Will anyone be able to find a little balance? None of the 12 NFL playoff teams has an offense and defense that both rank in the top 10 in total yards.
Each team has been carried to the postseason by one unit, epitomized by the Packers and Patriots — who have earned the top seed in their respective conferences despite having the two worst-ranked defenses in the league.
The matchup possibilities of strength vs. strength are really intriguing. The 49ers’ top-ranked NFC defense will have to face a top-10 offense in the divisional round. For the Patriots to advance to the Super Bowl, they will have to defeat a top-10 defense.
If balance is essential to winning, the most well-rounded squads are the Steelers, Ravens and Falcons.
But the league has never been more dominated by the quarterback position.
The Packers’ Aaron Rodgers, Saints’ Drew Brees and Patriots’ Tom Brady have rewritten the record books this season. And while their teams have glaring defensive weaknesses, particularly in the secondary, having an unstoppable passing attack has proved to be a recipe for success this year. Green Bay (15-1) flirted with perfection, and New England (13-3) and New Orleans (13-3) both have won eight straight games.
Balance can be beneficial to alleviate pressure in these highly anticipated postseason matchups, but this year will put more emphasis on whose unit is more dominant instead of who is more balanced.
– Jeffrey Tomik
