The Kansas City Chiefs are back-to-back Super Bowl champions. The Detroit Lions are probably the most dominant crew within the NFL this season. We know that each franchises will probably be within the combine to win the Lombardi Trophy in February.
But what different groups are harmful – maybe a little bit underrated, in some instances – like that Nobody ought to he wish to make the playoffs?
Here are six golf equipment to keep watch over:
Buffalo payments
Score: 10-3
Playoff success has eluded the Bills lately — they have been to only one AFC championship sport since drafting Josh Allen in 2018 — however Allen’s dominance makes them a authentic Super Bowl contender this season. In Sunday’s loss to the Los Angeles Rams, he grew to become the primary participant in NFL historical past to attain three passing touchdowns and three dashing touchdowns in the identical sport, per week after turning into the primary quarterback in league historical past to attain a landing on passing, operating and receiving in a sport. single sport.
The MVP favourite, Allen is taking part in at a degree that offers the AFC East champions an opportunity to beat anybody within the postseason, together with the Chiefs, who had Buffalo’s quantity within the playoffs. Allen is supported by an offense that’s significantly better than anticipated at first of the yr (No. 2 in scoring) and a top-eight protection.
Are the Bills asking an excessive amount of of Josh Allen?
Baltimore Crows
Record: 8-5
The hype across the Ravens has cooled and it could be simply what they should lastly reside as much as their Super Bowl expectations.
Two-time league MVP Lamar Jackson is taking part in at an MVP degree once more — it is simply that others, like Allen and Saquon Barkley of the Philadelphia Eagles, have been so traditionally dominant that Jackson’s play has been missed. Derrick Henry has been quieter over the past month, however he is nonetheless been the very best within the NFL this season with out his identify being Barkley. The Jackson-Henry tandem will probably be a nightmare for opposing groups in January.
And whereas the Ravens protection has struggled this season – it ranks twenty third, permitting 24.5 factors per sport – the unit has proven enchancment in latest weeks. MVP-caliber quarterback play, an elite dashing assault and a progressive protection are the recipe for postseason success. Add that to the chip Baltimore already has on its shoulders after playoff disappointment the final two years, and also you get a harmful crew.
Minnesota Vikings
Record: 11-2
Brian Flores’ protection, filled with strain packages, will probably be tough for opponents to deal with in January, simply because it has been all through the season. The Vikings have allowed 30 factors simply twice this season. Add that to an offense coordinated by coach Kevin O’Connell that has Sam Darnold taking part in like a top-10 quarterback, and it is a Minnesota crew that will probably be powerful in January. The method Jordan Addison has improved his sport alongside Justin Jefferson in latest weeks has given the Vikings a legitimately deadly punch at 1-2 receiver.
But the X-factor may very well be Aaron Jones, who has additionally been a dominant late-season operating again his complete profession. He has averaged 5.5 yards per carry in December and 5.7 in January since coming into the league in 2017. He has run for a minimum of 99 yards in three of his final 5 playoff video games.
Green Bay Packers
Record: 9-4
Remember, portion of those Packers have been a part of final yr’s crew that was one sport away from the NFC Championship Game. And they’re even higher this yr with extra expertise and the free agent additions of operating again Josh Jacobs (third within the league with 1,053 dashing yards) and security Xavier McKinney (tied for an NFL-record seven interceptions). Two of the 4 losses are in opposition to the Lions. The different two are for the 11-2 Vikings and 11-2 Eagles, who’ve already clinched a playoff spot. Quarterback Jordan Love has performed turnover-free soccer for 3 straight weeks after throwing 11 interceptions within the first eight video games of the yr.
Even with final week’s loss to the Lions, the Packers have nonetheless received seven of their final 9 video games. Green Bay’s playoff run final yr and its success this season make them a crew to observe in January.
Is Green Bay nonetheless a yr away from rivalry?
Pittsburgh Steelers
Score: 10-3
Long recognized for having an elite protection and powerful play, the Steelers now have a quarterback in Russell Wilson who unleashes the true potential of their offense, making a deep playoff run attainable. Enjoying a renaissance season in Pittsburgh, Wilson’s environment friendly play and deep ball means opened up the passing sport, with George Pickens being the most important beneficiary (averaging 70.8 receiving yards per sport ).
If there’s any purpose to fret concerning the Steelers, it is the truth that they’ve had some dangerous losses (Dallas Cowboys in Week 5, Cleveland Browns in Week 12). But the AFC North leaders have additionally received seven of their final eight video games. They are hitting their stride on the proper time and any crew coached by Mike Tomlin is one to keep watch over.
Los Angeles Rams
Record: 7-6
Of the 5 groups listed right here which have but to formally clinch a playoff spot, the Rams have the best odds of creating it: at 34%. second to subsequent technology statistics. But it is a harmful crew in the event that they handle to safe a spot on the pitch.
The Rams acquired more healthy because the season went on. Puka Nacua, who missed 5 video games earlier this season on account of harm, has averaged greater than 114 receiving yards per sport over the previous month. Los Angeles has a number of rising stars on protection, together with defensive Rookie of the Year favourite Jared Verse. The Rams have received six of their final eight video games. They beat groups just like the Bills, the Seattle Seahawks (in time beyond regulation) and the Vikings. They even have slim losses to the Packers and Lions. The Rams are a crew that may play anybody they usually have gained confidence in latest weeks.
Ben Arthur is an NFL reporter for FOX Sports. He beforehand labored for The Tennessean/USA TODAY Network, the place he was Titans beat the author for a yr and a half. It coated the Seattle Seahawks for SeattlePI.com for 3 seasons (2018-20) earlier than transferring to Tennessee. You can comply with Ben on Twitter at @benyarthur.
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