The NFL Playoffs
After all the regular season games have been
completed we have come to the best time of the NFL season – The Playoffs, that
lead to the greatest single game show on Earth in the Super Bowl. Last year we
were treated to a memorable playoff series and a historic Super Bowl spectacle
and performance by one of the greatest ever to play the game. But as the saying
goes, the past is the past and this year we will be treated to new drama,
excitement and anticipation.
So, with the playoff picture set WFC is here to predict who they think will advance through the Wildcard round to the Divisional round and onto the Conference finals before reaching and potentially winning the Super Bowl and in turn becoming the World Champions.
Before a prediction is made let’s take a brief look
at the teams involved and how the Playoff picture is set:
AFC
New
England Patriots (1st Seed – 13-3-0)
They have the quarter-back that has been clinical
forever. They have the obvious experience. They have the home field advantage
and the bye week in round 1 of the playoffs. They lead all teams in total
offense per game and Tom Brady produced 4577 pass yards in the regular season
(1st). All this put together looks very ominous to opponents wanting
to dethrone the Brady era and prevent back-to-back Super Bowl victories.
Key to Winning: Brady’s Playoff Brain
Pittsburgh
Steelers (2nd Seed – 13-3-0)
Big Ben has to continue to produce the goods in the
playoffs like he has in the regular season. He sits 5th in passing
yards (4251) with 28 TD’s and 14 picks, giving him an good QB rating of
93.4. With Le’Veon Bell (1291 rushing yards) and Antonio Brown (1533 receiving
yards) also producing along with a solid 5th ranked defense (306.9
YPG) the Steelers are primed.
Key to Winning: Pass, Receive, Rush Repeat
Jacksonville
Jaguars (3rd Seed – 10-6-0)
All about the ground game, Jacksonville defensively
are rank 2nd for total yards (286.1) and 1st for passing
yards conceded (169.9), with AJ Bouye leading the way with 6 interceptions this
season. Additionally they have a strong ground offense game as well, leading
the league in rush yards per game (141.4)
Key to Winning: Dominate the Ground
Kansas
City Chiefs (4th Seed – 10-6-0)
The rush can do wonders with Kareem Hunt topping the
regular season leaders with 1327 total yards. In addition to the stylish Alex
Smith in at the QB position, offense looks pretty solid. Smith threw for 26
touchdowns and only a mere 5 interceptions in his 15 games (QB rating 104.7).
Despite getting sacked 35 times – 7 more than last season, Smith only fumbled
twice – a reduction from 7 fumbles in as many games last season.
Key to Winning: Continued Efficiency
Tennessee
Titans (5th Seed – 9-7-0)
Defense is a necessity to have and the Titans need
to hold solid. Sitting in 4th after the regular season for total
rush yards allowed (88.8 YPG), they can also cover the air with Kevin Byard
collecting 8 interceptions in 16 games. Ranking 19th for total
points and 23rd for total yards gained per game the Titans have to
be aggressive without the ball and safe with the ball.
Key to Winning: Defensive Onslaught
Buffalo
Bills (6th Seed – 9-7-0)
Possessing the leagues tackle machine Preston Brown,
who lead the league with 144 tackles in the regular season, the Bills still had
a hard time making the playoffs. 18.9 points per game (22nd), 302.6
total yards (29th) and 176.6 pass yards (31st) is a
dreary board of numbers, but the courageous efforts of LeSean McCoy in offensive
rushing, ranked 4th with 1138 yards and 6 TD’s to his name needs to
be an inspiration in the wildcard game and possibly beyond.
Key to Winning: Tackle and Rush like Never Before
NFC
Philadelphia
Eagles (1st Seed – 13-3-0)
Defensive effectiveness and offensive efficiency has
been key all season. 1st in defensive rush yards (79.2) and 3rd
in offensive rushing (132.2 YPG). Along with a QB that can throw the ball for
scoring plays in Carson Wentz who racked up 33 TD’s to lead the Eagles to an
average 28.6 points per game (3rd). Philadelphia has become a
serious threat.
Key to Winning: Effective Air Raid
Minnesota
Vikings (2nd Seed – 13-3-0)
The complete defensive package. Sitting comfortably
in the top 3 for Total defensive yards (275.9 = 1st), defensive pass
yards (192.4 = 2nd) and defensive rush yards (83.6 = 2nd).
The Vikings are a well-oiled machine that works for each other with no one
player being a far standout statistically, but all players contributing greatly
to the team’s success.
Key to Winning: Lockdown D
Los
Angeles Rams (3rd Seed – 11-5-0)
Scoring became a regular occurrence for the LA side,
having averaged 29.9 points per game to lead all NFL teams. Despite this
scoring output the Rams didn’t rank in the upper tier (Top 5) of teams for pass
(10th) or rush (8th) yards per game, having a total
offense yards rank per game sitting at 10th (361.5) This suggests
that field position has been good when LA take possession of the ball. Todd
Gurley has been immense when running the ball with 1305 total rush yards to sit
2nd among all players to go with 13 TD’s.
Key to Winning: Scoring Dominance
New
Orleans Saints (4th Seed – 11-5-0)
A legendary QB who wants another ring before a
possible retirement. Drew Brees finished the regular season 4th
overall for passing yards with 4334, 23 touchdowns, only 8 interceptions and a
QB rating of 103.9. Additionally, the Saints have other weapons at the disposal
in the team with running back Mark Ingram recording the 5th most
rushing yards (1124) and Cameron Jordan also ranked 5th for sacks
with 13.
Key to Winning: Rekindle Glorious Playoff Form
Carolina
Panthers (5th Seed – 11-5-0)
A potential dark horse in the making with a QB that
has that special something when it comes to big plays. Playing the entire
season injury free and averaging below expected could make for an explosive
playoffs birth. Cam Newton passed for over 3300 yards in the regular season,
while also relying on a decent team rushing game of 132.2 YPG – 3rd
in the league. Along with a 3rd ranked rushing defense the Panthers
have a decent game on both sides of the ball.
Key to Winning: Get Momentum
Atlanta
Falcons (6th Seed – 10-6-0)
The Iceman needs to be exactly that in the playoffs,
forgetting about what occurred 12 months ago and treat this season on its own
merits. With a decent return of 20 TD’s in the regular season, Matt Ryan passed
for over 4000 yards but had a lower than expected QB rating of 91.4. The link
up with Julio Jones who made 88 receptions for 1444 total yards (16.4 yards per
carry) was instrumental to getting back to the playoffs, along with Deion Jones’
tackling effectiveness – 4th most tackles among all players (138)
Key to Winning: Ice-Out The Past
So, with the teams looked at, now comes time for the
predictions:
Here are the match-ups and who we believe will
advance and win the SuperBowl
AFC
Wildcard Round
Tennessee Titans v Kansas City Chiefs Kansas City Chiefs Win
Buffalo Bills v Jacksonville Jaguars Jacksonville Jaguars Win
NFC
Wildcard Round
Atlanta Falcons v Los Angeles Rams Atlanta
Falcons Win
Carolina Panthers v New Orleans Saints New Orleans Saints Win
AFC
Divisional Round
New England Patriots v Kansas City Chiefs New England Patriots Win
Pittsburgh Steelers v Jacksonville Jaguars Pittsburgh
Steelers Win
NFC
Divisional Round
Philadelphia Eagles v Atlanta Falcons Atlanta Falcons Win
Minnesota Vikings v New Orleans Saints Minnesota
Vikings Win
AFC
Conference Final
New England Patriots v Pittsburgh Steelers Pittsburgh Steelers Win
NFC
Conference Final
Atlanta Falcons v Minnesota Vikings Minnesota Vikings Win
SuperBowl
52
Pittsburgh Steelers v Minnesota Vikings
By Luke Scali - Twitter @WFC_LS_Potzi
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