NFL Playoffs 2021: Contenders and pretenders with all 14 teams

Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones (33) runs for a gain against Chicago Bears inside linebacker Roquan Smith (58) during their football game Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, at Soldier Field in Chicago, Ill.Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-WisconsinApc Packvsbears 0103210201djp /

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NFL: Contenders and pretenders for all 14 playoff teams

New Orleans Saints, Los Angeles Rams (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images) /

2021 NFL Playoffs Contender: New Orleans Saints

The Saints have had some truly heartbreaking exits from the postseason over the past three years and the hope is that they can finally push through and get to their first Super Bowl since the 2009 season. With rumors swirling that Drew Brees could be retiring at season’s end, the Saints should be more motivated than ever to get to the big game and win it.

New Orleans lucked out with the league scheduling their game for Sunday, which opens up the door for Alvin Kamara to play. He had to miss Week 17 due to COVID protocol and even without him, the Saints destroyed Carolina. Yes, it was against the Panthers, but many have thought that the Saints’ offense wouldn’t be the same without Kamara.

With their smothering defense, Kamara returning to action, Taysom Hill’s elusiveness, and potentially the final ride for Brees, the Saints are absolutely a contender.

2021 NFL Playoffs Pretender: Los Angeles Rams

The decision to list the Rams as a pretender really came down to that they won’t have Jared Goff for the Wild Card game in Seattle. Even if Goff were playing, he and the Rams offense had been struggling to do much over the past few weeks.

The Rams defense is good enough to keep them in the game, but will their offense be able to put up points? Los Angeles is a pretender because they’ve been trending downward in recent weeks and not having their starting quarterback doesn’t help their case.

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