Raking the 5 Best Playoff Teams

As the 2015-2016 regular season comes to an end, the NFL playoffs are upon us. We are going to see some great matchups this year and maybe even some blowouts. So with out further ado, let’s take a look at who the top 5 teams are.

1. Carolina Panthers- The Panthers shocked the world this year when they had a 14 game winning streak to start off the regular season. The Panthers finished 15-1 with their only loss coming to the Falcons in week 16. The Panthers have the best all around team in the NFL this year. They have MVP favorite Cam Newton running the offense with extreme precision, a pair of Pro-Bowlers in running back Jonathan Stewart and tight-end Greg Olsen and one of the best offensive lines in the league. With that, they have one of the best defenses in the NFL with 4 Pro-Bowlers including defensive tackle, Kawann Short, outside linebacker, Thomas Davis, interior linebacker, Luke Kuekly and cornerback, Josh Norman. Altogether this is a very dangerous Panthers team entering the playoffs. They have the taste of victory after finishing their season on a high note with a dominant performance over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. I would not want to play this team right now.
2. Seattle Seahawks- The Seahawks are an interesting bunch to watch. It seems as though for the past few years they start off their season slow, but come December they get red hot and just win every game. Seattle made a statement in week 17 when they completely dominated the #2 seeded Arizona Cardinals 36-6. Seattle is led by quarterback, Russell Wilson, who has been the best quarterback in the NFL over the past few weeks. They have played well-disciplined, hard tackling defense to go along with their offense. In all honesty, Carolina is the best TEAM going into the playoffs but the Seahawks are the best prepared because they have been here before. The hawks are the two time reigning NFC Champs so they are very experienced in the playoffs and on top of that they are the hottest team in football. So while Carolina is the best team, I wouldn’t be surprised at all if Seattle takes another NFC crown and gets a trip to the dance.
3. New England Patriots- I know it sounds old now, The Patriots win 10+ games and Tom Brady and Bill Belichek head into the playoffs trying to win the Super Bowl, but it’s happening again. The Patriots have won 10 games or more for a 13th straight season and have gone to the playoffs in 12 of those 13. It’s absolutely ridiculous how long the Patriots have sustained their success and this season was no different from that success. Even though the Pats lost their last 2 games, the reason I have them this high is because of Tom Brady and head coach Bill Belichek. This duo has a history of doing well in the playoffs going to 6 Super Bowls winning 4 of them. I don’t really care how bad the team around them is, it just always seems like they just know how to win.

4. Denver Broncos- The Broncos are team that either shows up or they don’t, there isn’t really any in between. The team will have to decide on whether to start Brock Osweiler or Peyton Manning at quarterback. Everyone wants Peyton, but the problem is that Peyton is hurt so do you a hurt Manning or a young Osweiler? Regardless as to who is quarterback, the Broncos are going to need to that defense to step up and shut down the Patriots, Bengals and Steelers who all have high powered offenses. The Broncos are going to have to establish a run game to succeed

5. Pittsburgh Steelers- I might be going out on a limb here, but it’s my opinion so I like the Steelers. The Steelers are a team that will fight until the very last snap of the game even if they don’t have a chance to win. Last week the Steelers had to win and they did, while they did play the Browns, I saw a team that was determined to make the playoffs. Hopefully they can bring that intense mindset into the post season. A big reason why the Steelers are this high is quarterback Ben Rothlisberger. Big Ben has won 2 Super Bowl title and doesn’t seem to flinch in the postseason very often. The Steelers have a very good offense including the best receiver in the game, Antonio Brown and a very talented offensive line. The defense of the Steelers is good, nothing spectacular, but I’m banking on a team underestimating Pittsburgh and making a run in the playoffs.

There ya go...a ranking of the best playoff teams, hopefully we have a fantastic playoffs this season and maybe just maybe a team not on this list will win the dance, who knows?

Written by Kenny Quinn

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