NFL: 5 Playoff Teams Whose Fans Should Be In Panic Mode

The NFL playoff picture is finally clear. Some are contenders, others panic mode pretenders. Whose fans are going home upset after this weekend?

Chicago Bears

If every there was a hurdle standing in your way in the playoffs, you don’t want it to be a future Hall of Fame quarterback. Winning would solidify your status as a legit contender, but losing is just another notch to him. Couple that with the fact that the Saints got hot at just the right time and it does not look good for the Chicago Bears. Yes, Trubisky came back in and won his last three games but as good as they’ve been, they just don’t stack up with a Saints team that has been pretty close to lights out the past few weeks.

Indianapolis Colts

Like the Saints, no one should want to play the Buffalo Bills right now. Against one of the toughest defenses in the league, Buffalo looked like they were playing a college team. Indianapolis started the season off a little slow, but picked up towards the end. However, Phillip Rivers has yet to show he can get in done in the post season and often struggles in big games. Statistically he might be in the top 5 or 6 in most categories, but his career post season resume is a little thin.

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Los Angeles Rams

A divisional matchup is always more fun to watch in the playoffs especially when its a rubber match for the season. The NFL regular season was a challenge for both teams especially within their division. A healthy Seattle however is more dangerous than a healthy LA. The Rams have less quality wins against playoff caliber teams than Seattle. They do have one of the league’s best defenders in Aaron Darnold but its another case where experience will edge out the competition.

Washington Football Team

Washington barely made the playoffs at 7-9. With that being said, they need to send the Eagles whatever care package they want for the gift here. While they took care of business, some questionable motives by Doug Pederson is the only reason they’re here. If not, the Giants would be in their place. Neither team deserves a playoff spot coming up with less than a .500 win %, but at least the Giants have been Tom Brady’s kryptonite in the playoffs. Alex Smith might be Comeback Player of the Year, but he’s never going to be able to keep pace with Brady in a playoff setting.

Cleveland Browns

Due to a covid surge within the Browns organization, they’re an easy target when it comes to panic. But even without inactive players, the Browns were always going to struggle. First, Pittsburgh sat and rested Ben Roethlisberger in order to keep him fresh for the post season. To that point, the Browns have less playoff appearances (0) than Big Ben’s Super Bowl wins (2) in his 16 years as a pro. Playoff experience tips favor in Pitts direction.

Despite their week 17 win, the Browns have been doing this back and forth dance between competitive and incompetence which could sell them short on their first playoff appearance in a long time.