The 2023 NFL playoffs are right here! Right here is your fast information to the ultimate 14 groups as we enter Tremendous Wild Card weekend – each sport of which you’ll be able to watch dwell on Sky Sports activities NFL…
The Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers enter their bye week because the respective No 1 seeds, the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs resume the defence of their crown towards the Miami Dolphins on Saturday night time, CJ Stroud leads the Houston Texans into the postseason amid his glowing rookie marketing campaign and Matthew Stafford is primed for an emotional return to Detroit.
1) Baltimore Ravens
AFC North division champions – 13-4 regular-season file
Wild Card Weekend: First-round bye
Head coach: John Harbaugh is in the midst of his sixteenth season accountable for the Ravens, 11 of which have seen him attain the playoffs in addition to profitable one Tremendous Bowl title. He has recorded simply two dropping campaigns throughout his time in Baltimore, establishing himself among the many NFL’s premier coaches. Harbaugh’s Ravens sealed the No 1 seed with the league No 1-ranked scoring protection in addition to the fourth-most prolific offense.
Key participant: There’s a motive Lamar Jackson has propelled himself into pole place to clinch league MVP. The Ravens quarterback has been each defensive coordinator’s worst nightmare throughout one other dominant marketing campaign through which he has starred because the entrance man to Todd Monken’s offense, showcasing one of the best of his pocket poise and precision whereas remaining the devastating risk together with his legs on the transfer. His arm expertise has dazzled and his floor risk has clobbered, lifting him to a career-best 3,678 passing yards and 24 touchdowns to only seven interceptions alongside 821 speeding yards and 5 scores.
Kyle Hamilton has in the meantime excelled inside Mike Macdonald’s ascent to move teaching rivalry, the second yr security serving as his defensive coordinator’s multi-purpose asset as every thing from bruising field tackler to downfield cowl defender to late blitz risk. Geno Stone leads the workforce with seven interceptions, whereas defensive sort out Justin Madubuike has exploded in a contract yr with a team-high 13 sacks.
Type information: The Ravens boast a robust case for having been the NFL’s most constant workforce throughout the course of the season, opening 9-3 earlier than closing out the marketing campaign with a run that included assertion wins over the Rams, 49ers and Dolphins to lock within the No 1 seed within the AFC. Their win over San Francisco, particularly, amplified their Tremendous Bowl credentials as Lamar Jackson out-duelled Brock Purdy whereas strengthening his MVP case to set the tone for what they hope turns into a deep and embellished playoff run.
Playoff historical past: The Ravens have received each of the Tremendous Bowls they’ve taken half in, the primary of these coming in 2000 on the energy of a stellar protection led by Corridor of Fame linebacker Ray Lewis, who then bowed out of the sport after securing a second ring in 2012. Baltimore have received solely two playoff video games since, nonetheless, with Jackson particularly enduring a troublesome time within the postseason in his in any other case exemplary NFL profession, profitable simply as soon as in his 5 playoff appearances.
Tremendous Bowl prospects: Favourites. Right here is Lamar’s likelihood to not solely win his second MVP award, however take the Ravens to the Promised Land. They’ve every thing they want.
2) Buffalo Payments
AFC East division champions – 11-6 regular-season file
Wild Card Weekend: vs Steelers, Highmark Stadium – dwell on Sky Sports activities NFL, 6pm, Sunday
Head coach: Sean McDermott has missed out on the playoffs simply as soon as since taking on as Buffalo Payments head coach in 2017, influencing one of many NFL’s most potent defensive items in addition to overseeing the rise of quarterback Josh Allen and the franchise’s return to Tremendous Bowl rivalry whereas profitable 4 successive AFC East division titles.
Key participant: Josh Allen… So long as Josh Allen stays below heart, the Payments are Tremendous Bowl contenders. Buffalo’s all-action quarterback embodies McDermott’s Payments together with his bombs-away arm expertise and bruising working type having buried rookie doubts to say himself because the closest contender to Patrick Mahomes among the many league’s high passers. He ranks fourth within the league with 4,306 passing yards having thrown for 29 touchdowns to 18 interceptions; turnovers have been an hindrance, however not sufficient to discourage him from abandoning the complete throttle strategy that has thrust the Payments among the many elite.
An explosion within the manufacturing of pass-catching working again James Cook dinner has added a contemporary dimension to the Payments offense since Joe Brady was elevated to offensive coordinator following the firing of Ken Dorsey, whereas star receiver Stefon Diggs lurks figuring out he’s due a giant sport having not produced a 100-yard outing since Week Six. On protection, defensive sort out Ed Oliver has starred with 9.5 sacks within the absence of key contributors as McDermott’s most instrumental cog up entrance.
Type information: The Payments got here out of Week 12 having simply suffered a 37-34 time beyond regulation defeat to the Philadelphia Eagles, leaving them 6-6 and staring on the prospect of lacking out on the playoffs amid their Championship window. It typified a run of 5 defeats in eight video games relationship again to their lacklustre efficiency in defeat to the Jaguars in London. With a bye week to relaxation, they emerged from the break to topple the Chiefs earlier than dismantling the in-form Cowboys 31-10 as a part of a five-game profitable streak that might finish of their decisive 21-14 final-day win over the Dolphins to safe the No. 2 seed within the AFC. They now march on as one of the scary playoff propositions.
Playoff historical past: The wait continues, however for a way for much longer? The Payments turned the primary workforce to succeed in 4 consecutive Tremendous Bowls between 1990 and 1993 – famously dropping on all 4 events as considered one of 12 groups but to win the final word prize in soccer. Buffalo went 17 seasons with out reaching the playoffs between 2000 and 2016, however have since featured within the postseason in all however the 2018 marketing campaign. For 5 years they’ve been knocking on the Tremendous Bowl door, the closest they’ve come being the 2020 playoffs after they had been crushed by the Chiefs within the AFC Championship Recreation. They’ve since been eradicated within the Divisional Spherical two years in a row, falling to the Chiefs and the Cincinnati Bengals.
Tremendous Bowl prospects: It’s troublesome to look past them as considered one of three favourites alongside the Ravens and 49ers, such has been their scintillating end to the season. They’re each playoff opponent’s worst nightmare in present kind, Allen the quarterback able to dissecting any workforce and McDermott’s bruising protection tailored for postseason depth.
3) Kansas Metropolis Chiefs
AFC West division champions – 11-6 regular-season file
Wild Card Weekend: vs Dolphins, Arrowhead Stadium – dwell on Sky Sports activities NFL, 1.15am, Sunday
Head coach: Andy Reid is into his eleventh season with the Chiefs, and this workforce has recognized solely success since he is been there, profitable two Tremendous Bowl titles and lacking out on the playoffs simply as soon as in 2014 – albeit nonetheless securing a profitable file at 9-7, the one time his workforce failed to succeed in 10 wins.
Key participant: Patrick Mahomes, in fact. Or might you make an argument for Taylor Swift?! The pop music famous person, relationship tight finish Travis Kelce, has arguably supplied extra leisure whereas watching on in her field than the Kansas Metropolis gamers have supplied on the sphere this yr. This normally explosive offense has, for a lot of the season, did not get out of first gear, rating fifteenth in factors per sport (21.8) and solely simply sneaking into the highest 10 when it comes to yards per sport (351.3) Mahomes has tried his finest to hold this workforce on his again however he is been let down by a poor crop of receivers at his disposal, who’ve made a behavior of dropping passes delivered on the numbers.
Type information: Regardless of all the above, the Chiefs received the AFC West division title for an eighth-straight season, with an 11-6 file – the longest lively streak within the league and second-longest in NFL historical past behind solely the 11-straight years the Patriots received the AFC East from 2009 to 2019. But it surely hasn’t been all easy crusing for the defending champions this season, heading into the playoffs off the again of 5 defeats of their final 10 and with their normally so reliable offense faltering.
Playoff historical past: The Chiefs have made all of it the best way to the Tremendous Bowl on 5 events, dropping to the Packers within the very first Tremendous Bowl, earlier than triumphing over the Vikings three years later… although then got here a 50-year drought, one which was lastly ended within the 2018 season as Kansas Metropolis famously fought again from a 10-point fourth quarter deficit to beat the 49ers 31-20. The Chiefs missed the prospect to go back-to-back as they had been crushed by Tom Brady and the Buccaneers the next yr, however Mahomes would rally the workforce to their second ring in 4 seasons with an epic 38-35 victory over the Eagles in Arizona final yr.
Tremendous Bowl prospects: The Chiefs dwell for the Convention Championship. It is five-straight seasons through which they’ve hosted the AFC title sport. However, seeded third this yr, it is unlikely they will earn that honour for a sixth marketing campaign, with Mahomes set to play a street playoff sport in his profession after Wild Card Weekend – ought to they make it by way of.
4) Houston Texans
AFC South division champions – 10-7 regular-season file
Wild Card Weekend: vs Browns, NRG Stadium – dwell on Sky Sports activities NFL, 9.30pm, Saturday
Head coach: The Texans believed they had been onto a winner after they nabbed former San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans as their new head coach final offseason, and the way proper they had been. Ryans has asserted himself as one of the gifted younger teaching minds within the league, piloting one of many tales of 2023 to the playoffs in his first marketing campaign in cost.
Key participant: From first-year head coach to first-year quarterback, CJ Stroud has dazzled throughout a historic rookie marketing campaign that has handed the Texans instant reassurance that they discovered their play-caller of the longer term with the second general choose of final yr’s Draft. Stroud has demonstrated the accuracy, the sphere prognosis, the downfield aggression, the anticipation, the outer-pocket creativity and the management of a franchise face, throwing for a franchise-rookie file 4,108 passing yards for 23 touchdowns to only 5 interceptions whereas tying the NFL file for many 350-yard passing video games by a rookie. Whereas No 1 general choose Bryce Younger has struggled inside a flailing Carolina Panthers workforce, Stroud has blossomed to start his ascent in direction of the league’s elite.
Type information: Houston enter the playoffs having simply pipped the Jacksonville Jaguars to the AFC South title after edging out the Indianapolis Colts earlier than seeing Doug Pederson’s facet undergo a expensive defeat to the Tennessee Titans on the ultimate day of the common season. The Texans received seven of their final 11 video games following their Week Seven bye, divisional wins over the Titans and Colts over the ultimate month finally securing their path to the postseason.
Playoff historical past: The Texans return to the playoffs for the primary time because the 2019 marketing campaign, after they had been crushed 51-31 by the eventual-champion Chiefs within the Divisional Spherical having been main 24-0 at one stage within the first half. Houston have been to the playoffs on simply six events of their brief historical past, dropping within the Divisional Spherical 4 instances and on wild card weekend twice.
Tremendous Bowl prospects: Playoff soccer represents an accelerated schedule for the Texans behind Ryans and Stroud, who between them have turned a damaged franchise into one of many league’s most fun. They’re daring, bodily, explosive and creative, however face a frightening first hurdle within the type of a league-leading Cleveland Browns protection. It feels slightly early within the course of for a Tremendous Bowl cost, however this Stroud-inspired unit fears no one.
5) Cleveland Browns
Wild Card – 11-6 regular-season file
Wild Card Weekend: @ Texans, NRG Stadium – dwell on Sky Sports activities NFL, 9.35pm, Saturday
Head coach: Kevin Stefanski is considerably unheralded as a head coach within the NFL, however the job he has achieved with this workforce cannot be underestimated, particularly contemplating they’ve used as many as 4 beginning quarterbacks over the course of this season and but are nonetheless one of the aggressive groups within the league.
Key participant: This workforce is Myles Garrett. There’s merely no-one extra imposing than Garrett in a Browns uniform, even perhaps the whole NFL. The pass-rush extraordinaire has adopted up back-to-back seasons of 16 sacks with 14 extra on this marketing campaign, together with 4 compelled fumbles.
However, additionally, as weird as it’s to say, this Browns facet will solely go so far as Joe Flacco takes them. The 38-year-old veteran QB has been both ineffective on the sphere or floating round on the bench for a lot of the last decade since his Tremendous Bowl win with the Ravens again to cap the 2012 season – till touchdown in Cleveland halfway by way of the season, that’s. Flacco has led this workforce to 4 victories in his 5 begins, additionally turning into the primary Browns quarterback in historical past to throw for over 300 yards in four-straight video games, tossing up 13 touchdowns (albeit with eight interceptions) within the course of. Can Flacco’s fairytale run with the Browns proceed into the playoffs?
Type information: As talked about, Flacco fired this workforce to four-straight wins to substantiate a playoff berth for the Browns, earlier than a much-changed lineup misplaced closely to the Bengals on the ultimate week of the season, with lots of the starters rested.
This Cleveland workforce is constructed round their protection, the league leaders, giving up a paltry 270.2 yards per sport.
Playoff historical past: The Browns are considered one of simply 4 NFL groups – together with the Jaguars, Lions and Texans – to have by no means reached a Tremendous Bowl earlier than, not to mention received one.
And, since 1994, Cleveland has been again to the promised land of the playoffs on solely two events, with this season representing a 3rd. They misplaced to the Steelers in a 2002 wild card conflict, having to attend practically 20 years to realize their revenge in 2020 earlier than Mahomes and the Chiefs edged them out within the divisional spherical that yr.
Tremendous Bowl prospects: The AFC is broad open this yr and it is a ferocious Browns protection that’s made for the tough and tumble of January soccer. Because the previous cliché goes, “Defense wins championships”… through which case Cleveland stand an excellent likelihood certainly.
6) Miami Dolphins
Wild Card – 11-6 regular-season file
Wild Card Weekend: @ Chiefs, Arrowhead Stadium – dwell on Sky Sports activities NFL, 1.15am, Sunday
Head coach: Mike McDaniel has schemed, quirked and charmed his strategy to common admiration as one of many NFL’s genius offensive minds and loveable personalities. He embodies unfiltered soccer nerd as a glistening department to the famed Shanahan tree, shifting Miami into Tremendous Bowl rivalry in his second season in cost since shifting throughout from his submit as 49ers offensive coordinator. What has been refreshing is the acknowledged room for progress in his first high job; whether or not they win it or not this yr, the Dolphins are in high-quality, high-quality palms.
Key participant: Between Tua Tagovailoa’s snappy launch and slick play prognosis, and Tyreek Hill’s devastating chunk play pace, in-breaking routes and yards-after-catch, the Dolphins duo make up one of many NFL’s most electrical quarterback-receiver pairings. Tagovailoa led the NFL in passing yards, whereas Hill topped the receiving charts having seen his pursuit of a 2,000-yard marketing campaign slowed solely by damage. In a time of two-safety coverages designed to blunt deep performs, they proceed to feast.
Miami have endured their justifiable share of rotten luck with accidents of late, dropping their chief edge rushers in Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb. With that comes heightened significance for each Christian Wilkins and Zach Sieler up entrance, alongside off-ball linebacker David Lengthy and cornerback Jalen Ramsey.
Type information: For all their firepower and their traits of a contender, Miami proceed to face questions over their capacity to recover from the road towards the league’s finest. They arrive on the again of a 56-19 defeat to the Ravens and a 21-14 loss to the Payments, the latter of which might value them the AFC East title. The Dolphins flexed their muscular tissues with a 70-20 demolition job over the Denver Broncos in Week Three, earlier than dropping 48-20 to the Payments the following week amid a 6-3 begin that might see them miss a chance towards the Chiefs in Frankfurt. They’ve completed the marketing campaign with 5 wins of their final eight, however there isn’t any doubting that the absence of Phillips and Chubb has inflicted a serious dent to their postseason risk.
Playoff historical past: The Dolphins are and not using a playoff victory since 2000 and have reached the postseason simply six instances in that interval. Led by the good Don Shula, Miami made it to the Tremendous Bowl three years in a row from 1971-1973, profitable twice whereas amassing an ideal 17-0 file in 1972. Shula guided them again there in each 1982 and 1984, solely to lose to Washington and the 49ers.
Tremendous Bowl prospects: When this offense is firing, wholesome and in full uninterrupted movement, it seems to be each bit like a severe contender able to terrifying the remainder of the league. However between struggles towards their closest Tremendous Bowl rivals and a few marquee accidents down the stretch, they could simply come up shy.
7) Pittsburgh Steelers
Wild Card – 10-7 regular-season file
Wild Card Weekend: @ Payments, Highmark Stadium – dwell on Sky Sports activities NFL, 6pm, Sunday
Head coach: Mike Tomlin has achieved it once more. The Steelers had been down and out, watching uncomfortable offseason questions after a tumultuous marketing campaign through which effort ranges have been criticised and quarterback play has stumbled. And but right here is Tomlin celebrating an NFL-record seventeenth straight profitable file to start his teaching profession, main Pittsburgh to a shocking playoff berth when contemplating their season.
Key participant: TJ Watt would normally slot fairly properly into this hole, however the Steelers are set to be with out their 19-sack edge rusher after he suffered a Grade 2 MCL sprain throughout Pittsburgh’s essential win over the Baltimore Ravens. Together with his absence, the onus heightens for the likes of Alex Highsmith and Cam Heyward to guide the disruption up entrance, maybe with the help of rookie linebacker Nick Herbig in gentle of latest flashes from the Wisconsin man.
In a yr of the backup quarterback, Mason Rudolph’s entrance instead of Kenny Pickett and Mitch Trubisky has remarkably sparked an up-turn in manufacturing for a Steelers offense that has verged on depressing to observe for a lot of the marketing campaign. His ball safety and talent to stretch the sphere over the previous three weeks has ignited one of the best of star receiver George Pickens, whereas Jaylen Warren has been a uncommon supply of explosiveness out of the backfield.
Type information: Having misplaced three straight in December, the Steelers closed out the marketing campaign with three successive wins to squeeze into the playoffs following their victory over the Ravens and Jacksonville’s upset defeat to the Tennessee Titans. Consistency has been non-existent whereas the offense continues to be but to essentially persuade of its capacity to compete within the postseason, however Tomlin continues to discover a means of retaining his groups aggressive.
Playoff historical past: The Steelers stay simply considered one of two groups in NFL historical past to win six Tremendous Bowl titles alongside the New England Patriots, whereas they’ve reached the AFC Championship Recreation a file 16 instances. Between 1974 and 1979 they notably received the Tremendous Bowl 4 instances, their final go to ending in defeat to the Packers in 2010 and their most up-to-date win coming over the Cardinals in 2008.
Tremendous Bowl prospects: Every little thing factors to their season ending on wild card weekend, the place they are going to encounter a fired-up Payments workforce working desperately to finish the franchise’s lengthy watch for a Tremendous Bowl.
1) San Francisco 49ers
NFC West division champions – 12-5 regular-season file
Wild Card Weekend: First-round bye
Head coach: Kyle Shanahan is taken into account probably the greatest head coaches within the league, and maybe the sport’s best offensive thoughts, together with his workforce once more rating in direction of the highest of the league – second in complete offense (398.4 yards per sport) and third in scoring (28.9 factors per sport). That is San Francisco’s fourth journey to the postseason up to now 5 years below Shanahan, with every of the prior journeys taking them to the NFC Championship sport (not less than), although he’s but to win a Tremendous Bowl for his efforts. Is that this the yr?
Key participant: It is exhausting to select, with this 49ers squad loaded with top-tier expertise. That stated, the 2 names definitely getting essentially the most buzz as potential league MVPs are quarterback Brock Purdy and working again Christian McCaffrey.
This offense runs by way of McCaffrey, illustrated by his 2,023 complete yards from scrimmage and 21 TDs, which included one in an NFL joint-record streak of 17 consecutive video games, relationship again to final season. Purdy, in the meantime, has been sensational in his sophomore season, the previous seventh-round draft choose rating third within the NFL in passing touchdowns (31), first in passing yards per try (9.6) and passer ranking (113.0).
Type information: The 49ers are one of many hottest groups within the NFL proper now, with many tipping them as favourites to win the entire thing – that’s till they had been punched within the mouth with a 33-19 loss at dwelling to the Ravens in Week 16 in a potential Tremendous Bowl preview matchup between the 2 respective No 1 seeds. They continue to be one of many frontrunners although.
Playoff historical past: The 49ers are one of the profitable franchises in Tremendous Bowl historical past, with their 5 wins putting them stage with the Cowboys and seeing them bettered solely by the Steelers and Patriots (each six) – and Tom Brady’s seven! That stated, San Francisco final tasted success practically three many years in the past within the 1994 season, and have misplaced their two journeys since – to the Ravens in 2012 and to Mahomes’ Chiefs in 2019. They very practically made it again to the large dance in every of the final two years, solely to lose out in back-to-back NFC Championship appearances, to their division-rival Rams in 2021 and the Eagles final yr as they misplaced Purdy to an early damage.
Tremendous Bowl prospects: The overwhelming favorite to make it again there from the NFC. The Cowboys are possible their greatest risk to that eventuality however the 49ers have crushed them in every of their final two postseason journeys and completely hammered them 42-10 in Week 5 of this marketing campaign.
2) Dallas Cowboys
NFC East division champions – 12-5 regular-season file
Wild Card Weekend: vs Packers, AT&T Stadium – dwell on Sky Sports activities NFL, 9.30pm, Sunday
Head coach: Mike McCarthy is in his fourth season in Dallas, in three of which the previous Packers head coach has led the Cowboys to the playoffs. McCarthy beforehand led the Packers to the playoffs 9 instances from 2006 to his departure in 2018, profitable one Tremendous Bowl whereas reaching the NFC Championship Recreation on three different events.
Key participant: Till a number of weeks in the past and Lamar Jackson’s ascension as favorite, Dak Prescott was broadly thought-about one of many high candidates to win MVP amid some time on his strategy to a league-high 410 passes for 4,516 yards and a league-leading 36 touchdowns to only 9 interceptions. He has adjusted and manipulated sport tempos together with his knowledgeable subject prognosis pre-snap, whereas scorching in tandem with high broad receiver CeeDee Lamb, who has loved a profession yr with 1,749 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns on the league’s most prolific scoring offense.
Elsewhere Micah Parsons has racked up 14 sacks whereas main all defenders with 103 quarterback pressures, per Professional Soccer Focus. He represents the quintessential fashionable move rusher, with the flexibility to glide throughout the road of scrimmage whereas bludgeoning offensive lineman with a devastating speed-to-power transition. DaRon Bland has in the meantime flourished within the absence of the injured Trevon Diggs with a league-high 9 interceptions, together with an NFL-record 5 pick-sixes.
Type information: The Cowboys have endured few blemishes on their path to the playoffs, profitable eight of their remaining 11 video games because the bye to beat the Eagles to the NFC East division title and safe essential home-field benefit. Nonetheless, latest defeats to the Payments and Dolphins have resurfaced acquainted fears of one other untimely postseason exit amid their agonising pursuit of a Tremendous Bowl return.
Playoff historical past: There might not be a workforce below extra stress or burdened by Tremendous Bowl expectations as a lot because the Dallas Cowboys, who haven’t been to the Huge Dance since their final go to on the finish of the 1995 marketing campaign, which noticed them emerge as champions because of their win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. That marked their third Tremendous Bowl win within the area of 4 seasons, after which they might go on to win simply 5 playoff video games over the following 27 campaigns. Dallas have been to the NFC Championship Recreation on 14 events and featured in eight Tremendous Bowls, 5 of which they’ve received.
Tremendous Bowl prospects: Every little thing is in place. The quarterback, the protection, the weapons, the scheme, the playoff image. A possible assembly with their well-known foe 49ers might but await, however this appears like one other superb alternative to try to finish their drought.
3) Detroit Lions
NFC North division champions – 12-5 regular-season file
Wild Card Weekend: vs Rams, Ford Area – dwell on Sky Sports activities NFL, 1.15am, Monday
Head coach: Dan Campbell definitely acquired everybody’s consideration when, at his introductory press convention with the Lions in 2021, he stated, amongst different issues: “This team’s going to be built on: we’re going to kick you in the teeth, and when you punch us back… we’re going to bite a kneecap off.”
Campbell’s kneecap-biters took some time to work up an urge for food, returning a 3-13-1 file in his debut marketing campaign, earlier than a 1-6 begin to 2022 had him firmly on the new seat. Eight wins adopted over Detroit’s remaining 10 video games of that season – the workforce agonisingly falling wanting a playoff spot – and the Lions have solely constructed on that additional in 2023, claiming a primary division title in 30 years below his stewardship.
Key participant: The fulcrum of this Lions workforce, definitely their defensive unit, is second-year standout Aidan Hutchinson. The sophomore star has 11.5 sacks this yr following the 9.5 the Michigan alumni registered in his rookie marketing campaign, whereas he additionally has a choose to go together with the three he logged final yr.
On the offensive facet of the ball, Amon-Ra St. Brown continues to be one of the underrated receivers, regardless of returning profession highs of 119 receptions, 1,515 yards and 10 touchdowns this season, whereas there are few higher one-two punches at working again than David Montgomery (13 rush TDs) and rookie Jahmyr Gibbs (11 complete TDs).
Type information: It could not be a lot better. This yr represents the primary 12-win Lions season in over three many years, since 1991, however extra on that in a second…
Playoff historical past: Little to talk of, to be frank. The Lions are considered one of solely 4 NFL groups – together with the Browns, Jaguars and Texans – to have by no means reached a Tremendous Bowl earlier than, not to mention received one. Not solely that, however within the Tremendous Bowl period (since 1966), that is solely the thirteenth time Detroit have made the postseason. And, of these prior visits, they’ve received simply the one playoff sport – a divisional spherical conflict with the Cowboys in that 1991 marketing campaign!
Tremendous Bowl prospects: Do not let that dismal Lions playoff file idiot you, it is a very totally different Detroit outfit, yet one more than able to inflicting a number of upsets within the postseason, as their season-opening win over the defending champion Chiefs is testomony to. Whereas they may lastly register one other playoff victory, a visit to the Tremendous Bowl itself might be a step too far.
4) Tampa Bay Buccaneers
NFC South division champions – 9-8 regular-season file
Wild Card Weekend: vs Eagles, Raymond James Stadium – dwell on Sky Sports activities NFL, 1am Tuesday
Head coach: Todd Bowles… For the second season working Todd Bowles has guided the Bucs to the playoffs after succeeding Bruce Arians as head coach in Tampa. The previous Bucs defensive coordinator had unfinished enterprise as a head coach within the NFL following a spell with the Jets from 2015-2018, and is exercising as a lot having discovered a strategy to get one of the best from Baker Mayfield whereas persevering with to subject one of many league’s best defenses.
Key participant: It wasn’t so way back that Baker Mayfield was prone to a spiraling profession having been brushes apart to make means for Deshaun Watson in Cleveland earlier than spending brief spells with the Carolina Panthers and Los Angeles Rams. The Bucs took an opportunity on him following Tom Brady’s retirement final offseason, and the way it has paid off. Mayfield is taking part in among the best soccer of his profession, throwing for 4,044 passing yards and 28 touchdowns to 10 interceptions to seemingly play his strategy to a brand new deal within the offseason. If he performs tidy, medical soccer then the Bucs are a match for many.
Aiding a rejuvenated Mayfield has been lead broad receiver Mike Evans, who simply posted 1,000 yards for the tenth successive season since getting into the league. Tristan Wirfs has established himself as an indispensable cornerstone as Mayfield’s blind-side protector, whereas Vita Vea stays one of many league’s premier defensive tackles and formidable inside bulldozers.
Type information: The Bucs have epitomised the rollercoaster division that’s the NFC South, the lead for which has commonly exchanged palms between Tampa, the New Orleans Saints and the Atlanta Falcons. Bowles’ males hurtling in direction of disappointment after they misplaced six of seven video games following their Week 5 bye, solely to hit again emphatically with six victories of their remaining 9 to carry off their division rivals and lock within the No. 4 seed.
Playoff historical past: It’s three years since Brady carried the Bucs to a staggering Tremendous Bowl crown in his first season with the workforce in 2020, main them to a 31-9 win over the Chiefs with the assistance of a suffocating efficiency from Bowles’ protection. They threatened a repeat in 2021 by reaching the Divisional Spherical, solely to return up shy towards the Los Angeles Rams. Tampa have received the Tremendous Bowl twice of their historical past, lifting the Lombardi Trophy for the primary time on the finish of the 2002 season earlier than reaching the playoffs simply twice within the subsequent 17 seasons till profitable a second ring.
Tremendous Bowl prospects: Such has been the extent of play inside their division that the Bucs enter and not using a win over a recognised contender. It’s a tall ask of Mayfield to out-play the calibre of quarterback he might encounter, although each he and a comparatively stingy protection they shouldn’t be counted out towards a sliding Eagles outfit. Will they win all of it? No. Can they trigger one or two groups issues alongside the best way? Definitely.
5) Philadelphia Eagles
Wild Card – 11-6 regular-season file
Wild Card Weekend: @ Buccaneers, Raymond James Stadium – dwell on Sky Sports activities NFL, 1am Tuesday
Head coach: Is the stress mounting on Nick Sirianni? A turbulent finish to the common season has raised questions of the Eagles head coach, only a yr faraway from serving to Philadelphia attain the Tremendous Bowl. Sirianni is in his third season on the helm, however returns to the playoffs having seen one of many league’s most refined and revolutionary RPO offenses fall stale alongside a struggling protection. An enormous month awaits.
Key participant: Stepping apart from the quarterback place momentarily, the dip in manufacturing from Eagles edge rushers Haason Reddick and Josh Sweat over the second half of the season has been a contributing issue to Philly’s latest droop. The pair performed defining roles on a workforce that led the league in sacks on the street to the Tremendous Bowl final yr; a return to kind would do nicely in reigniting the Eagles’ Tremendous Bowl credentials.
Throughout from them, Jalen Hurts stays the important thing to an offense that has fallen wanting the requirements it set in 2022. He continues to threaten as one of many league’s most harmful speeding quarterbacks behind one of many league’s most potent offensive traces, whereas persevering with to push the ball downfield. For all the problems he could have confronted towards the blitz and with turnovers, Hurts was an MVP contender not so way back, and is similar quarterback that went toe-to-toe with Mahomes within the Tremendous Bowl.
Type information: Philly seemed in ominous kind as they opened the marketing campaign with a 10-1 file whereas overpowering the Dolphins, Cowboys, Chiefs and Payments. Every little thing seemed fairly as they teased a right away return to the Tremendous Bowl, solely to lose 5 of their final six together with heavy defeats to the 49ers and Cowboys. Their Week 18 loss to the New York Giants underlined their considerations, although might but show the wake-up required.
Playoff historical past: The Eagles have reached the Tremendous Bowl twice within the final seven seasons, famously edging out the New England Patriots in 2017 earlier than dropping out 38-35 to the Mahomes-inspired Chiefs final yr. Philly famously misplaced within the NFC Championship Recreation thrice in a row below Andy Reid from 2001-2003, earlier than developing second finest to the Patriots at Tremendous Bowl XXXIX on the finish of the 2004 marketing campaign.
Tremendous Bowl prospects: For the primary 10 weeks they seemed just like the workforce to beat. Accidents and play-calling has damage them, however that is nonetheless a roster with the expertise, depth and quarterback to go all the best way.
6) Los Angeles Rams
Wild Card – 10-7 regular-season file
Wild Card Weekend: @ Lions, Ford Area – dwell on Sky Sports activities NFL, 1.15am, Monday
Head coach: What an unbelievable teaching job Sean McVay has achieved in 2023. A yr on from trying to transfer on from Los Angeles and probably into broadcasting, McVay finally returned and had the unenviable activity of making an attempt to rebuild a decimated workforce solely two years faraway from their Tremendous Bowl success in 2021, however that is exactly what he did, making the Rams contenders once more.
Key man: It will be straightforward to rattle off the acquainted names of Aaron Donald, Matthew Stafford, Cooper Kupp right here, however as an alternative it is a chance to focus on Puka Nacua, the rookie receiver who absolutely no NFL fan would have had on their radar previous to this season.
However the fifth-round choice out of BYU within the 2023 NFL Draft has been a revelation on the place, breaking a 63-year-old file for essentially the most receiving yards by a rookie in NFL historical past (1,486) in Sunday’s season-ender towards the 49ers, surpassing Invoice Groman, who had 1,473 receiving yards in a 14-game season in 1960. On the very subsequent play, Nacua then caught his a hundred and fifth move for the yr, additionally incomes him the rookie file for receptions in a season.
Type information: Fairly probably the shape workforce within the NFL! The Rams have received seven of their final eight since their bye, with their solely defeat in that span coming in time beyond regulation towards the Ravens, who many charge as the highest workforce within the league heading into the playoffs.
Playoff historical past: The Rams are two-time Tremendous Bowl champions, as soon as when based mostly out in St. Louis and delivering the world ‘The Best Present on Turf’ in 1999, after which once more when McVay and his star-studded squad defeated Joe Burrow and the Bengals two years in the past.
Tremendous Bowl prospects: It could be asking an excessive amount of for the Rams to earn a 3rd Tremendous Bowl ring and second below McVay. This outfit could be very a lot within the early building-block phases of placing collectively one other championship-winning facet, however they may nicely pull off an upset or two within the postseason – little doubt!
7) Inexperienced Bay Packers
Wild Card – 9-8 regular-season file
Wild Card Weekend: @Cowboys, AT&T Stadium – dwell on Sky Sports activities NFL, 9.30pm, Sunday
Head coach: Matt LaFleur enters the playoffs amid his fifth season accountable for the Packers, with 2023 marking one thing of a brand new chapter for one of many league’s brightest offensive minds following the departure of four-time MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The Shanahan disciple has since reshaped his scheme across the abilities of Jordan Love to show the NFL’s youngest roster into up-and-coming contenders. He deserves an incredible quantity of credit score for the job he has achieved this season.
Key participant: The Packers loved 30 years of franchise quarterback play from Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers whereas others across the league discovered themselves caught in play-caller purgatory. Effectively, they could be about to get pleasure from one other decade of success below heart if Jordan Love’s glowing season is something to go off. Love completed the common season with 4,159 passing yards and 32 landing passes to only 11 interceptions in his first yr as starter after taking on from Rodgers following his commerce to the New York Jets.
Type information: Inexperienced Bay capped a formidable marketing campaign by securing their place within the playoffs with a 17-9 victory over the Bears amid a three-game profitable streak to complete the season. They’ve now received seven of their final 10 down the stretch, together with standout wins over the third-seeded Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving and defending champion Chiefs over back-to-back weeks in two main statements as to their potential below Love.
Playoff historical past: The Packers have reached the playoffs in three of the earlier 4 seasons, notably dropping on the NFC Championship Recreation two years in a row in 2019 and 2020 amid their seek for a primary Tremendous Bowl look since their triumph on the finish of the 2010 marketing campaign. They’ve missed out on the playoffs simply seven instances since 2000, reaching the NFC Championship Recreation 5 instances in that interval alongside their Tremendous Bowl XLV win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Tremendous Bowl prospects: Whereas Inexperienced Bay’s younger Love-driven offense has showcased its capacity to problem one of the best within the league, query marks proceed to cloud Joe Barry’s much-maligned protection. Awaiting them are the Cowboys and their No 1-ranked scoring offense, coupled with an unbelievable dwelling file that has seen Mike McCarthy’s facet go unbeaten in Dallas since Week Considered one of final season.