The 2014 NFL playoff picture in in place with the conclusion of the Pittsburgh Steelers vs Cincinnati Bengals game on Sunday Night Football. The playoff games will be televised on Saturday and Sunday for the next few weeks. Here is how the seeds fall for the AFC and NFC playoffs”
AFC
1. New England Patriots 12-4
Tom Brady and the Patriots are firing on all cylinders. Rob Gronkowski is the best tight end in the NFL. Brady and Gronkowski are a sure bet in the red zone as well as on the seam routes. More importantly, LeGarrette Blount is back for the Patriots. He was a key player in their deep playoff run last year. Darrelle Revis, Brandon Browner and Kyle Arrington form a pretty tough trio of cornerbacks. The defense is holding teams to 19.6 points per game which is 8th in the NFL. It will be difficult for any team to come into Foxboro and beat the Patriots in the playoffs.
2. Denver Broncos 12 – 4
There are some question marks surfacing in Denver. Peyton Manning has fallen back to Earth and hasn’t put up the video game like statistics that he had been posting. It seems like the Broncos were intent on establishing the running game which is understandable as they will need to find balance on offense if they want to win in the playoffs. The main goal in the off season was to get tougher on defense. DeMarcus Ware was added and he teams with Von Miller to form one of the best pass rushing tandems in the NFL. T.J. Ward has been a very physical safety against the run and Aqib Talib has been a major play maker at cornerback. The Broncos match up well against most teams and should make a deep run in the playoffs.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers 11 – 5
The Steelers have what may be the best set of triplets in the NFL. There aren’t many receivers that are playing better than Antonio Brown. He is a serious threat whenever he touches the ball whether it be on a short pass, pulling in a down field throw or on a punt return. Le’Veon Bell is another all purpose threat that the Steelers will try to match up against linebackers in the passing game. He has also proven to be a solid running back that will carry the workload. They will need to find out what the status is on Bell’s injury. Keep an eye on the injury that he suffered against the Bengals on Sunday Night football. Ben Roethisberger has quietly had an outstanding season, passing for 4,635 yards and 30 touchdowns. Martevis Bryant will be a deep threat that any opposing defenses will have to key on.
4. Indianapolis Colts 11 – 5
Andrew Luck is continuing to progress and is one of the best young quarterbacks in the NFL. He has a stable of receivers to go to including TY Hilton, Reggie Wayne, Donte Moncrief and Hakim Nicks. Hilton has developed into a big play receiver and will command most of the opposing defense’s attention. The running game continues to be a problem. Trent Richardson has been pedestrian like averaging only 3.3 yards per carry.
5. Cincinnati Bengals 10 – 5 – 1
Will the prime time struggles of Andy Dalton continue to hold the Bengals back? It’s very possible. Jeremy Hill has been outstanding as a rookie running back. It takes the pressure off of Dalton. A.J. Green and Mohamed Sanu have played well in recent stretches. Dre Kirkpatrick has been outstanding down the stretch. They will need a big time performance from the secondary when they go to Indianapolis to face the Colts.
6. Baltimore Ravens 10 – 6
The Ravens somehow managed to beat the Browns and secure a playoff spot. The offense has started slowly in their last couple of games. That can’t happen in the playoffs. Steve Smith Sr. posted another 1,000 yard season and Flacco almost passed for 4,000 yards this season. Justin Forsett has become one of the more explosive backs this season. His 17 runs of 20 or more yards is an NFL best. Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumervil combined to post the most sacks (28) as a duo. The problems lie in the secondary. The return of Haloti Ngata should help get a better interior pass rush. Ngata is back from suspension.
NFC
1. Seattle Seahawks 12 – 4
The Seahawks are riding a lot of momentum thanks to their shutdown defense which is coming into form at just the right time. They are allowing an NFL low 267.1 yards per game and once again field the NFL’s best pass defense. Bobby Wagner is playing inside linebacker as well as any other player in the NFL. Richard Sherman and Byron Maxwell provide excellent coverage outside while Earl Thomas and Cam Chancellor make up the best safety duo in the league. The high pressure pass rush makes the secondary even better. Russell Wilson is having an MVP caliber year and Marshawn Lynch is still in “beast mode.” The Seahawks will be very hard to beat at home in the playoffs.
2. Green Bay Packers 12 – 4
Aaron Rodgers has been able to connect with Randall Cobb and Jordy Nelson for 23 touchdowns. In some people’s eyes, Rodgers is the NFL MVP. The Packers will create all kinds of match up problems for most defenses and have a very strong running game that features Eddie Lacy. Lacy is a big back that will wear down defenses as the game goes on. He is a receiving threat out of the backfield as well. Defensively, the Packers struggled somewhat but they have been able to hold opposing offenses just enough to allow Rodgers and company to outscore them.
3. Dallas Cowboys 12 – 4
Coming into this season, Tony Romo had a lot to prove. There are not many quarterbacks playing better than Romo at this point in the season. The dreaded playoff failures of the past could resurface but it’s not likely. They have a strong running game this year. The offensive line is the best in the NFL. They dominate at the line of scrimmage. DeMarco Murray has been an explosive running back for them. He has 15 carries of 20 or more yards which is second in the NFL. Dez Bryant is always a threat against any corner and Jason Witten is still a reliable target. The defense has been surprisingly good despite some key injuries. The Cowboys are one of two teams that have been able to go to Seattle and win over the last two years.
4. Carolina Panthers 7 – 8 – 1
Cam Newton willed the Panthers to a win on the road over the Atlanta Falcons in a win or go home clash. He has been able to rely on rookie wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin and tight end Greg Olsen as his primary targets this season. The Panthers defense is led by Luke Kuechley and is still a solid unit. They are only giving up 11 points per game in the last four games. It would be no surprise if they made some noise in the playoffs despite having the worst record of all playoff teams. They are balanced running the ball and have some momentum coming into the playoffs thanks to a four game winning streak.
5. Arizona Cardinals 11 -5
The Cardinals have the second best secondary in the NFC. Antonio Cromartie and Patrick Peterson will give most teams trouble when it comes to covering opposing wide receivers. Defensive coordinator Todd Bowles has done a great job of creating pressure, but they struggled in the last two games. The major problem for the Cardinals will be the quarterback situation. Ryan Lindley is not a threat to any opposing defenses. Larry Fitzgerald, Michael Floyd and rookie receiver John Brown have played well this year but they are minimized by Lindley’s inabilities.
6. Detroit Lions 11 – 5
The key to the Lions has been the steadying influence that new coach Jim Caldwell has had on the team as well as their surprising shutdown defense. Any offense that has Matt Stafford, Golden Tate and Calvin Johnson will be a legitimate reason for concern from opposing defensive coordinators. They are capable of exploding and putting up plenty of points on the scoreboard. The defense is second only to the Seahawks in (300.9) total yards allowed per game this season. Ndamukong Suh and DeAndre Levy have been key players for the Lions top ranked rushing defense.
Here is a look at how the wildcard playoffs will proceed:
Saturday, January 3rd
4:15 Arizona Cardinals at Carolina Panthers
8:15 Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers
Sunday: January 4th
1:05 Cincinnati Bengals at Indianapolis Colts
4:40. Detroit Lions at Dallas Cowboys
The Broncos, Patriots, Packers and Seahawks all have a first round bye. they each will host the winning team’s from the wildcard round next Saturday and Sunday.
