We are a few days away from kicking off the most intriguing NFL playoff tournament we have seen in decades. Despite having a pair of heavyweights holding the No. 1 seeds in each conference, the San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Ravens are not guaranteed to reach Super Bowl LVIII in a postseason field in which matchups matter more than the overall talent of each roster.
Much like boxing matches, which are routinely decided by the boxer who forces the opponent to adapt to his fighting style, the teams that win in the postseason are the ones who impose their will on their foes. Surveying the playoff field, several teams have the personnel and scheme to tilt games in their favor, but a simple bounce of the ball can alter the game’s momentum in a crucial moment.
After assessing the rosters of every playoff team, it is time to reveal my Super Bowl picks based on talent, playing style, and coaching staff.
Baltimore Ravens
The recipe for success in the recent Super Bowl era typically includes an MVP-caliber quarterback and a disruptive defense. The Ravens check off the boxes in those areas, with Lamar Jackson on the verge of claiming his second NFL MVP Award following a spectacular campaign that validated the team’s decision to sign him to a blockbuster deal in the offseason.
The sixth-year pro accounted for 4,500 total yards and 29 combined touchdowns, showcasing a diverse game that made him more difficult to defend in 2023. Jackson teased and tormented defenders with impromptu scrambles and designed quarterback runs on the way toward rolling up 821 yards on the ground. The improvisation, in particular, challenged opponents differently than the Ravens’ option-based running game of the past due to the threat of the team’s new and improved passing game.
With a stellar cast of pass catchers surrounding Jackson, the Ravens can attack opponents with various quick-rhythm passes thrown between the numbers. As opponents struggle to tackle Odell Beckham Jr., Zay…
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Publish date : 2024-01-12 16:20:22
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