2020 NFL Playoff Preview
The NFL Playoffs are finally here!! A lot of familiar faces, and not very many surprising teams made it in. Aside from the Titans and perhaps the Bills, mostly what we expected.
Before the season, I predicted all of the Division winners and the Wild Card teams. Here is how I fared:
AFC East – I predicted Patriots, Patriots won it
AFC North – I predicted Steelers, Ravens won it
AFC South – I predicted Texans, Texans won it
AFC West – I predicted Chiefs, Chiefs won it
AFC Wild Cards – I predicted Chargers and Jaguars, Bills and Titans got in
NFC East – I predicted Eagles, Eagles won it
AFC North – I predicted Vikings, Packers won it
AFC South – I predicted Saints, Saints won it
NFC West – I predicted Rams, 49ers won it
NFC Wild Cards – I predicted Seahawks and Packers, Seahawks and Vikings got in
Overall I predicted 8 out of the 12 Playoff teams. Not terrible!
So who are your picks to advance to the Super Bowl? I believe there are 3 teams that are good enough to come out of the AFC (Ravens, Chiefs, and Patriots). And in the NFC, I think all 6 teams are good enough to make it to the Super Bowl. Wide open.
Here is my breakdown of all 12 teams:
AFC
#6 Tennessee Titans
Care to take a stab at the NFL Passer Rating leader this season? Yes, it was Ryan Tannehill. Do you know who led the NFL in Rushing Yards this season? Derrick Henry. In the history of the NFL, can you think of a QB/RB tandem that led the League in those categories in the same season, that was less talked about than them? I can’t. After starting out 2-4, the Titans inserted Tannehill into the starting lineup and finished 7-3 down the stretch, with Henry averaging almost 150 Rushing Yards the last 6 games. They are one of the hottest offensive teams in the NFL right now, so the question will be can they keep this momentum when the stakes are higher. Great 2nd half of the season, but I don’t see them making a deep run.
#5 Buffalo Bills
The Bills were one of the surprise teams in the NFL this season. With a talented young core, their upside was high and probably made it into the Playoffs a couple years earlier than expected. Their defense is outstanding, ranking 2nd in points per game this season, but their offense was in the lower half in terms of points scored. QB Josh Allen had a solid 2nd season, and rookie Devin Singletary is one of the better young RBs in the NFL, but can they score enough to win in the Playoffs? We will see. After a 9-3 start, they ended the season losing 3 out of 4. I think this team will be capable of a Playoff run in a couple of years, just not this year.
#4 Houston Texans
Talk about one of the most consistent teams in recent memory. After losing in OT thriller in Week 1, they have Won, Won, Lost…in that order…ever since. Never more than 2 wins in a row, and never consecutive losses. All season. They have a very explosive offense, led by Deshaun Watson, DeAndre Hopkins, and Carlos Hyde, but somehow only finished 14th in the NFL in points scored. In years past, that would have been good enough. But their defense, which has always been their strong suit, ranked just 19th in points per game this season. Not good enough. Losing J.J. Watt to yet another season-ending injury certainly hurt them, but the rest of the defense did nothing to make up for it, giving up 30+ points 6 times this season. Their offense can keep them in games, but ultimately their defense will prevent them from making a deep run.
#3 New England Patriots
The Patriots are playing on Wild Card weekend. Yes, you heard that right. They have had a 1st Round Bye every single season the past 10 years. Something that won’t be accomplished anytime soon. If you’re wondering why? Here’s why. In 2019, they started out 8-0, but had only played 1 Playoff team in that stretch. Their last 8 games they played 5 Playoff teams, going just 4-4. Good enough for a 12-4 record, but for the first time in Tom Brady’s career, they look vulnerable coming into the Playoffs. That said, and I said this in my NFL Preview back in September, I still think they’re the favorite. They have won 6 out of 18, and 3 out of the last 5. As long as Brady and Bill Belichick are there, I can’t see a legitimate reason to pick against them. Don’t be surprised it they represent the AFC in the Super Bowl. We have been here before.
#2 Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs have one of the (if not the) best young QBs in the NFL, and made it all the way to overtime of the AFC Championship Game last season. Expectations were high coming into 2019. And here they are, sitting in the #2 seed, a 12-4 record (despite Patrick Mahomes missing 2+ games), coming into the Playoffs with 6 straight wins. Mahomes numbers were down from last season, but they still averaged 28+ points per game, good enough for 5th in the NFL. The big surprise for Kansas City though was their defense. 24th in the NFL last year, and 7th this year. That could end up being the difference in the Playoffs this year. What could prevent them from being in the Super Bowl this year? I hate to say this, but it’s Andy Reid. I happen to believe he’s one of the best regular season Coaches in history, but do I trust him in the Playoffs? Not sure. He has had some excellent teams in his career, making the Conference Championship Game countless times….but has only 1 Super Bowl appearance. Will this year be his 2nd?
#1 Baltimore Ravens
On paper, this Ravens team is the best in the NFL right now. 1st in the NFL in points per game (33.2), more than 3 per game better than 2nd place. 3rd in the NFL in points per game allowed, with 15+ points per game differential, also the best in the NFL. They are also owners of a 12 game winning streak, not having lost since September. Best team in the NFL throughout the entire season. Only thing that may be holding them back is, ironically, the MVP Lamar Jackson. Doesn’t this team feel a little like the 2018 Chiefs? Best team in the regular season, with a young QB taking the League by storm? Sounds familiar. I absolutely think the Ravens will win a Super Bowl with Jackson the next few years, but, despite the dominant regular season, they may not be quite ready. I know that sounds crazy, but the Playoffs are different. They definitely have a chance to win the Super Bowl, a good chance actually. But I could see the bright lights of the Playoffs being too much for them. Excited to see what this team can do though.
NFC
#6 Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings are one of the more balanced teams in the NFL, ranking 9th in points per game on the offensive side, and 5th on the defensive side. They are actually the best defensive team still playing in the NFC. As for the offense, they boast one of the better RB/WR tandems in the NFL in Dalvin Cook and Stefon Diggs. But their Playoff hopes will all hinge on one player…Kirk Cousins. He had another great regular season, but has yet to win a Playoff game in his career. Take that a step further, he has a career 6-15 record in prime time games. Can he prove he’s a big-game QB? This will be his time to show us.
#5 Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks were about 1 foot away from winning the NFC West and having a 1st Round bye. Instead they are the 5th seed, but a very dangerous one. Despite just a +7 point differential, they beat 3 Playoff teams over the final 7 weeks of the season. Their defense was down this year, ranking just 23rd in the NFL in points per game. But Russell Wilson played at an MVP level, with 31 TDs to just 5 INTs. They were 4th in the NFL in rushing yards this season, and added Marshawn Lynch a couple weeks ago. If he has something left in the tank, he could be an X-Factor. And with Wilson’s leadership, they are always capable of making a deep run.
#4 Philadelphia Eagles
On December 1st, the Eagles were 5-7 and left for dead. But after ripping off 4 straight wins to finish the season, they captured the NFC East with a mediocre 9-7 record. Carson Wentz had a nice season, with over 4,000 yards and a 27 to 7 TD to INT ratio, and they do have a lot of weapons on the offensive side of the ball. But they were in the middle of the pack in terms of points on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball. And of their 9 wins, just 2 came against Playoff teams, none since October. On paper, one of the least impressive Playoff teams in recent memory. Tough to see them making a realistic Super Bowl run.
#3 New Orleans Saints
When Drew Brees went down in Week 2, did anyone think the Saints were going to make the Playoffs? Let alone be 13-3 with a #3 seed? I didn’t. Teddy Bridgewater led them to a 5-0 record, and Drees came back and went 7-2 down the stretch. Their offense is absolutely loaded, with Alvin Kamara gaining over 1,300 yards from scrimmage and Michael Thomas having one of the best seasons as a WR in history (149 receptions, 1,725 yards). Their defense was middle of the pack (13th in the NFL), but if their offense can play at the level they played all regular season, they have a legitimate chance to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl.
#2 Green Bay Packers
The Packers were somewhat of an enigma this season. Of their 3 losses, 2 were against Playoff teams. And of their 3 wins against Playoff teams, 1 was against a Mahomes-less Chiefs team. At times they looked borderline dominant, and at times they struggled to beat bad teams. That said, they were 13-3, good enough for the #2 seed. The surprising part about that record was how they got there. They have been carried by their offense for 10+ years…this season they finished 15th in the NFL in scoring, 2nd worst in Aaron Rodgers career. And their defense, which has been downright awful for about a decade…finished 9th in the NFL in scoring, their best effort since 2010 (their last Super Bowl). Note – They ended 9th in scoring defense, but 18th in yardage defense. The ultimate bend-but-don’t-break defense. If their defense can play at this level in the Playoffs, and Rodgers and the offense can start clicking, this may be the most dangerous team in the NFC. But that’s a big if.
#1 San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers are the most balanced team in the NFC, ranking 2nd in scoring offense and 8th in scoring defense. They started out the year 8-0, with all 8 wins against non-Playoff teams. Their 2nd half schedule was much more difficult (5 Playoff teams), but they were 5-3 in that stretch, good enough for a 13-3 record and the #1 seed. Their defense is both good enough, and experienced enough to win in the Playoffs. But is their offense? They were outstanding in the regular season, but they had (by far) the most turnovers of any Playoff team. Those can be crucial in big games. And Jimmy G has never played in a Playoff game. That could be a factor. They are definitely good enough to go to the Super Bowl…but are they ready?
Super Bowl Prediction – Packers over the Patriots
Look for my weekly posts before each Round of the Playoffs for my analysis and predictions. Now, tell me what you think!!!
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