2020 NFL Playoffs Team Grade
The playoffs are finally here. 14 teams survived the regular season, and now they have one thing on their mind; to lift the Lombardi Trophy in Tampa Bay come February.
The NFL regular season is finally finished after 17 weeks.. All 32 teams have given their all to make sure the game of football is still being played during this weird period of time. The league battled with injuries, COVID-19, some rescheduled games, but all in all, it was a great season of football. And now, all eyes will move toward the final stages of the 2020 season. With the new NFL playoffs format taking place this season, seven teams from each conference will compete in the postseason and compete for the Super Bowl.
The Amateurs’ American Football team will take a look back on the regular season to evaluate and learn how each team performed, and give their grade and prediction to each playoff team to see which one will have the best chance to go to Raymond James Stadium in February.
AFC
Kansas City Chiefs (14–2 | AFC West Champion)
The defending champions are back in the playoffs like they never left. Their performances throughout the year were outstanding. The addition of Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Le’Veon Bell made their offense complete. Also, the connection between Patrick Mahomes, Tyreek Hill, and Travis Kelce was better than ever. At some point in the season, they were the QB1, WR1, and TE1 respectively in fantasy football. Finishing the season with a 14–2 record and as the number one seed in the AFC, they might be in for another trip to the Super Bowl and defend their title in Tampa Bay.
Grade: A
Playoffs Prediction: Heavy favorite to go to the Super Bowl.
Buffalo Bills (13–3 | AFC East Champion)
After more than a decade of dominance by the New England Patriots, there’s a new champion in the AFC East. Josh Allen is surely having a career year. He’s more confident and comfortable, winning games here and there, and forming a new connection with Stefon Diggs. Allen finished the season as QB1 in fantasy football this year, and Diggs led the league in reception yards with 1,535 yards. There might be some questions around their defense, especially from their run defense unit. But if Allen continues to have such amazing games, we can see the Bills making noise in the AFC side of the playoff bracket.
Grade: A
Playoffs Prediction: They could go far in the playoffs. The AFC Championship game is a realistic target. Even better, the Super Bowl is reachable for this Bills team.
Pittsburgh Steelers (12–4 | AFC North Champion)
Their defense is the real deal. Record-breaking, league-leading, nerve-wrecking defensive unit carried them into the longest undefeated streak in the NFL this season, with an 11–0 start. They ranked first in overall defense, with T.J. Watt led the league in sacks with 15. Steelers’ pass rushers, either in personnel or the system, are going to be a nightmare to any offensive line facing them in the playoffs. Their major concern comes from the offensive side, as the Steelers’ receiving corps have dropped 31 passes this season, which is tied for most in the league. Their hot streak came to an end when they lost three in a row starting from week 13, before they found their winning way again in week 16.
Grade: B
Playoffs Prediction: The offense, especially the run game must step up. If not, fans won’t be seeing them in the AFC Championship game.
Tennessee Titans (11–5 | AFC South Champion)
Bow down to King Derrick Henry of the South! He reached a milestone that only eight players have done in the past, a 2,000-rushing-yard season. He put the icing on the cake with 250 rushing yards in a week 17 matchup against the Texans, which helped the Titans to win and be crowned as the AFC South champions. Ryan Tannehill was as consistent as ever, delivering good throws all over the field. He completed 65.5% of his passes, and made his receivers like AJ Brown and Corey Davis look good, with the latter having his best season of his career.
Grade: B
Playoffs Prediction: They face a hard challenge in the wild-card game against the Ravens. Yes they have beaten them last year in the playoffs, but it’s hard to replicate that again. Unfortunately, the Titans will experience a wild-card round exit.
Baltimore Ravens (11–5)
They might not be as explosive, but they’re still a dangerous team to face in the AFC. The Ravens have to wait until week 17 to secure a wild-card spot. There are some concerns about Lamar Jackson, as he was not having an MVP-calibre performance like in 2019. But, looks can be deceiving. They set the franchise record for team rushing yards with 404 yards in one game, and they finished the season with a five win-streak. Their defense is considered elite, ranked second in points allowed and ninth in yardage allowed. Can Lamar Jackson get his first playoff win this year?
Grade: A
Playoffs Prediction: They are underappreciated because Lamar Jackson didn’t have an MVP-calibre performance and they didn’t win the division title. Still dangerous as ever, the Ravens can definitely challenge for the AFC Championship.
Cleveland Browns (11–5)
In his first year as the head coach of Cleveland Browns, Kevin Stefanski delivered the Browns to their first playoff appearance since 2002. He brought a refreshed offense, built around the running game of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt. Chubb had to sit for a while because of an MCL sprain which made him miss five games, but he still managed to finish seventh in rushing yards with 1,067 yards. Hunt on the other hand, completed Stefanki’s offense and has had his best year in Cleveland so far. He played more as a pass-catching back, but the threat of him running or receiving the ball will keep defenses honest. Surely this running back duo will be a problem come playoff time.
Grade: B-
Playoffs Prediction: Off-field issues are going to hinder their performance. Stefanski is out for the wild-card game because of COVID-19. Even if they can upset the Steelers, don’t expect them to go past the divisional round.
Indianapolis Colts (11–5)
Defensive studs. The Colts’ defense dominated every time they stepped on the field early in the season. The addition of DeForest Buckner from the San Francisco 49ers turned out to be the right piece to complete the puzzle. They were totally exceptional, especially in run defense, in which they ranked second lowest overall in terms of opponents’ rushing yards. On the other side of the ball, rookie Jonathan Taylor showed potential to become the star of this team. He set a franchise record 253 rushing yards in a game, which also made him the youngest player in NFL history to rush for 250+ yards in a game. The Colts just have to be more consistent on offense, if they want to wreck chaos in the playoffs.
Grade: B-
Playoffs Prediction: Too bad they’re facing the hot Buffalo Bills in the first round. Wild-card exit.
NFC
Green Bay Packers (13–3 | NFC North Champion)
For the second straight season, the Green Bay Packers are on top of the NFC North! Aaron Rodgers showed once again why he’s one of the best quarterbacks in the league right now with an MVP performance throughout the season. He threw 48 passing touchdowns with 70.7% completion rate, both better than any quarterback in the league. Things are a lot smoother in his second year with head coach Matt LeFleur. They scored 509 points this season, the most in the league. With their high-octane offense, they clinched the number one seed in the NFC. Aaron Rodgers and the Packers are aiming to get redemption for their loss in the NFC Championship game last year and win it all in Tampa Bay.
Grade: A
Playoffs Prediction: Rodgers will continue his MVP performance and bring the Packers to the Super Bowl.
New Orleans Saints (12–4 | NFC South Champion)
Dubbed as one of the toughest divisions in the league for 2020, the Saints rolled through the NFC South quite easily. Even without Michael Thomas for the majority of the season and Drew Brees missing some time due to rib injury, the Saints could still dominate games on any given Sunday. Even with Taysom Hill under center, they were 3–1 and scored 24.25 points per game on offense. The Saints relied heavily on Alvin Kamara, considerably the best running back in the league this year. This just shows the versatility of Sean Payton when he can win games in any way, even without their longtime quarterback and record-breaking wide receiver.
Grade: A-
Playoffs Prediction: This could be Drew Brees’ one last push for his second Super Bowl title. The Saints use this as an extra motivation. But an appearance in the NFC Championship game might be the furthest they will get.
Seattle Seahawks (12–4 | NFC West Champion)
Let Russ Cook! Chef Russell Wilson has been cooking this year, and maybe this is the year he can finally win the MVP award. Their success also came from the sous-chefs around Chef Wilson. DK Metcalf in his second year proved to be one of the most dangerous wide receivers in the league, especially as a deep threat. Combine him with an already dangerous Tyler Lockett, they formed a formidable wide receiver duo. In defense, the newly added Jamal Adams set the sack record for a safety in a season with eight.
Grade: B+
Playoffs Prediction: Give Wilson some protection! The defense has to step up in the postseason or else they’re going to have a hard time going through the divisional round.
Washington Football Team (7–9 | NFC East Champion)
They’ve done it! The Washington Football Team have become only the third team to go to the postseason with under .500 record in the Super Bowl era. The 7–9 Washington Football Team will host a playoff game as the NFC East champions and number four seed. Their fairytale ending in the 2020 regular season might be clouded with controversy (looking at you Doug Pederson), but we should really pay attention to how this defense improved from last year. The appointment of Ron Rivera, and when they picked Chase Young second overall was the turning point for them. This defensive unit was among the elite group, top 5 in points and yards allowed. Their quarterback carousel was indeed a problem, but it’s nice to see Alex Smith play again, let alone leading the team in the playoffs.
Grade: D
Playoffs Prediction: Let’s be real, it’s gonna be a wild-card exit for Washington.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (11–5)
Turns out bringing in the G.O.A.T to your offensive system to a team with one of the most complete weapons in the league will completely change a team. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are in the postseason for the first time since 2007. Tom Brady showed that he still got it, and he just needed the right pieces around him to be successful. Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Ronald Jones, and the addition of Leonard Fournette, Rob Gronkowski, and Antonio Brown to the equation helped Brady in throwing 40 touchdowns at the ripe age of 43. They were competing with the Saints for NFC South title, but they fell short, which is a major concern. There’s an issue about Brady-Arians connection, but they have to overcome it if they want to play at home in February.
Grade: B
Playoffs Prediction: They have to be more consistent in their performance. Defense is already solid, offense is the one to watch. On their best day, they can challenge for the NFC title. But, they also can be eliminated in the divisional round due to their inconsistency.
Los Angeles Rams (10–6)
Bambang Irawan, Los Angeles Rams beat writer: The Rams should have been eliminated from playoffs contention much earlier when they shamefully lost to the New York Jets, which broke the Jets’ 14 consecutive weeks without a win. We know that their defense is exceptional but since that loss, their offense kept struggling which became a serious issue that often hindered the defense from actually winning the game. Against the Cardinals, the defense scored more touchdowns than the offense (one to none). Despite the offense’s bad display, backup quarterback John Wolford who replaced injured Jared Goff ran for 56 yards and threw 22-for-38 for 231 yards with one interception. He showed that he could move the ball more aggressively than Jared Goff in the last few games. Wolford could use his footwork to get to first down and kept the offense rolling. Since Jared Goff might be ready for the NFL Super Wild-Card Weekend, it’s up to head coach Sean McVay whether he can solve that quarterback inconsistency problem to make a deep playoff run.
Grade: B-
Playoffs Prediction: It takes more than just the defense to make a playoff run. With the wild-card matchup against the Seahawks already a hefty challenge, perhaps the divisional round is as far as they can go.
Chicago Bears (8–8)
Ammarsha Rewindra Ridwan, The Amateurs editor-in-chief: The Chicago Bears are in a tricky situation any team wouldn’t want to be in. They are in a dilemma even though making the playoffs is definitely quite an achievement itself. But the Bears are pretty much on the brink of a wild card exit as inconsistency looms over Mitchell Trubisky. He has been playing the best football of his career from week 13 to 16 as he racked 1,001 yards with 72.3% completion rate, seven touchdowns, and two interceptions. But when it came to the big, decisive week 17 against Green Bay where a win would seal a wild-card spot, Trubisky imploded and did not live up to the expectations fans had throughout the season. Da Bears are lucky to be in the playoffs and I don’t see them going further this year.
Grade: D
Playoffs Prediction: Definitely a wild-card exit.
Rafiandra Putra Andika is a writer, designer, video editor, photographer, content creator, or to sum up, a story-teller. He found his fond love for sports ever since a little kid, starts with Soccer, F1, Basketball, and now focusing his talent on growing the exposure of American Football, especially in Indonesia. He pledged his loyalty to LeBron James, Tom Brady, and the New England Patriots.
You can follow him on Instagram: @rafiandra21 for his recent audiovisual works (photo, video, and podcast), and on Twitter with the same handle for his unfiltered thoughts and written pieces like this one.
