. However, the Falcons were already eliminated from playoff contention because of their low head-to-head win percentage. However, it was enough to knock the Buccaneers out of the contest because of the head-to-head contests. Bottom line is this: the Buccaneers are out, and the Panthers clinch the NFC South and the last playoff spot. From the game itself, Tyler Shough finished the game with 259 passing yards, a touchdown, and an interception for the Saints. Meanwhile, Kirk Cousins finished with 180 passing yards, a touchdown, and an interception (YOU LIKE THAT!)
CHARGERS 3 – BRONCOS 19
Even though the hometown Los Angeles Chargers rested their players for the playoffs, the Denver Broncos treated this as a playoff game. It showed as the Broncos routed the Chargers by a score of 19-3. Bo Nix finished the game with a meager 141 passing yards and no touchdowns. Justin Herbert was a healthy scratch for the Chargers. Enter journeyman Trey Lance, who had 136 passing yards and an interception.
CARDINALS 20 – RAMS 37
The other SoFi resident, the hometown Los Angeles Rams, took a different approach than the Chargers. They opted to have their starters play in what was a throwaway game. Considering their last two losses put doubts about their Super Bowl chances, it was refreshing for the Rams at nearly full strength to rout the Arizona Cardinals in the regular season finale. Matthew Stafford finished what he hopes is an MVP winning season with 259 passing yards and four touchdowns. Jacoby Brissett finished the game with 243 passing yards, two touchdowns, and an interception.
BROWNS 20 – BENGALS 18
This was a throwaway game between two teams who were eliminated from playoff contention weeks ago. So, this was all about pride for two division rivals. In the end, the Cleveland Browns managed to get a close win over the Cincinnati Bengals. The game was notable for Myles Garrett setting a new single-season sack record with 23. Rookie kicker Andre Szmyt kicked the winning field goal for the Browns. It wasn’t a great game for Shedeur Sanders, throwing for only 111 yards and no touchdowns. Joe Burrow had a respectable game with 236 passing yards, three touchdowns, and an interception.
PACKERS 3 – VIKINGS 16
The Minnesota Vikings wanted to finish what has been a frustrating season in a big way. They did so by defeating their sworn enemies, the Green Bay Packers, in the regular season finale. The Packers were set in the No. 7 seed in the NFC playoffs for the third straight year with nothing to play for. They sidelined almost all of their starters since they already had season-ending injuries to several key players including star pass rusher Micah Parsons. Justin Jefferson, one of the best if not the best receivers in the league, had an extremely frustrating season this time around. Nevertheless, he showed why he’s still the league’s top receiver with 101 receiving yards on eight catches. Clayton Tune filled in for Jordan Love at quarterback for the Packers, finishing with only 34 passing yards (no, that’s not a typo).
COWBOYS 17 – GIANTS 34
The New York Giants were the first team to be eliminated from playoff contention. After yet another disappointing season, it was satisfying for their fans to see them finish the season with a win against the hated Dallas Cowboys. Jaxson Dart finished the game with 230 passing yards, and two touchdowns. It was a great gift for Giants owner John Mara, who is three months into his treatment for cancer. Mara has not disclosed what form of cancer he has and asked for privacy on the matter. Mara got a game ball in an emotional locker room scene after the Giants’ victory. The win also clinched the No. 1 pick in the upcoming draft for the Raiders (sorry, I meant to say DA RAIDERS!).
TITANS 7 – JAGUARS 41
The Jacksonville Jaguars still had some unfinished business to deal with: locking up the AFC South (especially with the Texans having a hot streak just as bright as theirs). The Jaguars took care of business with a victory over the Tennessee Titans: wrapping up the division and locking up the No. 3 seed in the playoffs. Trevor Lawrence finished his final tune-up before the postseason with 255 passing yards and three touchdowns. Cam Ward only managed 52 passing yards before he was forced from the contest with an injury.
COLTS 30 – TEXANS 38
With the division out of reach, the Houston Texans had to settle for the No. 5 seed as they defeated the Indianapolis Colts. CJ Stroud didn’t have to do much in the season finale, throwing for 169 yards and a touchdown while adding a rushing touchdown. Riley Leonard got the start for the Colts at quarterback. Leonard had a surprisingly good game against the league’s best defense: 21 of 34 completed passes for 270 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. The best part was being able to learn from one of the best quarterbacks in league history: Philip Rivers.
JETS 8 – BILLS 35
It seemed like the Buffalo Bills were taking all their frustrations about how this season has gone on the New York Jets in this one game. That’s because the Bills wiped the Jets out to lock up the No. 6 seed in the AFC playoffs. With Josh Allen on rest before the postseason starts, backup Mitchell Trubisky got the start for the Bills. Trubisky had an impressive showing with 259 passing yards and four touchdowns. Brady Cook threw for only 60 yards and a touchdown for the Jets.
LIONS 19 – BEARS 16
Jared Goff and the Detroit Lions entered the season with their sights set on the Super Bowl. Beating their division winner offered some consolation at the end of a tough year. The loss didn’t matter to the Chicago Bears, as they had the No. 2 seed already in their pocket with the Eagles’ loss to the Commanders. Jake Bates kicked the game-winning field goal as time expired to give the Lions the victory after they blew a 16-0 lead in the fourth quarter. Caleb Williams finished his final tune-up before the postseason with 212 passing yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. Goff finished his frustrating year with 331 passing yards, a touchdown, and an interception.
CHIEFS 12 – RAIDERS 14
I can’t believe I’m about to say this, but this was a momentous day for the Las Vegas Raiders…or should I say…DA RAIDERS! With the Giants’ earlier win, the Raiders locked up the No. 1 pick in the upcoming draft. The cherry on top was ending the season with a win over the once-mighty Kansas City Chiefs. Ashton Jeanty had a good game for the Raiders, rushing for 87 yards but no touchdowns. The Chiefs deployed two quarterbacks in this contest: Shane Buechele and Chris Oladokun. Both managed to throw for a combined total of 146 passing yards.
DOLPHINS 10 – PATRIOTS 38
With the Broncos’ victory, the New England Patriots were forced to settle for the No. 2 seed as they beat the Miami Dolphins. It’s a complete turnaround for the Patriots, who, this time last season, finished one of their worst seasons by getting blown out 40-7 by the Chargers. Quinn Ewers finished the season for the Dolphins with 137 passing yards, a touchdown, and an interception. Drake Maye capped off his season with 191 passing yards and a touchdown, but will it be enough to overtake Matthew Stafford for the MVP race?
COMMANDERS 24 – EAGLES 17
Coach Nick Sirianni understood the risks associated with his decision to rest Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, and most of the Philadelphia Eagles’ key starters with the No. 2 seed in the NFC at stake. It shouldn’t be a surprise that the backup plan failed as they lost to the Washington Commanders. So, the defending champions will begin their title defense in earnest as the No. 3 seed in the NFC playoffs. With no Hurts, Tanner McKee got the start for the Eagles, who threw for 241 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. Josh Johnson finished the season for the Commanders, throwing for 131 yards, a touchdown, and an interception.
RAVENS 24 – STEELERS 26
The final game of the regular season had the most impact on the playoffs. The AFC North division and the last playoff spot available hanged in the balance. It was simple for both the Pittsburg Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens: win or go home. In a wild and crazy finish, the Steelers managed to hang on against the Ravens, punching the last ticket to the playoffs. Ravens rookie kicker Tyler Loop missed a potential game winning field goal as time expired. This right after the Steelers opened the door when their kicker missed an extra point. This game proved there was still life in Aaron Roders, who had 294 passing yards and a touchdown. Lamar Jackson ends a disappointing season with 238 passing yards, three touchdowns, and an interception in this game.
OFFSEASON WATCH
With the games recapped, it’s time to say goodbye to all the other teams that missed the playoffs. For them, the offseason has begun. Some like to call this “Black Monday” since many coaches and executives get the boot (I would say “Bloody Monday” is a more apt description). However, this massacre extended into Tuesday (which is what took me so long to compile this piece). Let’s look at all the eliminated teams and see what their top offseason priority might be.
ARIZONA CARDINALS
The Cardinals have two priorities. The first is find a new head coach after they fired Jonathan Gannon after closing the season with nine straight losses. Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort will spearhead the search for a new head coach. The other priority is what to do with Kyler Murray. Will they try to ride with him one last time, or is it finally time for a change? This will be an interesting offseason for the Cardinals.
ATLANTA FALCONS
A four-game winning streak wasn’t enough for Falcons owner Arthur Blank. This was a particularly “bloody” Monday as the Falcons cleaned house. Rich McKay was removed from his position as CEO of the Falcons. Additionally, both head coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot have also been dismissed from their positions. Greg Beadles has been promoted to serve as president and CEO. They are also expected to hire a president of football with former Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan being the likely candidate. So, the biggest priority for the Falcons will be an entire front office rebuild. They’ll also have to work without a first round pick in the upcoming draft, as they already traded it to the Rams.
BALTIMORE RAVENS
It was a very disappointing ending to a season that started with Super Bowl aspirations, so much so that they let head coach John Harbaugh go. I know fans aren’t happy with how he managed the season, but that wasn’t the problem. The real issue will be what the Ravens do to get better. They don’t have much cap space to work with at $8.4 million. They could renegotiate Lamar Jackson’s contract. That could free up money that could be used to bolster the team. However, this will be a challenge as Jackson doesn’t have an agent and represents himself.
CINCINNATI BENGALS
It’s the end of another disappointing season for the Bengals. Earlier in this decade, they stormed their way into the Super Bowl. That feels like a lifetime ago. The defense could use some upgrades, but I’d also throw in pass protection. Going through most of the season without Joe Burrow is not an experience the Bengals want to have again. They have $60.8 million in cap space to work with and the No. 10 pick in the draft. They will also have head coach Zac Taylor and director of player personnel Duke Tobin returning next season. The Bengals will be an interesting team to watch this offseason.
CLEVELAND BROWNS
Deep down, Browns fans want a team they can get excited about like the team that Kevin Costner put together in the movie Draft Day. The first step will involve searching for a new coach, following the dismissal of Kevin Stefanski by the Browns. Next will be figuring out who will be the starting quarterback. Neither Dillon Gabriel nor Shedeur Sanders proved to be a long-term solution, and the team has said that they expect Deshaun Watson to be back. They need to figure that out while rebuilding the entire offense, and they have no cap space to do it with. However, they do have both the No. 6 pick and the Jaguars’ first round pick to work with.
DALLAS COWBOYS
We questioned Jerry Jones’ approach after the Micah Parsons trade, and that hasn’t changed. The Cowboys’ current roster has questions at defense after Quinnen Williams, Kenny Clark, and Osa Odighizuwa. They also don’t have any salary cap space to work with. All they do have is the No. 12 pick and the Packers’ first round pick from the Parsons trade. The time for the Cowboys to be cheap when it comes to free agents needs to end. Otherwise, they’ll end up right back here again next season, and we’ll just start this conversation all over again. They need to rebuild the defense and find a new defensive coordinator now that Matt Eberflus has been dismissed.
DETROIT LIONS
It’s difficult to say what went wrong with the Lions this season. Yes, it was going to be difficult after last season when their offensive coordinator left to coach the rival Chicago Bears. However, the offensive line may have been a weakness that everyone overlooked. The Lions’ line ranked 20th in run block rate at 70.7% and 30th in pass block rate at 55.2%. In simple terms, the Lions’ offensive linemen were not giving Jared Goff and the rest of the offense a chance to do what they do best. With no cap space to work with, they’ll have to rely on the No. 17 pick in the upcoming draft to start fixing the problem. This was a very disappointing year for the Lions, and their fans don’t want to see it happen again.
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
I didn’t expect to write about the Colts in this section of this article two months ago when we all expected the Colts to run away with the AFC. I don’t know if Daniel Jones’ surge in the first half was legitimate or just a fluke. The Colts are going to have to figure that out fast. They don’t have a first round pick in the draft to go for a quarterback. So, they have several options: keep Daniel Jones or rely on either Anthony Richardson or Riley Leonard. My opinion is give Leonard a shot (he didn’t look too bad against a top-ranked defense). The general manager and head coach will both be back for next season, so it’ll be up to time to tell if they can replicate their success from this season and avoid the failures.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
For those that haven’t heard, the Chiefs’ dynasty is OVER. There, I said it, now let’s move on. There are a lot of holes to fill and no money to fill it with. The estimated 2026 cap space for the Chiefs is at minus-$58.4 million. I have confidence in Andy Reid’s ability to coach any kind of team, but this is absurd. The pass rush is a mess, Jaylen Watson may not come back, and this might have been it for Travis Kelce. If he does retire, he leaves a remarkable legacy, his fiancé is Taylor Swift (so money isn’t an issue), and maybe he’ll appear with his brother in some of those commercials I love so much. (Note: I personally want to meet Jason Kelce…because I’m betting that he has Stevie Nicks’ number…) In all seriousness, there is a lot of work to do for the Chiefs if they are to regain their former glory.
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS
As bad as things were for the Chiefs, they were worse for the Las Vegas Raiders. It was more than enough for the Raiders to fire Pete Carroll after just one season. Tom Brady’s preferred choice for coach went to the Bears (and the fact the Bears are going to the playoffs as the No. 2 seed is just salt in the open wound). Now the Raiders must figure out another head coach idea (I’d give John Harbaugh a call), they need to overhaul the entire offensive line, and figure out how to deal with Geno Smith. He is definitely not the guy, and I don’t see a scenario where the Raiders are foolish enough to pass on Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 pick. (If something happens between now and the draft to Mendoza, then we’ll be having a different discussion in a few months from now.)
MINNESOTA VIKINGS
The Vikings are an interesting team to dissect. They are not a bad team, but they have a problem at the most critical position on the team: the quarterback. JJ McCarthy had the most brutal first season I think I’ve ever seen. So, what do they do? Maybe improve the offensive line and hope McCarthy improves. Obviously, they have even less faith in Carson Wentz. They also must keep an eye on defensive coordinator Brian Flores. There are teams that need a head coach, and Flores getting a second chance is long overdue (Tom Brady might give him a call). Whatever the Vikings do, just do something: don’t waste Justin Jefferson, still considered to be the league’s top receiver, in his prime.
MIAMI DOLPHINS
Well, this is an interesting dilemma for the Dolphins. The problem is they have no cap space to work with to fix any of the holes in their roster. How do they fix that? By addressing the two elephants in the room: Tua Tagovailoa and Tyreek Hill. After the Dolphins were knocked out of playoff contention, Tua was benched, while Hill sat out most of the season due to a dislocated knee. Cutting both would be expensive…but can they really afford another season with both men? Both are getting older, one keeps getting concussions, and the other might end up arrested sooner rather than later. They’ll also need a new coach after just firing their current one. This might be a long rebuild for the Dolphins.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
The Saints have a lot of aging players on their roster. Taysom Hill isn’t a spring chicken anymore, and it’s only a matter of time before age catches up to Demario Davis and Cameron Jordan. So far, Tyler Shough has proven to be capable of being the quarterback. However, if they do keep Shough as the starter, they’ll need more weapons for him to work with. I wasn’t overly impressed with Shough’s stats, however. Yes, I’m well-aware he didn’t have much to work with, but he hasn’t wowed me enough to consider him “the guy” going forward. But maybe he will surprise me next year.
NEW YORK GIANTS
The Giants are back where they were last year: didn’t have a shot at the playoffs and now the offseason has begun. Surprisingly, their general manager did NOT get fired (we all lost money on that bet). I may not be sold yet on Jaxson Dart, but I do know they can’t let some of their biggest free agents walk without a fight. The Giants need to keep at least two of these three free agents: right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor, wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson, and cornerback Cor’Dale Flott. If the Giants can’t even keep these guys, who all had great seasons, then the Giants have a new kind of problem: being the team no one wants to go to.
NEW YORK JETS
The other New York team is definitely in the market for a quarterback. Justin Fields is likely to get released, and Tyrod Taylor is obviously not the guy for them. I am not certain what they can do in terms of veteran presence, but I do know the Jets hold the No. 2 pick in this year’s draft. If the Raiders get a quarterback, the Jets will get whatever is left over. With Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza being floated as the No. 1 pick, which would leave the Jets with Oregon’s Dante Moore, who is also a good draft prospect. The question will be if whoever the Jets bring in can finally pull them out of the wilderness they’ve spent decades in.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
It must have been heartbreaking for the Buccaneers to see their season end this way. They did everything they could and won against the Panthers, but the rest of the cards didn’t fall their way. So, it’s back to the drawing board. Their defense obviously needs work, as the line generated little sacks and pressure on opposing quarterbacks. But the real priority is keeping wide receiver Mike Evans. He’s the franchise’s all-time leading scorer, and his contract is up. Yes, he missed most of the year, but the Buccaneers can NOT afford to let such a valuable piece of the offense walk away.
TENNESSEE TITANS
Despite their terrible record, the Titans did show flashes of greatness this season. If they can add a playmaking wide receiver, that would go a long way toward the development of Cam Ward. They’ll also look to hire a new head coach. Interim coach Mike McCoy didn’t do enough to warrant getting the interim removed from his title. There are several names being floated as possible candidates. Of course, John Harbaugh is the top of everyone’s list. Another name floated is former Packers and Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy. The Titans have a lot of cap space to work with and the No. 4 pick in the upcoming draft. There are a lot of different avenues for the Titans to take. This makes the Titans one of the most interesting teams to watch this offseason.
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS
This time last year, the Commanders were in the playoffs with their supposed rebuild a year or two ahead of schedule. This last season feels like two steps back considering they made their way to the NFC Conference Championship last year. They have $51.2 million in cap space and the No. 7 pick in this year’s draft to work with. The question is what do they do with all of it? Well, first they need new coaches. The Commanders and offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury mutually agreed to part ways after he met with head coach Dan Quinn. Meanwhile, the team fired defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. The latter move had long been expected, considering Quinn took over defensive playcalling duties from Whitt after Week 10. So, besides getting better on the defensive front, getting coaches with playmaking experience is a must for the Commanders this offseason.
THE PLAYOFF CONTENDERS
Now that we’ve gotten what looks like a chaotic and messy offseason for a lot of teams out of the way, let’s focus on who’s still in the running for the Super Bowl. The field looks pretty wide open with no clear-cut favorite, although Vegas odds makers have the Seahawks as the favorite so far. Let’s look at the playoff teams, how good they are, and their possible weaknesses.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (SEEDING: NFC NO. 1)
The Seahawks have emerged from a messy division battle with the No. 1 seed and have emerged as the favorite to win it all. The defense has been superb in their best showing since the era of the “Legion of Boom.” They’ve been holding opponents to meager scores and allowed the Seahawks the chance to secure a victory. The reason I’m not sold yet on the Seahawks is because of their tendency to turn over the ball way too much. The Seahawks have 28 giveaways, including two committed by their own vaunted defense when they fumbled after getting an interception! That feels like a big problem, and one they better fix before someone figures it out…or it’s going to be a short postseason for the Seahawks.
CHICAGO BEARS (SEEDING: NFC NO. 2)
Caleb Williams proved the doubters wrong with a great second season of his NFL career. The only other athlete we’ve seen in recent memory with this kind of “Sophomore Surge” is Yoshinobu Yamamoto for the World Series Champion Los Angeles Dodgers. Williams is the reason I believe the Bears are a threat to make a run at the Super Bowl. He has led the Bears’ offense to amazing heights and proven they can go toe-to-toe with anybody on their best day. The only problem is their defense. They’ve been surrendering a ton of yardage and rank 31st in pass rush. They need more takeaways to take the pressure off of Williams so he can do what he does best.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (SEEDING: NFC NO. 3)
The defending champion Eagles now begin their true title defense as the No. 3 seed. Their defense has been vicious and dominant this season. It’s because of that amazing defense that the Eagles utterly destroyed the Chiefs on their way to the Super Bowl title last year. Now, the concerning part is the offense. They’ve been surprisingly sluggish and inconsistent this year. It’s been a rough season for Saquon Barkley, who had a great season last year but hasn’t been the same since last year’s Super Bowl. This has made things tougher for Jalen Hurts to get something going on with the offense. The output needs to improve and be more consistent for the Eagles to maintain their championship crown.
CAROLINA PANTHERS (SEEDING: NFC NO. 4
It may not be encouraging to see a team that didn’t even break .500 in the playoffs. However, the Panthers are here and they’re hoping for a deep run. The Panthers are led by Bryce Young, who has shown signs of improvement this season. The defense’s improvement is a big factor as it has taken a ton of pressure off Young. However, they’ve been very inconsistent this season as well. They’ve proven they can beat teams like the Rams and Packers one moment and then go flat against teams like the Falcons the next week. This up and down cycle won’t get them too far in the playoffs, especially with a rematch against a fired-up Rams coming first.
LOS ANGELES RAMS (SEEDING: NFC NO. 5)
One of the two most dangerous wild card teams in this year’s playoffs is our hometown Los Angeles Rams. The Rams are looking to follow in the Dodgers’ footsteps in their quest to do what the boys in blue have already done: bring the championship back to Los Angeles. The Rams have a good defensive unit, but their offense has really shined this season. Quarterback Mattew Stafford, high school classmate of the now retired future Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw, has had an MVP caliber season. That streak looks to continue as the Rams expect to get back one of their most crucial pieces from injuries: Davante Adams. Puka Nacua is one of the best receivers in the league, but Adams has proved to be a great option in his own right and has emerged as Stafford’s go-to target in the red zone. The only weakness for the Rams is something that has plagued them all season: special teams. It’s not a big weakness under normal circumstances, but it was the reason for almost all of their losses. It’s also the reason the Rams fired their special teams coordinator. It’ll be interesting to see what head coach Sean McVay can do with this roster as the Rams seek their second championship since returning to Los Angeles.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (SEEDING: NFC NO. 6)
Another wild card team to possibly watch is a familiar face: the 49ers of San Francisco. The 49ers are looking to do something special: win the Super Bowl in their home stadium. It’s only been accomplished only a handful of times (the most recent is the Rams when they won in 2022). The 49ers’ offense is mighty, second to none except possibly the Rams. Brock Purdy has been dynamite since his return in Week 11. The only concern has been the number of injuries that the 49ers have endured. They’ve weathered the storm this year, but only because of their rather weak schedule. The other concern is the defense. Their defensive unit has been one of the worst in points allowed per game, and they’ve been very unproductive in the pass rush. It looks like the offense will have to pick up a lot of the slack if they want to make it home to win the Super Bowl.
GREEN BAY PACKERS (SEEDING: NFC NO. 7)
The final team in the NFC bracket is the Packers. The legendary franchise has a long road ahead of them, but they and their fans are hopeful in their ability to reclaim the Super Bowl title. The Packers have gotten a lot out of their quarterbacks, Jordan Love and Malik Willis. Love has come through in the clutch, and Willis has emerged as the best backup in the game. The biggest flaw for the Packers is that they seem to find the most extraordinary ways to lose a game. They botched an onside kick recovery in Week 16, their run defense was torn to shreds by the Ravens, and their poor clock management led to the infamous tie with the Cowboys. This is going to be difficult, especially since Micah Parsons will not be able to help them.
DENVER BRONCOS (SEEDING: AFC NO. 1)
The other No. 1 seed went to the Denver Broncos. Their defense has made life miserable for a lot of teams with a franchise record 68 sacks. They also boast a deep secondary led by reigning Defensive Player of the Year, cornerback Pat Surtain II. The only problem is that their offense is very unproductive. The defense has worked so hard to keep their team in the game because the offense operates from a surprisingly low gear. They also can’t rely too much on their special teams, which aren’t much better than the offense. While the AFC playoff field looks weaker than the NFC, it would be wise if the Broncos didn’t underestimate their opponents. But they’ll have a bye in the first round to fix their weaknesses, and there are more than people think, especially in the minds of “the experts.”
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (SEEDING: AFC NO. 2)
In a scenario where this feels like a callback to the Tom Brady-Bill Belichick era, the second highest seeded team in the AFC is the New England Patriots. This has been a surprising year for Drake Maye, who has exceeded all expectations to lead the Patriots back to the Playoffs. Maye has been playing at a level worthy of recognition and for inclusion in the MVP conversation. After a 2-2 start, the Patriots went on a jaw-dropping streak, winning 12 of their last 13 games. The only concern is the run defense. Lately, they’ve surrendered a lot of yards on the ground since Week 10, giving up an average of 131.25 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns. They may have a good record, but a lot of those teams they beat were relatively weak. It’ll take a lot more to win in this AFC field.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (SEEDING: AFC NO. 3)
The Jacksonville Jaguars look very dangerous as they ride a hot streak into the playoffs. Trevor Lawrence has bounced back to show why he was a No. 1 draft pick. The addition of Jakobi Meyes gave him another weapon on offense, and Travis Etienne Jr. has also experienced a career turnaround for the better this season. Now, I would love to see the Jaguars improve on the pass rush. Yes, they’ve generated a lot of pressure on the quarterback, but they haven’t been getting many sacks. It’s important to finish and really pile drive the opponent’s offense so Trevor Lawrence can do his thing. Despite that, look for the Jaguars to potentially challenge for a spot in the Super Bowl.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS (SEEDING: AFC NO. 4)
It has been a grind, and it has not been pretty, but, nevertheless, the Pittsburg Steelers are back in the playoffs. Their rushing defense has greatly improved. In the past four weeks, the defense has given up an average of 73.3 rushing yards per game. Considering how important the running game is to many offenses; this is a great advantage to have going into the playoffs. However, the Steelers’ offensive inconsistency may cause them to have a short trip in the postseason. During their three-game winning streak from Weeks 14 to 16, the Steelers scored 10 touchdowns. However, they only managed one touchdown in their losses to the Bills and the Chargers. The good news is that they’ll have DK Metcalf back, and that’s good because they’ll need all the help they can get.
HOUSTON TEXANS (SEEDING: AFC NO. 5)
Aside from the Rams, the other very dangerous wild card team in the playoffs this season is the Houston Texans. The Texans have had the most dominant defense in the league this season. They’ve shut down the likes of Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen while allowing 17.4 points per game. There seems to be no signs of them slowing down, and that should scare everyone. Their offense has been inconsistent, but it has shown signs of improvement. True, CJ Stroud hasn’t really become the quarterback he was in his rookie year, but he has shown flashes of greatness that we have come to expect of him. If Stroud can find a way to become more consistent and truly show off what we know he can do, I don’t see a scenario where the Texans don’t make the Super Bowl.
BUFFALO BILLS (SEEDING: AFC NO. 6)
Despite there being no Chiefs or Ravens to stop them this year, the Bills don’t have a great chance to make the Super Bowl with the way they’ve been playing. Now, the biggest reason for hope is that Josh Allen is still Josh Allen. As long as he’s healthy and he’s on the field: there is a chance the Bills win that game. Now, the defense hasn’t been great, and the rest of the offense not named Josh Allen has had issues. Not to mention history is not on the Bills’ side. They have yet to win a road playoff game under head coach Sean McDermott (mostly because it involved trips to Kansas City). Therefore, the Bills will have to replicate some of its 1992 magic and win some playoff games on the road if they want the Super Bowl title that has eluded them since the dreaded Scott Norwood kick.
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (SEEDING: AFC NO. 7)
The final team in the playoff field is the other tenant of SoFi Stadium: the hometown Los Angeles Chargers. This hasn’t been a pretty season for the Chargers since their hot start at the beginning of the season. Injuries and inconsistency at the offensive line have sunk them to the lowest seed in the AFC playoff bracket. Despite all the miscues and the cards not flopping their way, there is still hope for the Chargers. The reason for hope is simple: Justin Herbert. In my opinion, Herbert is the best quarterback in the league on his best day. He has done a lot to keep his team afloat and with defenders in his face. The fact that he’s gotten them here with a fractured left hand is extraordinary. It’s a feat we haven’t seen in Los Angeles since Kobe Bryant successfully shooting two free throws with a ruptured Achilles or Freddie Freeman’s walk off Grand Slam in the World Series against the Yankees with an injured ankle and broken ribs. We’ll see if Justin Herbert can channel that magic for a miracle run at the Super Bowl.
