NFL Discussion Thread: Pats win SB XLIX. Offseason begins

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Didn't it seem like once the Harbaugh to CLE rumors came out, their season was over. Wondering how Phila responds with the possibility of their coach wanting out.
 
Didnt the Eagles say everything was all good with Jaccson too? then like a week went by.
 
[h3]Ranking playoff positional groups[/h3][h1]  [/h1][h1]The full chart[/h1]
[table][tr][th=""]Seed[/th][th=""]Team[/th][th=""]QBs[/th][th=""]Receivers[/th][th=""]Backs[/th][th=""]O-Line[/th][th=""]Pass rush[/th][th=""]Run D[/th][th=""]Coverage[/th][th=""]Spec. teams[/th][/tr][tr][td]1[/td][td]Seattle Seahawks[/td][td]7[/td][td]9[/td][td]1[/td][td]9[/td][td]2[/td][td]5[/td][td]1[/td][td]8[/td][/tr][tr][td]2[/td][td]Denver Broncos[/td][td]4[/td][td]1[/td][td]5[/td][td]6[/td][td]3[/td][td]2[/td][td]2[/td][td]11[/td][/tr][tr][td]1[/td][td]New England Patriots[/td][td]3[/td][td]6[/td][td]8[/td][td]10[/td][td]10[/td][td]4[/td][td]3[/td][td]5[/td][/tr][tr][td]6[/td][td]Detroit Lions[/td][td]10[/td][td]4[/td][td]6[/td][td]7[/td][td]4[/td][td]1[/td][td]4[/td][td]3[/td][/tr][tr][td]4[/td][td]Indianapolis Colts[/td][td]6[/td][td]7[/td][td]10[/td][td]8[/td][td]11[/td][td]9[/td][td]5[/td][td]1[/td][/tr][tr][td]5[/td][td]Cincinnati Bengals[/td][td]11[/td][td]8[/td][td]9[/td][td]3[/td][td]12[/td][td]11[/td][td]6[/td][td]6[/td][/tr][tr][td]2[/td][td]Green Bay Packers[/td][td]1[/td][td]3[/td][td]3[/td][td]4[/td][td]8[/td][td]12[/td][td]7[/td][td]4[/td][/tr][tr][td]4[/td][td]Carolina Panthers[/td][td]8[/td][td]12[/td][td]4[/td][td]12[/td][td]6[/td][td]7[/td][td]8[/td][td]10[/td][/tr][tr][td]3[/td][td]Dallas Cowboys[/td][td]5[/td][td]2[/td][td]2[/td][td]1[/td][td]9[/td][td]10[/td][td]9[/td][td]2[/td][/tr][tr][td]5[/td][td]Arizona Cardinals[/td][td]12[/td][td]11[/td][td]12[/td][td]11[/td][td]7[/td][td]6[/td][td]10[/td][td]12[/td][/tr][tr][td]3[/td][td]Pittsburgh Steelers[/td][td]2[/td][td]5[/td][td]11[/td][td]5[/td][td]5[/td][td]8[/td][td]11[/td][td]9[/td][/tr][tr][td]6[/td][td]Baltimore Ravens[/td][td]9[/td][td]10[/td][td]7[/td][td]2[/td][td]1[/td][td]3[/td][td]12[/td][td]7[/td][/tr][/table]
With the playoffs upon us, it's time to get a handle on each team's strengths and weaknesses. Using the data and grading from Pro Football Focus, we've divided each team into eight categories -- four on offense, three on defense and special teams -- to see where each side lies when compared to the rest.

[h3]Quarterbacks[/h3]
1. Green Bay Packers:  With Aaron Rodgers  being the presumptive MVP and the league's best quarterback, this was an easy choice.

2. Pittsburgh Steelers:  There isn't a quarterback entering the playoffs on a better run thanBen Roethlisberger.

3. New England Patriots:  After an ugly September, Tom Brady  and the Patriots have been focused firmly on another Lombardi Trophy.

4. Denver Broncos:  He might not be playing his best football right now, but Peyton Manning  is still Peyton Manning.

5. Dallas Cowboys:  With an offensive line and running game, Tony Romo  looks every bit like an All-Pro this season.

6. Indianapolis Colts:  Andrew Luck  still makes a lot of mistakes, but he seems to save his best play for the biggest situations.

7. Seattle Seahawks:  The defending Super Bowl champions aren't going quietly into the night, and Russell Wilson  wants another ring.

8. Carolina Panthers:  The middle of the season was ugly, but Cam Newton  has actually played very well at times this year.

9. Baltimore Ravens:  Which Joe Flacco  is going to show up for the postseason? He has shown the ability to get hot in the past.

10. Detroit Lions:  Matthew Stafford  has not been playing his best for a while now. The Lions need better.

11. Cincinnati Bengals:  About the best thing that can be said for Andy Dalton  is that he's due for a good game.

12. Arizona Cardinals:  The injury bug has bitten deeply in Arizona. Whether Drew Stanton  orRyan Lindley  starts, the Cardinals have major problems.

[h3]Receivers[/h3]
1. Denver Broncos:  With the wealth of weapons Denver has, this was an easy choice. This unit will help if Manning's passes get wobbly.

2. Dallas Cowboys:  Dez Bryant  spearheads a group that presents a formidable challenge for any defense to contend with.

3. Green Bay Packers:  The Packers have two of the best quarterback-wide receiver connections in the game with Rodgers to Cobb and Nelson.

4. Detroit Lions:  Calvin Johnson  is the star here, but Golden Tate  has been a huge addition, making them far more multidimensional.

5. Pittsburgh Steelers:  Antonio Brown  has been the best receiver in the game this year. Pittsburgh would be higher if anybody else could consistently emerge.

6. New England Patriots:  The Pats are ranked this high based almost entirely on Rob Gronkowski, who might be the most dominant offensive weapon in football.

7. Indianapolis Colts:  Reggie Wayne  has faded, but the Colts have a lot of impressive young talent to pick up that slack.

8. Cincinnati Bengals:  Cincinnati relies on A.J. Green  and not much else, and Green enters the playoffs in the concussion program.

9. Seattle Seahawks:  No Harvin, no Rice, no Tate, but the Seahawks keep getting production from their receivers.

10. Baltimore Ravens:  The Ravens have talent, but their receiving corps hasn't been firing on all cylinders for a while now.

11. Arizona Cardinals:  Larry Fitzgerald  was once a playoff colossus, but he is now a shadow of that player. Michael Floyd  needs to play big.

12. Carolina Panthers:  Kelvin Benjamin  has big talent, but he has been too inconsistent. Still, he and Greg Olsen  remain the biggest threats in Carolina.

[h3]Running backs[/h3]
[+] Enlarge
Al Bello/Getty ImagesOn Marshawn Lynch alone, the Seahawks get the No. 1 rush ranking.

1. Seattle Seahawks:  Marshawn Lynchforced 101 missed tackles from defenders this year, more than any other player since 2006.

2. Dallas Cowboys:  His MVP pace might have slowed, but DeMarco Murrayremains a force with the football.

3. Green Bay Packers:  Eddie Lacy  is a nightmare for defenses to bring down, and he's ably assisted by James Starks  in Green Bay.

4. Carolina Panthers:  Jonathan Stewart  is pretty fragile, but he's playing very well now and Carolina needs him for only a maximum of four games.

5. Denver Broncos:  C.J. Andersonmight have saved the Denver season; the offense has been transformed with him in the backfield.

6. Detroit Lions:  Joique Bell  and Reggie Bush  have more talent than they have shown this year; they're a hugely dangerous pairing.

7. Baltimore Ravens:  With the Baltimore offensive line paving the way, Justin Forsett  has been able to show he is a very good player.

8. New England Patriots:  The Patriots' backfield will remain a committee, and there is certainly talent there if they get a hot hand.

9. Cincinnati Bengals:  The Bengals' backfield is often productive, but that's as much because of the offensive line as the guys carrying the ball.

10. Indianapolis Colts:  Not long removed from high draft status and a blockbuster trade, Trent Richardson  might be the worst guy in this backfield.

11. Pittsburgh Steelers:  With a healthy Le'Veon Bell  this might be the best unit in the playoffs, but the Steelers might be out of them before we see a healthy Bell.

12. Arizona Cardinals:  With no Andre Ellington, the Arizona backfield has been overwhelmed, and the blocking isn't helping.

[h3]Offensive line[/h3]
1. Dallas Cowboys:  They've certainly invested enough in it, but the O-line in Dallas has been excellent this year.

2. Baltimore Ravens:  One season after having one of the league's worst O-lines, the Ravens have had one of the best in 2014.

3. Cincinnati Bengals:  Tackle Andrew Whitworth  has allowed fewer than one pressure per game in 2014.

4. Green Bay Packers:  Josh Sitton  and T.J. Lang  might be the best guard duo in football; they're instrumental to the team's success.

5. Pittsburgh Steelers:  We've had years of Pittsburgh's O-line struggling; now they're not, and the team is winning.

6. Denver Broncos:  This unit has taken a step back from a year ago, but any line would be helped by having Peyton Manning at quarterback.

7. Detroit Lions:  Injuries have forced reshuffles here, but this has not been the strength of the team.

8. Indianapolis Colts:  The Colts' line being ranked here actually counts as a success, given their recent history.

9. Seattle Seahawks:  With no Max Unger, the anchor in the middle, this unit becomes immeasurably worse.

10. New England Patriots:  At times, this line has been a disaster this season, but it has righted the ship as the year has progressed.

11. Arizona Cardinals:  This might not be the worst unit in the playoffs, but it certainly won't be helping the team's inexperienced quarterbacks.

12. Carolina Panthers :  Cam Newton has a far greater load on his shoulders because of the lack of blocking he must deal with.

[h3]Pass rush[/h3]
[+] Enlarge
Ronald C. Modra/Sports Imagery/ Getty ImagesThe Ravens' Elvis Dumervil finished third in the NFL in the regular season with 17 sacks.

1. Baltimore Ravens:  The Ravens have three impressive edge rushers and can get push up the middle, too.

2. Seattle Seahawks:  Perhaps not as devastating as a year ago but still more than most teams can handle.

3. Denver Broncos:  Von Miller  is one of the league's best, but this season he has some help.

4. Detroit Lions:  Getting Suh's suspension overturned was huge; he is one of the league's best interior rushers.

5. Pittsburgh Steelers:  The Steelers are able to get pressure from multiple spots without any one player dominating consistently.

6. Carolina Panthers:  Charles Johnsonis the main focus here, but the Panthers have gotten pressure from the blitz, too.

7. Arizona Cardinals:  Perhaps better than any other team the Cardinals are able to scheme pressure rather than rely on their talent.

8. Green Bay Packers:  It isn't all Clay Matthews  anymore; players such as Mike Daniels  are a threat up the middle, as well.

9. Dallas Cowboys:  Somehow the Cowboys have been able to get consistent pressure despite having a roster that isn't exactly overflowing with talent.

10. New England Patriots:  Pass rush is not the Patriots' strength, but they are good enough against the run and in coverage to compensate.

11. Indianapolis Colts:  When your edge rushers are Bjoern Werner  and Erik Walden, you're in trouble.

12. Cincinnati Bengals:  The Bengals have been completely unable to sack the quarterback at times this season.

[h3]Run defense[/h3]
1. Detroit Lions:  The Lions' run defense this year has been historically good -- a big reason they are in the playoffs.

2. Denver Broncos:  Denver's D has been arguably a bigger reason for the Broncos' wins than the offense this year.

3. Baltimore Ravens:  They are without some of the players who made the run D so good, yet they still produce.

4. New England Patriots:  Any team with Vince Wilfork  on it will be tough to run on.

5. Seattle Seahawks:  Losing Brandon Mebane  hurt, but the Seahawks have a tough run defense all over the field.

6. Arizona Cardinals:  Calais Campbell  and Dan Williams  form part of a very tough defensive line to run against.

7. Carolina Panthers:  If ever there was a tackling machine, it is Luke Kuechly. He's always around the football.

8. Pittsburgh Steelers:  Not the force they once were, but the Steelers are still not the easiest team to run against.

9. Indianapolis Colts:  If Indy has success in the postseason, it will be because of their offense. Their run D is questionable.

10. Dallas Cowboys:  The Dallas defense has performed above expectations, but they can still be run on.

11. Cincinnati Bengals:  This defense has taken major steps backward since Mike Zimmer left.Geno Atkins  being 100 percent would be huge.

12. Green Bay Packers:  The linebackers, including Clay Matthews, have been the problem here.

[h3]Coverage[/h3]
[+] Enlarge
AP Photo/Kevin TerrellThe Seahawks still have the top pass defense in the league.

1. Seattle Seahawks:  This shouldn't surprise you. Seattle's strength is against the pass, with the "Legion of Boom" back there.

2. Denver Broncos:  The best cornerback in the league this year has been Chris Harris Jr.  He leads an impressive unit.

3. New England Patriots:  It took him some time to get going, but Darrelle Revishas been looking like his old self lately.

4. Detroit Lions:  Aided by the front, this Lions secondary has been a revelation in 2014.

5. Indianapolis Colts:  Vontae Davismight have had one of the most quietly dominant seasons in recent memory. He has been a true shutdown corner.

6. Cincinnati Bengals:  If there is one part of the Bengals' defense still functioning well, it's the secondary.

7. Green Bay Packers:  There is a lot of talent in this secondary, but it hasn't quite reached the heights it's capable of.

8. Carolina Panthers:  Rookie Bené Benwikere  has been impressive, but there are some holes to target elsewhere.

9. Dallas Cowboys:  Fine performances from Orlando Scandrick  and Sterling Moore  haven't been enough to overcome struggles elsewhere.

10. Arizona Cardinals:  On paper, this unit looks fantastic. Sadly, games are not played on paper, and it has struggled badly at times.

11. Pittsburgh Steelers:  The way Ike Taylor  was playing, his loss in itself wasn't a problem. But the replacements have been a problem.

12. Baltimore Ravens:  Baltimore's secondary has been ravaged by injury. In fact, it's down to the bare bones at cornerback.

[h3]Special teams[/h3]
1. Indianapolis Colts:  Pat McAfee  is one of the best punters in the league, while Adam Vinatierihas missed just once all year.

2. Dallas Cowboys:  This unit is highlighted by Dwayne Harris, who contributes well as a returner and on the kick and punt coverage teams.

3. Detroit Lions:  Sam Martin  is right up there with McAfee amongst the best punters in the league, while Jeremy Ross  is a solid returner.

4. Green Bay Packers:  Micah Hyde  has been dangerous as a returner, with two touchdowns from 14 punt returns.

5. New England Patriots:  Logan Ryan  has been one of the better special-teams players in the league, standing out on kickoffs and punts.

6. Cincinnati Bengals:  Adam Jones  has boosted this team's field position with some impressive returns in 2014.

7. Baltimore Ravens:  Automatic inside 50 yards, and with arguably the best leg in the league,Justin Tucker  continues to stand out.

8. Seattle Seahawks:  One of the few teams to use its stars on special teams; it has worked well for Seattle so far.

9. Pittsburgh Steelers:  When he's not making plays as a wide receiver, Antonio Brown is a dangerous punt returner.

10. Carolina Panthers:  Graham Gano  is third among all kickers with 61 touchbacks on kickoffs this year.

11. Denver Broncos:  Omar Bolden  has looked good when getting chances as a returner, averaging 33 yards per kick return.

12. Arizona Cardinals:  Not quite at the level he was a year ago, Justin Bethel  is still a force to be reckoned with on punts.
 
Ehhh.

I'm in the middle. Good read regardless.

Some things seemed like it was based off reputation rather than strictly this seasons performance. But I'll allow it.
 
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