Here we are! It is time for playoff football. This feels a little like 2020 when you didn’t know what was going to happen because there were a lot of evenly matched teams. That year delivered arguably the greatest weekend of football of my lifetime when in the divisional round, 3 games were won by a game ending winning field goal and the other game, well all I have to say is 13 seconds. So here are 5 reactions to the playoff lineup plus my rankings of who has the best chance at winning the Super Bowl from worst to best chance.

1. Jaguars blew it and ruined my night: First of all, I was high on the Jags coming into the season. They finished strong last year and had a relatively easy schedule. But instead they failed miserably. They lost 5 of their last 6 and blew multiple opportunities throughout the game on Sunday. But the thing I am most bummed about is by losing the Bills were automatically in the playoffs. I have nothing against the Bills but I do love funny playoff scenarios. And if the Jags had won, the Bills would have either won and become the 2 seed or lose and been eliminated. I don’t ever remember seeing a scenario like that before and the stupid Jags took that away from me.

2. I have to buy Peacock now: I mean come on NFL. Do you not make enough money already? I already pay for the NFL ticket so that I can watch all the games during the season but now I have to pay for Peacock for one game. If it wasn’t the Chiefs I wouldn’t do it. I’d like to say I still won’t do it because of the principal of the thing. But watching the Chiefs trumps my principals. So I’ll spend the $5.99 which will probably quickly turn into $17.97 after I forget to cancel the service for a couple of months. 

3. Weird scheduling: All the AFC games are first, followed by all the NFC games. Along with the stupid Peacock game, NBC controls 3 of the 6 games. Also, it seems like a Monday night game is a disadvantage heading into the divisional round. It is nice that MLK day is Monday which means I can enjoy all the Sunday games without stressing about work the following day. 

4. South division winners limp in: The Bucs won by beating the worst team in the league 9-0. The Texans took the lead in their game, and then immediately missed an extra point. The Colts drove down the field only to drop a fourth down pass. Also, when anyone drops a pass do you automatically think of Chiefs receivers? Or is that just me?

5. The most wonderful time of the year: I love football and especially the NFL. This is my favorite time of the year. It also means the season is almost over. So enjoy it.

Rankings of best chance to win a Super Bowl

14. Bucs

pros: no one thinks they can win so they should be able to play loose. Their roster is decent and they have a shot at least winning one game since they play the Eagles that apparently are completely falling apart.

Cons: they won 9 games. They just barely beat the worst team in the league and Baker is not great.

13. Steelers

pros: They have a great defense and a coach who has won it all before.

cons: Mason Rudolph is starting and their coach last won it all 15 years ago.

12. Texans

pros: they made the playoffs which is a huge accomplishment after the disaster of an organization they were. They seem to have their franchise quarterback.

cons: they are untested and young and a lot of their offensive guys are hurt.

11. Packers

pros: they made the playoffs making me look smart and seem to be playing pretty dang well.

cons: they are the youngest team in the playoffs and because they are the 7 seed they would have to play all the top seeds to get to the super bowl.

10. Eagles

pros: they have a great roster and have made a run to the super bowl just last year.

cons: they are a dumpster fire right now.

9. Dolphins

pros: tons of talent and a funny coach. They can score a ton of points and are exciting to watch.

cons: they are 1-5 against playoff teams. They will have to play all their games on the road. 

8. Lions

pros: good offense and a fiery coach. A good mix of young talent and savvy veterans. 

cons: They are the Lions. Also, they are not good defensively and have seemed to gotten worse as the season goes on.

7. Rams

pros: a winning coach and going into the playoffs hot after winning their last 4 games. 

cons: lots of road games to get there and don’t have the depth other teams have.

6. Chiefs

pros: Reid, Mahomes, Kelce and the defense

cons: drops, penalties and turnovers.

5. Cowboys

pros: They are playing at a high level and taking care of business against lower end teams.

cons: they are no longer going to be playing lower end teams.

4. Browns

pros: An aggressive defense that makes plays and creates turnovers. Joe Flacco coming off the house boat to lead this team to glory!

cons: spent a lot of money on massage boy that they didn’t have to. They turn the ball over a lot and much like the Lions…they are the Browns and the Browns don’t win stuff.

3. Bills

pros: they have won 5 in a row and have been basically playing playoff football for several weeks now.

cons: the offense is up and down and much like the Lions and the Browns…they are the Bills.

2. Ravens

pros: seem like the best team in the league and have been dominating against great teams.

cons: Lamar has one playoff win. Last time they were the 1 seed they lost in the divisional round.

1. 49ers

pros: best roster in the league. Weapons galore! Lots of guys on the team have made deep playoff runs in the past. Easily the best team in the NFC.

cons: injuries haven’t happened yet…but they are the 49ers. They also struggle some if they get down early. 

Stay tuned later in the week when I break down the AFC games in one post and the NFC in another.