NFL Playoff Scenarios: Each Team's Ideal Path to the Super Bowl
Now that 13 weeks of the NFL season have passed, the pieces are starting to fall in place for the playoff pictures. Many teams are still in the hunt, though some have pretty much wrapped up a spot while others are on the outside looking in.
Each team naturally has their own teams they dominate, as well as teams they seem to struggle against for one reason or another. As a result, each team has their own ideal path to the playoffs.
The following shows virtually every playoff tea, still in contention and breaks down what would be the best path for them.
New England Patriots
1 of 19
The Patriots always seem to be in the thick of the playoff hunt no matter who they surround Tom Brady with. They lead the AFC in points scored, so any team with a questionable defense works well against them, namely the Jaguars or Colts. They have had success against the Steelers as well, so they would be a good fit.
As for teams they want to avoid, they lost to the Ravens in the playoffs last year and I don't see a reason why that couldn't happen again. They also struggled against the Jets for the past couple years, even though the Pats were the superior team. Now that they're equals, it will be tough.
New York Jets
2 of 19
If the Jets can score, they can win. As noted, they would likely win a playoff match against New England and would be fine against them. Any of the AFC West teams that try to win with offense would falter against the Jets as well, namely the Chargers.
If you can get Mark Sanchez out of his rhythm early, it would be tough to get the team going, and as a result they'll hope to avoid the Steelers and Ravens, both of whom can do that.
Miami Dolphins
3 of 19
The Dolphins are pretty much out of it, but they are not eliminated yet. They would love to face the Raiders in the Wild Card round, having already beaten them once, as well as any team having problems against the run. They also always play the Patriots tough; even when they only won 2-3 games in a year, one was usually against the Pats.
Many teams could give them a run for their money, however. The Steelers in particular would have no problem stopping them.
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Pittsburgh Steelers
4 of 19
The Steelers have been in this situation many times before, and their physical play works well against many teams. They would love to face the Ravens again, as they have their number, as well as the Raiders.
They could probably take any team given enough games, but in a one game situation, they would not want to face the Patriots, who have so many "good enough" weapons that taking one out of the game won't hurt them too much. The Chiefs might be trouble, as they would be the team to put the Steelers' top rushing defense to the test.
Baltimore Ravens
5 of 19
The Ravens, much like the Steelers, are a very physical team, and can win the close games as a result. They have the Jets' number, as well as the Patriots, and would have no problem facing both teams to get to the Super Bowl.
As for teams to avoid, the two that come to mind are the Steelers and the Colts. The Colts are on their way down, but the Ravens don't have much success against them.
Jacksonville Jaguars
6 of 19
Wow. I didn't have the Jaguars winning seven on the year, let alone already. Nonetheless, they've proven their worth by winning the close ones. If they get matched up with a divisional foe, they would love that, as they're undefeated this year. Their only experience with the AFC North or East was the Bills and Browns. They won those barely, so maybe it's best to avoid those teams.
They will be hoping not to play any AFC West teams, as they are 1-2 against them, the only win coming against the Broncos. The Chiefs, Raiders, and Chargers would all have a good chance against the Jags.
Indianapolis Colts
7 of 19
The Colts are a wreck right now, and in fact one could make the argument that they have no ideal path to the Super Bowl. Last year, they beat the Ravens and Jets en route to the Super Bowl, so we'll go with those two as well as the Chiefs.
They'll need to avoid the Patriots, who have always had Manning's number, as well as probably every other playoff team given their recent struggles.
Kansas City Chiefs
8 of 19
The Chiefs have been another unexpected surprise this year, winning thanks to the top rushing in the league, so they'll want to face teams that struggle against that. Those teams are the Colts and Raiders. Naturally, they'll want to avoid tough rushing defense teams, which would be the Steelers and Jets.
Oakland Raiders
9 of 19
The Raiders still have a shot at getting into the playoffs. They would love to face the Chargers as they have their number, and they beat the Colts as well. They lost badly to the Steelers and Dolphins, and would not want to face them. If the Chargers and Colts both miss the playoffs, then suddenly the Raiders' Super Bowl outlook would probably be the toughest in the league.
San Diego Chargers
10 of 19
The Chargers have the best passing attack in the AFC, aside from the Colts, and would want to exploit the Patriots, Jaguars, and Steelers. Any other team might pose a problem, namely the Raiders and Colts. If both fail to make the playoffs, San Diego could be a sleeper team.
Philadelphia Eagles
11 of 19
The Eagles have the top offense in the NFL thanks to Michael Vick, and will look for any way to exploit the defense. Good teams for them to match up with are the Seahawks, Buccaneers, and Falcons. They don't have too many teams to worry about; the only one that would pose a major problem is the Chicago Bears, who win games through their defense and already beat them once.
New York Giants
12 of 19
The Giants, one of the more complete teams, rank in the top five in both offense and defense. As a result, they could likely compete with anyone, and would especially be good against the Seahawks and Falcons. They would not want to face the Eagles again, having already lost to them once, but the Bears would not overly worry them.
Chicago Bears
13 of 19
Da Bears have somehow snuck into discussions of being an elite team with a 9-3 record. They may have struggled twice against the Lions, but they won't have to face them in the playoffs. They have a very stingy run defense, so they could contain the Packers, Saints, and Eagles without much difficulty. The Bears can keep games close and prevent blowouts fairly easily.
They lost to the Seahawks and Giants, and would not want to face those teams again in the playoffs.
Green Bay Packers
14 of 19
The Packers have been fairly pass heavy without Ryan Grant, but have to be careful about who they match up with. The Bears and Giants would be able to hold them off without much of a problem, and they lost to Atlanta once, they likely could again.
As for teams they match up well against, the easy answer is the Vikings, but they won't be in the playoffs. After two close playoff losses though, they can compete with anyone, but their biggest enemy right now is themselves, and as such they have no ideal path.
Atlanta Falcons
15 of 19
The Falcons' rushing and passing combination have made them an elite team in the NFC, and could probably compete with any team. They'll gladly face the Buccaneers again, as well as the Rams and Packers. They would struggle against the Eagles, a team they already lost to, as well as a team with an overly productive offense, such as the Giants.
New Orleans Saints
16 of 19
The Saints are in the mold of the Patriots; they have a lot of weapons to choose from, led by Drew Brees, who could lose one yet still work fine. Their passing offense and defense is their strength, and they would want to face the Seahawks and Bears.
They would want to avoid the power rushing teams, mainly the Eagles and Giants, who have enough weapons to cause confusion on the Saints.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
17 of 19
The Buccaneers still might miss the playoffs despite a 7-5 record thanks to the NFC West, but will try their hardest to make it in. They have beaten the Rams and would gladly face them again in the playoffs, but beyond that it's tough to find any where they have a distinct advantage; they're clearly the third best team in their division, so a matchup against the Falcons or Saints would be tough on them.
St. Louis Rams
18 of 19
The Rams were looking to compete in the playoffs within the next couple years. Instead, they seem to be ready this year. They don't have the offense the Saints or Eagles do, and would have trouble with them. They could beat the Seahawks, so if there's one team they would want to face, it's them. The NFC West is a very difficult place to give anyone playoff victories though.
Seattle Seahawks
19 of 19
The Seahawks still have a shot thanks to the ineffective NFC West. Honestly, this is probably the one team I can't see winning a game in the playoffs. The only team they may be able to beat is the Bears since they've done it before, but they're near the bottom of the league in both offense and defense.
If they somehow make it into the Super Bowl, given the matchups between them and other teams, it would be an all-time unlikely appearance.
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