2026 NFL playoffs: One cause why each workforce can (and might’t) win Tremendous Bowl XL

The trail west for Tremendous Bowl LX is now clear. After 18 weeks of normal season soccer, 14 groups are left standing to lift the Lombardi trophy in what has been one of many wildest seasons I can bear in mind. From the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens lacking the playoffs to the rise of groups just like the Chicago Bears and Jacksonville Jaguars, the tales this season have been plentiful. 

However now we have reached the playoffs, and each workforce has an opportunity at successful the entire thing (sure, even the Panthers). So let’s give out one cause why each workforce can win the Tremendous Bowl, and one cause why they may fall brief.

AFC

Denver Broncos

CAN: The protection takes over video games

The Denver Broncos have quite a bit going for them as they enter the playoffs. They’ve probably the greatest offensive traces in soccer, an excellent playcaller in Sean Payton and residential subject benefit all through your complete AFC bracket. Nevertheless, if this workforce goes to win a Tremendous Bowl, the protection goes to want to stay as much as its billing as probably the greatest models in soccer from prime to backside. By means of the primary ten weeks of the season, the Broncos protection seemed prefer it was on tempo to be probably the greatest models in fashionable historical past: second in defensive EPA per play, first in defensive success fee and tied with the Houston Texans for the bottom Factors per Drive given up. Nevertheless, it hasn’t precisely been a photograph end for the Broncos protection. Since week 11, the Broncos dropped to thirteenth in defensive EPA per play and twelfth in Factors per Drive allowed. 

Now this is not a serious trigger for concern, however I do assume for this workforce to lift a Lombardi the protection has to search out their mojo from the primary 10 weeks. If they will get havoc performs from a star-studded line of defense plus CB Patrick Surtain II on the again finish, it should be onerous to maneuver the ball on this workforce.

CAN’T: Lack of a run sport places an excessive amount of on Bo Nix’s shoulders

The Broncos offense has been form of a seesaw this season. Permit me to elucidate: at first of the yr, whereas Bo Nix was enjoying poorly, it was the run sport (particularly RB JK Dobbins) that helped hold the Broncos afloat on that facet of the ball and Nix was capable of finding a groove late in video games. However after Dobbins acquired harm, all the pieces form of flipped. Nix has been enjoying pretty properly, however the run sport issues me quite a bit with out Dobbins. The Broncos’ Success Charge operating the soccer drops 4 p.c with out Dobbins within the backfield, and their EPA per carry goes from 0.05 to -0.04. For context, that might be like going from the Chicago Bears run sport … to the Carolina Panthers. With out the effectiveness of the bottom sport, I fear that an excessive amount of will get placed on Nix’s shoulders in a playoff setting. As I stated earlier than, Nix has performed pretty properly, however he is made some boneheaded performs these days that could possibly be the distinction between shifting on and going residence. As well as, this is not actually the receiver group that may bail out errors the best way most groups can.

Possibly the run sport will get kicked into gear through the use of Nix as a runner extra typically, but when they can not it’s going to be a protracted street uphill for Denver.

New England Patriots

CAN: Drake Maye stays razor environment friendly

A part of what makes Drake Maye’s MVP-caliber season so superior is that he is remained razor environment friendly and sharp whereas additionally being aggressive downfield. He leads the NFL in EPA per dropback whereas additionally being tied with Rams QB Matthew Stafford in Air Yards per Try. His effectivity on deep passes assist open up lanes within the run sport for the Patriots, the place they’ve a house run hitter in Treveyon Henderson and RB Rhamondre Stevenson, who put collectively the very best sport of the season within the finale towards the Dolphins. On prime of that, his most underrated trait is how he is grown in sack avoidance to maintain the offense on the sphere. He is lowered his sack fee this season and has been some of the efficient scramblers within the NFL. Getting into the playoffs, it is actually onerous for QBs to stay as environment friendly throwing the ball downfield given the variance that comes from downfield sideline pictures like Maye chooses to throw. Nevertheless, given that there is a whole season of his work taking the highest off a protection, I will purchase into his skill to stretch the sphere and hold the Patriots offense explosive.

CAN’T: Milton Williams is not again to 100%

If there’s something that has stood out apart from Drake Maye-nia this season for New England, it is that Milton Williams was price each greenback the Patriots paid him. He completed with a 12.6% Strain Charge, third within the NFL amongst DTs behind teammate Christian Barmore and the Titans‘ Jeffrey Simmons and that was even whereas lacking video games with a excessive ankle sprain. That ankle sprain can also be why I’ve somewhat little bit of concern for the Patriots, nevertheless. Per TruMedia, with Williams on the sphere, the Patriots have nearly a 62% Defensive Success Charge on the bottom, quit 1.13 Yards earlier than Contact per rush and 0.06 defensive EPA per play. With out Williams, the Defensive Success Charge drops to 59%, and their Yards Earlier than Contact per rush goes as much as 1.66. Williams’ athleticism and talent to get upfield in a rush is such an enormous enhance to this workforce, and permits the Patriots to each be versatile and play their move speeding EDGEs extra actually because Williams is a pressure towards the run as properly. If Williams is not wholesome by way of this playoff run, their skill to defend the run turns into rather more compromised, and the protection comes aside.

Jacksonville Jaguars

CAN: Explosive performs on offense

Throughout this Jacksonville scorching streak to complete the season, their skill to generate explosives on either side of the ball has actually stood out. Since week 12 the Jaguars’ 12.7% Explosive Play Charge (passes over 16 yards and runs over 12 yards) is sixth within the NFL and their 35 performs of 20+ yards are good for fourth within the NFL. A big majority of that is by way of the air, the place the addition of WR Jakobi Meyers has not solely allowed the offense to be extra environment friendly, however with everybody in additional streamlined roles, the explosives are coming by way of in bunches. They’ve additionally been capable of finding lots of effectivity when attacking the center of the sphere and QB Trevor Lawrence has been completely shredding on center of the sphere targets. Since week 10, Lawrence has a 0.43 EPA per try over the center of the sphere, sixth within the NFL amongst QBs with no less than 150 dropbacks. With the complete cadre of receiving expertise and Liam Coen pulling the strings, this offense can dangle explosive performs on anybody on the drop of a hat.

CAN’T: Inside strain breaks the offense

If the Jaguars have struggled wherever this season, it is by way of the backbone of the offense. Heart Robert Hainsey has been out and in of the lineup with an harm, and if RG Patrick Mekari cannot go on Sunday it’s going to be former beginning sort out Walker Little at guard. Within the video games Jacksonville has misplaced to premier groups (Seattle, Los Angeles Rams, Houston), the inside offensive line could not generate sufficient push within the run sport and likewise was overwhelmed by strain up entrance. I believe Coen has managed to mitigate among the inside strain over this last stretch of the season, however when Lawrence has been at his worst it has been as a result of the strain breaks down up the inside of the offensive line. This additionally bleeds into their run sport points they’ve had regardless of this sturdy stretch of play. Their speeding success fee since week 12 is thirty first within the NFL and solely the Raiders have a decrease EPA per carry over that very same timespan. A big a part of that’s the accidents to Hainsey and Mekari, but when the Jaguars cannot get something going between the tackles, offense will get quite a bit tougher throughout this playoff run.

Pittsburgh Steelers

CAN: Each sport is usually a Mike Tomlin sport

Everyone knows a Mike Tomlin sport. The grittiest, grimiest, knockdown dragout rock struggle you have ever seen, one which makes you each yearn for the soccer of yesteryear and likewise want this Steelers workforce would get launched into the solar. For this model of the Steelers to make the Tremendous Bowl, they will should get consecutive Mike Tomlin masterclasses. I’ve actually beloved what they’ve executed to complete the common season defensively, altering their personnel and molding from a really inflexible, single-high protection to being extra versatile and shifting Jalen Ramsey again to security. Their line of defense play has actually improved with DT Derrick Harmon coming again, and DT Cam Heyward is getting old like fantastic wine. They will kick butt up on the line of scrimmage, and after they unleash EDGE Nick Herbig on passing downs, it is actually a sight to behold. With Herbig on the sphere, their Strain Charge of 39.6% could be third within the NFL and their Sack Charge of 8.1% could be fifth. Off the sphere, these numbers drop to 36.2% and 5.9% respectively. If the Steelers protection can get a couple of opportune turnovers and a few good breaks, I believe they will make any offense’s life hell.

CAN’T: There is not any different receiver who can win downfield

The issue with constructing your complete boat out of YAC is that once you’re not creating after the catch the offense turns into neutered. Outdoors of the returning DK Metcalf, which receiver for the Steelers makes you are concerned when thrown the ball downfield? 35-year-old Adam Thielen? Calvin Austin? Possibly if TE Jonnu Smith and Rodgers may ever be on the identical web page I might have extra religion, however this Steelers receiving core feels prefer it’s on shaky floor, and the playoffs are the place shaky floor crumbles. There’s no one on the roster who can create constant separation exterior of Metcalf, and if Rodgers is compelled to create at 42 years outdated that looks like a win for the protection. The Steelers’ offense stays their Achilles heel, and in the event that they bow out early as soon as once more within the playoffs, it’s going to be as a result of no one may win on precise downfield targets.

Houston Texans

CAN: The protection can go on a historic run

The Houston Texans have the power to do one thing actually particular within the playoffs: they will go and win a Tremendous Bowl regardless of having among the most questionable offensive play that I’ve ever seen. Their skill to show each sport right into a slugfest actually may be their biggest high quality this season; with the line of defense that they’ve mixed with two stars at cornerback, there’s not likely a lot you are able to do to assault this protection. One space that I believe does not get talked about sufficient for this workforce is how a lot they’ve improved towards the run this season. They’ve improved their Defensive Success Charge on the bottom and shored up a few of their points they’d towards groups that might run lots of lure and hole scheme runs at them by way of the play of DT Tommy Togiai and others on the inside. They’re forcing punts at a a lot increased clip than any earlier season below HC Demeco Ryans and with stars akin to EDGEs Will Anderson Jr and Danielle Hunter, CBs Derek Stingley Jr and Kamari Lassiter plus rising star S Calen Bullock, good luck making an attempt to maneuver the ball on this workforce.

CAN’T: The offensive explosives run out

To say this season has been a battle for the Texans’ offense could be an understatement, however I believe they began to search out one thing with the best way they’ve hunted explosive performs since QB CJ Stroud re-entered the lineup. His Air Yards per try has gone as much as eight yards since week 13 (prime ten mark within the NFL), and the Texans have appeared to lean into max safety and letting Stroud hunt huge performs with WRs Nico Collins, Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel. The concern for this workforce is that if these explosives run out, can Stroud will this workforce to some right down to down effectivity? They nonetheless do not generate a lot on the bottom, and if the splash performs aren’t hitting this offense may go into a serious fog. The protection can clearly win them lots of video games, but when the offense cannot hit a few haymakers to provide their protection a lead I fear about their skill to win a Tremendous Bowl.

Buffalo Payments

CAN: Their floor and pound sport

The Payments’ greatest power going into the playoffs is twofold: their QB Josh Allen, and an offensive line and run sport that may grind any protection into paste. Their offensive shift over the previous couple of years has led to this: an offense that’s constructed by way of the bottom sport and their QB making performs when he must. NFL speeding chief James Cook dinner can even hit the explosives that the Payments offense must hold defenses trustworthy: his 39 runs of over 10+ yards are just one behind Miami’s DeVon Achane for the NFL lead this season, and Allen himself can even take over video games on the bottom when he must. With the protection constructed to play with a lead and an offense that may ball management their method to victory, if the Payments wish to get to a Tremendous Bowl it’s going to be by way of their monster effectivity and explosiveness on the bottom.

CAN’T: They run out of the way to cover their receiving corps

Do not forget that stat I stated concerning the Steelers being first within the NFL in proportion of yards coming after the catch? Yeah, properly the Payments are third, and so they do it differently than the Steelers. Buffalo does not have the separators at receiver like many different groups; I might argue their greatest separator is TE Dalton Kincaid. Nevertheless, what OC Joe Brady does is scheme them open by way of motions and bunches and making an attempt his greatest to make a receiver core that lacks winners look presentable. Nevertheless, come playoff time you want somebody that is going to go and get you a bucket, and the fear for Buffalo is that every one the methods Brady can draw up mesh are going to expire and somebody has to win in a person protection state of affairs. I do not assume the Payments have that man on the roster proper now, so in the event that they find yourself bowing out early, blame their lack of ability to win in these areas.

Los Angeles Chargers

CAN: The protection places a vise grip on explosive performs

When the Chargers protection is at their greatest, they will restrict explosives downfield. They impart extremely properly on the again finish, and what they may lack in pure stardom exterior of DB Derwin James they make up for with being in sync with one another just like the boy band. Los Angeles completed the common season fourth in proportion of explosive passes allowed, and their quarters protection permits themselves to place offenses in a sleeper maintain. They need you to take checkdowns or else you threat placing the ball in harms means. Mix that with a feisty move rush and an excellent defensive coordinator in Jesse Minter and also you get a reasonably clear image of how this Chargers workforce can go from the 7 seed to the Tremendous Bowl.

CAN’T: The offensive line betrays Justin Herbert one last time

I imply have you ever seen who’s beginning on this line? Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater aren’t strolling by way of that door come playoff time, and if it’s a must to wager on Austin Deculus, Bobby Hart or Trevor Penning to be Justin Herbert’s blindside protector in a playoff situation I might simply be able to see Herbert on the bottom a LOT. Since Alt went out with an ankle harm that wanted surgical procedure, the Chargers have allowed a 44.1% strain fee, third-highest within the NFL–and that one way or the other feels low contemplating how typically Herbert is operating for his life. Now, Herbert has made a method to make rooster salad out of it, attacking downfield when pressured (10 TDs below strain is tied with Drake Maye for first within the NFL). However towards actual move rushes within the playoffs, the largest fear is that Herbert may get crushed, additionally crushing the Chargers’ Tremendous Bowl hopes.

NFC

Seattle Seahawks

CAN: The protection continues their dominant run

The Seahawks, Broncos and Texans are all making an attempt to show that protection wins championships, however statistically Seattle has been the very best workforce within the NFL. You title a class and the Seahawks are no less than prime 3 in it: first in Factors Per Sport allowed, first in Factors Per Drive allowed, first in Defensive EPA per play towards the run, third in run protection success fee, third in total EPA per play allowed. Head coach/lead defensive playcaller Mike Macdonald is a schematic wizard, poking holes in an offense’s skill to be explosive towards them, whereas additionally having one of many deepest and strongest defensive traces within the league. That is the place this all begins for the Seahawks, a rotation of DTs Leonard Williams, Byron Murphy and Jarran Reed plus heavy handed EDGEs in Demarcus Lawrence, Uchenna Nwosu, Derick Corridor and Boye Mafe. That group units the tone for the protection, and if they will proceed to take over video games, this workforce can get to the Tremendous Bowl.

CAN’T: Sam Darnold pumpkin ball returns

That is the largest fear for the Seahawks going into the playoffs. Sam Darnold has the power to win them video games together with his downfield aggression and penchant for explosive performs as a pocket passer, however can even throw the Seahawks out of video games with boneheaded interceptions and unfavorable performs. Over the second half of the season, Darnold’s Turnover Worthy Throw fee has doubled and he is thrown eight interceptions since week 11, third most within the NFL over that timespan. For the Seahawks to actually attain the heights that they wish to, Darnold must know when to fold and when to press in the case of his downfield passing. The Seahawks offense does not have the firepower exterior of WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba to make Darnold proper normally, so Darnold has to higher toe the road between daring and reckless.

Chicago Bears

CAN: The offense can rating with anyone

The Bears have some of the electrifying offenses within the NFL proper now. With their skill to each grind out profitable runs (third within the NFL in Speeding Success Charge) or create explosives as a speeding offense (t-Third in EPA per rush) they trigger so many issues defending them constantly. With each TEs Colston Loveland and Cole Kmet on the sphere nevertheless, this offense can actually pressure the protection to decide on how they wish to defend them. In the event that they’re nervous concerning the explosive passing (Williams is eighth within the NFL in Air Yards per try out of 12 personnel) then the Bears can simply gash groups on the bottom, however if you wish to load as much as cease the run, Chicago can pressure you into making an attempt to defend their matchup nightmares downfield. Williams has additionally improved fairly a bit since his rookie season. He is taken a lot much less sacks (albeit the throwaways is usually a little annoying) and his processing has taken an enormous leap ahead. Whereas not being a completed product, the truth that the Bears offense can put up factors in bunches is why they will win all of it.

CAN’T: The protection’s turnover luck runs out

Sure, the Bears lead the NFL in takeaways. No, I am not making an attempt to water that down or rain on the parade, however I’m going to say that turnover variance hits meaner than a Terence Crawford hook. If the Bears aren’t forcing turnovers defensively, they’re vulnerable to huge performs within the run sport and passing sport. Regardless of main the NFL in takeaways, they’re close to the underside of Havoc Charge within the NFL, that means they don’t seem to be producing TFLs, move breakups or sacks at practically a excessive sufficient fee. The dearth of move rush has actually been a thorn of their facet this season, ending the common season twenty seventh in strain fee and twenty fifth in whole pressures. EDGE Montez Sweat leads the workforce in sacks, however it looks like their move rush can undergo spurts of not with the ability to have an effect on the QB in any means. If they can not get turnovers at a excessive fee, they may find yourself out of the playoffs completely.

Philadelphia Eagles

CAN: Probably the most proficient defenses in soccer makes each sport a rock struggle

This has been the M.O. for the Eagles your complete season. The Eagles’ protection is so good they provide the offense sufficient instances at bat to no less than put up some factors, and for probably the most half that facet of the ball has lived as much as the billing. This Fangio protection might need extra expertise than the one which received the Tremendous Bowl final season, with affect gamers at each degree of the protection. DTs Jordan Davis, Jalen Carter and Moro Ojomo make it onerous for offenses to run the soccer and likewise bat passes at a excessive fee, slowing the momentum of the offense. They’re simply above common in strain fee, however since buying EDGE Jaelan Phillips their strain fee has jumped as much as nearly 41%, good for a prime ten mark within the NFL throughout that point interval. CBs Cooper DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell have performed like All-Professionals this season and Fangio weaponizes his protection to work as a constrictor and likewise pressure offenses into errors. They need you to verify it down, then rally and sort out. It isn’t out of the realm of chance that the Eagles’ protection goes on a tear like they did in 2024, discovering their means again to the massive sport.

CAN’T: The offense takes too lengthy to flip the swap

For weeks, the Eagles’ offense has talked about flipping a proverbial swap, or urgent a button to show the offense again into the juggernaut that they have been final yr. I am of the assumption that the swap they plan on flipping is not actual. The one factor that might save this offense could be offensive linemen Landon Dickerson, Cam Jurgens and Lane Johnson getting wholesome and a brand new offensive coordinator, however neither of these issues are taking place at this level within the season. Possibly the button they plan on urgent is utilizing QB Jalen Hurts extra within the run sport; his designed rush fee is the bottom it has been in his whole profession, per TruMedia. With out the RB runs being as efficient as they have been final yr, Hurts needs to be an element within the run sport for the Eagles to pressure opponents out of the 2 excessive shells they’ve seen this season. On prime of that, the passing sport simply feels disjointed, as in the event that they’re operating two separate offenses in a single sport. The dearth of play motion has been complicated for the Eagles having one of many greatest run threats within the NFL, however total this offense is what it’s by this level of the season. If the Eagles do not repeat as champions, it is as a result of they could not flip that swap.

Carolina Panthers

CAN: The offense shortens video games

The street to the Tremendous Bowl looks like a longshot for the Panthers, however I do assume there is a means they will make the massive sport. It revolves across the offense staying on the sphere and being cash on excessive leverage downs. The Panthers within the common season had a median third down distance of 6.8 yards, however their conversion fee is twenty fifth within the NFL. Of their wins this season, their third down conversion fee jumps to 38.6% and so they’re 16/19 on 4th down of their wins. In losses, their third down conversion fee drops to 33.7% and are 11/21 on 4th down. Of their wins, the Panthers have a blistering 0.3 EPA per play on cash downs and a forty five.8% Success Charge. For context, that EPA per play could be fourth within the NFL and their Success Charge could be seventh. I do know it’d sound cliche to say win on third and fourth down, however the Panthers NEED to shorten video games and use their brutally environment friendly run sport to manage the time of possession. Their run sport is able to mowing defenses down, and we have seen Bryce Younger come by way of in huge moments. The clutch gene needs to be within the Panthers for them to make it to Santa Clara.

CAN’T: Their move rush stays nonexistent

Carolina’s move rush this season has been extra of a suggestion than a requirement. They’re lifeless final in strain fee this season and twenty seventh in sack fee. There’s just one participant on the Panthers with no less than 75 move rush snaps with a double digit strain fee (EDGE Patrick Jones II has a 13.2% strain fee, but in addition missed the remainder of the season with a again harm that wants surgical procedure). Among the many energetic defensive linemen for the Panthers, their main strain fee man is rookie EDGE Nic Scourton…at 9.2%. Panthers’ DC Ejiro Evero does not actually lean into blitzing, typically counting on his line of defense to win late or the QB throws a move into tight protection. With a toothless move rush, I fear concerning the Panthers’ skill to get off the sphere, particularly in the case of the offenses they will see within the playoffs.

Los Angeles Rams

CAN: The Rams offense continues to be an environment friendly buzzsaw

The Rams offense is among the most effective and profitable offenses not solely this yr, however some of the brutally environment friendly groups we have seen in a very long time. Since 2010, solely 4 groups have a better offensive success fee than the Los Angeles Rams: the 2011 New Orleans Saints, 2011 New England Patriots, 2020 Buffalo Payments and 2018 New Orleans Saints. If you wish to go by EPA per play, this yr’s Rams are twenty fifth. However they will transfer the ball higher than ever, largely as a result of they will pressure groups into base protection with their 13 personnel. It has been talked about quite a bit at this level how efficient the Rams are after they get three tight ends on the sphere to throw the ball, however the Rams have additionally been some of the environment friendly offenses on the bottom within the NFL. RBs Kyren Williams and Blake Corum aren’t tremendous explosive, however they will grind out 5 yard carries that pressure the protection to respect their run sport. Since 2010, there hasn’t been a run sport with a better success fee than the Rams and due to that they will assault downfield out of their 13 personnel. QB Matthew Stafford has been masterful this season, and all the tight ends have taken benefit of the eye WRs Puka Nacua and Davante Adams have draw. If the Rams win the Tremendous Bowl, it’s going to be on the backs of some of the environment friendly offenses we have seen in 10+ years.

CAN’T: The secondary cannot make a play

When the Rams have been struggling on the defensive facet of the ball, it hasn’t been due to the shortage of move rush. For probably the most half, their line of defense has proven up in nearly each sport they’ve performed. Nevertheless, they’ve struggled within the secondary at instances. Defensive coordinator Chris Shula has drawn blood from a stone for a lot of the season, however they’ve struggled towards among the premier large receivers. Detroit Lions‘ wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown had an absurd 3.90 Yards per Route Run towards the Rams, Eagles’ receiver AJ Brown completed at 3.03. Arizona Cardinals‘ large receiver Michael Wilson got here in at 3.46 Yards per Route Run for a moribund workforce towards the Rams. Whereas CB Emmanuel Forbes has been probably the greatest tales of the season, towards larger receivers he can get dunked on, and that is the fear with this Rams workforce. They’re going to get dunked on in move protection if you may get the ball out rapidly. This linebacker corps is not the best in protection, so that they should ask safeties Kam Kinchens and Kam Curl to hammer onerous on all digs, leaving the skin corners vulnerable to huge performs. The Rams stands out as the favourite to win the Tremendous Bowl, but when they do not it’s going to be as a result of the secondary falls aside.

San Francisco 49ers

CAN: Kyle Shanahan pulls one other rabbit out of his hat

What Kyle Shanahan has executed this season needs to be mentioned extra. Whereas lacking LT Trent Williams, TE George Kittle, WRs Ricky Pearsall, Jauan Jennings and Brandon Aiyuk and QB Brock Purdy this season, the 49ers nonetheless completed the season with a blistering 0.07 EPA per play. As soon as Brock Purdy got here again nevertheless, that is when the offense actually took off. Throughout that point interval, the Niners had a 0.11 EPA per play (Third), 48.8% Success Charge (seventh) and three.04 Factors per Drive (1st). Shanahan has discovered a method to get some effectivity out of a floor sport that is lacked chew up entrance exterior of Williams and been so environment friendly over the center of the sphere, utilizing McCaffrey as a decoy. For the Niners to win the Tremendous Bowl, Shanahan should pull off one in all his biggest teaching feats but, getting this M.A.S.H. unit on either side of the ball to maintain up the effectivity whereas going up towards the MonStars of the convention.

CAN’T: The protection runs out of our bodies

Look man we’re already on Kyzir White and Eric Kendricks at linebacker at this level. The Niners undoing this season goes to be what it has been since EDGE Nick Bosa and LB Fred Warner went down with season-ending accidents. If the Niners do not make the Tremendous Bowl it’s going to be as a result of they simply haven’t got anybody left to play on protection. They’re already reducing it shut with their strain plan; led by Bryce Huff and…I assume Sam Okuayinonu at this level, they can not get strain with out blitzing. The issue is defensive coordinator Robert Saleh won’t belief his secondary to play man protection and if the strain does not get residence then the Niners are out of luck. On prime of that, their run sport additionally has been inconsistent, counting on rookie DT Alfred Collins and Kalia Davis to carry gaps. With out their affect splash gamers on the sphere, I fear that the Niners protection simply runs out of gamers to maintain throwing at their defensive points.

Inexperienced Bay Packers

CAN: Jordan Love can go Tremendous Saiyan

I do know it is a controversial opinion, however: Packers’ QB Jordan Love is an efficient QB. In response to Sumer Sports activities, Love completed the common season second in EPA per play and ninth within the NFL in Success Charge, regardless of at factors lacking WRs Jayden Reed and Christian Watson, TE Tucker Kraft and OL Elgton Jenkins and Zach Tom. His command of the offense has grown in spades this season, the place he is now discovering methods to beat strain appears earlier than the snap with altering the safety and play earlier than persevering with to assault downfield. I nonetheless assume he invitations lots of strain on himself with the best way that he performs, but when the Packers are going to win the Tremendous Bowl, they should let Jordan Love cook dinner. The Packers do not actually throw the ball on early downs (51.2% Early down move fee, twentieth in NFL), however letting Love air it out may assist them stay explosive as Josh Jacobs hammers opponents. This should be a Jordan Love run for the Packers to win the Tremendous Bowl.

CAN’T: The line of defense does not have sufficient juice

When EDGE Micah Parsons and DT Devonte Wyatt left the lineup with season-ending accidents, the Packers’ move rush went with them. Parsons led the workforce in fast pressures this season with 33, no one else on the workforce had greater than 9. The Packers’ protection is constructed on Parsons and Wyatt’s quickness and talent to wreak havoc in each the run and passing sport, and with out them the workforce quickness goes down drastically. Sure, EDGEs Lukas Van Ness and Rashan Gary each ran 40-yard dashes below 4.6 seconds, however they don’t seem to be laterally fast or explosive, and might’t actually shut distance the best way that Parsons or Wyatt can. Even with Wyatt they have been skinny at defensive sort out and lacked dimension, so now they will should overcompensate by sending LBs Edgerrin Cooper and Quay Walker to have an effect on the QB. Cooper is the Packers’ greatest protection LB so then all the pieces falls aside after that, and DC Jeff Hafley runs out of solutions. With out Parsons, the Packers’ street to Santa Clara will get quite a bit murkier, and could possibly be the rationale they’re sitting at residence.