It’s nearing that time -- time for playoff football in the National Football League. Ten teams get to compete for the Lombardi Trophy, but only one will take it home. Who’s it going to be? Let’s take a look at some of the teams that will be competing for the Super Bowl this year and decide who has the best shot in the end.
Green Bay Packers
The Packers are 10-4 with two games left. They started the season winning six straight before losing their next three games. They have had their struggles this season, but they have still managed to win 10 games and clinch a playoff spot. I believe their struggles are centered around their run game. After having over 1,000 yards on the ground and nine touchdowns last season, Eddie Lacy has struggled this year. The third year back has rushed for only 664 yards and three touchdowns, and has lost his starting job a couple of times this year. Any good offense needs to have a god run games that compliments the passing attack. Aaron Rodgers is a great quarterback and former MVP of the league, but even he needs that good rushing attack to help him out. The Packers will be an interesting team in the playoffs, but until they sure up their run game they won’t be winning any Super Bowls this season.
Denver Broncos
Peyton Manning might be back for the playoffs, but we don’t know that for sure. His back up, Brock Osweiler has been getting the job done for the 10-4 Broncos. He has gone 3-2 since Peyton was injured. He stated off hot beating an undefeated Patriots team and two other games, but the team has lost their last two. I think that without their true starting quarterback the Broncos won’t get far in the playoffs. The Broncos will go as far as Manning will take them, and that won’t be far if he’s watching from the sidelines. The Broncos have not yet clinched a playoff berth, but they should this week.
Carolina Panthers
The Panthers are the only a team in the league at 14-0. They have continued to prove critics wrong all season. Cam Newton is having a MVP caliber year and the defense is one of the best in the league. However, the one thing that could stop the Panther from taking home the big trophy would be their offense. They don’t any big names guys on offense other than Greg Olsen, who is Cam’s favorite target. The rest of the receivers are basically nobodies who Newton makes look better because of his performance. I believe that once they make it to the playoffs and face some good defense, the team’s lack of talent and playmaking will show. The Panthers could take home the trophy, but they are going to have to continue to score with this less than reliable offense.
New England Patriots
Yes the Patriots are 12-2. Yes they have Tom Brady at quarterback, who many people believe to be the MVP of the league this year. Yes they have the best coach in Bill Belichick. However, they are the unhealthiest team going into the playoffs. Their top receiver, Julian Edelman, has been out for the last few weeks, as has Rob Gronkowski, Brady’s favorite target. Though Gronk is back in action, the Patriots are still depleted on offense. Starting running back Dion Lewis is out, leaving a huge hole in the backfield. All these injuries finally caught up to the team as they lost two games for the first time all season. If the Patriots can get completely heathy they have a chance, but it does not look good. Injuries are hard to overcome, even for the mighty Patriots.
Arizona Cardinals
Carson Palmer and the Cardinals have had a great season. They are 12-2 and have locked up their division and a home playoff game. To me, Arizona is a force to be reckoned with. They have a great defense and their offense, led by quarterback Palmer, is excellent. The resurrection of Larry Fitzgerald and the run game are two other reasons the Cardinals are a force to be reckoned with. I believe they could be on their way back to the Super Bowl, and maybe winning it this time. There is not too much I have to say about the Cardinals. As long as they keep doing what got them to this point they will be in the hunt for a ring.
Pittsburg Steelers
To me, the Steelers are the favorite to win it all. They have the best offense in the league. Big Ben has three dynamic wide-outs to throw the ball to and DeAngelo Williams has come out of nowhere and been the best back up running back ever seen. At 9-5 Pittsburg is still fighting to make it to the playoffs, but they will get in, and if they continue to dominate on offense the way they have, it will be their Super Bowl to lose. I see a rematch between the Arizona Cardinals and the Steelers this year. The only thing that could get in the way of them winning the Super Bowl would be their defense, particularly the weak secondary. They have been getting burned for weeks and an offense like Arizona’s will look to take advantage of that below average secondary.
The Super Bowl is heaven for ball players. This year will be fun to watch as the teams vie for the title. Again, I believe the Steelers and Cardinals will battle for the trophy when it is all said and done. It is hard to tell who will win, but I can’t finish the article without a prediction. That being said, the Pittsburg Steelers will be your 2015-2016 NFL Champions!!
