NFL playoffs: The strengths and flaws that could define each Super Bowl contender
Published 10 December 2024
The NFL’s dominance among fans can be traced to its parity — the belief that, even in an era when the Kansas City Chiefs have won three of the past four Super Bowls, multiple franchises can credibly foster hope that this is their year for a deep postseason run.
One month before the playoffs begin, the race to the Vince Lombardi Trophy remains wide open. The Chiefs are 12-1 but vulnerable. Top offenses have been stopped, and good defenses have shown flaws. Attrition has racked depth charts. Each conference boasts many good teams. But how many will prove to be truly great?
With four weeks left in the regular season, we take stock of the top contenders in each conference and what could propel them through the playoffs or hold them back.
Best potential playoff asset: The Chiefs are historically great at winning close games. Their walk-off win Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers was their 15th consecutive victory in one-possession games dating to last season. Patrick Mahomes has completed 70% of his passes when the Chiefs have either been tied or trailed this season, and he has been 10-for-17 passing specifically when they are either tied or trailing in the last four minutes of the fourth quarter.
Worst potential fatal flaw: They can’t keep playing with fire like this and continue getting away with it ... right? Of every team that has started 12-1, the Chiefs have scraped by with a record low scoring margin. Considering how beaten up the team has been around the margins, with injuries to its kickers, its offensive line — Mahomes has already been sacked more than in any other season of his career — its receivers and its running backs, everything hinges on Mahomes, and that’s a lot, even for a future Hall of Famer.
Best potential playoff asset: Quarterback Josh Allen, who during the past two weeks produced stat lines never before seen in NFL history. The Bills’ biggest concern entering this season was whether there was enough talent around Allen at receiver and running back. Allen has quieted those concerns by putting together a season that could end with his earning the league’s Most Valuable Player award.
Worst potential fatal flaw: Buffalo’s run defense struggled in Sunday’s loss to the Los Angeles Rams, allowing the Rams multiple third-and-short situations. The loss was critical because it means Buffalo has a very slim probability of passing Kansas City for the conference’s top playoff seed. Buffalo’s offense has been highly effective against Kansas City in recent years, but beating the Chiefs on the road in the postseason would require exorcising some past demons.