Over the previous few weeks, a number of groups holding playoff spots within the NFL have proven glimpses of who they honestly are.
Though loads can change by the tip of the season, Yardbarker is inspecting every present playoff group’s potential as a Tremendous Bowl contender primarily based on its roster, previous efficiency and, to a lesser extent, future outlook.
With that in thoughts, here is a take a look at which NFC playoff groups are contenders and pretenders.
Detroit Lions (11-1)
They’ve but to hoist the Lombardi Trophy, however the Lions’ rebuild has panned out simply as efficiently as they might’ve hoped. Via 12 video games, Detroit has solidified itself because the Tremendous Bowl front-runner and arguably probably the most well-rounded roster within the NFL.
The explosive Lions offense averages a league-leading 31.9 factors, largely because of a profession season from QB Jared Goff in addition to the dominance of RBs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery. Goff, a three-time Professional Bowler, has accomplished 71.8% of his passes for two,982 yards, 22 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. In the meantime, Gibbs and Montgomery just lately grew to become the primary RB duo in NFL history to every rating double-digit dashing touchdowns in consecutive seasons.
The protection is not practically as loaded with expertise, nevertheless it’s nonetheless a formidable unit that has carried out admirably whereas star edge-rusher Aidan Hutchinson has been sidelined. Since Hutchinson suffered a probable season-ending leg harm in Week 6, Detroit has allowed the second-fewest factors (16) and eighth-fewest yards per sport (313.86).
The Lions have repeatedly proved they’ll overwhelm playoff-caliber opponents in addition to humiliate the NFL’s bottom-feeders and have a league-best +180 level differential, 74 factors greater than the next-closest group. So long as they play to their commonplace, the Lions ought to at the least make it again to the NFC Championship Sport.
Verdict: Contender
Philadelphia Eagles (9-2)
After beginning a disappointing 2-2, the Eagles have re-emerged as a menace within the NFC. It is honest to say that they are much more harmful than the Philadelphia group that reached Tremendous Bowl LVII, contemplating the brand new component that RB Saquon Barkley has delivered to the offense.
Barkley, who signed with Philadelphia this previous offseason after spending the primary six seasons of his profession with the New York Giants, is an MVP candidate. The 27-year-old leads the NFL with 1,392 dashing yards, already a profession excessive, and has scored 12 touchdowns, his most since his stellar 2018 rookie season.
Barkley’s excellent play has greater than compensated for the absences of WRs A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith because of accidents. Though Smith has underwhelmed, Brown has produced like one of many league’s high wideouts when wholesome, averaging 90.9 receiving yards per sport, the third most within the NFL.
On protection, Philadelphia has turned a nook since struggling a 33-16 Week 4 street loss to Tampa Bay. Over their present seven-game profitable streak, the Eagles have allowed the fewest factors (103) and yards (1,558) amongst groups.
Just like the Lions, Philadelphia has the expertise to win video games in a variety of methods. If HC Nick Sirianni can proceed to remain out of his personal approach, the group must be headed for one more deep playoff run.
Verdict: Contender
Seattle Seahawks (6-5)
Seattle and first-year HC Mike Macdonald sit atop the tightly contested NFC West after a 16-6 residence win over Arizona (6-5) in Week 12. The Seahawks are a middle-of-the-pack group, rating fifteenth in level differential and seventeenth in yardage differential, but it is value noting that a number of key accidents have contributed to those outcomes.
From Weeks 4 by way of 9, Seattle posted a dismal 1-5 record, however the group has been clicking since its Week 10 bye, with the protection main the way in which. Over the previous two video games — each wins in opposition to division rivals — the Seahawks surrendered the second-fewest factors (23) and fourth-fewest yards amongst groups (575).
QB Geno Smith is second within the league in passing yards (3,035) and has had a number of huge moments this season. However he’s removed from good, tossing 12 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Seattle’s receiving corps and working again room are robust, however its offensive line raises considerations whether or not the offense can keep constant, having allowed the eighth-most sacks this season (37).
Regardless that the Seahawks are within the driver’s seat within the NFC West, making the playoffs will not be simple, extra so since Arizona and Los Angeles have simpler remaining schedules. And even when the group reaches the postseason whereas sustaining its present stage of play, Seattle is just too inconsistent to be thought-about a respectable Tremendous Bowl contender.
Verdict: Pretender
Atlanta Falcons (6-5)
In response to ending 7-10 in every of the previous three seasons, Atlanta overhauled its teaching employees and aggressively added expertise within the offseason, most notably signing QB Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract. It took Cousins time to readjust to sport velocity after struggling a season-ending Achilles harm in 2023, however the Falcons gained 4 of their first six video games.
Nonetheless, Atlanta has stumbled over the previous month and a half, dropping three of its previous 5 video games. The offense has been inconsistent throughout this span, whereas the protection has been uncovered as one of many league’s weaker models. Total, Atlanta’s protection has allowed the eighth-most factors per sport (24.9) and solely racked up 10 sacks, the fewest within the NFL by seven.
Contemplating each different group within the NFC South has a dropping report, coupled with the truth that the Falcons have the eighth-easiest remaining schedule, they’re well-positioned to clinch the division title. Even so, given their -30-point differential on the season, the Falcons merely lack the expertise essential to make a lot noise within the playoffs in the event that they get there.
Verdict: Pretender
Minnesota Vikings (9-2)
Regardless of dropping Cousins in free company, the Vikings are 9-2 for the primary time since 2017, with their solely losses coming in opposition to Detroit and the Los Angeles Rams.
DC Brian Flores’ imposing protection is the driving power behind Minnesota’s success. Via 11 video games, the protection has allowed the third-fewest factors and seventh-fewest yards amongst groups (3,490) and ranks first in pressures (137) and fourth in sacks (38) and takeaways (22).
Minnesota additionally boasts a top-10 scoring offense below beginning quarterback Sam Darnold. The previous No. 3 total decide has loved a profession renaissance with the Vikings after failed stints with the New York Jets and Carolina Panthers, along with spending final season in a backup position with San Francisco. This season, Darnold has thrown for two,717 yards and 21 touchdowns, the fourth most amongst QBs.
However, Darnold’s 10 interceptions (the fourth most within the NFL) counsel he is extra the turnover-prone QB we noticed in New York and Carolina than a franchise man.
If the season ended in the present day, Minnesota would face the Falcons within the wild-card spherical, a positive matchup for the Vikings. Nonetheless, ought to such a scenario unfold and the Vikings advance to the divisional spherical, it is laborious to have a lot religion in Darnold profitable on the street in opposition to the Lions.
Verdict: Pretender
Inexperienced Bay Packers (9-3)
The NFL’s youngest group getting into the season, Inexperienced Bay has gained seven of its previous eight video games, together with three straight since dropping a Week 9 residence matchup in opposition to Detroit.
The Packers spent closely in free company after ending 9-8 and dropping within the divisional spherical final season. Their high acquisitions — RB Josh Jacobs and security Xavier McKinney — have sizzled. Jacobs has rushed for the third-most yards amongst tailbacks (987) and eight touchdowns, whereas McKinney has notched seven interceptions, probably the most within the NFL.
The success of Jacobs, specifically, has helped make up for QB Jordan Love’s lackluster play. Love has been tormented by accidents this season and, when wholesome, hasn’t been practically as efficient as he was final season. The primary-round decide has thrown for two,518 yards, 20 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in solely 10 games however hasn’t turned the ball over in his previous two outings.
Losses to Philadelphia, Minnesota and Detroit are respectable indicators the Packers aren’t higher than these NFC forces. Nonetheless, if Love can proceed exhibiting indicators that he could also be returning to his 2023 type, he is the kind of expertise able to main his group on a deep playoff run.
Verdict: Contender
Washington Commanders (7-5)
Among the finest tales of the common season, Washington seems to be like a totally totally different franchise than it was below former proprietor Dan Snyder. The Josh Harris-led possession group made large upgrades this previous offseason, none extra impactful than the teaching change from Ron Rivera to Dan Quinn and the choice of rookie QB Jayden Daniels.
Daniels’ dual-threat abilities have translated comparatively easily to the NFL, and he’s the favourite to earn Offensive Rookie of the Yr, per BetGM. The LSU product has accomplished 68.4% of his passes for 2,613 yards, 12 touchdowns and 5 interceptions and rushed for 556 yards and 5 TDs. Moreover, Washington’s offense is averaging the fifth-most factors (27.8).
Defensively, Washington is not spectacular, nevertheless it has extra expertise than the unit that completed thirty second in factors and yards allowed final season and now ranks seventeenth (23.1) and sixteenth (334.6) in these departments. It is attainable the protection can enhance by season’s finish due to the addition of four-time Professional Bowl CB Marshon Lattimore on the commerce deadline.
Washington’s rebuild has began on a excessive be aware, and the franchise is trending in the proper route. Nonetheless, simply because the long run is vibrant does not imply the long run is now. Since beginning the season with an sudden 7-2 report, the Commanders have misplaced three consecutive video games, and their defensive limitations proceed to turn out to be evident.
Perhaps the most concerning statistic for Washington is that it only has one win against a team with a winning record through Week 12 (Tampa Bay in Week 1). Lattimore’s addition could change things, though it’s more likely that Daniels and Co. go one-and-done in the playoffs, especially if they face Philadelphia in the wild-card round.
Verdict: Pretender
