AFC Playoff Picture: Tom Brady and Players That'll Doom Their Teams

There are a number of teams that have built their franchise around one player. That can work for some teams, since they have other parts around them. However, for a team like the New England Patriots and their quarterback Tom Brady, it will be the reason for their downfall. 

New England Patriots: Tom Brady

The Patriots have a lethal passing attack led by Brady. They rank first in passing and scoring in the AFC. During their current seven-game winning streak, the Patriots have outscored their opponents an amazing 242-137. 

While scoring 242 points in only seven games is outstanding, the fact that the Patriots have given up 137 has to alarm their fans. 

During their last five games, they have allowed teams to score 20 or more points in every game. 

If they run into a team like the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second round that can keep their passing offense from running up the score, it will result in the Patriots becoming a one-dimensional team. In their previous matchup, Brady didn't have a big day, which led to the offense struggling to score 17 points in a loss.

If this happens again, with Brady not having a huge day, it will result in the Patriots suffering another early exit from the playoffs.  

Houston Texans: T.J. Yates

The Texans are 2-2 with the third-string rookie quarterback leading their team. Before Yates’ four games, starter Matt Schaub had this Texans team playing at a high level, scoring 30 or more points in three of those four games. 

Since then, the offense has yet to score over 20 points, forcing the defense and run game to be the reason if this Texans team wins or loses. 

They will see in the first round of the playoffs a Cincinnati Bengals team that came very close to beating Houston in Week 14. 

This time around, Houston will not get two Cincinnati fumbles that helped stall two potential scoring drives for the Bengals. This will lead to the Texans’ offense that will not be able to catch up to Cincinnati this time around. 

Denver Broncos: Tim Tebow

When Tebow is winning, it masks the fact that he is successful when his defense is able to hold teams to under 20 points or the fact that he’s playing an awful pass defense. 

However, when Tebow faces a pass defense that is good and his defense gives up 40 or more points, he cannot lead Denver to a victory. 

If Denver can win against Kansas City next week and find its way into the playoffs, the Broncos will have to find a way to keep Tebow from taking a bad sack, fumbling the ball or forcing a bad throw that results in an interception. 

When they can do that, it allows their defense to keep opponents off the scoreboard, which gives time for Tebow to rally this Denver team to comeback in the fourth quarter.

These three teams will lose in their first game of the playoffs. The fanbase will want to point the blame somewhere, and these three players will feel the blame pointed toward them because they did not do enough. 

Follow @tjmcaloon