After an NFL season full of upsets and surprises, the postseason is finally here. With a wildcard round full of nailbiters coming down to the last drive, we now look to the remaining contenders. Anyone left still has what it takes to claim the Super Bowl trophy.

BRONCOS- The Denver Broncos have seen massive success this season, finishing first overall with a 14-3 record and a first-round bye. This team has a chance to win its first Super Bowl in ten years, last winning in 2016. But what has started such a dramatic change in the team’s ability these last two seasons? Many fans and critics alike see the team’s defense as its core, with a franchise record 68 sacks. This is thanks to key players such as Nik Bonitto and Jonathon Cooper, who together have a combined 22 sacks this season alone. Although defense is the highlight of this team, many players on the other side of the ball have contributed greatly to the team’s success this season, with players such as Bo Nicks and Courtland Sutton both having amazing seasons in their own right. But the question remains, will the Broncos see success and take home the Lombardi for the first time in over 10 years, or will they fall to the pressure of the postseason?

PATRIOTS-The New England Patriots come into this postseason with many doubts as a true 2-seed team. With many arguing the team’s 14-3 record is heavily due to the lack of strength in the team’s schedule. This is complemented by the team’s long list of injuries on both sides of the ball having major players such as Will Campbell and Kayshon Boutte, both vital players for the team, being out for the playoffs. It’s clear to see that doubts for the team’s abilities are running high. While others see the team as a true contender for the Lombardi trophy, with players like Drake Maye putting up an MVP-level season with 4394 passing yards and 31 touchdowns, and Robert Spilane, a left back with 97 tackles and 2 interceptions. The New England Patriots have a chance this postseason to show the definitive strength of the team, or the Schedule-assisted luck that many say they have.

STEELERS- The Pittsburgh Steelers enter the postseason as a threat that remains dangerous, despite early-season doubts regarding the team’s difficult schedule. Under the leadership of the team’s coach, Mike Tomlin, the team successfully proved itself mid-season by embracing an identity centered around the rushing duo of DK Metcalf and Jaylen Warren that combined for upwards of 1800 yards. This powerful run game has also been complemented by a defense led by TJ Watt with 3 forced fumbles and 2 interceptions. While the team’s skill is undeniable, many point to the team’s struggling passing offense and inconsistency when it comes to keeping a consistent score as reasons to doubt their ability to keep up with the AFC’s high-flying offenses. There is a persistent worry that the team may fall behind early into this post season. Ultimately, the Steelers head into January with everything to prove and the defensive ability to hopefully take home the trophy.

TEXANS- The Houston Texans are a team many fail to see as a contender this postseason, with the team being riddled with injuries, some being key components of the team’s success. Notable names include Mario Edwards Jr, a significant starter on the defensive line and Folorunso Fatukasi, another key defenseman who is out with a shoulder injury. But this may not signal the end for this team, with other players such as Will Anderson Jr and Danielle Hunter keeping up the pressure through the team’s constant injuries. With a combined 27 sacks, many are beginning to call this duo the best in the league, earning the nickname “Fire and Ice” for the dynamic head-on playstyle the two bring to the team. But will these two be enough to help push this injured team through the postseason and to the team’s first-ever Super Bowl?

BILLS- After 7 consecutive seasons of postseason appearances, the Buffalo Bills have yet to find fame in the Super Bowl, with heartbreaking loss after loss. This comes after a shaky season for the Bills, with losses to teams such as the Miami Dolphins and Atlanta Falcons, both with losing records; many fans have begun to lose hope. Although the Bills have had their fill of struggles this season, many fans still hold faith in the team with players like MVP winner Josh Allen, with an upward of 3600 passing yards combined with the rushing ability of running back James Cook, who posted a league high 1602 rushing yards. Many believe the Bills may thrive in this year’s postseason, this being highlighted by their round one win against the Jacksonville Jaguars, a team ranked 3 seeds ahead of them.

SEAHAWKS- Seattle goes into the playoffs with a 14-3 record, winning the current toughest division in the league, the NFC West. The Seahawks could be a great pick to win the Super Bowl with a defense ranked sixth overall in the league and an offense that can run and pass the ball proficiently. Additionally, the team has proven its ability to win in the clutch against great teams, like its comeback 38-37 win against the Rams in week 16. Any doubt left for Seattle in the postseason comes from QB Sam Darnold’s previous playoff performances. In 2024, he achieved nothing more than a first-round exit with his 14-3 Vikings. While the underdog QB is a top leader for passing yards this season with 4,048, he’ll need to keep his performance up in the playoffs to avoid sending the Seahawks home when they take on the 49ers in the NFC Divisional Round.

BEARS- The two-seeded Bears look to be performing for the first time in a while. Chicago has finally made it to the postseason after a five-year playoff drought. However, while the Bears’ offense looks strong, ranking sixth and putting up a whopping 369.2 yards per game, the defense isn’t looking as hot. The main hole in an argument for a Chicago Super Bowl is the team’s defense ranked in the bottom four of the league, allowing almost as many yards as the offense puts up, with 361.8 per game. Chicago’s defense also looks bad for the scoreboard with an average of 24.4 points allowed per game, but if the Bears’ defense can click into place as it did in their comeback against the Packers, a deep playoff berth could become a reality.

RAMS- Los Angeles emerges from the league’s toughest division, taking the 5 seed spot. The NFC West had three teams that won at least 12 games, meaning that even though the Rams had a 12-5 record, they could only grab a wild-card spot and would have to play on the road. On the bright side, the Rams had possibly the easiest matchup in the wildcard round, playing the underdog Panthers. To top things off, Los Angeles possesses a fantastic offense led by popular MVP candidate Matthew Stafford, who has thrown for over 4,700 yards and 46 touchdowns this season. While LA may not have won their division, they can easily compete in this season’s playoffs as they’ve already managed to beat the NFC West Champion Seahawks in the regular season. This team is sure to put up fierce competition in the Divisional Round, motivated by their close first-round exit.

49ERS- The final team joining the playoffs from the NFC West is the San Francisco 49ers, joining Los Angeles with a 12-5 record. However, due to tiebreaker rules, the 49ers only got the six seed, meaning they got to go on the road to face the Philadelphia Eagles in the wildcard. While the Niners only got third in their division, they’re coming into the postseason on a hot streak, despite their loss to Seattle in week 18. The 49ers recently had a five-game win streak. Over those five games, their explosive offense put up over 40 points in three of them. However, the Niners have lost to some other playoff teams, such as the Rams, Texans, and Jaguars. San Francisco will need its offense to keep up the performance in order to go deep in the postseason.

Division rivalries, extreme underdogs, and a potential legendary Super Bowl matchup are all on the docket this postseason. We can safely say that Super Bowl LX will be one for the ages.