Week ten is here! We have witnessed nine weeks of action-packed football. Now the question is, have we seen enough to come up with four to five teams who could actually win the Super Bowl this year? I think we do. Things can change really quick on a week to week basis as it did last week after the New Orleans Saints handed the Los Angeles Rams their first loss of the season. However, all five teams who I believe have the potential to go to the Super Bowl and win it, have all won 75 percent of their games so far into the season. Let's go over the teams who are in prime position to win it all.
Los Angeles Rams:- Right now, they are tied with the Kansas City Chiefs for the most wins into the season, as they are sitting 8-1. The Rams just lost their first game after starting the season 8-0. If you take a poll for the most talented team in the league, most people will say the LA Rams are the most talented team. They have a very talented quarterback, the best running back, one of the best receiving core, pretty good o-line, and their defense besides the linebacking position is better than just good. We know that they are not strong at the linebacking position, but no one expected their defense to not play like a top-five defense. Coach Sean McVay and defensive coordinator Wade Phillips need to get their defense motivated and play at a higher level. They need to let the defense know that they can't win in the playoffs with the effort they have displayed in the first nine weeks of the season.
Another thing the Rams need in order to win in the playoffs is to have their fans show up at their home games. Two weeks ago against the Green Bay Packers at home, there were as many Packers' fans at the stadium as the Rams' fans. Even if the Los Angeles Rams get the number one seed or the number two seed, they won't have any home-field advantage against their opponents if their fans don't show up. The Rams do have the most talented team in the league, but they haven't won in the playoffs since the 2004-2005 season. So I wouldn't be surprised if they lose in the divisional round or in the NFC Title game.
Kansas City Chiefs:- How many of us expected Patrick Mahomes to lead this Kansas City Chiefs' squad to the number one seed, with an 8-1 record, after the first nine weeks of the season? I can't speak for all of you, but I didn't see them sitting at top of the AFC anytime during the season. As of right now, the Chiefs have the best offense in the game! Some would say the Rams have the best offense, but the Rams don't have a tight-end like Travis Kelce on their roster. Fantasy players love the Kansas City Chiefs' offense. According to NFL.com, the Chiefs' starting quarterback, running back, wide receiver, and tight end, are all ranked in top-three fantasy points. Since their offense is so extraordinary, the Chiefs can win games even with their defense being ridiculously bad.
The question is, can the Kansas City Chiefs win in the playoffs with their extraordinary offense? Yes, they can, but if we look at their playoff history, I don't see them go any further than the divisional round. The Chiefs have one of the best home-field advantages in the regular season, but it doesn't work in the playoffs. Kansas City Chiefs haven't won a home playoff game since 1994. Do you know who the quarterback was for the Chiefs in 1994? None other than Joe Montana! Going twenty-four years without a home playoff win is pretty disappointing. Now, they do have a dynamic quarterback in Patrick Mahomes. He has the potential to fix their playoff curse. Let's see what happens with the Chiefs in the post-season this year.
New England Patriots:- Record-wise, the Patriots are the second best team in the AFC and the fourth best team overall. However, they are the most dangerous team in the NFL. Why? Because they still have Tom Brady and Bill Belichick! This Patriots team might not be as good as the one from 2004, 2007, or 2014, but their offense is pretty balanced, and the defense isn't as bad as we think. The Patriots' running backs James White and Sony Michel, might be their best one-two punch at the running position. James White is playing out of his minds. He finds ways to score and come up with big catches in crucial third-downs of the game. This Patriots' defense will give up yards and twenty plus points every now and then. But when its time to shut an offense down and make a big play, this defense will come through. Also, I see this defense to play even better once the playoffs start. I am not going to guarantee that the Patriots are going to win the Super Bowl, but they have the best odds to get there. They know all the ins and outs of the playoffs. Besides, who do you trust the most in the post-season? The New England Patriots!
New Orleans Saints:- All year long, everyone had the LA Rams at the top of their power rankings. Then came week nine, and the New Orleans Saints changed the script. They beat the Rams 45-35 to improve to 7-1, and they became the first team to beat the Rams in the season. The Saints have playmakers on offense and on defense. Their offense may not be as dynamic as the Chiefs', but they have the best running attack in the league. The combo of Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram is better than any other combo in this league. Saints' defense isn't as good as the one from 2009 season (the year Saints won the Super Bowl), but it still has some studs on it. Any defense that has players like Cameron Jordan, Marshon Lattimore, Alex Anzalone, and Marcus Davenport, it always has a chance to make game-changing plays. Unlike the Rams, the New Orleans Saints do have home-field advantage. Mercedez-Benz Superdome gets really loud when the offense of the other team is facing a third-down. I believe the New Orleans Saints have the best chance to win it all this year. They have a complete team.
Los Angeles Chargers:- Hey, they are 6-2! The Chargers have so far won 75 percent of their games. They will most likely get into the playoffs as a wild-card team. They can become the first wild-card team since the Green Bay Packers in 2010, to win four straight playoff games to earn the Lombardi Trophy. The Chargers have talent all across the board. If it wasn't for Hunter Henry getting hurt in the offseason, the Chargers would have challenged the LA Rams for the most talented team in the league.
Philip Rivers is undeniably better than Eli Manning. However, Eli Manning has two Super Bowl rings. That means Manning will go to the Hall of Fame before Rivers. I'm pretty sure Rivers is aware of that. Maybe this year, Rivers will play harder than he normally does, and then he can prove to the world that he is better than Eli Manning! Los Angeles Chargers have the tools to beat the Chiefs, Steelers, and the Patriots in the playoffs. They can beat any team from NFC once they get to the Super Bowl. Let's see what happens with the Chargers in the next couple weeks. They need to keep winning games and end the season on a high note. They can't afford to lose more than three games for the remainder of the season. If they lose three games or more, they will miss out on their post-season trip. I don't see them losing more than two games rest of the way.
What about the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Minnesota Vikings?
Before the season started, I had both the Steelers and Vikings making noise in the playoffs. However, both teams sometimes disappear in the most crucial moment of the game, or the most crucial time of the season. Pittsburgh Steelers are a really good team that almost always finish the season with ten plus wins. They can beat anyone but the New England Patriots. Doesn't matter how talented they are, the Steelers are not disciplined enough to beat the Pats. Especially in the playoffs.
The Vikings added Kirk Cousins to the roster that went to the NFC Title game last year with Case Keenum. Also, Dalvin Cook is healthy and will most likely play in the post-season. Then what's the problem? Both Kirk Cousins and the Minnesota Vikings' franchise just can't win the big game. In recent time, I have rarely seen Cousins or the Vikings, win a marquee Sunday night game. Last time I saw Cousins win a big-time night game, was against Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers in 2016. I have no faith in the Minnesota Vikings. They need to win big games on a consistent basis.
Another thing the Rams need in order to win in the playoffs is to have their fans show up at their home games. Two weeks ago against the Green Bay Packers at home, there were as many Packers' fans at the stadium as the Rams' fans. Even if the Los Angeles Rams get the number one seed or the number two seed, they won't have any home-field advantage against their opponents if their fans don't show up. The Rams do have the most talented team in the league, but they haven't won in the playoffs since the 2004-2005 season. So I wouldn't be surprised if they lose in the divisional round or in the NFC Title game.
Kansas City Chiefs:- How many of us expected Patrick Mahomes to lead this Kansas City Chiefs' squad to the number one seed, with an 8-1 record, after the first nine weeks of the season? I can't speak for all of you, but I didn't see them sitting at top of the AFC anytime during the season. As of right now, the Chiefs have the best offense in the game! Some would say the Rams have the best offense, but the Rams don't have a tight-end like Travis Kelce on their roster. Fantasy players love the Kansas City Chiefs' offense. According to NFL.com, the Chiefs' starting quarterback, running back, wide receiver, and tight end, are all ranked in top-three fantasy points. Since their offense is so extraordinary, the Chiefs can win games even with their defense being ridiculously bad.
The question is, can the Kansas City Chiefs win in the playoffs with their extraordinary offense? Yes, they can, but if we look at their playoff history, I don't see them go any further than the divisional round. The Chiefs have one of the best home-field advantages in the regular season, but it doesn't work in the playoffs. Kansas City Chiefs haven't won a home playoff game since 1994. Do you know who the quarterback was for the Chiefs in 1994? None other than Joe Montana! Going twenty-four years without a home playoff win is pretty disappointing. Now, they do have a dynamic quarterback in Patrick Mahomes. He has the potential to fix their playoff curse. Let's see what happens with the Chiefs in the post-season this year.
New Orleans Saints:- All year long, everyone had the LA Rams at the top of their power rankings. Then came week nine, and the New Orleans Saints changed the script. They beat the Rams 45-35 to improve to 7-1, and they became the first team to beat the Rams in the season. The Saints have playmakers on offense and on defense. Their offense may not be as dynamic as the Chiefs', but they have the best running attack in the league. The combo of Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram is better than any other combo in this league. Saints' defense isn't as good as the one from 2009 season (the year Saints won the Super Bowl), but it still has some studs on it. Any defense that has players like Cameron Jordan, Marshon Lattimore, Alex Anzalone, and Marcus Davenport, it always has a chance to make game-changing plays. Unlike the Rams, the New Orleans Saints do have home-field advantage. Mercedez-Benz Superdome gets really loud when the offense of the other team is facing a third-down. I believe the New Orleans Saints have the best chance to win it all this year. They have a complete team.
Los Angeles Chargers:- Hey, they are 6-2! The Chargers have so far won 75 percent of their games. They will most likely get into the playoffs as a wild-card team. They can become the first wild-card team since the Green Bay Packers in 2010, to win four straight playoff games to earn the Lombardi Trophy. The Chargers have talent all across the board. If it wasn't for Hunter Henry getting hurt in the offseason, the Chargers would have challenged the LA Rams for the most talented team in the league.
Philip Rivers is undeniably better than Eli Manning. However, Eli Manning has two Super Bowl rings. That means Manning will go to the Hall of Fame before Rivers. I'm pretty sure Rivers is aware of that. Maybe this year, Rivers will play harder than he normally does, and then he can prove to the world that he is better than Eli Manning! Los Angeles Chargers have the tools to beat the Chiefs, Steelers, and the Patriots in the playoffs. They can beat any team from NFC once they get to the Super Bowl. Let's see what happens with the Chargers in the next couple weeks. They need to keep winning games and end the season on a high note. They can't afford to lose more than three games for the remainder of the season. If they lose three games or more, they will miss out on their post-season trip. I don't see them losing more than two games rest of the way.
What about the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Minnesota Vikings?
Before the season started, I had both the Steelers and Vikings making noise in the playoffs. However, both teams sometimes disappear in the most crucial moment of the game, or the most crucial time of the season. Pittsburgh Steelers are a really good team that almost always finish the season with ten plus wins. They can beat anyone but the New England Patriots. Doesn't matter how talented they are, the Steelers are not disciplined enough to beat the Pats. Especially in the playoffs.
The Vikings added Kirk Cousins to the roster that went to the NFC Title game last year with Case Keenum. Also, Dalvin Cook is healthy and will most likely play in the post-season. Then what's the problem? Both Kirk Cousins and the Minnesota Vikings' franchise just can't win the big game. In recent time, I have rarely seen Cousins or the Vikings, win a marquee Sunday night game. Last time I saw Cousins win a big-time night game, was against Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers in 2016. I have no faith in the Minnesota Vikings. They need to win big games on a consistent basis.
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