Jack Gawason and Nick Fest
Staff Writers
New England Patriots- After last season when they completed a Super Bowl comeback from a 28-3 deficit the Patriots continue to be the best team in the league. After some early season injuries most notably Julian Edelman and some key defensive players the team was not right. Then they played the Steelers in a crucial week 15 matchup playing for the top seed in the AFC playoffs. They looked like the traditional New England Patriots from the past couple years they fought on defense and moved the ball on offense scoring in the most needed times escaping with a three point win. With their history and recent success in the playoffs, knowing Tom Brady and Bill Belichick have won five super bowls together, they have to be the Super Bowl favorites heading in as the number one seed.
Pittsburgh Steelers- The Steelers three primary players on offense all had outstanding seasons. Antonio Brown led the league in receiving yards before his season wrapped up shortly after suffering a calf injury but he is expected to be back for the Steelers first playoff game. Ben Roethlisberger began the season tossing interception after interception but soon turned it around and finished as a top ten quarterback. When Le'veon Bell finally arrived after a hold out hoping for a bigger contract he quickly returned to himself padding his rushing and receiving totals turning in a typical Le’veon season in hopes of receiving a bigger contract next year. With these three weapons on offense this team needs be feared with their biggest challenge coming in a possible match up against the Patriots.
Los Angeles Rams- A completely revived Rams team, fresh into their new city, had a wonderful season. A needed change in a new coach, Sean McVay, the youngest coach in the league has produced tremendous results. Second year quarterback Jared Goff has enjoyed a bounceback season but nothing compared to running back Todd Gurley who is a comeback player of the year and most valuable player candidate. Their offense is scary with lots of weapons and successful play calls. On the other side of the football they have surrounded stud lineman Aaron Donald, a defensive player of the year candidate who seems to always be getting hits on the quarterback, with other skilled players.
Philadelphia Eagles- The Eagles were the league favorite at the conclusion of their week 13 win against the Rams with the record 11-2. Shortly after this win the team doctors would inform the press Carson Wentz had suffered an injury believed to be a torn ACL. He indeed tore his ACL and Nick Foles became the teams starter. With Nick Foles looking close to perfect and then quickly to below average in a small sample size(less than three games) Eagles fans have to be worried but with the pieces surrounding Foles on offense and defense you never know what can happen on playoff Sunday.
Dark Horse Candidate:
Buffalo Bills-Barely sneaking in to the playoffs after a Bengals touchdown on 4th and 12 that knocked the Ravens out of the playoffs. The Bills ended the longest playoff drought after 18 years of devastating seasons they are finally back. Another team with a new head coach, Sean McDermott seems to have this team heading in the right direction. They have Tyrod Taylor at quarterback who is doing a good job passing and rushing the ball with additional pieces in Lesean McCoy and the midseason addition of Kelvin Benjamin they are playing in a place they have not been in a while and who knows how they will react.
