PLAYOFF QUESTIONS TO PONDER
Can Foles guide Eagles? Harrison might lift Patriots
Wondering about a few things as the NFL playoffs approach …
Are Eagles cursed with Nick Foles?
The energy that fueled Philadelphia’s offense before Carson Wentz suffered a torn ACL has largely vanished, clearly a reflection of the challenge to maintain rhythm with Foles. During the final two games, the Eagles converted three of 25 third downs. Just as bad, Foles lacks the athleticism that allowed Wentz to extend plays, run for the sticks or so often create something out of nothing. The Eagles still have a shot at going all the way, given the supporting cast, but that’s assuming mistake-free quarterbacking from Foles.
Will James Harrison provide Patriots with championship impact?
If his New England debut was any indication, Harrison still has enough fuel in his tank to make a difference. In 27 snaps against the Jets, the man buried on the Steelers bench all season collected two sacks, five tackles, two quarterback hits and a forced fumble. Harrison might give Bill Belichick’s improved defense exactly what it needed at the perfect time — instant pass rush — in its bid to repeat as Super Bowl champion.
Should Rams worry if it comes down to a last-minute field goal?
A few weeks ago, it would have been no sweat with NFL scoring leader Greg Zuerlein in the midst of a record season. But Zuerlein is rehabbing from surgery for a herniated disk, so suddenly Los Angeles no longer possesses the most reliable kicking game in the playoffs. The Rams’ spectacular season of revival could very well hinge on a first-year kicker, Sam Ficken, who owns the Penn State record for consecutive field goals but missed a field goal attempt and a PAT in his first NFL game in Week 16.
Will Antonio Brown return to preinjury form for Steelers?
The Steelers might have their best chance in years of getting back to the Super Bowl because, in part, the new additions have had such great impact. Rookies JuJu Smith-Schuster and T.J. Watt have provided big-play impact on both sides of the ball. Yet with Brown rehabbing from the partially torn calf muscle that knocked him out of the showdown vs. the Patriots, one of the more intriguing subplots is whether he will return to his typical standard of greatness, which included playing into the conversation to perhaps become the first receiver to earn MVP honors.
Will Drew Brees’ playoff experience push Saints over top?
If a trip to the Super Bowl comes down to a last-minute drive, you’d probably prefer a proven commodity such as Brees or one of the other four Super Bowl-credentialed quarterbacks in the playoffs. In Brees’ case, the difference might be what it has been all season — balance. That means a lot of rookie Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram controlling the tempo with the running game. Fast fact: Brees, the NFC’s top-rated passer (103.9), has attempted his fewest passes (536) since 2009 … when the ticket to winning it all included a strong running game that allowed for balance.
Are Bills due for another miracle?
The last time Buffalo appeared in a playoff game it was undone by the “Music City Miracle.” So maybe it was fitting that the NFL’s longest postseason drought (18 years) ended with some Charm City magic in the form of Tyler Boyd’s 49-yard, fourth-down TD in the waning seconds to eliminate the Ravens. Now the Bills — with the lowestranked offense in the playoffs (29th) matched against the AFC’s top defense — need quick healing from their best offensive player, RB LeSean McCoy, to have a prayer at Jacksonville.
Will Vikings make history as a Super Bowl host?
The conditions are favorable for Min- nesota to emerge as the first team to host a Super Bowl in its home stadium. Never mind that the franchise has one playoff win in 13 years. With the Eagles stung by the injury to Wentz, the Vikings suddenly look a lot like the team to beat in the wide-open NFC. They bring the NFL’s No. 1 defense, a fill-in quarterback who has exceeded expectations in Case Keenum, a running game that has remained productive despite losing its star rookie and a coach in Mike Zimmer who has pushed the right buttons.
Are Chiefs best-equipped to spoil an AFC title game rematch?
Maybe. Kansas City has rebooted in recent weeks to resemble the explosive team that was the NFL’s last unbeaten
(5-0). That’s what it would take to pull off a win in the divisional round that would throw a wrinkle into expectations for another Steelers-Patriots showdown for the AFC title. The Chiefs won at Foxborough in Week 1, creating matchup issues for New England’s defense. Perhaps they can do it again. In Week 6, the Chiefs stayed close enough to Pittsburgh to have a chance at the end. But one thing about the loss to Pittsburgh that doesn’t bode well: the
25th-ranked run defense. With 179 yards the last time out, Le’Veon Bell has rushed for 493 yards in three games vs. Kansas City, dating to last season.
Can Panthers execute a quick fix?
The regular-season finale at Atlanta was hardly classic Cam Newton. Too many passes sailed. He was picked off three times. The rush kept him under constant duress. In some ways, though, it reflected the struggle that Carolina’s offense has had for much of the season in trying to develop consistency. Sure, the Panthers are dangerous. Two of their victories came against New England and Minnesota. But Newton’s ability to get the desired flow with his targets in the passing game has been an adventure, which wasn’t made easier with the midseason trade of Kelvin Benjamin. Yet there’s still time. And a date at New Orleans, which might bring out the best in them.
Can Jaguars trust Blake Bortles?
It’s a prove-it league, and just because the much-maligned Bortles quarterbacked his team to a division title hardly means the doubts are completely squashed. Sure, Bortles has ridden on the coattails of Jacksonville’s tremendous defense, and he’s handing the ball off a lot to supply the NFL’s No. 1-ranked rushing attack. The formula implemented by coach Doug Marrone, which includes lowering risk with Bortles, is working. And he’s better than he was when his starting job was jeopardized during the preseason. Yet there also comes a point in pretty much every game when the quarterback must make a big-time throw.
Remember the Titans?
That Tennessee earned its first postseason berth since 2008 by winning a single game that followed a three-game losing streak doesn’t scream quality at the bottom of the AFC bracket. Marcus Mariota’s game regressed during this injury-challenged season, but he’s added another marker. And his embattled coach, Mike Mularkey, is still on the job.
How did Falcons get their groove back?
In early November, the defending NFC champs staggered along at 4-4, living up to the hard-luck history of teams trying to rebound after losing a Super Bowl. Now they are the only team in the NFC returning to the playoffs. That’s resiliency, which has come with the need to win in a different fashion this season. Last year, the Falcons averaged 33 points a game, one of the highest-scoring teams in NFL history. The Matt Ryan-armed offense is not as consistent now (22 points), but the young defense is still on the rise. Strikingly, the Falcons’ second-half surge coincided with them finally playing division games. And with three teams in the playoffs from the NFC South, the division will indeed test mettle.