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Will the Bears be overlooked again? Is it time to respect the Patriots? Are the Seahawks Super Bowl favorites?
Those are the questions Colin Cowherd has answers to in the most recent edition of the “Herd Hierarchy.” Remember, Cowherd isn’t ranking teams based on what they’ve done lately or their record. Rather, it’s an encapsulation of where each team in the NFL stands, holistically, taking into consideration which opponents each team has beaten, how healthy they are and their ceiling for the rest of the year.
So, let’s take a look at Cowherd’s final list after an exciting Wild Card weekend and ahead of the NFL Divisional Round.
THE HERD WITH COLIN COWHERD
8. Chicago Bears
“A season-low in penalties and penalty yards against Green Bay… They played clean. They’re 7-2 at home this year. 9-2 against teams outside their division. They’re a great fourth-quarter team. First win without a takeaway. So there’s a lot to take from it. They played a clean game. Caleb Williams was remarkable.”
“Now you can prepare for the 49ers without George Kittle. Brock Purdy has a pick in four straight games. I don’t really care. Purdy has four game-winning drives in six playoff games. They’ve won 11 straight playoff games in the Wild Card or Divisional Round, and a lot of that is Kyle Shanahan.”
“They’re very, very good at home, and 11-2 in one-score games… They do lead the NFL in sacks, and allow the fewest sacks. I like the roster construction, but they’ve scored less than 20 points in five of the last nine games. I’m not so sure taking the week off was good for the young Seahawks or the inconsistent Broncos.”
“I think Buffalo’s probably going to beat [the Broncos] and I did not suppose that a few weeks in the past. It was the primary street [playoff] win beneath [Sean] McDermott. They’ve received six of seven video games, and Josh Allen — take heed to this — in his final seven video games, he has 19 whole touchdowns, one interception. He has a approach of eliminating the errors. They have their tush push discovered, which they did not final yr within the playoffs. I believe their offensive personnel is healthier than I give it credit score for.”
“They’ve received 10 straight. Protection, final evening, outscored the Steelers offense. Pittsburgh was taking part in effectively, after which they noticed Houston, and unexpectedly they weren’t. They outgained the Steelers 408-175. Nico Collins’ harm shouldn’t be good. Not good in any respect. However, you realize what, Woody Marks is wholesome, Christian Kirk, C.J. Stroud.”
“They’re beatable as a result of I do not like their particular groups. They usually had 9 penalties in opposition to the Panthers. They simply could not lock in. They usually’re 4-3 over the past seven video games. The important thing to beating the Rams is the turnovers. In order that they’re 0-3 in video games with a number of giveaways this yr. That is the way in which to beat them — get stress on Matthew Stafford, dial up a reckless play. They do not fumble a ton. That is the way in which to beat the Rams. As a result of after they play clear, they’re 13-2.”
2. New England Patriots
“In a bizarre approach, it jogs my memory somewhat of the Brady-Belichick Patriots. I do not know what their gap is, however they don’t seem to be nice all over the place. I by no means thought Brady had the perfect receiving core. For a quick time, he had the perfect tight finish core. I by no means thought the Belicheck Patriots had the perfect cross rush, or the perfect linebacker crew. However they unfold the cash round, and there is nowhere they have been weak. That is how I have a look at the Patriots. Will Campbell’s again. Two working backs that I like. There’s nothing to choose on with New England.”
1. Seattle Seahawks
“Eight wins by 10-plus factors… They haven’t allowed a 100-yard rusher in 26 straight video games. You need to throw the ball to beat Seattle.”
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