Super Bowl Predictions: 15 Teams That Still Have a Shot
There are three weeks left in the NFL season, and we likely know as much today as we did when the season started.
The beauty of the NFL every single year is that you can see who the favorites are, but every single one of them has a weakness that could come back to haunt them at some point in the playoffs.
Here are the Top 15 teams that have a real legitimate shot at getting to the big game in Dallas on February 6th. This list will show who has a shot and what they will likely have to go through in order to get there.
Honorable Mention: Miami Dolphins
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The Dolphins win over the Jets on Sunday put them over .500 at 7-6. They have a schedule that sets up quite nicely for them in the last three weeks of the season—home games against Buffalo and Detroit, on the road against New England in week 17.
The Patriots will probably have everything all wrapped up before that final game and will rest starters. If Miami can win their next two games and go into the Patriot game at 9-6, and given how the Jets are playing right now, they could have a chance to make the playoffs.
If they get in to the postseason, they need to hope that quarterback Chad Henne can play the way he did at the end of 2009.
The defense is good enough to win them a game in the postseason. If they could get some help from the offense, the Dolphins would be dangerous.
15. Indianapolis Colts
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The Colts are hanging on by a thread. Their season comes down to this weekend's game at home against Jacksonville.
If they win, they can get in, and with Peyton Manning under center, they will have a chance in every game. If they lose, they are done. They would have seven losses, including two against Jacksonville.
Assuming they win this weekend, they would have two very winnable games at Oakland and then home to Tennessee to end the year. It's a long shot, but they can make it.
With their injuries, it's almost a miracle they are in this position. It's a testament to Peyton Manning and his ability as a quarterback. Any other team would likely have crumbled losing as much as Indianapolis did.
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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Tampa Bay's biggest problem is the strength of their division. They play in the only division that has two teams with double-digit victories already—Atlanta (11) and New Orleans (10).
The Buccaneers have been very impressive this year, winning eight games when a lot of people thought they would be one of the worst teams in football.
Second year quarterback Josh Freeman has drastically improved this year and looks like a future star. Head coach Raheem Morris will get a lot of consideration for coach of the year, as he should.
For them to even have a chance to get into the playoffs, they will have to win out. They are home against Detroit and Seattle, which should be two victories bringing their total to 10. They finish at New Orleans in Week 17. If the Saints stumble in one of their games before that one, the Bucs could steal a wild card spot with a victory.
Chances are not good, but the Bucs have set themselves up for a very promising 2011 season.
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13. Kansas City Chiefs
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I am not the biggest Matt Cassel fan in the world, but after seeing the Chiefs game against the Chargers yesterday, it became clear how much he means to that team. That was as putrid an offensive performance as you will see.
Brodie Croyle is not an NFL quarterback; he shouldn't even be a backup to be honest.
They are still in control in the AFC west at 8-5, but the Chargers are charging (pardon the pun).
The Chiefs chances rest on Matt Cassel's healing ability. If he can get back from his emergency appendectomy this weekend and play effectively, they will be in position to maintain control of the division. If he has to miss another game and Brodie Croyle is their quarterback, they will be in serious trouble.
Their running game is great, but if you get nothing from the quarterback, it's tough to be effective.
They finish at St Louis and home against Tennessee and Oakland. At the very least, they will have to win two games including the Oakland game so they don't lose ground with the Chargers in terms of division record, both teams are 2-3.
If the Chiefs get to 10 wins, they will be in good position to get into the postseason. If they stumble this weekend, the pressure becomes intense, and they have to win the final two games.
If you're a Chiefs fan, you hope Matt Cassel can heal quicker than Wolverine from the X-Men.
12. Jacksonville Jaguars
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Give credit where credit is due, Jacksonville can win any game no matter what. They aren't all pretty, and the Jags aren't a sexy team to watch, but they get it done.
They have won five of their last six games and taken control of the AFC South. This weekend's game at Indianapolis will be their biggest test. They will wrap up the division with a win. With a loss, they are still in the driver's seat, but things get more complicated.
They finish the year home to Washington and at Houston. If the Jags finish the year tied with Indianapolis, they would win the tie-breaker based on division record.
If they get in, they can be dangerous. Running back Maurice Jones-Drew should finish as the runner-up in the MVP race; that guy from New England will win. Quarterback David Garrard has put together a very solid season.
Because they have the ability to run the ball and have an efficient passing game to go along with a defense that is good enough, they can be a tough out in the playoffs.
If they play a team like New England, that has holes in their defense, they could make it a very interesting game. If they have to go up against some of the better defensive teams, like Baltimore or Pittsburgh, they will be in serious danger.
11. San Diego Chargers
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San Diego has been an enigma all year long. They can look like the best team in the NFL one week and the worst the next. They are making their typical late season surge and putting all kinds of pressure on Kansas City.
They have three very winnable games left, home to San Francisco and at Cincinnati and Denver. They should, and I emphasize should with this team, finish the year at 10-6.
If the Chargers hold up their end and the Chiefs fall, this team will be scary in the playoffs.
Philip Rivers is the second best quarterback in the NFL right now. He has done as much as any one person has done for their team this year.
They can score with anyone and the defense has been great all year long. They rank first in pass yards allowed per game (173.4) and fourth in rush yards per game (91.6).
Watch out for the Chargers if they make it in to the playoffs.
10. Green Bay Packers
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Green Bay's chances took a big hit yesterday with the loss of quarterback Aaron Rodgers to a concussion and the team's loss to the Lions. They are at 8-5 now and will need to win out and get help from other places to make the playoffs.
First things first, if Aaron Rodgers can't go this weekend at New England the Packers are in HUGE trouble.
The Packers have a brutal three-game stretch to finish the year, in addition to the Patriots game, they have to play at home against the Giants and Bears.
Those final two games will have major playoff implications since the Giants, who play tonight against Minnesota, are currently a half game ahead of Green Bay for a wild card spot. The Bears are a game ahead of the Packers in the North division and have already beaten Green Bay once this year.
That final game could very well decide the division, depending how things go in these teams next two games.
Green Bay is a team like San Diego, if they get in they will be very dangerous because of Aaron Rodgers and the defense. The Packers aren't playing defense at the level that they were last year, but they are still very good overall.
9. Chicago Bears
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Let's just pretend that the game against the Patriots was an accident. The Bears are still in prime position to win the NFC North and make the postseason for the first time since 2006—the year they went to the Super Bowl.
They play at Minnesota next Monday night, then home against the Jets and to Green Bay to finish the year. They can lock up a playoff spot with two victories before the final game. If the Packers slip in one of their next two and the Bears win both, they will win the North.
They have a chance to get a first-round bye as well, depending on how the East shakes out.
The Bears are playing that great Chicago style of football—really good on defense and an offense that does enough. Whether that will translate into postseason success will depend on quarterback Jay Cutler.
He has the talent and ability to be great, but that hasn't necessarily translated into great performance on the field. He turns the ball over too much and hasn't been making big plays like the Bears would like.
Can they make noise when they get in the playoffs? Absolutely.
Will they make noise in the playoffs? I'll believe it when I see it.
8. New York Jets
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Can you feel that panic coming out of New York right now?
There aren't a lot of teams that would be getting ripped with a 9-4 record but given the completely inept performance by the offense the last two weeks it is justified.
Quarterback Mark Sanchez has really regressed these last two weeks after looking really good for most of the year. He didn't get a lot of help from his receivers against Miami in Week 14 though. They dropped everything that touched them.
Defensively they played really well against Miami, but they got no support from the offense. Apparently giving up 10 points isn't good enough for Rex Ryan because he ripped into the defense after the game. Really Rex, you think they were the problem?
For all their issues, they are still two games ahead in the wild card race with three to play. They have to win one game, and they will get in. They have a tough game next week at Pittsburgh, then at Chicago and they close the year at home against Buffalo.
Everything would have to fall apart for the Jets to miss the playoffs. But how good will they be when they get in?
They aren't as strong as they were last year. Their defense hasn't been as good as a unit as it was in 2009, and the running game, which was such a strength last year, has been sputtering lately.
They still have one of the better defenses in football, and that can be good enough to win you some games in the playoffs. However, they will need a lot of improvement from the offense these last three weeks to show they can win in January.
7. Baltimore Ravens
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The Ravens lost one of the most physical games that you will see this year last week against Pittsburgh. It was a vintage Steelers-Ravens game that was close at the end, but the Ravens didn't make the plays at the end and lost 13-10.
The Ravens need to find a way to establish running back Ray Rice, who has shown signs of getting back to his 2009 performance but hasn't been able to hold on to it for a length of time.
Joe Flaaco is a very good quarterback, but right now, he can't do it all for the offense. He needs Rice to be the running back that he can be so it will open up the passing game.
The defense is doing what they have done seemingly forever. They can make big plays, they get big stops when they need them, they create turnovers.
They play at Houston on Monday night, home against New Orleans, at Cleveland, home to Cincinnati to finish the year. Two wins and they are likely in. They can be a big factor in the playoffs because of their defense.
Look for them to establish a more effective running game in these last four games. If they can do that, they could be the most dangerous team in January.
6. New York Giants
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Is it possible that a team from New York is underrated?
The Jets are much flashier, and they get all the headlines, but the Giants are the better team. They are one of a select few teams that don't necessarily have to have a home game in order to win in the playoffs.
They are so good and so balanced on offense. Running backs Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs are probably the best 1-2 combination at the position in the sport. They have combined for nearly 1600 yards and 14 touchdowns already.
Eli Manning is still too turnover prone, but he doesn't completely kill the team like he used to.
Defensively, their front four is as good as there is in football, and that ability to create pressure on an opposing quarterback makes their secondary even better.
They have four games left, with the most important game being next weekend at Philadelphia. Assuming the Giants beat the Vikings this week, they would be 9-4, the same as Philadelphia. That game next week could be the difference between the division and a wild card.
5. New Orleans Saints
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The Saints are finding that rhythm they had last year when they won the Super Bowl. The offense, after a tough start to the year, has posted at least 30 points in five straight games. The defense is playing at a higher level this year than they were last year.
They are a game behind the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC South, with a game remaining between the two in two weeks. Atlanta probably needs the division, and the home-field advantage, more than New Orleans.
The Saints finish with a tough stretch that will get them ready for the playoffs. In addition to the Falcons game, they play at Baltimore and home against Tampa Bay to finish up the year.
If they falter in their next two games and the Buccaneers win their next two, that would make Week 17 very interesting because both teams would be at 10 victories.
The Saints, in all likelihood, will get in to the postseason, and we all know they can make a run. They might be playing better as a whole right now than they were at any point last year.
4. Philadelphia Eagles
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The Eagles are the one team in the NFC that no other team wants to play. They have so many playmakers on offense, and they are so explosive there is almost no defense that can shut them down.
Michael Vick has been reborn this year and turned into the quarterback that we all thought he could be. He is throwing the ball better than he ever has, and his speed has completely returned after his three-year absence from the game.
The defense is solid, if unspectacular. They bend but they don't break, which is a formula that the Saints used last year to win a Super Bowl.
They play at New York and home to Minnesota and Dallas to end the year. Those are two "should-win" games, and the game against the Giants is probably a "pick 'em" game.
The Eagles have the inside track to win the NFC East with one victory already over the Giants this year. If they beat them again, barring a collapse in the final two weeks, that would wrap the division up and potentially a first-round bye.
They are more balanced on offense than they have ever been in the Andy Reid era. They can strike at any time, from anywhere on the field. This Eagles team might be the most dangerous that Reid has ever coached.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers
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The Steelers have to love that all the talk is about New England in the AFC. Sure, the Patriots have beaten the Steelers this year but don't you get the feeling that if they were to meet again things would be different?
They are still trying to find some kind of rhythm on offense; they have looked sluggish at times. Ben Roethlisberger has been solid so far but hasn't looked as sharp as he has in the past.
Wide receiver Mike Wallace is one of the best home run threats in the NFL this year, he has averaged over 20 yards per catch. The running game hasn't been great this year, but they are still very effective, and the Steelers will always run the ball down your throat.
Defensively, they are probably the fastest unit in all of football. They attack as well as anyone, and they create turnovers better than any team in football. Troy Polamalu has been playing like a man possessed this season.
They are two games ahead of the Ravens in the AFC North with three games to play. They will get a first-round playoff bye, and everything will set up for this team to get to the AFC championship game. It seems like we are on a crash course to seeing another Pats-Steelers game late in January.
2. Atlanta Falcons
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Prognosticators figured that the Falcons would be better this year, but I doubt that many of them saw this coming. They have been the best team in the NFC since the beginning of the year.
Watching quarterback Matt Ryan this year has been something special. He does things that very few guys in the league can do. He doesn't care about the pressure and the situation, if you give him a chance to win at the end of the game, odds are good he is going to. He possesses that quality that guys like Montana, Brady, Elway have.
Michael Turner is performing at the level he was at in 2008 and has put his struggles from 2009 behind him. Roddy White has emerged as a star at the receiving position.
The defense doesn't give in and has been getting better as the year has gone on. They give up points but when they need a stop they can get it.
They still have some work to do in order to clinch the top seed in the NFC. They are a game up on the Saints, and those two meet in two weeks in Atlanta. If they win that game, they win the division and get the first-round bye.
This could be the best Atlanta team ever, even better then the Falcons team that went to the Super Bowl in 1998. Falcons players and fans hope this season ends with one more victory than that one did.
1. New England Patriots
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This Patriots team is evoking memories of the 2007 team that nearly went undefeated. I think that is a more than fair comparison. The offense is just beating everyone down, and because they get so far ahead so fast, their opponents have to become one-dimensional and throw the ball.
Tom Brady is playing out of his mind, crazy-scary good right now. He is the unanimous MVP in the league right now.
They have basically rebuilt the receiving corps as the year has gone on. They got rid of Randy Moss, brought back Deion Branch, found bit parts from other teams scrap heap and here they are once again.
They have the best coach in the sport right now in Bill Belichick. People can say what they want about him, but no one gets more out of his players than he does.
Then, there is the defense. This defense reminds me a lot of 2007s team. There are subtle differences though, such as this team has guys that don't have a lot of experience. That 2007 team had a lot of old guys.
The one thing that's scary is if this team is in a close game at the end, can the defense make a stop? That's what happened in 2007, and they couldn't do it. If it comes to that this year, can they make a play? Maybe they will beat everyone by 30 points, and won't have to worry about it.
They have already clinched a playoff spot and are one win away from locking up the AFC East. They are two wins away from locking up the top spot in the AFC. It's looking more and more like the AFC playoffs will once again run through Foxboro.
Good luck to opposing teams winning there in January.
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