NFL

Every Remaining NFL Playoff Team’s Biggest Flaw

Every Remaining NFL Playoff Team's Biggest Flaw

Tony Romo Dallas Cowboys' Quarterback NFL Playoffs
Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

The NFL is a salary-cap league that has amassed popularity through parity. Although every team has a high level of talent (these are professionals after all), there isn’t a team that can afford elite players at every position. Even with home run draft picks and progressive scouting, every inadequacy can’t be mitigated. Every NFL team has a flaw, even those that remain alive in the playoffs.

8. New England Patriots - Defensive Front Seven

Vince Wilfork New England Patriots Front Seven
Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

8. New England Patriots - Defensive Front Seven

Vince Wilfork New England Patriots Front Seven
Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

It’s pretty nice to know your biggest flaw is the core of your No. 9 ranked rush defense, but this will be where the Baltimore Ravens concentrate their attack. Justin Forsett is second in the league in yards before contact, meaning his line gets a great push on running plays. It’ll be strength-on-strength, and Forsett getting out into the secondary will be the Ravens’ key to getting out of Gillette with a win.

7. Baltimore Ravens - Secondary

Baltimore Ravens Secondary NFL
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

7. Baltimore Ravens - Secondary

Baltimore Ravens Secondary NFL
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Baltimore eliminated the only team that had a worse secondary in playoff football when they dispatched the Pittsburgh Steelers last Saturday. In the regular season, the Ravens dropped 249 yards per game against the NFL’s third-weakest schedule. If the Ravens have found a vein to strike Saturday, the Patriots have access to an artery.

6. Carolina Panthers - Special Teams

Carolina Panthers NFL Punter
Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

6. Carolina Panthers - Special Teams

Carolina Panthers NFL Punter
Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Think special teams and field position aren’t paramount in the playoffs? Ask Detroit Lions punter Sam Martin. Carolina absolutely cannot afford to give the Seattle Seahawks any free ground as the Divisional round’s biggest underdog. Aside from punting mediocrity, the Panthers also rank 24th in kick return yards per game and 18th when it comes to returning the punt.

5. Seattle Seahawks - Receiving Corps

Kevin Norwood Seattle Seahawks Wide Receiver Number 81
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

5. Seattle Seahawks - Receiving Corps

Kevin Norwood Seattle Seahawks Wide Receiver Number 81
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

This team is as solid as the New England Patriots, but Seattle may do an even better job of hiding their biggest flaw. Russell Wilson is so phenomenal at extending plays that you no longer need Percy Harvin or Golden Tate working to get open for you. The team that dethrones the champs will be the team that keeps Wilson confined to a crumbling pocket.

4. Dallas Cowboys - Secondary

Golden Tate Running Through Dallas Cowboys Secondary
Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

4. Dallas Cowboys - Secondary

Golden Tate Running Through Dallas Cowboys Secondary
Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Want to beat the Cowboys? Here’s the procedure: slant route, crossing route, post, repeat. Golden Tate ran wild after the catch against the Cowboys, and it’s surprising Detroit even handed the ball to Joique Bell in the second half. If the Cowboys had to over-adjust to compensate for Golden Tate, imagine what Randall Cobb and Jordy Nelson are gonna do.

3. Green Bay Packers - Rush Defense

Joique Bell Detroit Lions Running Back Green Bay Packers Rush Defense
Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

3. Green Bay Packers - Rush Defense

Joique Bell Detroit Lions Running Back Green Bay Packers Rush Defense
Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Uh-oh. The NFL’s leading rusher is going against the NFL’s 23rd rushing defense. Hello narrative. Cold weather could induce even more of a ground game for the Dallas Cowboys, and this could be Jan. 15, 2012 all over again at Lambeau.

2. Indianapolis Colts - Turnover Battle

T.Y. Hilton Fumbles Colts vs Browns
Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

2. Indianapolis Colts - Turnover Battle

T.Y. Hilton Fumbles Colts vs Browns
Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

The Colts are the worst remaining NFL team when it comes to turnover differential. Indianapolis finished the season tied for 22nd in the league at a minus-five differential. The closest playoff teams around them in this category are the Cincinnati Bengals and Pittsburgh Steelers, both of whom broke even and both of whom are already eliminated from the playoffs.

1. Denver Broncos - Pass Protection

Peyton Manning against Blitz Broncos vs Raiders
Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

1. Denver Broncos - Pass Protection

Peyton Manning against Blitz Broncos vs Raiders
Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

The key to upsetting the Broncos is getting to Peyton Manning before he’s ready to plant his feet and throw. That’s what the St. Louis Rams did when they clobbered the Broncos 22-7 back in November, and it appeared they simply followed the New England Patriots’ blueprint from two weeks prior. The only way the Broncos can advance is if Manning can consistently pass on a platform.

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