Oh No, Not a Super Bowl Rematch!
Could we possibly have a Super Bowl rematch in Arizona this year?
Yes, it is possible. In fact, it is very possible. Maybe even likely.
Seattle and Denver, last year's Super combatants, are again at the top of their conferences: Seattle is the top seed in the NFC and the Broncos are the No. 2 seed in the AFC, behind the top-seeded New England Patriots.
Of course, there are 10 other teams fighting to prevent that rematch.
So, here at the cusp of the wild-card weekend and the 2014-15 NFL playoffs are my playoff power rankings.
Super Bowl champions usually suck the season after, but this team is different. The Seahawks are rounding into kick-butt shape just at the right time, and they're still young and hungry enough to want to win another one instead of resting on their big fat laurels and bank accounts.
They also have an easier path to the conference title game than their toughest NFC rivals.
Peyton Manning is still Peyton Manning. The Broncos are itching for a rematch with the Seahawks. They should be careful what they wish for.
Despite that weird loss to the Bengals a couple of weeks ago, the Broncos are playing some of their best football of the season, winning five of their last six. They got more physical this year, after getting bullied by Seattle last year.
Best quarterback in the league, if you go strictly by efficiency and quarterback ratings. They also have the best offensive line, and they beat Seattle at Seattle this year. They beat a good Colts team 42-7 a couple weeks ago.
The question is can Tony Romo make a play when the heat is on?
The Steelers have won their last four games. If running back Le'Veon Bell heals from the blast to the knee he took in the Cincinnati game last week, the Steelers could go deep.
The Patriots have home field advantage throughout the playoffs, but quarterback Tom Brady gets too jittery for my liking when it comes playoff time.
If only the Packers had taken care of business against Buffalo, the road to the NFC crown would have gone through icy Lambeau Field, where nobody wins against them. Now, Green Bay is just another contender.
Yes, they come from the worst division in the NFL, but I really believe the Panthers could be the surprise team that goes deep into the playoffs this year.
They toned down wild man Joe Flacco in Baltimore. He adapted to the scheme and had a very productive year. Still, running back Justin Forsett is the main threat offensively. If the Ravens had a secondary, they might win a playoff game or two. But, alas, they don't.
The Colts obliterate their AFC South partners, and are so-so against the rest of the league. Andrew Luck threw 40 touchdown passes this year. But, I don't expect them to make a big fuss.
I got a call from the Arizona Cardinals the other day asking me if I would consider making a comeback at quarterback. That's how desperate they are at the game's most important position.
You think Tom Brady sucks in the playoffs? You should see Andy Dalton's stats. The guy has never won a playoff game.
Worst 11-5 team in playoff history. Their main claim to fame is they have the dirtiest player in the league – and in recent memory – on their team, Ndamukong Suh. He's been suspended for the Dallas game by the way and won't play unless he wins an appeal.
Yes, it is possible. In fact, it is very possible. Maybe even likely.
Seattle and Denver, last year's Super combatants, are again at the top of their conferences: Seattle is the top seed in the NFC and the Broncos are the No. 2 seed in the AFC, behind the top-seeded New England Patriots.
Of course, there are 10 other teams fighting to prevent that rematch.
So, here at the cusp of the wild-card weekend and the 2014-15 NFL playoffs are my playoff power rankings.
1. Seattle Seahawks
Super Bowl champions usually suck the season after, but this team is different. The Seahawks are rounding into kick-butt shape just at the right time, and they're still young and hungry enough to want to win another one instead of resting on their big fat laurels and bank accounts.
They also have an easier path to the conference title game than their toughest NFC rivals.
2. Denver Broncos
Peyton Manning is still Peyton Manning. The Broncos are itching for a rematch with the Seahawks. They should be careful what they wish for.
Despite that weird loss to the Bengals a couple of weeks ago, the Broncos are playing some of their best football of the season, winning five of their last six. They got more physical this year, after getting bullied by Seattle last year.
3. Dallas Cowboys
Best quarterback in the league, if you go strictly by efficiency and quarterback ratings. They also have the best offensive line, and they beat Seattle at Seattle this year. They beat a good Colts team 42-7 a couple weeks ago.
The question is can Tony Romo make a play when the heat is on?
4. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers have won their last four games. If running back Le'Veon Bell heals from the blast to the knee he took in the Cincinnati game last week, the Steelers could go deep.
5. New England Patriots
The Patriots have home field advantage throughout the playoffs, but quarterback Tom Brady gets too jittery for my liking when it comes playoff time.
6. Green Bay Packers
If only the Packers had taken care of business against Buffalo, the road to the NFC crown would have gone through icy Lambeau Field, where nobody wins against them. Now, Green Bay is just another contender.
7. Carolina Panthers
Yes, they come from the worst division in the NFL, but I really believe the Panthers could be the surprise team that goes deep into the playoffs this year.
8. Baltimore Ravens
They toned down wild man Joe Flacco in Baltimore. He adapted to the scheme and had a very productive year. Still, running back Justin Forsett is the main threat offensively. If the Ravens had a secondary, they might win a playoff game or two. But, alas, they don't.
9. Indianapolis Colts
The Colts obliterate their AFC South partners, and are so-so against the rest of the league. Andrew Luck threw 40 touchdown passes this year. But, I don't expect them to make a big fuss.
10. Arizona Cardinals
I got a call from the Arizona Cardinals the other day asking me if I would consider making a comeback at quarterback. That's how desperate they are at the game's most important position.
11. Cincinnati Bengals
You think Tom Brady sucks in the playoffs? You should see Andy Dalton's stats. The guy has never won a playoff game.
12. Detroit Lions
Worst 11-5 team in playoff history. Their main claim to fame is they have the dirtiest player in the league – and in recent memory – on their team, Ndamukong Suh. He's been suspended for the Dallas game by the way and won't play unless he wins an appeal.
