As a result of these phrases aren’t being spoken on an ESPN “discuss” present, we aren’t contractually obliged to name-drop Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson within the first paragraph and indicate they shall be referred to as unhealthy quarterbacks and worse people in the event that they don’t lastly win a Tremendous Bowl on Feb. 9 in New Orleans.
Sure, historical past is written by the winners—and that’s why Patrick Mahomes will get to be thought to be this period’s Stephen King whereas Allen and Jackson are handled like they’ve been caught shoving Crayolas up their nostrils through the playoffs.
However reputations, resumes, and profession arcs can change over the subsequent 4 weeks—for quarterbacks, coaches and franchises alike. It’s our mission to declare which NFL workforce is below essentially the most strain as Wild Card Weekend kicks off this postseason.
Is it the Washington Commanders or the Denver Broncos? Heck, no. These squads are enjoying with free cash as a result of the Broncos haven’t been within the playoffs since 2015 and the Commanders haven’t received a playoff recreation since Jan. 7, 2006. Furthermore, every postseason snap that rookie quarterbacks Jayden Daniels and Bo Nix get is a bonus. In the event that they’re fortunate (or not), they’ll progress sufficient over the subsequent 5 years that they’ll substitute Allen and Jackson within the ridiculous talk-show discussions.
Do the Inexperienced Bay Packers or Houston Texans face essentially the most strain? Nah. Whereas the Packers’ Jordan Love and CJ Stroud have handled heightened expectations all yr, they each enter the playoffs and not using a key wideout attributable to harm. Each are anticipated to lose this weekend, so any wins might be a thrill and clinch a profitable season.
Is it LA (the Chargers) or LA (the Rams)? No likelihood. Even when Los Angeles was an NFL hotbed, the unprecedented wildfires ruining giant swathes of Southern California are monopolizing everybody’s consideration. If both workforce wins this weekend—and the Chargers are favored to win at Houston—it’ll register simply barely greater than in the event that they lose.
Tampa Bay? That fan base must be among the many happiest within the NFL. They win the division yearly. They scored a bleeptonof factors this season and have been enjoyable to observe. No cause to be agitated by something that occurs this weekend or subsequent.
Kansas Metropolis? Please. Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Andy Reid and Co. have already solid their legacies in Canton stone. Wanting forfeiting within the Divisional Spherical or doing a stay All-State industrial when they need to be conducting a two-minute drill, does any fan have a proper to complain if the Chiefs don’t win a 3rd straight Tremendous Bowl?
The Minnesota Vikings are most likely essentially the most out-of-nowhere 14-win workforce in NFL historical past. They’re a feel-good story, however the Detroit Lions deflated any severe postseason expectations with Sunday evening’s whipping within the Motor Metropolis. On the plus aspect, that makes the Vikings a plucky upstart story once more.
The Pittsburgh Steelers? Now we’re getting hotter. Mike Tomlin has led this proud franchise to 12 playoff appearances in 18 years—together with a Tremendous Bowl title—however the Steelers haven’t received a postseason recreation in eight seasons.
Are the Ravens and Payments below just a little additional strain? After all. They’re groups which were enjoying at a excessive stage since 2019—due largely to their MVP-level quarterbacks—however neither has reached the Tremendous Bowl. So, yeah, the strain is constructing, however it’s not like both workforce is the betting favourite to win all of it. Enjoyable reality: The Ravens and the Payments each completed with a plus-157 level differential.
By advantage of calling Philadelphia dwelling, the Eagles are all the time below extra strain than the traditional franchise. And, contemplating the house workforce hasn’t performed in a Tremendous Bowl in 23 months and hasn’t received one in seven seasons, Eagles followers are most likely owed one other title in 4 weeks. However, no, they’re not the NFL workforce below essentially the most strain.
This may appear just a little counterintuitive, however the franchise that has by no means received a Tremendous Bowl—the Detroit Lions—is the one with essentially the most to lose by not successful Tremendous Bowl LIX.
Sure, the Lions are straightforward to get pleasure from. They rating touchdowns by the bushel; they let their offensive linemen catch and throw passes and Dan Campbell looks as if essentially the most NFL-likeable head coach in a pair generations.
However right here’s the deal: The Lions ought to have performed in final yr’s Tremendous Bowl, however a couple of less-than-stellar choices by Campbell—impressed by his distinctive model of Danalytics—helped the Lions blow their 24-7 halftime lead in opposition to San Francisco.
If the perfect workforce within the NFC in some way finds one other manner to not get to this Tremendous Bowl, too, it’s going to vary how the Lions and Campbell are considered. And he’ll get to turn into top-of-show grist for the sports activities morning reveals till he finds a strategy to cause them to the highest.
