Super Bowl 2014: Which Teams Have Easiest, Toughest Paths to Title Game?
The 2013 NFL regular season has now come to a close and the playoff picture is set. The (arguably) best six teams from each conference will continue to compete for the ultimate prize: A Super Bowl Championship.
However, the playoffs are full of twists and turns. Anything can happen, and any team can advance to the promised land. Whether a No. 1 seed or No. 6 seed, each team has an equal shot to get to the final dance.
Or do they?
Based on early matchups in the Wild Card Round and impending contests thereafter, certain playoff teams look to have an easier stretch of clinching a Super Bowl berth than others.
Let's take a team-by-team look to determine the difficulty for each franchise to reach the 2014 Super Bowl in New York.
Rankings are in order from most to least difficult.
12. New Orleans Saints
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The New Orleans Saints (11-5) have been able to put together a fantastic bounce-back season. However, they have played less-than-inspiring football on the road. The Saints finished the season with a 3-5 away record, including dropping their final three road contests.
Now that they have clinched the NFC's No. 6 seed, they have nothing but road games on the horizon.
New Orleans will first have to play in a very hostile environment against the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles have been resurgent over the final half of the season and are certainly a team that can match the offensive firepower of the Saints.
Even if they would be able to emerge victorious in Philadelphia, they would then have to travel to Seattle to take on the Seahawks. Seattle absolutely bludgeoned this Saints team when they played earlier this season, which does not bode well for Drew Brees and Co.
The NFC Championship would not be a pretty picture either, as New Orleans would have to travel to face off against either the Carolina Panthers, San Francisco 49ers or Green Bay Packers.
This is indeed the most difficult road to the Super Bowl.
11. San Diego Chargers
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The San Diego Chargers were able to sneak into the playoffs on Sunday after beating a Kansas City Chiefs second-string team by the score of 27-24 in overtime.
Things will not get any easier for San Diego going forward.
The No. 6 seed Chargers will first have to face off against a Cincinnati Bengals team that finished 8-0 at home this season. The Bengals were able to get the best of the Chargers in San Diego earlier this season and will be an even more formidable opponent at home.
Even if the Chargers are able to outlast Cincinnati, they must then travel to Denver to face Peyton Manning and the Broncos.
These teams split their division contests this season, as San Diego was able to come away with an impressive win at Denver. However, winning on the road against such a prolific team twice in one season is a rather daunting task.
From there, the Chargers would have to face the New England Patriots, Kansas City Chiefs or Indianapolis Colts on the road in the AFC Championship Game. With the amount of firepower in the AFC's playoff picture, things look bleak for San Diego to find themselves in the Super Bowl this season.
10. Green Bay Packers
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The return of quarterback Aaron Rodgers sparked a huge win against the division rival Chicago Bears in Week 17 to clinch the division and a playoff berth. Although the Packers have a home game to look forward to, they do not have an easy climb to the Super Bowl.
Green Bay must first face one of the NFL's most complete teams in the 49ers during the Wild Card Round. San Francisco has been able to put together a fine season, finishing with a 12-4 record. The 49ers are on a hot streak, winning their final six games of the season.
To make matters worse, San Francisco was able to defeat Rodgers and Co. in Week 1 this season in San Francisco.
Even if Green Bay does prevail, the Packers will likely move on to face the Seahawks in Seattle the following week.
Seattle is one of the league's most dominant teams at home and has a stout defense that can get heavy pressure on Rodgers and take away Green Bay's offensive vertical threat.
From there, Green Bay would be looking at an away game against either the Eagles or Panthers. The Eagles were able to easily defeat the Packers in Week 10 this season, and the Panthers boast one of the most complete teams on both sides of the ball.
Even with Rodgers back under center, getting to the Super Bowl this year will be no easy feat for Green Bay.
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9. Indianapolis Colts
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The Colts have been able to muster up some impressive wins toward the end of the regular season and are now set as the AFC's No. 4 seed. Even though they will play their first game at home, they will have to contend against a very dangerous Kansas City Chiefs team.
The Chiefs finished the season with an 11-5 record; however, one of those losses came against Indianapolis in Week 16. Still, the Chiefs have one of the NFL's deepest rosters and have explosive playmakers on both sides of the ball.
Indianapolis will have to be at the top of its game to keep pace.
If the Colts are able to win, they will likely move on to face the Denver Broncos, should the Bengals defeat the Chargers. This is another team that the Colts were able to beat during the regular season, as they outlasted Peyton Manning and Co. by a score of 39-33.
Still, being able to beat a very talented Chiefs team and Broncos team twice in one season is one gigantic feat.
If the Colts do happen to move on to the AFC Championship, they will most likely face off against either the Patriots or Bengals.
The Bengals were able to crush the Colts in Week 14 this season, and the Patriots are always a major threat in the postseason. Indianapolis has a chance to get to the promised land this year; however, it will take absolutely flawless play.
8. Kansas City Chiefs
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Even though the Chiefs have been one of the best teams in the NFL this season, they will have a difficult road ahead as the AFC's No. 5 seed.
To start, the Chiefs must travel to Indianapolis to face off with a Colts team that was able to defeat them by a score of 23-7 in Week 16. The Colts have been playing well lately and will certainly prove to be difficult to overcome at home.
After the Wild Card Round, the Chiefs will not have it any easier moving forward. The most likely scenario is that they will have to travel to Denver to take on Peyton Manning and the division-rival Broncos.
Denver was able to beat the Chiefs twice over a three-week span this season and certainly look to be the more dominant team. It could be tough for the Broncos to defeat the Chiefs three times this season, but the way the earlier contests between these two teams played out, that could be a very likely scenario.
If the Chiefs were to defeat Denver, they would still have to travel to either New England or Cincinnati for the AFC Championship Game. These teams have been phenomenal at home this year, and weather could easily play a factor, giving an increased advantage to the home team.
7. San Francisco 49ers
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The 49ers will first have to face off with the Packers in a rematch of their Week 1 contest. San Francisco was able to come away with the win that time around; however, this time they will have to compete in Green Bay.
Now that Aaron Rodgers is back and healthy, the Packers are once again a force to be reckoned with. The four losses that the 49ers have accrued over the 2013 regular season all came against high-octane offenses—much like the one run in Green Bay.
Moving on to the divisional round of the playoffs would most likely bring about a contest that the 49ers are all too familiar with—playing the Seahawks in Seattle.
The last time these two teams met at CenturyLink Field, the Seahawks trounced the 49ers by a score of 29-3. Having to play on the road against a divisional opponent with so much on the line will not be conducive to San Francisco moving to the AFC Championship.
However, if they are able to move on, they will have to travel to either Carolina or Philadelphia. The Panthers have already beaten the 49ers in a defensive struggle earlier this season, and the Eagles are one of the NFL's hottest teams heading into the playoffs.
6. Cincinnati Bengals
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Quarterback Andy Dalton and the Bengals have now made the playoffs for the third consecutive season—the first time that has happened in franchise history. The past two seasons, Cincinnati went one-and-done in the playoffs, but this time around, their first matchup will be played at home.
The Bengals will first face the No. 6 seed Chargers in the Wild Card Round, a matchup that is very winnable for the Bengals. The last time these teams faced off, in Week 13 this season, Cincinnati was able to come away with a 17-10 win in San Diego.
However, after this matchup, things get rather difficult for Cincinnati.
After advancing to the divisional round, the Bengals will have to face Tom Brady and the Patriots in New England. This is another team that the Bengals were able to defeat earlier this season; however, going up against Brady and Co. in the playoffs is an entirely different story.
Even if the Bengals were to advance again, they would have to face the high-powered offense of either the Broncos, Chiefs or Colts in the AFC Championship Game.
It may be difficult for Cincinnati to keep pace with those teams if Dalton cannot place more urgency on taking care of the football—he threw four interceptions against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 17.
The Bengals will need top-notch performances out of their quarterback and decimated defense if they are to have any chance to advance to the Super Bowl.
5. Philadelphia Eagles
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The Eagles were able to punch their ticket to the playoffs after defeating the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football in Week 17. Nick Foles and Co. continue to impress, and the Eagles offense has been rolling.
Philadelphia will get a home game to start off the 2013 playoffs against the No. 6 seed Saints. New Orleans does have a very good offense; however, the Saints have been unable to produce at a high level on the road. The Eagles should have the advantage here.
The Eagles will then have to face a stout Panthers defense and resurgent offense in Carolina. The Eagles do not have one of the NFL's better defenses, and quarterback Cam Newton could find some success in this contest. Foles will have to continue his dominant season to get past the Carolina defense and remain competitive in this one.
If the Eagles do advance to the NFC Championship, they will most likely face the Seahawks in Seattle. Winning against Carolina on the road is a tough feat in itself; however, emerging victorious in Seattle is even more of a daunting task.
The Seahawks have a balanced team on both sides of the ball. A great pass rush and secondary propel the defense, and the combination of Russell Wilson and Marshawn Lynch on the offensive side of the ball are a threatening duo.
Philadelphia is not as balanced as Seattle, so there will be no room for error in this contest.
4. New England Patriots
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The Patriots have been awarded a first-round bye after finishing off the season with a 12-4 record. All four Patriots losses have come on the road this season, so it is very important that they play at home during the playoffs.
New England has the capability to beat any of their AFC opponents; however, without Rob Gronkowski at the tight end position, their offense is not quite as dynamic. Over the final two contests of the regular season, the Patriots have been able to get it going offensively, scoring 41 and 34 points in their final two games, respectively.
If the Patriots must face off against the Bengals in the divisional round of the playoffs, they may not be able to produce at such a high level. Cincinnati has the NFL's fifth-ranked defense and was able to use that strength to beat New England in Week 5 this season.
A shootout would likely occur against the Chiefs or Colts as neither team possesses a great defense. Highly contested matchups should be expected in this round.
Finally, the most likely scenario features New England taking on the top-ranked offense of the Broncos in the AFC Championship. Peyton Manning was able to break Tom Brady's single-season touchdown record this season, as the Broncos offense continues to flourish.
New England was able to defeat Denver at home earlier this season; however, they may not be able to reproduce such an outcome on the road.
3. Carolina Panthers
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The Panthers produced one of the NFL's most dramatic turnaround seasons in 2013. Cam Newton was able to get back on track and lead a high-powered offense. Although, a vastly improved defense was the difference-maker for Carolina this season.
Carolina has been able to ride its second-ranked defense to a 12-4 record this season. The Panthers got off to a slow start, losing three of their first four games. They were able to regroup in a big way, winning 11 of their last 12.
After a first-round bye, the Panthers will remain at home against the Eagles, 49ers or Packers. The Panthers were able to defeat the 49ers earlier this season and are a more complete team than either the Eagles or the Packers.
By maintaining a balanced offense and stout defense, the Panthers could easily cruise to the NFC Championship Game.
This is where it gets tough.
More than likely, the Panthers will have to play the Seahawks in Seattle in this contest. The Seahawks were able to hand the Panthers their first loss of the season in 2013 in Carolina.
Having to compete against Seattle on the road is even more of a daunting task. These teams match up very well; however, it seems that the Seahawks may get the edge in terms of depth and experience.
2. Denver Broncos
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Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos offense have had a record-setting season. Their ability to put up points at will afforded them a 13-3 record and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
This team is simply on fire right now—actually, it has been all season long. There is not another offense in the league quite as prolific as the one featured in Denver. Now, the Broncos have the upper hand, as all challengers must get past them on the way to the Super Bowl.
Denver only lost one game at home this season and looks to avoid further blemishes going forward. The Broncos have a good chance at doing so; however, all three Broncos losses this year have come against potential playoff opponents—the Colts, Patriots and Chargers.
The AFC is very tight in terms of talent. There is no telling which teams will have to travel to Denver in January. Although, at the moment, the Broncos are certainly the most feared team in the conference.
One concern for the Broncos could be the possibility of a Manning vs. Brady game once again if New England does advance. After all, Manning does not have a stellar record when the two quarterbacks face off.
However it turns out, a first-round bye and home-field advantage has provided the Broncos with the AFC's easiest path to the Super Bowl.
1. Seattle Seahawks
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Yes, the Seahawks have the easiest road to the Super Bowl. That really wasn't that much of a surprise, was it?
After all, this well-balanced, deep team finished the regular season with a 13-3 record and has clinched a first-round bye and, more importantly, home-field advantage.
During quarterback Russell Wilson's two years in Seattle, the Seahawks have only lost one home contest—a 2013 Week 16 loss to the surging Arizona Cardinals. Well, the good news for Seattle is that the Cardinals did not make the playoffs this season.
All roads to the Super Bowl for the NFC must go through Seattle. The Seahawks have already defeated three of the other five NFC playoff teams this season. Now, those same teams must attempt to top the Seahawks once again—in Seattle.
The one NFC playoff team that was able to defeat Wilson and Co. this season was the 49ers. However, that game was played in San Francisco. When those two teams met in Seattle, the Seahawks delivered a 29-3 clobbering to the 49ers.
It is no surprise that the Seahawks are the favorite to go all the way in the NFC. After all, emerging victorious when playing in Seattle is one of the most difficult tasks for any NFL team to accomplish.
Well, this year, if any NFC team wants to get to the final dance, it will have to go through Seattle to get there.
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