The NFL regular season is over halfway complete and with that, teams are starting to distinguish whether or not they will be in the playoffs. But just because a team makes the playoffs, does not quite mean they are a legitimate contender to win the Super Bowl. Here’s a look at some playoff-bound teams and find out if they’re postseason players or pretenders.
New England Patriots: Remember in Week four when nearly everyone (unfortunately, almost me) was writing off the Patriots? Brady and Belichick have done it again and the Patriots are in the driver’s seat for the No. 1 seed in the AFC. But it’s the defense that’s making me say that. Consider the fact they’ve held two of the NFL’s top offenses to 21 and 20 points without arguably one of their best defenders in Chandler Jones makes me wonder what they will be like when he returns. If the road to the Super Bowl runs through Foxboro, it will be extremely difficult for any of the other AFC teams to come into Gillette Stadium and take them out. Verdict: Contenders
Kansas City Chiefs: The Kansas City Chiefs know how to play a style of game that translates well to the playoffs. Tough defense, solid running game and a quarterback that makes minimal mistakes has this team looking like they could put a solid playoff run together. Although it looks like they will be a wild card team, the Chiefs are a team that can go on the road and win a game to get them to the divisional round. I think the Chiefs are actually one of the biggest threats to the Patriots in the AFC as of now. Verdict: Contenders
Indianapolis Colts: Coming into the season, the Colts were a favorite pick from some to be the No. 1 seed in the AFC due to their soft schedule. But after losses to Denver, New England and some other hiccups along the way it looks like the Colts will be lucky to simply get a first round bye. But even if they do, this team will not go far. They get dominated at the line of scrimmage both on offense and defense as they struggle to run the ball, and struggle to stop it. Andrew Luck is a great, young quarterback to watch, but he does not get the playoff run he wants in 2014. Verdict: Pretenders
Arizona Cardinals: Who would have picked the Arizona Cardinals as a team that could potentially have a home field advantage in not only the playoffs, but also the Super Bowl? Bruce Arians has led his team past injuries, adversity and arguably one of the best divisions in football to be looking like a surefire first round bye playoff team in the NFC. They thrive by playing smart football with a defense that is one of the NFL’s best in stuffing the run and an offense that minimizes its mistakes. If Arizona can get the No. 1 seed in the NFC, we might see one of the first times a team plays in its home stadium for the Super Bowl. Verdict: Contenders
Green Bay Packers: Aaron Rodgers is putting together a season that should bring home his second NFL MVP award. The Packers have been beating up on some pretty weak opponents, and clearly seem to be a better team at home than on the road. But what scares me most of this team is the defense. I do not think they play defense at an elite, championship level. They can be run on, and they also have a secondary that is prone to give up big plays. This team looks like it’s leading to the same fate we’ve seen with the Packers the last few years: a great offense in the regular season that gets stopped in the playoffs by an elite defense, with no defense of their own to slow down a playoff-style running game. This might shock people, but I’m not buying the Packers unless they get the No. 1 seed in the NFC. Verdict: Pretenders
Detroit Lions: The Lions always are one of the most talented teams on paper, but this year they’re living up to their roster. Although they might have to enter the playoffs as a wild card team, they have the tools necessary to win in the playoffs. They have arguably the best defensive line in the NFL and have been fantastic in stopping the run. Oh, and don’t forget they have one of the NFL’s best players in Calvin Johnson on offense. I would not be surprised at all to see the Lions in the NFC Championship game this year. Verdict: Contenders