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With the NFL Playoffs just around a corner, it is time to take a look at which teams are most likely to succeed in their hunt for the prestigious Lombardi Trophy. With 8 of this year's 12 playoff teams not making the cut last year, experience could prove to be a vital factor in the race to Super Bowl LII.
Rank 12: Philadelphia Eagles
Admittedly, placing the 1st seed of the NFC at the bottom of the rankings may seem questionable at first, but the injury to Carson Wentz has turned the Eagles' season on its head. Despite a regular season record of 13-3, the Eagles are likely to be one-and-done after losing their key ingredient to a Super Bowl run.
Rank 11: Tennesee Titans
Arguably the worst team to reach the playoffs, yet they still have their starting QB which gives them the edge over the Eagles. Even if the Titans pull off a huge upset by defeating the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium, an almost hopeless trip to Pittsburgh or even Foxborough would be looming.
Rank 10: Buffalo Bills
After the dramatic end to their 17-year playoff drought last week, a lot of the Bills' hopes will rely on star running back LeSean McCoy returning to fitness. This team has shown a lot of grit and the Jaguars won't be looking forward to facing this tough group. Prepare for a tough, old-school football game on Sunday.
Rank 9: Carolina Panthers
Despite a great effort to make the playoffs by winning 3 of their last 4 games in a highly competitive NFC South, the Panthers will struggle to make it deep into the playoffs.
Carolina's offence simply didn't show up last Sunday and there are much tougher defences awaiting them than that of the Falcons. If Cam Newton hits his stride anything is possible for this team, but he hasn't been doing it regularly enough in the past two seasons.
Rank 8: Kansas City Chiefs
After starting the season 5-0, including impressive wins over the Patriots and the Eagles, the Chiefs collapsed to a 6-6 record and it was uncertain whether they would even make the post-season. Four consecutive wins to close out the year and a favourable wild card match-up with the Titans make the Chiefs a force to be reckoned with in the AFC title race.
Rank 7: Atlanta Falcons
Despite being the last team to have qualified for the post-season, the Falcons are certainly a dark horse in the race to the Super Bowl. If they can overcome the LA Rams in the wild-card round, a favourable match-up at the Eagles would await them.
Matt Ryan and Julio Jones can light up any defence in the NFL and Saturday's contest at the LA Coliseum is likely to turn into a shoot-out between two of the leagues best offences.
Rank 6: Jacksonville Jaguars
Arguably boasting the best defence in the AFC playoff bracket, the Jaguars will be looking to build on a fantastic season by making it to their first-ever Super Bowl. Jacksonville's main issue is the lack of an elite QB and a lot will come down to whether their offence can come up with the right plays to supplement this feisty defence.
Rank 5: Los Angeles Rams
Probably the most balanced team in the regular season, the Rams' tough playoff run is what keeps them from earning a higher spot in these rankings. Todd Gurley has had an MVP-caliber season and the defence is tough to overcome.
Should the Rams beat the high-flying Falcons' offence, they will be "rewarded" with a trip to the Vikings. If the Rams are to go all the way a lot of things will need to come together.
Rank 4: New Orleans Saints
Perhaps they are not better than the Rams, but the Saints benefit from a somewhat decent schedule and, more importantly, tons of experience when it comes to the playoffs. Drew Brees and Sean Payton have already won a Super Bowl together and with the best running back-tandem of the league will be looking to do so again.
An interesting side note: with Marshon Lattimore and Alvin Kamara the Saints may have both, the offensive and defensive, rookies of the year on their roster.
Rank 3: Minnesota Vikings
Since Wentz' injury, the Vikings have become the clear-cut favourites to win the NFC and be the first team to reach a Super Bowl in their own stadium. They have the best defence in the NFL and will be looking to ride it all the way to their first Lombardi Trophy.
If Case Keenum can keep up his strong performances of the regular season, it will take something special to stop this team.
Rank 2: Pittsburgh Steelers
The offensive powerhouse will be making a strong Super Bowl bid yet again. Honestly, as long as Le'Veon Bell and Antonio Brown are on this team, it's hard to view them as anything other than Super Bowl contenders. The Steelers will be looking to make their first finals appearance since 2010 and finally end the dominance of our first ranked team.
Rank 1: New England Patriots
No real surprises here: Belichick, Brady, home field advantage. It all seems so familiar and yet it catches you off-guard every time. After starting 2-2, with both losses coming at home, people were once again contemplating whether they Brady-Belichick dynasty had finally come to an end, then they rallied to a 13-3 record, securing them the no.1 seed in the AFC.
Viewing the Patriots as anything other than the favourites to win the Super Bowl is mainly wishful thinking of those, who are fed up with them being so successful.
