Doing things differently this week. As each playoff team is ranked by the best chance to win followed by a little something hopeful for each non playoff team. Let’s get started.

America’s Team for the next few weeks: Bills

Everyone who doesn’t have a team in the playoffs, wants the Bills to win. I have even seen multiple posts on Facebook from fans saying if their team doesn’t win it, they are all in on the Bills. This is what happens when a player on your team has cardiac arrest and a whole nation (besides a few grumpy fantasy football managers) rallies around you. Damar seems like a great human being and is doing much better. Also, the Bills are real good. Good defense, good quarterback, good weapons, good coaching. You name it, they have it. My money was always on whoever won the Bills vs Bengals game to win it all. Since that game never ended, I’ll go with the team that will get to host the other team in the playoffs.

The team I can hate again: Bengals

I stopped hating the Bengals for a solid 3 or 4 days. Then they played on Sunday, did their dumb little coin flip thing and of course beat the Ravens and their 3rd string quarterback. Burrow was asked something about a super bowl window and he said his super bowl window is as long as he is playing. This sort of arrogance can only be liked if he plays on your team. Burrow is the like a villain from a Batman Movie or something. He’s entertaining and you sort of respect his game but you are real excited to watch him get pounded. Anyway, the Bengals are real good too.

As long as we got Pat: Chiefs

Look, I think the above two teams have better rosters. They have better weapons. They have good coaches. And both teams have proven they can beat the Chiefs. But I literally go into every playoff game assuming we will win. This is the complete opposite of how I felt before we had Pat. After many brutal losses in the playoffs, Pat has flipped the script. Both times he has lost in the AFC Playoffs, it has been in overtime. He has never not made it to the AFC Championship game. I just got a feeling we are going to win it. I mean I firmly believe the above two teams are better overall and I won’t be shocked if we lose. But something tells me Andy and Pat got a few tricks up their sleeves.

In Brock We Trust?: 49ers

The 49ers have arguably the best roster in the league. They have the best defense in the league. But do we trust Brock Purdy to win it all? I mean he has done everything right up to this point. But can he hang in a shoot out with the above teams. Also, lets be honest, he is due to make a mistake. When will that happen? This weekend? Divisional round? Championship? Super Bowl? Next year? Time will tell.

Hurts still hurt?: Eagles

If Hurts is back to his old form, the Eagles can win it all. But they looked bad in their second showing with Gardner and didn’t look much better last week with Hurts against the Giants back ups. This team will go how Hurts goes. Hopefully, with the bye, we will see the best version of the Eagles again.

They aren’t going to win it…but they have Tom Brady…so…: Bucs

I mean, they have been bad all year. Underachieved constantly and can’t run the ball at all. But Tom Brady is Tom Brady. Are you betting against him? I am not. Dude can still sling it. I don’t think they will make it far but I would put money on Tom over any of the teams besides the 5 already mentioned.

The Hair Club: Jags and Chargers

I view the Jags and the Chargers as the same. Talented young rosters. Enough weapons and good enough defense to make some noise. And good quarterbacks on the rise with flowing hair. I think either of these teams could pull an upset in the divisional round but I don’t see them making it to the big game.

The Choke Artists: Cowboys and Vikings

The question isn’t if, it is when will they choke. I’ll give my predictions in the next couple of days. But neither of these teams can win 4 in a row on the biggest stage. It is just not who they are.

Congrats you made it: Seahawks and Giants

Two great stories of teams that really improved and played hard all year to get here. Congrats on making the dance. It is going to be a short one.

You are starting who at Quarterback?: Dolphins and Ravens

If Tua wasn’t concussed, I still wouldn’t like their chances. But they started Thompson last week and they managed a whopping 3 field goals against the Jets who had nothing to play for. Pretty sure 9 points isn’t getting it done against the Bills. We don’t even know who is starting for the Ravens. But we know it isn’t Lamar, who likely played his last game with the Ravens about 6 weeks ago.

A Reason for hope:

Lions- You finished the year strong and look like a legitimately pretty good football team. Hey, maybe you can win with Jared Goff

Packers- Lots of young talent and your defense pulled it together the end of the season. Rodgers will be back after he manifests his return.

Bears- Justin Fields doesn’t suck…at least at running. And hey, you got the #1 pick for the first time since 1940ish.

Rams- I mean…you got to be healthier next year…right?

Cardinals- You can’t lose any more games this season.

Commanders- You can get a new quarterback in the offseason who won’t work out. But at least it won’t be Carson Wentz.

Falcons- You finished by beating the Bucs…backups.

Saints- umm…your defense wasn’t terrible…and umm…Chris Olave seems pretty good, I guess.

Panthers- You can run the ball real well which means less stops of the clock because of incomplete passes. This means the games are shorter and we don’t have to watch you for as long.

Browns- You get a whole session…I mean season…with Watson next year. Assuming he can keep his creepiness in check.

Steelers- Seriously, you should be hopeful. Strong finish.

Jets- Zach Wilson won’t be your quarterback. I mean it is unlikely anyway. I mean surely that won’t be the case. Poor Jets.

Patriots- Tom Brady is coming back. At least that is what wishful thinking Patriot fans believe.

Colts- It can’t get worse…can it? Please, please hire Jeff Saturday permanently…please! Also, I think Carson Wentz will be available.

Titans- The Titans had to use the most amount of players in back to back seasons due to injuries. Can they make it 3 years in a row?

Texans- I’m sorry. There is no hope for you. You are awful.

Broncos- Hey the last two weeks looked pretty good. Good enough to give you false hope all off season long.

Raiders- Raiders gonna raider…but just not with Derek Carr leading the way.