Playoff Picture

It’s that bittersweet time once again. The beginning of the NFL Playoffs, but that only means one thing… The end of football season is approaching. We have less than one month to enjoy this beautiful thing. It’s okay; let the tears flow until today at about 4:20 pm ET. Then it’s time for your game-face.

Before the season had even started, many were already handing the Lombardi trophy to the Seattle Seahawks for a repeat. You can’t necessarily blame them considering they basically had the same exact team coming back and with the 12^th man, there weren’t many other teams as the favorite. After going 4-3 in the first eight weeks there were a few second-guessing themselves. The Seahawks ended the regular season with a six-game win streak and might still be the Superbowl favorite for some. If you want to make a logical Superbowl prediction, do not count these guys out. With Russell Wilson and Marshawn Lynch, anything is possible. Wilson had 3,475 yards passing this year and 849 yards rushing with a combine total of 26 touchdowns and a quarterback rating of 95.0. Marshawn Lynch is a unusual character. The man doesn’t prefer to talk to the media; he just lets his play on the field do all of the talking.  1,306 rushing yards and 13 TDs, it’s working for him. Not only are the Seahawks an outstanding football team, but a fun one as well. Richard Sherman for a few more weeks wouldn’t be too bad.

Repeat?

The other top-seeded team in the NFC is the Green Bay Packers. As always, they are in the talks of being Superbowl contenders. Would it even be wise to ever count them out? No, no it would not. I would never count the Packers out solely because Aaron Rodgers is a “baaad man.” (Thank you, Stephen A). A bad man who threw for 4,381 passing yards, a total of 40 touchdowns, just five interceptions, ending the season with a 112.2 QB rating. Throwing the ball to Jordy Nelson and Randal Cobb who have combined for a total 25 TDs and handing the ball off to Eddie Lacy who rushed for 1,139 yards and nine touchdowns this season makes Rodgers’ job a tad bit easier. The defense is a mighty contender as well. Led by Clay Matthews who had an impressive 11 sacks this year followed by Julius Peppers who has seven.

The discount double check man knows how to perform in the playoffs. 

Coming in first place in the NFC East is that team from down south that always seems to receive much criticism. If you're not a fan then you love to hate them. You guessed it, the Dallas Cowboys. How could you even forget about the team with owner who has a flip phone? Oh how we enjoy Jerry Jones. Anyway, Tony Romo has been one remembered by his December curse and rarely gets the credit that he deserves. So, let me switch up the script and give credit where it is due. Tony Romo has had one outstanding year at the age of 34. Throwing for 34 touchdowns, 3,705 yards, 69.9 completion percentage and a QB rating of 113.2. A rating higher than that bad, baad man I mentioned above. The Dallas Cowboys' have finished either 16th or higher in all aspects of the offense, game average throughout the season: points (29.2), yards (383.6), passing (236.5), and rushing (147.1). Demarco Murray and Dez Bryant are having Pro Bowl seasons. Murray is sitting nicely at 1,845 yards and 13 touchdowns while Bryant has had 88 receptions for 1,320 yards and 16 touchdowns. If you're wondering if there is anybody else on the offense, only a couple. The defense is one that must not go unnoticed either. 18 interceptions and 15 fumbles could cause the Detroit Lions some trouble when they meet on Sunday at 4:40 pm ET. 

Dez Bryant has potential to be the X-factor.

I know that the majority of you have already marked the Carolina Panthers off of your playoff picture, but don't be so quick. Going 7-8-1 is not very appealing when talking about teams making a playoff run. Understandable. But after going 3-6 for the first 10 weeks of the season, they ended on a positive note. After Cam Newton's accident on December 9th, it's almost as if something just clicked for him. Newton said, "I just can't stop smiling because God has his hands on me. I'm on somebody's fantasy league (team). And I think it's the man upstairs." Cam finished the season with 3,127 yards passing, throwing for 18 touchdowns. Something that makes Cam Newton such a threat is his rushing talent. He rushed for 539 yards this season with 5 touchdowns. Not too shabby for one who hasn't really been at 100% health-wise the entire season. Receivers Greg Olsen and Kelvin Benjamin ended the regular season with 1,008 yards a piece combining for 15 TDs. It's not right to talk about the Panthers without mentioning Luke Kuechly. This linebacker can't be taken lightly when he has 99 solo tackles on the season. 

The leader behind this defense that has kept the Panthers alive this season.

Drew Stanton and the Arizona Cardinals will be the ones facing off with Carolina Saturday at 4:20 pm ET. The Cardinals have been through the ringer with the quarterback position. Carson Palmer went to the bench for the remainder of the season on Week 10 after suffering a torn ACL. Palmer was a crucial loss after throwing for 1,626 yards and 11 TDs, but Drew Stanton stepped up and led this team the rest of the way to the playoffs ending their season at 11-5 and grabbing the second place spot in the NFC West, but will not be making an appearance in the Wild Card game due to his injured knee. The offense's game average ranks 14th or worse in every aspect. Yikes. But hey, maybe the third string, Ryan Lindlay, can make something happen. It sure works for the Ohio State Buckeyes. Maybe Larry Fitzgerald will become that veteran that we all know and love. 

Cardinal fans can only hope that vintage Larry shows up.

The Detroit Lions have a tough task facing the Cowboys, but it's possible that they will be able to manage. When you have Megatron on your side, you can't count them out. Matthew Stafford has thrown for 4,257 yards thus far, 22 passing TDs and two rushing. Not only is he throwing to Calvin Johnson, but Golden Tate as well. Tate has 1,331 yards and four TDs on the season. Detriot's defense is an interesting topic. Ndamukong Suh is known for being one of the dirtiest players in the NFL. Aaron Rodgers can vouch for that. With his status for Sunday's game no longer in jeopardy as he won his appeal, the Cowboys must keep their eye out. There's no telling what he may do next. 

An image to describe the way Suh plays.

That much information only covered the NFC part of this post-season. The AFC may even be more intriguing. Three teams coming from the AFC North, looks like the odds may ever be in their favor to have someone come out on top. We all know how Pittsburgh can perform in the playoffs, but who can take down the Broncos and the Patriots? 

Tom Brady is having another one of his superb seasons. What else is new? New England has finally had a healthy Gronk. The tight end went for 1,124 yards and 12 touchdowns. The guy is impressive to say the least. Not only does New England have running back Shane Vereen in the back field, but they added LeGarrette Blount to the equation as well after he was released from the Pittsburgh Steelers. One thing is for sure, he produced more for the Patriots than what he did for the black and gold. Joining the team on Week 11, Blount rushed for 391 yards on just 60 attempts. This isn't a bad stat considering New England might be the farthest team from having a run game. Brady has thrown for 33 TDs this season and just nine interceptions. The crazy part is, nine is actually high for him. The last time the Patriots have won a Superbowl was in 2004, but have made the playoffs 11 of the last 12 years. Kind of a rough stat when you think about it, but we'll see what Bill Belichick has up his sleeve this time around. 

Blount, a man that is able to give Brady a break from using that rocket for an arm.

The Denver Broncos are the number two seed in the AFC and have claimed home field advantage throughout the playoffs which is quite the advantage considering Mile High is not an easy place to play with the high altitude. Whether high altitude or not, Peyton Manning is throwing the ball so whoever meets with Denver next weekend will have their work cut out for them. The Broncos' have had 6,446 in total offensive yards and 4,661 has come from Mr. Manning. 39 touchdowns isn't too bad either. Even with Peyton making those hysterical Nationwide and Papa Johns commercials in his free time haven't kept him from producing on the field. Something that Johnny Football isn't able to second. Did he even eat that Snickers bar? ANYWAY. Manning has had the help of his phenomenal receivers, Emmanuel Sanders and Demaryius Thomas, to produce such a positive season. Both receivers have combined for 3,023 yards and 20 touchdowns. This offense is a force to be reckoned with. On the other side of the field, Denver's defense is led by Von Miller who has 14 sacks on the season and Demarcus Ware with 10 sacks. A team who is a threat on both ends of the spectrum.

The man with all the magic. 

The third seed in the AFC is that team that has always been known for Dick Lebeau's defense. Not necessarily this season. The offensive line has been overly impressive this season led by pro bowler center Maurkice Pouncey. This may not be something that you're used to hearing when talking about Pittsburgh. Big Ben Roethlisberger is known for his ability to extend a play by his random shuffling around the field and still being able to find a receiver down the field, but this season has been a little different. The offensive line has given Roethlisberger the ability to extend plays while staying in the pocket. Ben has thrown for 4,952 yards this year, 32 touchdowns and a QB rating of 103.3. Impressive? Kind of. And that's just the quarterback part of this offense. Pittsburgh has had quite the receiving core led by Antonio Brown who has had quite the record-breaking season with 1,698 yards on 129 receptions and 13 TDs. Other receivers, Markus Wheaton and Martavis Bryant, combined for 1,193 yards and 10 TDs. Running back Le'Veon Bell has made jaws drop this season with his 1,361 yards and eight touchdowns. And that's just rushing! He's had 854 yards receiving and 3 TDs. This is why it is such a heartbreaker for Pittsburgh that he will be watching from the sidelines on Saturday when Baltimore comes to town. But Ben does have the clutch tight end Heath Miller to go to as well. One who is never talked about had 761 yards and three touchdowns. He's one who rarely misses a catch. All this talk about the impressive offense, it wouldn't be fair to not mention the defense at all. Bringing back veteran James Harrison did nothing but help. This defense totaled 33 sacks this season. The secondary was led by William Gay who had three interceptions and all were returned for touchdowns. Do you see a seventh Superbowl in the works?

Not even sure chemistry is the word to describe what these two have. 

There was quite the bit of hype for Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts coming into this season. Rightfully so with Andrew Luck. He threw for 4,761 yards and 40 touchdowns, rushed for 273 yards and three touchdowns. 16 interceptions have not favored them, but ended up at 11-5 nonetheless. Luck has a reliable T.Y. Hilton to throw to down the field. Hilton ended the season with 1,345 yards and seven touchdowns. Cincinnati's defense is most definitely not a soft one so Andrew Luck is going to have to work his magic in order to move on to New England. 

Trent Richardson has been a positive addition to this Colts offense.

The Cincinnati Bengals have made the playoffs the last four seasons, but have not won one single game. Bengal fans may be quick to blame Andy Dalton, but that is just nonsense. Dalton has thrown for 3,398 yards, 19 touchdowns and has a completion percentage of 64.2. AJ Green is one who cannot be taken lightly despite having his health issues. Green averaged 15.1 yards per reception this season. Running back Jeremy Hill rushed for 1,124 yards on 222 attempts and nine touchdowns while Giovani Bernard had 680 yards rushing and five touchdowns. Cincinnati might be able to squeeze by Indianapolis, but are definitely not the favorite to be the team to take down New England which is who they would be meeting next. They did beat the Denver Broncos in Week 16 so we can give them the benefit of the doubt... Even if Peyton Manning was having one of his RARE off nights. 

Does defense still win championships?

Who do you talk about when talking about the Baltimore Ravens? Do you start talking about Flacco and the offense or that hard-hitting defense? Terrell Suggs took the leadership role of this defense when Ray Lewis retired and ended this season with 12 sacks. Not too shabby. He wasn't even the leader. Elvis Dumervil had 17 sacks on the season. Although if anyone can handle this dominating defense it is Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh Steelers. They may have met a time or two. Actually, talking stats might even be a waste of time when this matchup comes along, but for kicks and giggles. Joe Flacco has thrown for 3,986 yards this season, 27 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions. The Steelers might have a field day with that statistic. The Ravens picked up Steve Smith Sr. this season and I can guarantee that they haven't regretted it. The veteran had 1,065 yards receiving on just 79 receptions averaging 13.5 yards/reception. Torrey Smith is a reliable man down field as well. With 767 yards he has 11 touchdowns on the season. 

He's a scary, scary man.

The Ravens and Steelers are a special kind of rivalry and will probably be the most watched and most intriguing game this weekend. Hines Ward said it best when he said, "The coaches hate each other, the players hate each other... There's no calling each other after the game and inviting each other out to dinner. But the feeling's mutual: They don't like us, and we don't like them. There's no need to hide it, they know, and we know it." I mean, Terrell Suggs said that his favorite quarterback to bring down is Big Ben so if that doesn't explain it then I don't know what does. 

It's going to be a hard-hitting, smash-mouthing, old fashioned blood bath. The normal.

We all know that the numbers never lie and the stats prove themselves. But I am also a firm believer that when the playoffs come around different teams evolve than what they may have shown throughout the regular season. The Carolina Panthers might be the prime example of that this season. New England and Denver have obvious chances of playing in Arizona on February 1st. Seattle, Green Bay and Dallas are the favorites in the NFC. That conference could really go either way if you ask me. Green Bay fans, if you are a little apprehensive about this post season Aaron Rodgers has one word for: R-E-L-A-X. What a mellow guy. 

Best of luck to teams this post season and all you NFL fans, enjoy these next few weekends. They're always ones to remember. 

Everyone's eye on the prize.