LogFAQs > #930988261

Jaguars - As mentioned in the award nominees, the Jags have the league's top playmaking defense being 2nd in sacks and tied for 4th in both INTs and FRs. However, their overall body of work of defense is concerning as they have slipped to 18th on defense thanks to a porous run D that has allowed the third-most yards in the league. Every other AFC playoff member is in the top half of the league in rushing, so that will be something they will have to work hard at three times if they wish to make the Super Bowl. That being said, the playmaking and great pass D (7th in league) could help mask their other defensive deficiencies to where their under-the-radar offense (8th) takes care of the rest.

Rams - The Rams started 1-6 despite owning the league's #1 D and finished 9-7 and a NFC West crown. This unprecedented turnaround seemed to elicit no response from the rest of the league, but the Rams can win the Super Bowl. As great as that D is, the offense is flawed. They have the weakest rushing attack in terms of yardage (28th) among playoff teams and maybe efficiency (not going to calculate it). A major reason as to why a more prolific and efficient running attack is a far better indicator of success than passing in the game is because the turnover rates of passing-centric teams is night-and-day worse. The Rams own the worst turnover differential among playoff teams (-8) thanks to 18 INTs thrown while they have lost the third fewest fumbles among playoff teams (8). If they can win the turnover battle in every game, and the ground game gives them something, I wouldn't be surprised to see them in the NFC Championship Game.

Pumpkins - Among the teams who had their first playoff appearance in the past six or so seasons, the Pumpkins stand to have one of the best opportunities to not be one-and-done like the rest of them. For starters, they just trounced the Buccaneers in Week 17. Secondly, they play against a team with a -5 turnover differential while they own a league-best +17 TD. Thirdly, they have performed like the better team this season, edging out the Bucs in nearly every major category (T-11 vs 17 O, T-14 vs 16 D, 9 vs 11 points per game, 5 vs 20 points allowed per game, and as mentioned previously, 1 vs 24 turnover differential). The Pumpkins should be the favorites, but given how much better home teams have fared in the past five or so postseasons, I have my reservations.

Buccaneers - The most maddeningly inconsistent team in our playoff field, the Bucs three wins by 20+ points and three losses by 20+ points this season. That's nearly half of their games! I just have no idea what version of the Bucs we will be getting, but they at least have a decent history of dominance this season. You can see the stat breakdowns in the Pumpkins writeup, but the Bucs are pretty average across the board with the exception of the turnover differential. They don't exactly match up well against anybody, but Chris has one of the best postseason records among all users, so it is hard to discount him and the Bucs.

Ravens - Perhaps the Ravens have what it takes to be the Raiders of last year and come away with victories in multiple games in which they were overmatched. The Ravens were able to get their defense to a respectible T-13th finish by the season's end, but this isn't the stout Baltimore defenses of old. The offense has started to come along after a plodding start, but Doug Martin has really tailed off after a hot first half start. Out of his 12 total TDs on the season, I believe only two came after Week 8. Big Ben has picked up the slack, but as I mentioned earlier in the season, there just hasn't been a game where both Martin and Ben are bringing their A game. If that continues, I just don't see them making a Super Bowl run.

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KCF can't actually be a real person but he is - greengravy
If you smell what the rock is cooking he's cooking crap - ertyu