NFL playoff power poll
This is our last one of these, and we traditionally rank all the playoff quarterbacks and all the playoff coaches and the added sum dictates this poll.
Trying to factor in home field or any number of the unknown variables before any number of players and coaches make their debut in the unknown realm that is the postseason is predicting not polling.
And, like a good EPB crew hanging street lights in a new neighborhood, we poll.
1. Kansas City (QB ranking of the 14 playoff teams: 2; Coach ranking of the 14 playoff teams: 3; Total score: 5) – The Chiefs are the AFC team to beat in Vegas’ eyes, and they have the DJ/Rory factor in their corner. If the Chiefs play their A-game, no one can keep up.
2. Green Bay (QB 1; Coach 7; Total 8) – That may be low for Matt LaFleur who has rewritten almost all of the “In his first three seasons” records in NFL coaching history. But as Jim Mora forever clued us in, the “Playoffs?!?!?!” are a different cat. Side note: On the most-at-stake scale, Aaron Rodgers ranks No. 2 in these playoffs.
3. Tampa Bay (QB 3; Coach 5; Total 8) – That may be high for Bruce Arians, but extra weight is given to the dudes with a title in their current locale. It delivers an extra belief within the locker room. And speaking of belief, does anyone inspire more playoff confidence in the huddle than Tommy B.?
4. Tennessee (QB 7; Coach 4; Total 11) – The QB rankings are heavily weighted toward the here and now. The coach rankings are weighted toward his postseason pedigree. That leaves Mike Vrabel, who is as good as almost any week in, week out behind a few ring-wearers heading into these playoffs. Still, if Derrick Henry returns in 10-plus days, well, that would make me look like a pretty decent NFL head coach and would make the Titans a lot more attractive.
5. Buffalo (QB 4; Coach 8; Total 12) – Lots of demons in play for the Bills when the Pats come calling in Round 1. Still, Josh Allen is a grown man, but is he ready to be a Super Bowl-contending franchise QB? The clock is ticking.
6. Pittsburgh (QB 11; Coach 2; Total 13) – Yes, this one feels like the biggest outlier, but hey, the rankings are what the numbers show, right? Still, for a team with that many offensive pieces, that much experience, that kind of defensive difference-maker (TJ Watt quietly had 22.5 sacks this season, friends) and this type of “Win one more for Ben” rallying cry, crazier things have happened than the Steelers making a January run.
7. Los Angeles – (QB 9; Coach 6; Total 15) – Here’s the winner for the QB with the most at stake entering the postseason. Matt Stafford can rewrite his narrative with a run to the NFC title game or Super Bowl. As for coach, this stat will blow your hair back: The Sean McVay coaching try, which includes LaFleur and Cincy’s Zac Taylor, has more division titles than the Bill Belichick coaching tree. Yes, you read that right.
7. Dallas (QB 5; Coach 10; Total 15) – If you want a lottery ticket that’s outside of the heavy favorites to win it all, Dallas could be that scratch-off quick pick. They force turnovers and have a well-balanced offense. The Cowboys are at plus-1100 (bet $100, win $1,100) at oddshark.com. The Packers (+375) and the Chiefs (+500) are the favorites.
7. Cincinnati (QB 6; Coach 9; Total 15) – It’s hard not to love the Bengals core, but it’s also hard not to believe the Bengals with this many young pieces and stars don’t have a “We made the playoffs, everything else is gravy” kind of mood right now. That’s not advancing thoughts. That’s man, next year is gonna be boss thoughts.
7. New England (QB 14; Coach 1; Total 15) – Belichick is going to have to work some magic in round one. And then the Pats will need some good fortune from there. And friends, rookie QBs making their first playoff start always are ranked at the bottom of this list, no matter how good Mac Jones may have been for most of his initial NFL season.
11. Arizona (QB 8; Coach 12; Total 20) – Injuries are part of the game. Heck, injuries and player availability may be the biggest roster unknown across the entire sport. And no no team had a non-QB injury as impactful as the Cardinals, who were 8-2 in games in which DeAndre Hopkins played and 3-4 in games he missed because of injury. Hopkins has been on the shelf and likely will miss the postseason with a knee injury.
12. San Francisco – (QB 12; Coach 11; Total 23) – A mismatched roster of guys you’ve heard of and guys you should have. Still, if the play-action is not working, this offense can get stagnant quickly.
13. Las Vegas (QB 10; Coach 14; Total 24) – Sure, why not? In arguably the biggest regular-season roller coaster in recent memory, the Raiders are dancing. Who in a million years would have believed that in the aftermath of Gruden-Gate. Hey, did you know Jon Gruden’s wife was a cheerleader at UT? Hmmmm.
14. Philadelphia (QB 13; Coach 13; Total 26) – How the Eagles persevered into the playoffs is a beacon for the future. How they get out of the first round and a trip to Tampa to see Tom and Co. is anyone’s guess. That said, Jalen Hurts looks like he can be a legit QB1, and has shown better pro chops than Tua.
Lifetime deal
OK, there are a few coaches that have earned a lifetime deal in college sports.