With Week 15 being wrapped up we are now beginning to see the rough sketch of the playoff picture in front of us. As we approach Week 16, let us rundown each of the current 14 teams in playoff positions and determine whether they are a true contender or a plain pretender.
AFC Playoff Picture
Kansas City: Contender
Plain and simple, Kansas City is the class of the league and by far the favorite for winning yet another Super Bowl. While they may not always look the strongest they can be, they are a very tough out. If you cannot play a good four quarters against this team, you are very likely not winning. The only thing stopping the Chiefs at this point could very well be themselves.
Buffalo: Contender
While I did say the only thing that could stop the Chiefs could be themselves, I firmly believe Buffalo is good enough to give them a run for their money. The only issue facing the Bills is their suspect defense, who only a year ago were considered an elite squad. If they can return to form even just a little, they will be a difficult out for anyone within the AFC. Josh Allen is playing with house money and will look to prove something.
Pittsburgh: Pretender
The Steelers fell off HARD since starting 11-0. The cracks were showing for a little while before then, but finally the doors blew wide open. Personally, I have been an ardent defender of this team during the big winning streak. I always say good teams find a way to win. The Steelers still have the talent to pull off something this postseason, but with the injuries and the way the offense has been playing, it's hard to believe they'll pull of such a feat. Ben just does not look like what he once was, and he'll end up being the Steelers undoing.
Tennessee: Contender
In my opinion, Tennessee may be one of the more overlooked teams currently within the picture. Derick Henry looms large amongst everyone's heads coming into the postseason, but make sure you do not overlook Ryan Tannehill, for he can beat you as well. Their defense is what truly worries me. Even with the names they got in the offseason, it has had minimal effect so far. If Henry can get it going again, they will be a tough out.
Cleveland: Wait and See
Cleveland has shown that they are legit and can compete against the big teams, but with their inexperience in this spotlight I simply cannot gauge how they will do in the playoffs until they get there. They very well do well and win at least a game, but the AFC Playoff Picture is very crowded, and with it a good team may lose in the first round. Even then, this is a renaissance year for the Browns. They'll be back regardless of this year's outcome.
Indianapolis: Pretender
This may come off as a hot take, but I'm not quite sure if I can trust the Colts in the playoffs. Their defense is legit, that's no debate, but its Philip Rivers I'm worried about. He has been doing alright as of late, but considering his playoff history, he leaves much to be desired in that front. I cannot say how much of that was due to the Chargers postseason ineptitude, but it is his history nonetheless. The Colts have also played four games versus current postseason teams within the AFC, and have won only once (against the Titans). Forgive me for this take, but they have to prove something to me when they get there.
Miami: Pretender
Do not get me wrong, Miami does have potential of pulling off a first round upset, but it's just too early. No one ever expected them to be in this position, so they are at least playing with house money at this point, but they need another year before they can consider doing real damage in the postseason. If they can hold off Baltimore from getting into their position, that will be impressive in its own right.
NFC Playoff Picture
Green Bay: Contender
Once considered as frauds last season, they are looking legit this season. Aaron Rodgers is playing out of his mind, and when he's on, it is very difficult to beat this team. Give or take they've ran into some rough games like Tampa for example, but this team is who their record says they are. Anything less than a Super Bowl appearance will be considered a failure. Rodgers has only so many years left and they need to capitalize on any opportunity they have left.
New Orleans: Pretender
Even before losing Brees I long suspected this team to be frauds and so far they are proving doubters such as myself correct. Brees has not been his old self this season. His age is finally catching up to him. The defense can only do so much. They may get out of the first round, but I do not believe this team can seriously compete for the Super Bowl. With that said, I would not be overly shocked if they did pull off a run. They still have talent, but they have looked suspect so forgive me if I do not believe in them.
Seattle: Pretender
Their defense has been better as of late, but now their offense is now looking suspect. What was once a dominant squad has been diminished since the trademark debacle involving Russell Wilson. They can very well go on a run, and I will not be surprised in the slightest if they do. In the meantime, I still think they need to prove they can be consistent on both fronts of the ball before they can be considered a true contender. If they can fix their consistency, only then will they be a force to be reckoned with.
Washington: Pretender
They are not going to make a big run, but I will not be shocked if they pull off a win in the first round. That's as far as they will go though. Washington has proved many people wrong this season. Their defense has been totally rebuilt and is now an elite force among the league. While Alex Smith is a good solid QB option for now, they need to find their quarterback of the future. They do not think it's Haskins, so who it is will be up for debate within the next couple of seasons.
Los Angeles Rams: Wait and See
The Los Angeles Rams are an enigma. One week they look like the class of the NFC. The next, they are a disorganized mess. The past couple weeks is a microcosm of their season as a whole, blowing out the Patriots one week just to lose to the winless Jets the next. They clearly have the talent to make a run, but can they put it together come playoff time? That is the question, and thus why I have them as a "wait and see" kind of team. I'll reserve any future judgements of them until the postseason.
Tampa Bay: Wait and See
To be honest, the entire NFC should be treated with a "wait and see" approach because there is no distinctive "top teams" besides the Green Bay Packers. The same goes for Tampa Bay. They have all the talent to do it. Their defense has stepped up. Their offense is at least improved from the horrors of Famous Jameis and his turnover bakery. Consistency remains the key flaw with them with many other NFC teams. We know what Brady is capable of come playoff time, but will we see the Brady of the past or the withered husk of what he once was like we saw versus Tennessee last season. Until we see them in the postseason, I must reserve my judgement of them.
Arizona: Pretender
They are not quite ready to be considered a contender yet. They have all the pieces, and it will be a year or two before they truly establish themselves as true contenders. Kyler Murray looks to be worth dumping Josh Rosen after just a year, and the Hopkins trade has paid off massively. Maybe they can pull off a first round victory, but do not expect them to make a Super Bowl run quite yet.
From what can be gathered, the AFC is by far the stronger of the two conferences. As said during the review of Tampa Bay, the NFC is wide open. The only team I can consider to be legit is Green Bay. The rest show they can be, but need to put it together. As we approach the last couple of weeks, this should turn into an interesting race, with Baltimore right behind Miami in the playoff picture and the Bears making a last gasp bid at the playoffs. Next week we'll take another look at this picture, but we'll examine some teams just outside the picture and provide any updates with my opinions of the "wait and see" teams.
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