In my mind, there are 5 teams in this year's NFL playoffs that have separated themselves from the pack as real contenders. Obviously, there is always the chance that a team comes out of nowhere and makes a deep run, but these 5 times are the clear favorites.
Baltimore Ravens
Possibly the most obvious team on this list, the Lamar Jackson - led Ravens went 13-4, with one of those losses coming without most of their starters. Despite once again being short at the running back position (via a JK Dobbins week 1 injury), they were able to find reliable replacements in multiple different players. Rookie WR Zay Flowers was a premium target, and Odell Beckham Jr. came up with big plays when needed. The defense was the top unit in the league, led by defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, who will surely be a big name in the Head Coaching carousel this offseason. So far in his career, Lamar Jackson has not had much success in the playoffs. The other time the Ravens were the one seed, they lost to the Tennessee Titans in the divisional round (the first game they had played in that postseason), and while they did beat the Titans in the Wild Card the very next year, they would fall once again in the very next round.
If this team can string together drives half as good as they did in the regular season, they should be good to make a deep run, but they will need consistency on both sides of the ball to do so.
San Francisco 49ers
The other one seed this year, the 49ers had strung together 6 straight wins before falling to the Ravens in Week 16. Many have questioned whether former Mr. Irrelevant Brock Purdy's success is really a product of his own skill, but any Quarterback that can lead their team to a top 2 seed 2 years in a row has my respect. They have playmakers everywhere on offense. Deebo Samuel was once again nearly impossible to guard, Christian McCaffrey was far and away the best RB in the league, and Brandon Aiyuk showed his true potential as a borderline WR1 on most teams. The defense showed out almost every week, and George Kittle returned to form after a slow start.
Last year, Brock Purdy suffered his first career NFL loss after an injury forced him out early, and a Josh Johnson concussion forced him right back in late, when the game was already out of reach in the conference championship. This year, the team will surely be hungry to get right back there, and possibly even farther. The 49ers are going into this year's playoffs as the clear favorites in most people's minds, and now it is there job to prove those people correct.
Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys started off their 2023 campaign in style, toppling the Giants 40-0 in a game that was over before it even started. They would then beat the Jets by 20, before conceding a shocking loss to the Cardinals. Mike McCarthy did not let his team mope about the loss, however, as they would turn right back around and beat the Patriots by 35. The regular season for Dallas would continue like this, with high highs and low lows, as they went into Week 17 right behind the Eagles in the race for the NFC East crown. That same week, the same Cardinals team that beat the same Cowboys team shocked the Eagles and the city of Philadelphia, while the Cowboys secured a 1 point win over the Lions to regain the lead in the NFC East. A 28 point win in Week 18 vs. the Commanders would secure Dallas the 2 seed, and a date against the Packers in the wild card round.
The fight that this team showed throughout all the ups and downs of the regular season is exactly why they are considered a contender. Many are concerned about the inconsistency, but if they can put together just 4 good games in a row, they might just find themselves Super Bowl LVIII champions and cement themselves in history.
Kansas City Chiefs
Sure, the Chiefs haven't had as convincing of a regular season as in years past, but they are still the Chiefs. Led by Hall of Fame coach Andy Reid and MVP Quarterback Patrick Mahomes. They won the AFC West for an eighth straight year and have established themselves as perennial Super Bowl Contenders. The problems at the Wide Receiver position should not be overlooked though, especially with Tight End Travis Kelce having his worst statistical season in years. 2nd year Runningback Isaiah Pacheco has been able to take a lot of the pressure off of Mahomes and his receivers, but not enough to warrant the bad WR play. Rookie 2nd round pick Rashee Rice has been the clear cut WR1 for this team, but the depth behind him is severely lacking.
We know the Chiefs can have success in the playoffs without Tyreek Hill, they showed it very clearly last year, but this year's regular season has many fans and analysts worried. The Chiefs also have a tough road, with the Dolphins in the first round and likely the Bills in the second (if KC makes it there).
Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles, who made it to the Super Bowl just one short year ago, started off this season right where they left off, going 10-1 through their first 11 games. Shortly after this, however, the wheels fell off. They would lose 5 of their final 6, losing not only the #1 seed but the NFC East while suffering embarrassing losses to the Giants and Cardinals, two teams now picking in the top 6 of the draft. With losing the division crown, they also lost one of their biggest advantages, home field advantage. During their skid, former MVP candidate Jalen Hurts played nowhere near the MVP form we were used to, 1st year Defensive Coordinator Sean Desai was essentially demoted, losing his play calling duties, and the entire fanbase starting pointing fingers, especially at Head Coach Nick Sirianni. Through all this negative, however, you have to remember that this team was not only just in the Super Bowl, but just winners of 10 out of 11 games. They have proven that they can win games, especially big ones, and if they can play up near the level we saw at the start of this season and all throughout last, I have no doubt they could return to the Super Bowl.
Jalen Hurts is well rested, as he sat out the second half of their week 18 loss. His play will be a key factor in their postseason performance. They have a first round matchup in Tampa Bay, and if they can win that, it would be a huge momentum swing, not only for the team, but for the fanbase - a fanbase that is eager to see their team succeed.
- Eli Knight
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