PLAYOFFS LV | FEB. 7, 2021 | RAYMOND JAMES STADIUM, TAMPA BAY, FLORIDA | 6:30 P.M. ET

With a playoff field expanded from 12 to 14 teams, the NFL begins its journey to Super Bowl LV with Super Wild Card Weekend, featuring six games over two days. Here is a look at the strengths and weaknesses of each of the teams seeking the coveted Lombardi Trophy: SUPER WILD CARD WEEKEND

SATURDAY, JAN. 9 | 1:05 P.M. SUNDAY, JAN. 10 | 4:40 P.M. 2 BUFFALO 13-3 12-4 NEW ORLEANS 2

THE GOOD THE BAD THE GOOD THE BAD They have been building toward this The Bills are riding a great wave and The Saints are the most balanced In his 20th season, Drew run over four years. Everything is in seemed to have already been team in the NFC. If running back Alvin Brees is finally beginning to show sync, including QB Josh Allen and WR crowned champs. It’s not that easy. Kamara is healthy, they have the his age, and the inconsistency of Stephon Diggs. Bills are the scariest Allen hasn’t proven anything yet and defense and running game to win in the passing game stands out as the team not named the Chiefs. had better not look past anybody. any weather conditions. Saints’ Achilles’ heel.

7 INDIANAPOLIS 11-5 8-8 CHICAGO 7

THE GOOD THE BAD THE GOOD THE BAD Once every decade, there is a team Another case of showing growth, A revived offense was averaging That same offense scored just 16 that nobody is talking about that runs but this team isn’t quite ready either. 36.7 points behind embattled points against Green Bay on Sunday, the table. The Colts could be that Blowing a 24-7 third quarter lead to quarterback Mitchell Trubisky during and the defense hasn’t been team. Philip Rivers gave them stability the Steelers two weeks ago may have a three-game winning streak that was consistently strong enough to make and has come through in the clutch. burst their bubble. snapped Sunday. up for any struggles.

SUNDAY, JAN. 10 | 8:15 P.M. SATURDAY, JAN. 9 | 4:40 P.M. 3 PITTSBURGH 12-4 12-4 SEATTLE 3

THE GOOD THE BAD THE GOOD THE BAD The team no one is talking about The Steelers, simply put, aren’t that Quarterback Russell Wilson and wide An often porous defense is overly knows Ben Roethlisberger’s career is good. They’ve done a lot of partying receiver DK Metcalf are arguably reliant on sacks and turnovers. If at its end. With big plays on offense for a team that was very close to four the NFL’s most dangerous passing those dry up, opponents could have a and a defense that can play with any- straight losses in December. They’re combo. When they’re rolling, this can chance to match the Wilson-Metcalf one, under the radar might work. good, but not as good as KC. be a very difficult offense to stop. duo for offensive fireworks.

6 CLEVELAND 11-5 10-6 LOS ANGELES 6

THE GOOD THE BAD THE GOOD THE BAD The Browns are good. Baker Mayfield They’re the Browns. And, as we’ve Sean McVay has remade Quarterback is fighting has elevated his game. The running seen the last few weeks of December, the offense with a varied running game through a thumb injury that kept him game is very good. And defensively, they’re not ready for prime time, barely and has the benefit of the league’s top- out last week and must prove he can the Browns are as balanced as any beating the Steelers without Roethlis- ranked defense as the Rams return to win again on the big stage, two years team. berger. This good team just isn’t ready. the playoffs after a one-year absence. after a Super Bowl run.

SUNDAY, JAN. 10 | 1:05 P.M. SATURDAY, JAN. 9 | 8:15 P.M. 4 TENNESSEE 11-5 7-9 WASHINGTON 4

THE GOOD THE BAD THE GOOD THE BAD They are tough. They have the best After a 5-0 start to season, they were and Alex Smith make the They have just seven wins, and their non-quarterback player, Derrick among the most inconsistent teams Football Team this season’s most playoff berth was aided by Philadelphia Henry, in the postseason. And they in the NFL. Sure, they could beat inspiring story, and they did beat playing its third-string quarterback, are ready after almost pulling off the anybody. But they also could lose to Pittsburgh on the road to snap the Nate Sudfeld, in the fourth quarter of a improbable run a year ago. anyone, including the Ravens. Steelers’ 11-game winning streak. close season finale Sunday.

5 BALTIMORE 11-5 11-5 TAMPA BAY 5

THE GOOD THE BAD THE GOOD THE BAD The NFL’s hottest team has finally The Ravens are hot, but they were hot They have the game’s ultimate winner The offense has been inconsistent figured out its identity and embraced last year, too. They haven’t won a play- in six-time championship quarterback against top defenses. Top target it, particularly QB Lamar Jackson. Last off game in Jackson’s reign. They are Tom Brady and are driven to become Mike Evans is coming year, they were embarrassed by the at their best with a lead, which usually the first team to play in the Super Bowl back from a scary knee injury but is Titans in January. Not this year. isn’t the case in playoff games. on its home field. expected to play this week. AWAITING OPPONENTS IN DIVISIONAL ROUND

1 KANSAS CITY 14-2 13-3 GREEN BAY 1

THE GOOD THE BAD THE GOOD THE BAD The best team had the best year, again. The Chiefs have been playing with fire Quarterback Aaron Rodgers is an This defense still is prone to lapses, The Chiefs offense is unstoppable with since Day 1. While they lost just once MVP front-runner, and if he stays hot and a hot offense, like the Colts who too many elite weapons at running before resting their stars in Week 17, that can carry the Packers all the way won a 34-31 shootout in November, back, wide receiver, tight end and at they’ve had too many cliffhangers, to the Super Bowl. WR Davante Adams that can match Green Bay’s scoring . relying on Patrick Mahomes’ heroics. TE Robert Tonyan are key weapons. prowess could cause serious trouble.

BILL BURT’S SUPER BOWL PICKS WHO’S THE CHAMP? GEORGE BREMER’S SUPER BOWL PICKS CNHI Sports NFL writers George BALTIMORE NEW ORLEANS Bremer and Bill Burt see four KANSAS CITY SEATTLE different teams on a path to play in Tampa Bay. Share your picks with them on Twitter at @gmbremer and BALTIMORE @BurtTalksSports. KANSAS CITY

ANALYSIS: George Bremer, CNHI Sports Indiana; Bill Burt, CNHI Sports Boston | GRAPHIC: Heather Bremer | CNHI Sports Indiana