ClutchPoints
There are still things to be decided for the NFL postseason, including the Ravens-Steelers showdown. Also, the Seahawks and 49ers have a big game. But in the jumbled playoff mess, there’s no team that experts wholeheartedly want to ride as a lock-solid prediction to win it all. However, here are three teams with massive chances of reaching the Super Bowl, and why others can’t hang.
To make this easier, we’re going to give the final two playoff spots to the favorites. That means the Buccaneers in the NFC, and the Ravens in the AFC. That will cut down on the clutter, which is all it is for those fringe teams.
Here’s the formula: We’re combining quarterbacks, sacks, and head coaches to help us navigate the choppy seas. If a team has a top quarterback along with a defense that can pressure the passer, that’s what we’re looking for. And the head coach boost matters as well.
Say what you want about Jalen Hurts and this offense. But let’s look at the cold, hard numbers.
In 2024, Hurts threw for 2,903 yards with 18 touchdowns and five interceptions in 15 starts. This year, Hurts has thrown for 3,224 yards with 25 touchdowns and six picks in 16 starts.
Those latter numbers say Hurts will be fine for the postseason. Plus, Hurts isn’t even listening to the criticism noise, according to nbcsportsphiladelphia.com.
“It’s who I am,” Hurts said on Tuesday. “It’s my focus. This isn’t my first rodeo. Very unprecedented journey to be here. But unprecedented is unprecedented.”
Part two is the Eagles’ ability to get to the passer. For the first 12 weeks of the season, they struggled to get sacks. But over the last four games, they have 7, 4, 2, and 5. Plus, the Eagles rank No. 4 in the NFL for pressures. They stand No. 6 in pass-rush grade, according to Pro Football Focus.
Any NFC team that thinks the Eagles are vulnerable might be correct in a sense. But overall, this is the best combination of quarterback/pass rush/coach in the NFL. Nick Sirianni gives the Eagles an Andy Reid-like edge in the playoffs.
Yes, the Rams have lost two straight games. They may look like they’re teetering on the brink.
However, Matthew Stafford has been unstoppable with both Davante Adams and Puka Nacua on the field. And Adams is expected to be back for the playoffs.
Yes, outscoring other teams in the playoffs is indeed a shaky road. But the Rams still rank No. 10 in the NFL in sacks. And they are No. 5 in the league with 338 pressures. Their PFF pass-rush grade is No. 5 in the league at 82.4.
You could even make a case that the Rams are even more dangerous than the Eagles because of Stafford versus Hurts.
Also, Sean McVay is the type of coach who can lift a team in the postseason. If you remember last...
