I honestly don’t know what to say going into these playoffs, because in this wild regular season we just encountered, we got a playoff in which we should have some NFL favorites play up and go back to the Super Bowl. However, with the landscape not being as certain as in previous seasons and for some teams, their playoff history is suspect at best, we are going to do a “Trust ‘O’ Meter” with the 14 Playoff Teams Confidence Style (1 Least – 14 Most).
(note: this is my personal list, if you disagree, feel free to leave a comment on the article or any of the socials, so here’s to it)
1. Pittsburgh Steelers
There’s not a ton to say about this team that would make me very confident going into the playoffs. TJ Watt is hurt, Mason Rudolph is starting (as of this article being written), and, no real reason to think this Steeler team is going to go on any run. A 10-7 Record is impressive considering the inconsistent nature of the team, but, with bad losses at home to Arizona and New England during the year, you just feel like this team won’t have what it takes even with the experienced coach of Mike Tomlin at the helm.
2. Houston Texans
The story of the Texans this season has been impressive. Rookie QB C.J. Stroud has shown he can play in this league with this strong play, DeMeco Ryans has done a fantastic job as a Rookie Head Coach for them. 10-7 and AFC South Champions is something this team can build off of going into the future, however, I think a roadblock is coming with the Browns and it’s not looking good with w/injuries to the Texans in some key areas.
3. Miami Dolphins
I know, a team that played in Week 18 with a chance to win the AFC East, lost, and is now the third worst team confidence-wise to win, why? Simple, going into Arrowhead Wild Card Weekend in zero-degree Temps at kickoff, with w/the experience the Chiefs offer, spells disaster in an otherwise good year for Miami. 11-6 is a good record, but, with losses to the Ravens and Bills late in the year and the game coming up at KC, I don’t see how this team is going far in these playoffs.
4. Green Bay Packers
Green Bay got in with a wild year. Had some major ups and downs, but, Jordan Love came into his own to be a solid QB, at times really good QB, to help steer the ship for the Packers. The defense is suspect, but, can come up with big plays occasionally. Going into Dallas is a tough task, giving the Cowboys history in the playoffs, is no lock to be a loss either. 9-8 Record and No. 7 seed in the NFC, it’ll be interesting to see if the Packers can make any run.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Somebody had to win the awful NFC South, and Tampa Bay took the division once again, this time led by QB Baker Mayfield. A 9-8 Record and hosting a playoff game should give them a slight chance vs the Eagles, however, the team Tampa has, I don’t think they’re in line for a deep playoff push this year.
6. Detroit Lions
Now, as a Lions fan, I need those who think they’re way too low on this list to hear me out on something. The Lions finally, FINALLY, get a home playoff game at Ford Field for the first time in history and they get on the other side, none other than Matthew Stafford and the LA Rams. It’s a tough task if you ask me, even if the Lions find a way through (assuming Dallas wins), it’ll be the Cowboys on the road in the Division Round. It just seems like the Lions are in for a tall task these playoffs. 12-5 and NFC North Champions should be acknowledged for the great regular season, it’s just going to be hard to see how it goes in these playoffs when they haven’t won a playoff game since 1991.
7. Cleveland Browns
Originally, they could’ve been in the Lower three teams, however, Joe Flacco turning back the clock and the Browns’ Defense being a top-five Defense in the NFL gives them an outside shot at making a little run in the AFC. They get the Texans to start, which stated previously, is a nice story but lots of rookies and inexperience for a playoff team. I wouldn’t rule them out as a sneaky AFC Championship Game team this year. Cleveland finished 11-6 and second in the AFC North, despite Watson missing some of the year with injury.
8. LA Rams
10-7 Rams who finished second in the NFC West are a dark horse of a playoff team coming into the 2024 Playoffs. They got the QB (Stafford), they got the Coach (McVay), they got weapons on offense, and, they got an improved defense. This just seems like a team if they can get passed Detroit and win, they could give the 49ers a true fight. I like how this team looks coming into the post-season a lot. Sure it can end in the Wild Card Round, but, I could also see them making a sneaky NFC Title run
9. Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles should be higher in Confidence with being the defending NFC Champions and starting this season 10-1, but, late season collapse and injuries have me thinking they aren’t long for a deep run this Post-Season. 11-6 and second in the NFC East sounds good on paper, but, they’ll need to pull it all together in a hurry if they want to repeat as conference champions.
10. Buffalo Bills
Having the No. 2 seed vs a bad Steelers playoff team is a good start for the Bills. After going 11-6 and winning the AFC East title in Week 18, the Bills do have some good momentum going into the post-season. Can they finally get over the hump after so many disappointments with the squad they’ve had the last couple of years? Can Josh Allen perform w/out critical turnovers on a playoff run? Time will tell, but, having the Chiefs at home in the Divisional Round if it pans out helps, which has been one of the team hurdles to get over.
11. Dallas Cowboys
I wish I didn’t have them this high, however, having a dominant regular season at home, (most say best in the NFL at home), then having got the No. 2 seed in the NFC, it’s now or never for the Cowboys to make some sort of Super Bowl run. Starting with Green Bay and possibly a rematch with Detroit in the Divisional both at home will help their cause, with the biggest hurdle being the 49ers again. Dak has looked the part this season, defensively they look outstanding, Mike McCarthy looks like he’s coaching for his job and has done well so far. 12-5 and NFC East Champions won’t be enough, Dallas should be one of the three NFC Teams representing in Vegas.
12. Baltimore Ravens
Look, it’s hard not to put the 13-4 best record in the AFC and AFC North Champions as one of the 2 highest I should be confident in these playoffs, however, Lamar Jackson and the Ravens past few Post-Seasons have me a little worried. Can this team finally put it all together and make the run they’ve wanted under Lamar at QB? John Harbaugh has been there before, but, it’s been over a decade, it’s time for this group to do it. I think if they don’t get in their own heads, they SHOULD represent the AFC in the Super Bowl, however, one team just has my trust a tad bit more than them.
13. Kansas City Chiefs
They went 11-6 and won a weak AFC West, it should be a team that you can trust fully for a deep run, however, they looked like they were coasting at points some of the year. The receivers aren’t as trustworthy as years past, and Mahomes has looked his most frustrated with how things have been on the field, but, the defense of the Chiefs has made big plays when they needed them. And why do I have the Chiefs high again? Simple, Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes are the best QB-Coach Duo in the NFL and I fully can put my stock into that team to turn it around and make a run. Sure, this year they’ll finally have to play on the road for a playoff game for the first time in Mahomes’ career (unless they get super lucky with w/upsets), but again, this is how much confidence I have with the team, they’re going to face the Ravens IMO for the AFC Title and what a game it’ll be.
14. San Francisco 49ers
12-5 Record, the best team in the NFC, NFC West Champions, the best overall roster in football, and my team whom I picked in the pre-season to win it all.
They have it all, name the position and it’s good to elite, a great job stacking the roster by John Lynch the GM. The only pause I have is any big injuries could give a team a slight opening, but, I just think they’re too good all over the place, and home field helps them. I have the 49ers winning the Super Bowl and have easily the most confidence this post-season.
So there you have it, let me know what you guys think of the confidence article, is there anyone you thought I Overrated? Underrated? And what are your Super Bowl Predictions?
