In my opinion there is no need to be upset that the Holiday Season is over. Why? Because that means only one thing. The NFL Playoffs. This year it is jam packed and everyone outside of a certain area in the midwest wants a new champion to be crowned. Enough talking let’s get right to it!
Kansas City Chiefs (America’s Team 2.0): The quest for a 3 peat and 1990s Bulls-like status has been a journey that has ticked off the majority of America. The first year was a breeze even if their defense was a work in progress. Last year was Deus Ex Machina landing in their asses due to an elite defense with ridiculous levels of clutchness on offense. Now the Chiefs have even more Deus Ex Machina on their side. They set the record for most one score wins in a season, and were the least penalized team in football by a country mile. (Incoming salt from Baltimore, Pittsburgh, and Buffalo) Even if their O-Line is as weak as it’s been in the last decade, as long as Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and Chris Jones do their usual shtick there are few that can stop them. However there is a major cause of concern. No it’s not getting all of their receivers back to full strength, or an inconsistent secondary, or this potentially being Kelce’s Last Ride. (Pop Culture won’t shut up about that possibility ending in a championship) It’s the fact that the majority of Kansas City’s starters will have not played a game in 24-25 days given that they played on Christmas and rested guys during the last week of the season. The most recent time a team had 24+ days off was the 2005 Colts. They went one and done after a home loss to Pittsburgh. (Which could happen again given that they will most likely get either the Chargers or Broncos in the Divisional Round) If KC wins it all again, football’s version of “The Proposal” is all but inevitable.
Buffalo Bills (The Climb Never Stops): I didn’t expect this out of Buffalo. Losing that much talent in the offseason along with questions about Sean McDermott and Brandon Beane’s long term future were major reasons to be pessimistic about their chances. But in reality both McDermott and Beane have earned the upcoming extensions that they will likely receive in the offseason. It also helps when Josh Allen and James Cook have been dragging this team kicking and screaming for most of the season. Yes there’s the asterisk of the AFC East being a trainwreck, but it doesn’t take away how great of a year that both of them have had. (If only Amari Cooper wasn’t so inconsistent since arrived in Orchard Park) Once again the media as well as analytics are considering them as favorites for the Super Bowl out of the AFC, but once again the elephant in the room is the defense. Even if Matt Milano is now healthy, their inability to stop a top tier running game may be the straw that breaks their back. If there’s any good news it’s that the Bills are unbeaten at home and if their rivals in KC somehow slip up along the way, it could be their time if they are able to take care of business. We did say this in 2022 and look where that got them. (In my opinion, they have the most to prove among any team this postseason given all of the hype they’ve received over the last few years) The McKinley Curse can only last so long before it’s finally broken.
Baltimore Ravens (Mission Impossible III Loading): The Maryland Festivus has returned once again thank god. Back in September this team was considered dead on arrival by most of America after starting 0-2. (Roster turnover on both sides of the ball, and the coaching staff looked impossible to overcome, BUT NOT TO JOHNNY!) But then the Ravens went back to the basics. Winning 12 out of 15 games to end the season thanks to a barrage of offensive star power. Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry have been as good as advertised, Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman have enjoyed their coming out party this season. (CRACK!) Lets just hope Zay is good enough to go for the playoffs. I would say this team’s biggest pet peeve is the defense but then again since they inserted ArDarius Washington into the starting lineup, they have been the top of the league in almost every major defensive category. Once again this team’s biggest problem is themselves. Although this year the gauntlet they are going to face is going to be both physically and mentally tough. (Expect CELEBRITY REFBALL to try and hold these guys back even if they try their best to avoid it) I swear if they go home in the 1st Round against their biggest rival on the Anniversary of the two most painful losses in Baltimore Sports History, it may be a blow that could take years to recover from. (And it’s another Saturday Night home game against an Arthur Smith offense) Please shock the world again like you did 12 years ago! I wouldn’t say it’s Super Bowl or Bust only because of this organization’s reputation for being contenders year after year.
Houston Texans (Struggling To Launch): Prior to the season a majority of the pundits had the Texans as a Super Bowl Contender. As is typical among teams with the moniker of Offseason Champions they’ve struggled to play up to their potential all season long due to injuries and inconsistent play. There was a time where their defense was near the top of the league. Giving teams like the Lions and Bills fits were reasons to be optimistic. Then came the injury bug. Jimmy Ward and Jalen Pitre were sacrificed to the Football Gods, (BOOM!) as was Tank Dell… AGAIN! The only saving grace for the Texans is that the AFC South is YOU GUESSED IT! A freaking mess! Taking advantage of two tank brigades and the NFL’s version of the Ottawa Senators. (That might be a reach of a comparison though for the Colts) Good news CJ Stroud, not only has this year been headlined by the Sophomore Slump, but you’re going up against the coaching family that has been your boogeyman since you were at Ohio State. If your alma mater overcame their inconsistent play all season in the College Football Playoff so can you. If not, well far for the course.
Los Angeles Chargers (Back On Schedule): Remember when I said that Dean Spanos was foolish for trying to skin the Ravens considering that they signed most of their leftovers. Well lets just say that ended up working out for them. This year comes to show you what good coaching and organizational structure can do for a team that has been lacking one for years. Jim Harbaugh and Joe Hortiz have brought an old school, in your face mentality that has clearly translated into on the field success. The Chargers have responded to this by pulling off a 6 win swing from 2023 to 2024. Justin Herbert couldn’t have been any more pleased. Yes his numbers from previous years have gone down, but honestly that’s a good thing. Especially when JK Dobbins, when healthy, has been a beast. Key word is when he is healthy. (Even Steve Saunders hasn’t done anything stupid yet in terms of managing injuries) Their defense has gone from their biggest liability last year to one of their biggest strengths. That is when they aren’t facing a team that can expose their thin Defensive Line. (Bosa and Mack are still producing, but on the inside of that line, best not to talk about it) This may not be the year that everything finally comes together for the Bolts, but it wouldn’t surprise me if they pulled off a major upset. Like lets say dethroning a certain team in their own division that has NFL immortality on their minds.
Pittsburgh Steelers (UNLIIIIIMITED!): A tale of two seasons. In the first 13 games of the season, the Steelers loomed as solid Super Bowl Contenders. (Which was exactly what I thought they’d be given how thin their schedule was) A revived Russell Wilson, George Pickens and Pat Freiermuth putting up career years, plus the most savage defense in the league led by TJ Watt, and the emergence of Beanie Bishop and DeShot Elliott. An AFC North Title was all but theirs even if a majority of their success was due to other teams self-destructing and Deus Ex Machina. (BOOM!) Then came the gauntlet. Once they walked into Lincoln Financial Field, Pittsburgh was flat out exposed especially on the defensive side of the ball. (Not to mention the Arthur Smith Special on offense) For four straight games. Some of it was due to injuries to Joey Porter Jr, and Watt not being 100%, but that doesn’t really solve the whole story. (Cam Heyward might be near the end of the road) Even if this crew is limping into the playoffs, they are getting healthy. Which form of Yinzers will we see? The one that makes generations of football fans eat their words like they did in the first 13 games? Or the one that gets flat out exposed down the stretch? If the ladder happens, the calls for Mike Tomlin’s head will be even more ridiculous than they already are. (Both he and his long time rival John Harbaugh have everything on the line Saturday, BUT DON’T TELL THAT TO BISCIOTTI AND ARTE II)
Denver Broncos (Free At Last): Back in September I said that the Broncos would be headed towards Tank Bowl Territory. (Especially given how much dead cap they were paying to Russell Wilson, and they also lost Justin Simmons) Looks like Sean Payton and company took that statement personally. (Looks like them and the Raiders switched spots based on their performance this year) Expected to be one of the worst teams in football, Denver has been the Cinderella Story of the league. Bo Nix was someone who I thought was a guy who needed time to develop. Well guess what? He not only stepped in Day 1, but he’s become the first franchise QB they’ve had since Peyton Manning. (Courtland Sutton finally has a real QB to play with for once) Not to mention they have a defense that doesn’t get enough credit for the job they do. They led the league in sacks by a country mile with Pat Surtain and Zach Allen being difference makers. (Riley Moss and Nik Bonitto too) Denver, like their division rivals at SoFi, are in the learning experience year. Even if they get beat by the Bills in the Wild Card Game, this has been an outstanding year for the Broncos. Even with the gauntlet of their division, they finally might be out of the mess they were in during the Elway Administration.
Detroit Lions (This Might Finally Be Next Year): The pressure may be the most intense it’s been in this organization since at least the 1990s, maybe longer. (More like the 50s and 60s) You thought last year’s Lions team was the best they’ve had since the 1957 Championship team. YOU AIN’T SEEN NOTHING YET! This is a team that can score in bunches. Shattering franchise records for points, and yards of total offense. (BOOM!) If only David Montgomery didn’t tear his ACL. Even if he’s out for the playoffs Jared Goff, Jahmir Gibbs, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Sam Laporta and Jameson Williams are still there and kicking ass. (Plus the largest O-Line in the league) Although I must be harsh for just a second. If there’s any flaw they have it’s their defense especially since their cornerstone Aiden Hutchinson has been out since Week 6, but did you see what they did to SkolArmy in Week 18? Bringing in ZaDarius Smith and DJ Reader has certainly helped, so too has both Kirby Joseph and Brian Branch being ballhawks. On paper they could make it to a Super Bowl especially with how hostile Ford Field is. But then again, this is the Curse of Bobby Layne. And that looms large. This is either going to be the most glorious Super Bowl Champion Ever or the 2nd coming of the 1998 Vikings. If the ladder happens, I know someone who will be very pleased with that outcome…
Philadelphia Eagles (Who Needs Jason Kelce?): HIGH END TALENT! ALL OF THE HIGH END TALENT! (HERE I COME TO SAVE THE DAY!) The best team money can buy is up to their old tricks and my goodness is it a sight to behold. The best WR duo in the league, Saquon Barkley making generations of Giants fans eat their words, a powerful O-Line, the modern day version of the No Fly Zone, and Jalen Hurts doing his best Donovan McNabb impersonation. (The good version of McNabb that is) I would say that Nick Sirianni is their biggest liability, but this year he’s proven a lot of people wrong. So has his two coordinators. The Eagles biggest enemy is simple. No it’s not the health of Hurts or Vic Fangio going into prevent defense at the worst times. IT’S THEMSELVES! This team should make it back to the Super Bowl with ease on paper given how much talent there is. But I’ve seen this movie out of Philly before regardless of what sport it is. After what happened to the Phillies against LOLMETS this past October, that city cannot afford yet another disappointment in the playoffs. If all doesn’t go well this postseason, at least you have the Sixers and Flyers to keep you warm… THE HELL DO YOU MEAN THEY’RE BOTH MEDIOCRE THIS YEAR!? (That’s the Flyers fan in me, the Sixers being sus is music to my ears)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Overcoming A Minor Setback): The Buccaneers to me are a more dangerous team than people give them credit for. Don’t let the 10-7 record deceive you into thinking they’re a team that has limped into the playoffs. And here’s why. When Mike Evans wasn’t on the field due to a midseason injury the Bucs were 0-4. In games that he’s played this year they’re 10-3. (The only game they’ve lost since he came back was to Dallas in a game where they beat themselves) Even without Chris Godwin who also got hurt around midseason, Tampa Bay has thrived in the chaos. It tends to help when Baker Mayfield is making Jimmy Haslam live to regret the day he dumped him for Deshaun Watson. (The fact that he’s not in the MVP running is just off) The feats of Bucky Irving also cannot be ignored. He has become the bell cow back that they’ve been missing since Mike Alstott. (Leonard Fournette Their defense has been inconsistent throughout the year, but like the offense it’s been mostly due to injury. This team in my opinion is the biggest dark horse of the entire playoffs. And considering that they now have the NFL’s version of the Rally Monkey at their side, this could be one of those teams that gets all the breaks. If not, well the narrative will be that they were NFC South merchants despite the fact that they lost to the Falcons twice.
Los Angeles Rams (Pokemon McVay Is Inevitable): I’m starting to notice a common trend with the Rams. When the season starts, they appear to be worn out because of how hard Sean McVay makes these guys work during Training Camp, they start off slow thanks to said injuries suffered in July and August. And then once their Bye Week is finished, they turn into madmen and unleash havoc on the NFC. Even if Matthew Stafford is in his mid 30s, he still can sling it with the best of them. It also helps that both Kupp and Nacua are both healthy again. Aaron Donald, who needs him when Braden Fiske and Byron Young are taking that Fearsome Foursome tradition to the next generation. All of this is nice but there’s one issue. (YoYo Sound) The conditions in their own city. SoFi Stadium will not be used at this time due to the California wildfires as of late (My condolences for those who live in the LA area) Now they have to go over to the Desert instead which in theory shouldn’t be much of difference. Unless you consider that their opponent has a massive chip on their shoulder. Not to mention this technically a home game for them given how many transplants they have out there. Although to be fair the Rams have been used to playing home games with tons of opposing fans so their vets at it.
Minnesota Vikings (The Ultimate Gamers): Who the hell had these guys as a Super Bowl Contender back in August? All the adversity and tragedy they faced in the offseason, the questions surrounding Sam Darnold, being in the shadows of Detroit, Green Bay, and Chicago on paper? (Life Lesson of the NFC North: Never trust the Bears) There were many reasons for people to be skeptical. But we all forgot to realize that Kevin O’Connell loves thriving in adversity. Gamers in every sense of the word. Justin Jefferson is a generation talent in his prime, and Jordan Addison isn’t too far behind. Even Aaron Jones has been a solid fit, well if you exclude the last few games that is. Now you see why Sam Darnold has revived his career in ways we thought were impossible. (It comes to show you how pathetic the Jets and Panthers are) Even the defense has overcome their doubters to the point where they’ve forced the most pre-snap penalties in the league. (All Hail Brian Flores and Harrison Smith!) Even if that unit lacks talent they more than make up for it in terms of production. Unfortunately for their long suffering fans, for as amazing a season as it’s been, the Vikings cannot escape their fate. A 14 win season yet somehow not enough to win their division because they lost both games to the Lions and to the best QB that the Lions have had since Bobby Layne. Who they will be facing again on Wild Card Weekend. Regardless of where that game is being played I expect there to be Skol chants in every sense of the word. (State Farm Stadium in Glendale. Either way, Viking fans should take that place over)
Washington Commanders (The Culture Really Is Damn Good): It’s almost as if every single Social Media nerd and DC resident with any football knowledge was right about their beloved team. Taking out the Wicked Witch of Daniel Snyder and his relentless meddling for anyone resembling solid structure will help get this ship sailing up stream once again. Since Josh Harris and Magic Johnson bought the Commanders last year, them and Dan Quinn have restored the proud tradition of this organization. This year is a prime example. Their best regular season since their Super Bowl season of 1991. Jayden Daniels has become the franchise QB that Washington has been missing since Joe Theismann (If you exclude 2012 RG3 that is). Terry McLaurin has gone from most underrated receiver in the NFC to someone finally deserving of respect. The defense may be their weakness this year, but hey Bobby Wagner’s veteran leadership has done wonders for them. (Not to mention DaRon Payne is still a monster inside) Even if they do get bounced by a one time playoff rival in Tampa Bay this weekend, the Commies have had an amazing season which has given the DC Area hope for the first time since the HW Bush administration. Although playing with house money especially for a long suffering team tends to work out well am I right?
Green Bay Packers (How Will Things Turn Out Here?): I had sky high expectations for the Packers this season. With how well they did at the end of last year, especially with how they made premium Dallas salt last January. I thought they would pick up right where they left off. Well they sorta have. Jordan Love other than a midseason injury has done his part as has Josh Jacobs. But then the Football Gods had to be cruel to the Cheeseheads. Did you like Christian Watson and Jaire Alexander? (BOOM!) Good because they’re both on IR for the rest of the postseason. Green Bay does have plenty of depth on both sides of the ball, but what concerns me the most is this stat that I’m about to bring up. They are a combined 0-5 against the Vikings, Lions, and Eagles. That’s most likely the path they’re going to be up against if they want a chance at a 14th championship. Although the good news for Packers fans is this. When they had the 7th seed last year, they shocked the world. If they did so again, I know one fanbase that will be very pleased to hear the news (Cowboys fans would love nothing more than to see Philly suffer the same fate they did a year ago) PAUSE.
Another chaotic season is coming to a close and the drama is just heating up. What will be the punishment for 30 fanbases come February 9?
Prediction: This is probably the most balanced playoff field that we have seen in the 14 team playoff, which usually means that anything can happen. However I tend to believe differently. If there’s anything that the NFL has enjoyed doing the past few years, it’s to push certain agendas to the point where they only care about ratings and being favorable to certain teams. I see this year being more of the same. With that being said we’re going to get the most predictable matchup in the eyes of the media. Chiefs vs Eagles. If that ends up happening it further proves my point that the NFL is becoming what the NBA was during the Warriors vs Cavs rivalry (You know they would have loved to rig it for the 49ers if they somehow made the dance)
Bragging Rights Sports 