picture of the 30 yard line on a football field

NFL Playoff Primer: Strengths and Weaknesses of Every Playoff Team

The 2020-2021 postseason has arrived with teams that can do a wide variety of things. Here at Garage Door Sports we want to get you caught up on the teams in the hunt for the Vince Lombardi Trophy and what they excel at.

AFC

Kansas City Chiefs

Strength

The defending Super Bowl Champions come into this year as the number one seed backed by their electric offence that can score on a one play drive or bleed you out for ten plays. With Patrick Mahomes at the helm this team is a second away from a touchdown at all points of the game making them tough to hold down.

Weakness

What could hurt the Chiefs, is their own play. Over the course of this season, they have failed to pull away from teams and have let inferior competition hang around late in games. If they play with fire in the playoffs, it could be their downfall.

Buffalo Bills

Strength

This season’s up and coming team, the Bills, are backed by one of the best receivers in the game in Stefon Diggs and his ability to separate at all levels from defensive backs. There are very few players who can cover him one on one and it will create opportunities for the rest of the offence to find soft spots.

Weakness

The biggest challenge for the Bills is the person throwing to Diggs. Josh Allen has exponentially improved his accuracy over the last year, but can he continue the strong play into the postseason or will he falter like he did last year in Houston? If Allen takes care of the ball Buffalo can contend for the AFC title.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Strength

The best version of the Steelers is the team that stretches a defence vertically with Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool before attacking the quick game with the rest of the receiving core. If a rested Ben Roethlisberger can find his touch downfield they have a chance.

Weakness

On the other side of the ball lies their biggest weakness. The inability to stop the run in the AFC could put a halt to their playoff run before it even starts. With Baltimore, Tennessee, Indianapolis, and Cleveland all boasting phenomenal rushing attacks, the Steelers would have their offence held off the field limiting scoring chances.

Tennessee Titans

Strength

Derrick Henry. Very simple formula for the Titans; give the ball to the 260lb running back and then take a few deep shots to A.J. Brown. With Henry in the backfield he will allow the Titans to chew the clock and hide their defensive liabilities.

Weakness

The fourth worst pass defence in the league cannot be helped by a pass rush as they lack the ability to pressure teams with four players. Teams could take advantage of the Titans if they can control the ball and make the defence stop them time and time again.

Baltimore Ravens

Strength

Much like the Titans, Baltimore’s biggest strength is their combination of J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards who fit the thunder and lightning metaphor. The two are the key to the Ravens’ postseason success over Lamar Jackson because their ability to gain yards after contact force teams into committing more players to the run defence. Off of this, Jackson will get one on ones outside the tackles and man coverage in behind.

Weakness

Health will be paramount to Baltimore’s gameplan. With the defensive backs finally recovering from injuries and both Brandon Williams and Calais Campbell getting healthy on the defensive line, the team looks safe for now, but if a couple starters go down, a large drop off could open holes in the team’s defence.

Cleveland Browns

Strength

Noticing a trend in the AFC? Once again it is the rushing attack that will be the most beneficial for the Browns in the playoffs. As the world saw against the New York Jets, the Browns cannot hand the game to Baker Mayfield and expect to beat teams. Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt are too dynamic to be used as decoys or blockers. They need the ball in their hands 40+ times a game for the Browns to make a run.

Weakness

The biggest thing that will hamper the Browns is their current COVID-19 outbreak. If they make it past the wildcard round, the team could get back to full strength, but with a lack of practices and key pieces being infected, it will take a huge break for the Browns to recover fully in time to make a difference.

Indianapolis Colts

Strength

All-Pro linebacker Darius Leonard and the Colts’ run defence will force teams to become one dimensional quickly in games and allow more time for their offence to score. If the Colts make a run, it will be in low scoring games with Leonard leading the way.

Weakness

Turnovers will kill this team. If Philip Rivers forces the defence into short fields and extra snaps, the Colts will fall apart at the seams. But the stout offensive line play will give them a chance to limit turnovers with a clean pocket.

NFC

Green Bay Packers

Strength

12+17=6. Yes the math does not add up, but Aaron Rodgers plus Davante Adams is a touchdown from anywhere on the field. If the pair can connect on eight or more passes, the Packers will have their offensive play book opened up, leaving the MVP to have his choice on how to tear a team apart.

Weakness

The one area this team could struggle is if a team commits to a power run game. While Rashan Gary and Za’Darius Smith have held down the edges, shaky linebacker play could plague this team if the offensive line continually reaches the second level.

New Orleans Saints

Strength

Alvin Kamara coming off of the COVID list is a big bonus for this team, but their defence led by Cam Jordan suffocates teams for all 60 minutes. If they hold a team below 15 points, the New Orleans Saints will roll through teams.

Weakness

Drew Brees is the biggest weakness this team possesses. While it was known that the future Hall of Fame quarterback lacks the arm strength necessary to threaten teams downfield, he has also turned the ball over more than usual since returning from his rib and lung injuries. If Brees takes care of the ball and can find a few deep shots, he will take care of business.

Seattle Seahawks

Strength

Russell Wilson has looked off in the last quarter of the season, but he still is the team’s best weapon. He has the ability to make two or three plays a game that nobody else on earth can make, flip the game upside down, and Seattle has relied on that for years. This season is no exception.

Weakness

Their biggest weakness comes from the protection around Wilson. The Seahawks’ first matchup, the Los Angeles Rams have sacked Wilson 16 times in the last three meetings forcing him to perceive a pass rush that is not there and make errant throws. If the offensive line gives Wilson time, they can be a pain to any team they meet.

Washington Football Team

Strength

Chase Young and the ferocious pass rush carried Washington into the playoffs. If this team is to make a push to the Super Bowl, they must hit opposing quarterbacks early and often.

Weakness

While the other side of the ball has had the best story of the 2020 season in Alex Smith, he is the team’s weakest link. With playmakers like Antonio Gibson and Terry McLaurin, the lack of explosive plays in the offence fall on Smith. If he is to make a difference he needs to take multiple chances downfield.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Strength

Tom Brady’s influence on the offence has resulted in a new franchise record for passing touchdowns in a single season. The best thing that Tampa has for them is Brady’s influence moving the system from a run and gun set to multiple schemes creating for more looks for teams to defend.

Weakness

Coach Bruce Arians and his ego will be the biggest detriment to the team. If the play calls try to force the ball downfield, the team will fail to get in rhythm and exhaust the defence quickly in games. While Todd Bowles pressure based system can be effective, it will be shredded with a field full of tired defenders.

Los Angeles Rams

Strength

Aaron Donald, Jalen Ramsey, and Leonard Floyd have created havoc for any team they faced this year under young defensive coordinator Brandon Staley. The combination of a fantastic four man pressure and stout cover corners forces team to scrap their game plans and fight for every inch.

Weakness

What can limit this team in the playoffs, is the health of quarterback Jared Goff who is hoping to play despite undergoing thumb surgery two weeks ago. If Goff plays and finds his groove they may be ok, but fresh off of surgery the young quarterback will have a lot to prove.

Chicago Bears

Strength

Despite a six game losing streak the Bears have made the playoffs behind a tough front seven that is led by Khalil Mack. With the star pass rusher making every quarterback uncomfortable, Chicago has been able to force teams to try and rush the ball against one of the best run stoppers, Akiem Hicks.

Weakness

Fourth year signal caller Mitchell Trubisky will be the question mark for the Bears in the playoffs. If he carelessly turns the ball over like he has all throughout his career, Chicago will be forced to play from behind and have to abandon their run game.

Don’t forget to check out our NFL analyst’s playoff brackets over on our special segments page or our instagram.