The NFL’s popularity among supporters can be attributed to its egalitarianism, which holds that several teams can legitimately inspire optimism that this is their year for a deep postseason run, even in a time when the Kansas City Chiefs have won three of the previous four Super Bowls.
The fight for the Vince Lombardi Trophy is still very much open one month before the playoffs start. Despite being 12-1, the Chiefs are at risk. Excellent defenses have revealed weaknesses, and top offenses have been halted. Depth charts are ravaged by attrition. There are numerous strong clubs in every league. However, how many will turn out to be genuinely outstanding?
We evaluate the leading teams in each conference with four weeks remaining in the regular season to see what might help or hinder them in the playoffs.
AFC
Kansas City Chiefs (12-1)
The Chiefs have a strong track record of winning close games, making them the best possible postseason asset. Since last season, they have won 15 straight one-possession games, including their landslide triumph over the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday. This season, Patrick Mahomes has completed 70% of his passes when the Chiefs are tied or behind, and he has a 10-for-17 passing record in the final four minutes of the fourth quarter when the Chiefs are tied or behind.
Worst potential fatal flaw: They can’t keep getting away with playing with fire like this, can they? The Chiefs have barely survived with a record-low score margin out of all the teams who have begun 12-1. Given how badly the team has been pummeled, with injuries to its offensive line and kickers, Its running backs and receivers depend on Mahomes, and he has already been fired more than in any other season in his career. Even for a future Hall of Famer, that is a lot.
Buffalo Bills (10-3)
Josh Allen, a quarterback who has created stat lines never seen in NFL history over the last two weeks, is the best possible postseason asset. Whether Allen had enough talent around him at running back and receiver was the Bills’ top worry going into the season. By playing a season that could culminate with him winning the league’s Most Valuable Player award, Allen has allayed such worries.
The worst possible fatal flaw: Buffalo’s run defense gave up several third-and-short scenarios to the Los Angeles Rams during Sunday’s game. The fact that Buffalo has a very limited chance of overtaking Kansas City for the conference’s top playoff seed makes the setback crucial. Although Buffalo’s offensive has been very successful when playing Kansas City in recent years, it would take some prior demons to defeat the Chiefs on the road in the postseason.
Pittsburgh Steelers (10-3)
Best possible postseason asset: Coach Mike Tomlin has done everything he can to transform a club that was founded on a strong defense that leads the league in takeaways into one that complements quarterback Russell Wilson. The Steelers will enter the playoffs with momentum and evidence that they can make it through the postseason gantlet if they win their next three games, which are all against Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Kansas City at home before Christmas.
Worst likely fatal flaw: Wilson’s last victory occurred in 2020, and he has only won one of his last five playoff games since 2017. Tomlin, who hasn’t won since 2017, is likewise looking for some atonement in the playoffs. Can the quarterback and coach bring back the playoff magic that has helped them win Super Bowls for the past ten years?
Houston Texans (8-5)
Best possible playoff asset: This offense should be among the hardest in the league to stop, in theory. Although this season hasn’t gone precisely as planned, everything will open up if quarterback C.J. Stroud and receiver Nico Collins can spread the field as they did at the beginning of the campaign. When it comes to rushing and passing yards allowed, the Texans defense ranks in the top 10.
Worst possible fatal flaw: Stroud has been fired at one of the highest rates in the NFL due to the offensive line. The Texans are also in the worst third of the league in terms of points allowed after halftime, at 13.
Baltimore Ravens (8-5)
Best possible playoff asset: The Ravens offense, which has been thwarted by Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, is still among the best at making defenders pick their poison thanks to Lamar Jackson, running back Derrick Henry, and receiver Zay Flowers. Even though Henry has lost a full yard per carry on average over his last four games compared to his first nine, he is still the kind of back that will make a defense pay attention.
Worst possible fatal flaw: Baltimore was once one of the league’s most reliable defense and kickoff teams. The Ravens are now at the bottom of the list in terms of passing yards allowed and close to the bottom in terms of forced giveaways. The Ravens are 14th in terms of points allowed among the 15 teams with winning records. The Ravens lead the NFL in penalties, and Justin Tucker’s kicking accuracy is still a worry.
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NFC
Detroit Lions (12-1)
Best possible playoff asset: Aggression is this team’s motto, and they don’t seem to be going to falter under postseason pressure. By averaging a league-high 18.1 points before halftime, its offensive coordinator Ben Johnson is able to free up his playbook and gain an advantage over opponents thanks to its offense, which is based on one of the league’s most muscular offensive lines. Coach Dan Campbell’s willingness to make audacious decisions is one of the reasons why few teams feel more confidence week after week; the Lions are 15-for-22 on fourth down this season. In addition, 21 of their 22 field goal tries have been successful.
The defense’s lines and linebackers are nearly completely new compared to the predicted starters at the start of the season due to injuries, which is the worst possible fatal weakness. Furthermore, even though Campbell’s gambles have largely worked off this season, will his fourth-down approach backfire in the postseason? In the postseason, it makes a greater difference to have one fewer possession every game.
Philadelphia Eagles (11-2)
Best possible playoff asset: With the Eagles averaging a league-high number of running yards and elevating Saquon Barkley to MVP status, all preseason concerns regarding Philadelphia’s offensive line have vanished. However, A.J. Brown’s danger as a receiver has been the most significant factor. When Brown plays, the Eagles have a 10-0 record.
The Eagles’ offensive starting slowness, which averages little over a point per first quarter, is their worst possible fatal weakness. If they have to play from behind in the postseason, how well can they do it?
Minnesota Vikings (11-2)
Best possible postseason asset: Minnesota has unquestionably gained experience winning late, much like Kansas City. Like no other coach before him, coach Kevin O. Connell has capitalized on quarterback Sam Darnold’s talent. When against conference opponents, Darnold has the highest passer rating in the NFL. On defense, scheme is also a strength, as coordinator Brian Flores is always prepared to blitz at any time or location.
The Vikings have 19 interceptions or fumbles, which is their worst possible fatal flaw. Mistakes are exacerbated in the postseason. That is in the worst nine in the league. The bright side is that in his last four games, Darnold has not thrown an interception.
Green Bay Packers (9-4)
Best possible playoff asset: The Packers have tied for third place with 24 takeaways this season, and good teams generate more opportunities. With just one sack per game over the past month, they have protected quarterback Jordan Love astonishingly effectively offensively. Despite the roster’s relative youth, this Packers offense can score points as well as anyone if you give Love time to throw.
At least one interception was made by Love in each of his first eight games, but none in his past three. This is his worst possible mistake. Love must be able to make plays for the Packers to win, but pressuring him can result in costly mistakes.
Washington Commanders (8-5)
Best possible playoff asset: Although it hasn’t happened much lately, the Commanders don’t often turn the ball over. And for much of the season, Washington s pass rushers and run blockers have posted some of the NFL s highest success rates. Postseason success may be built on strong performance in those two areas.
Worst potential fatal flaw:Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels was a revelation when he threw only two interceptions in his first 10 games. But he has thrown four picks in his last three games. How effectively will opposing defenses be able to confuse a rookie in his first postseason? And can a defense that ranks in the bottom five in rushing yards allowed improve in time to make the playoffs?
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