NFL Playoff Picture: Sorting the contenders and pretenders

The NFL playoff picture still isn’t quite in focus even with week 14 all but concluded. That’s the beauty of parity as several teams remain alive.

Of those who are barely in right now and those who are knocking on the door, which among them should be considered the true contenders or pretenders with three weeks left to go? There are signs that would indicate which way it’s likely to go for all of them. Here is a quick breakdown of each, offering the reasons why and how the picture should ultimately form.

Pittsburgh Steelers: Contender

The Steelers have been in this position too many times to be doubted. Their loss to the Raiders was bad, but they’ve historically struggled in Oakland anyway. It’s just one of those weird NFL things. They still have enough talent and loads of experience to close strong and get back into the playoffs. The 4th seed and the division remain in their hands. It’s not about being pretty, it’s about doing the job well enough to win. This team can do that much.

Baltimore Ravens: Pretender

Having a top defense always keeps a team in the hunt but the Ravens remain at the mercy of their quarterback position. Lamar Jackson still can’t throw the ball with any sort of consistency and it ended up costing them that game in Kansas City. Sooner or later teams will start loading the box and basically dare him to throw this team to victory. He has yet to prove he can. Until that changes, this team doesn’t have enough to get past the others in the hunt.

Indianapolis Colts: Contender

Beating the red-hot Texans cemented the Jacksonville debacle a week prior as a blip on the radar. This Colts team is playing good football and it starts with Andrew Luck. When a team has that kind of talent at quarterback, anything is possible. Throw in an underrated defense and this is a team that has the best chance to finish strong and lock up the wild card spot, presuming Houston doesn’t choke down the stretch.

Tennessee Titans: Pretender

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This team is impossible to figure out. They look awful one week and then beat up on somebody the next. They are that team that wins ugly almost all the time. That can work for most of the regular season but down the stretch, it becomes a problem. Marcus Mariota has 11 touchdowns passes total in 2018. At some point, they’re going to ask him to throw them to a win. Based on how things are, it’s hard to see that happening.

Minnesota Vikings: Contender

They’re certainly not playing their best football at the moment, but this team is way too talented to miss the playoffs. They have a good enough defense and a competent enough quarterback in Kirk Cousins to do enough to sneak in. Their odds of winning the division are all but gone after Chicago beat the Rams, but the rest of the schedule should provide enough of a window to get in. If they don’t? It would be a massive disappointment.

Miami Dolphins: Pretender

Their miracle win over the Patriots was lots of fun to watch, but it doesn’t change the fact they should’ve lost. Miami hasn’t looked like a playoff team most of the year. Two of their remaining games are on the road and all three of them will be against top defenses in Minnesota, Jacksonville, and Buffalo. That’s asking a lot of a team that can’t string consistent performances together.

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