It’s the NFL’s second season aka the playoffs. A year ago, a wild card team won Super Bowl LV. Here’s a look at the clubs ranked from No. 14 to No. 1.
From 32 teams to 14 playoff participants. And for the second consecutive year, the National Football League has seven teams representing each conference in the postseason. There are seven clubs in the playoffs in 2021 that were not here a year ago.
Here the remaining teams are ranked from No. 14 to No. 1. The difference here is that compared to regular-season rankings, NFL playoff experience into account. And this is a pretty loaded field historically in terms of franchises, players, and coaches who have been down this path numerous times.
It’s been an up-and-down year for Mike Tomlin’s team, which has struggled in the first quarter and saved a lot of its offensive heroics for late in the game. The Steelers’ defense has been shaky, finishing dead last against the run.
But veteran quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has shown a lot of grit while rookie Najee Harris runs hard and doesn’t fumble. Led by relentless T.J. Watt (22.5), the team has led or tied for the NFL lead in sacks five consecutive years.
The Niners are in the playoffs for the second time in three years. But it was a rollercoaster year for Kyle Shanahan’s club. San Francisco won its first two games, dropped four in a row, and finished 8-3 in its last 11 contests.
Versatile All-Pro Deebo Samuel finished with 1,770 yards from scrimmage and 14 TDs. Jimmy Graoppolo had his moments but his 15 turnovers are still a concern. A healthy Nick Bosa finished with 15.5 of the team’s impressive 48 sacks.