We’re Going To Have a Fun NFL Postseason
Many people enjoy watching the NFL for the sport, as do I. The game of American Football is one of strategy and execution. Many who don't understand the sport often view it as a big guy is tackling a more petite guy with a ball'. That is a very minimalist way of viewing the sport, in my opinion. Though I love the game of football, there is something I love about it even more--the history.
Ever since I can remember, I've always loved learning about the history of cultures and eras that I could never experince--I'm fascinated by how people used to live. In some cases, history can explain in great detail why people live the way they do today. You may be wondering why I'm blabbering about history when you expect to be reading an article about the NFL. Be patient, my dear reader. I'm getting there.
Don Shula (left) and Dan Marino (right) (photo curtesy of the Pro Football Hall of Fame)
The history of football has intrigued me since I began to watch the game. Learning about the past greats who played the game is fantastic to know about. How incredible is it that Dan Marino threw for 5,000 yards in 1984? Back then, the game was run-oriented, and a quarterback and his receivers did not ask much. But Don Shula and his young quarterback from Pitt changed how we view the game with a pass-heavy offense that was hard to figure out for years. Little bits of information are why I find the NFL to be remarkable--we can pinpoint exact moments when the game was changed.
One of the best ways to judge the shift of NFL history is by watching the Super Bowl. The Super Bowl is the largest sporting event in the United States every year--it is the end goal of professional football. The outcomes of Super Bowls have been known to shape the future of the NFL franchises. Don't believe me? Go ahead and see how the Seahawks have been fairing since they lost Super Bowl XLIX.
This year, the Super Bowl is anyone’s to take. There is a level of parity that the NFL hasn't seen in a while, and I’m all for it. I want to go through and break down the teams that I believe could win it all this year while also proving to you that all teams that make the playoffs this year will have an equal chance at hoisting the Lombardi Trophy.
Bills celebrating a touchdown (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
The AFC is changing rapidly with the decline of the Kansas City Chiefs. The most likely team to come out of the AFC this year is the Buffalo Bills. Still, they're coming off an ugly loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, and there are questions of concern regarding Josh Allen's abilities as a franchise quarterback. The Bills may have an excellent head coach in Sean McDermont, but even he can't figure out how to fix the team's running back woes. The Bills haven't been able to get anything going on the ground, and that could also be a product of lackluster performances by their offensive line--trust me, I know what a horrible offensive line looks like. In the NFL postseason, running the ball is essential to chew up the clock. If the Bills can't run the ball to manage the clock and keep the other offense off the field, it could spell the end for them before they reach So-Fi Stadium in February.
Adrian Peterson (#8) in his first game as a Titan (photo curtesy of Pro Football Focus)
If the Bills aren't the team to win the AFC, what about the Tennesse Titans? They have a potent offense led by Ryan Tannehill at quarterback and a receiver duo of AJ Brown and Julio Jones. Also, their defense is coming off a promising showing against the NFC's favorite Los Angeles Rams. But the Titans will be without their best player in Derrick Henry for the remainder of the regular season. Derrick Henry has been the favorite to win the NFL MVP this season, but that won't be the case anymore. As an answer to this, the Titans signed legendary running back Adrain Peterson to their squad—a move that reeks of desperation. With Henry out, the Titans don't have a guaranteed birth to the Super Bowl as they should. I wouldn’t mind seeing this Titans team winning it all, it would be nice to see Peterson get a ring.
Lamar Jackson flips into the endzone for a touchdown (Tommy Gilligan, USA TODAY sports)
Then, there is also the Titans long-time rival Baltimore Ravens. Could they be the ones that win the AFC? They have an electric young former league MVP in Lamar Jackson and a good defense, but they have a boatload of injuries that could keep them back. Greg Roman's offense is heavily reliant on the run, but with Gus Edwards and JK Dobbins injured on the season, the Ravens had to turn to washed-up runningbacks Devonte Freeman and Leveon Bell to move the ball on the ground. Granted, Lamar is more than capable of getting coveted rushing yards himself, but that is too much to ask from your quarterback. The Ravens have also been winning games entirely on luck. The game against the Detroit Lions is an excellent example of this. I'm sorry to say Baltimore, but luck runs out.
Mike Evans and Tom Brady celebrate a touchdown (Mark LoMoglio, AP)
Over in the NFC, the defending Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers are looking to be the first team to win back-to-back Super Bowls since the New England Patriots did it in 2003-2004. I'm sure, as you know, Tom Brady played on those Patriots teams, and now he's slinging the pigskin for the Bucs. The Bucs have a potent offense, and no one can deny that. But their defense hasn't been as good as people thought it would be. They have excellent pieces such as Devon White, Antoine Winfield Jr., Jason Pierre-Paul, and Ndamukong Suh, but Todd Bowles hasn't been able to get the production he got from this unit in last year's playoffs. Brady is 43 years old, and he's playing like an MVP candidate, but if he wants a shot at tying his former head coach Bill Belichick in rings, he's going to need his defense to pick their game up.
Rasul Douglas intercepts Kyler Murrary on the goal line to secure a win for the Packers (Michael Chow/The Republic)
In the 2020 NFC Championship Game, the Green Bay Packers lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, which was more significant than most people understand. I can spend hours explaining the historical implications of this matchup, but I don't wish to lose your attention. The Green Packers had a rough offseason with Aaron Rodgers threatening to move from the Green Bay Packers. After an offseason that rose the blood pressure of every Wisconsin native, the Packers brought Rodgers back for one more ride. The Packers have only lost two games all season, and they look to show the competence required of Super Bowl-winning teams. However, there have been many distractions to this team. DeVante Adams--their star wide receiver-- missed some games with a positive COVID test, as did Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers also lied about his vaccination status, and the team fined him heavily. Matt LaFleur's Packers have gained a reputation for coming up short in big games. If these distractions don't tone down, the Packers could kiss their hopes of a fifth Lombardi goodbye, as well as their Hall of Fame quarterback.
Von Miller, Aaron Donald, and Leondard Floyd pose for a picture (photo curtesy of LAFB)
As much as I love the NFL's parity, there is one team that looks to be the overwhelming favorite to win it all--the Los Angeles Rams. I've spoken often about how dominant and scary the Rams are, and they'll only continue to become scarier. They signed Von Miller and Odell Beckham Jr. halfway through the season to bolster an already deadly offense and defense. On top of that, Sean McVay has gotten the best out of his players. Matthew Stafford is playing like an All-Pro--except for the Titans game--and there is little hope of stopping him. Aaron Donald will love his new teammate Von Miller coming off the edge to wreak even more havoc on opposing quarterbacks--poor Russell Wilson. This Rams team seems to be the complete team in the NFL, but they have only one Super Bowl appearance in the McVay era, and it was a flop for them. Like the Packers, they need to prove that they can play good football in important games--so does Matthew Stafford. Stafford has only ever played in the Wild Card round. Will he carry them to the Promised Land?
There are some other teams to consider for Super Bowl births, such as the Arizona Cardinals and possibly the Los Angeles Chargers, but I feel that their time hasn't come yet. But then again, the NFL is wide open right now. It may feel that the Los Angeles Rams will win with all of the excellent pieces, but I wouldn't be surprised if they fail to make it to their own stadium in February. I predict that this postseason will be one for the ages. Who knows, maybe a streaking Patriots and the down-trodden 49ers find a way to sneak into the postseason and meet in the Super Bowl, it is that unpredictable. It will be remembered as a playoff of unpredictability and upsets, and I’m loving that as a fan of the game and its rich history. Whatever team comes out on top will have fought a long and hard battle to get there, and I can't wait for them to go down in the history of American Football.