Are the defending champion Philadelphia Eagles on a path to a repeat? Can the New England Patriots continue their magical season on Wild Card weekend? Will the Los Angeles Rams avenge their loss to the Carolina Panthers?
Those are the questions Colin Cowherd has answers to in the most recent edition of the “Herd Hierarchy.” Remember, Cowherd isn’t ranking teams based on what they’ve done lately or their record. Rather, it’s an encapsulation of where each team in the NFL stands, holistically, taking into consideration which opponents each team has beaten, how healthy they are and their ceiling for the rest of the year.
So, let’s take a look at Cowherd’s most recent top 10 heading into Week 18 of the NFL season.
“When they win the turnover battle, they win. But, they’re very reliant on it. They’re 10-1 when they win the turnover battle. So, if you play clean, you can beat ‘em.
“Most offensive touchdowns [in a regular season] in Bears franchise historical past with Caleb [Williams], led the NFL with 11 landing passes [of] 20-plus yards down the sphere. However, they disappear offensively for complete first halves. This Packers’ sport is a tough one, it’ll be windy which performs into the run sport of Chicago. Nice yr for the Bears.”
“Brock Purdy within the final month, 107 passer ranking. They’re not so good as Seattle, do not punish ‘em an excessive amount of for dropping to Seattle. They did not have Trent Williams and Ricky Pearsall. If they’ve them again, they’re reside underdogs towards Philadelphia. They’ve misplaced 9 of their final 10 video games when trailing at halftime. A few of that’s on Kyle Shanahan, who, to me, has all the time been very drained to his script. He isn’t be an important second-half or come-from-behind coach, but when Pearsall, Trent and Kittle can be found, that sport with Philadelphia will get attention-grabbing.”
Payments make seventh straight playoff look, Is it Tremendous Bowl or Bust for Buffalo? | The Herd
“The Payments are good, I do not assume they’re Tremendous Bowl good. They’re 12-0 when scoring 21-plus factors. There is a means they win. … That protection [is] twenty eighth towards the run, they’ve misplaced eight straight highway playoff video games. How do you win on the highway towards Jacksonville? Shut ‘em down and take the gang out.
“I additionally fear about this crew as a result of they’re sluggish beginning. If you go on the highway and face a high-powered offense like Jacksonville, you don’t want to play from behind. And the Payments make a behavior of enjoying from behind.”
“Greatest protection, most likely simply. Give credit score to Nick Caserio, he is drafted the hell out of this protection these final three years. However, within the pink zone, they don’t seem to be good, and I believe that will likely be their undoing. … There may be a lot I like about ‘em, I’ve all the time been an enormous C.J. Stroud fan. That offense, they will accept 3s, not 7s, and that’ll value ’em.”
“Since Week 10, they’ve a bottom-six offense. They’re 10-0 when Jalen Hurts is held below 200 yards passing, they’re the alternative of what wins within the NFL. Their roster is so full, their protection is so good. … I do not know what to make of Philadelphia.”
The Eagles are 10-0 when Jalen Hurts is held below 200 yards passing, however a matchup with the 49ers might require an even bigger efficiency from the offense. (Picture by Nic Antaya/Getty Pictures)
“Denver’s an important dwelling crew, so, no less than, I do know what they’re. … They’re 13-1 since Week 4. Have they got a ceiling with Bo Nix? Perhaps. … They’re 4-2 towards playoff groups, so that they’ve overwhelmed good groups.”
“The Rams aren’t enjoying nice proper now. 3-3 during the last six weeks … I really like the actual fact they’re enjoying a Carolina crew they misplaced to as a favourite. Davante Adams comes again. … You possibly can beat [the defense] downfield.”
“We bought to concentrate to Jacksonville. They’re 8-0 since Week 11, beating groups by 19 a sport, like they seem to be a dominant school crew.”
“I really like [Mike] Vrabel. They’ve received 13 of 14 video games, and they’re an important highway crew, that issues. … I do not love their O-line, their run sport is inconsistent.”
“Seattle wasted offensive alternatives and completely shut down Christian McCaffrey. That is like shutting down Barry Sanders or Walter Payton. How do you try this? I like every little thing … They’ve a uncommon mixture of a quarterback who’s extremely productive on a team-friendly deal, and so they do not miss on draft picks. Translation, stacked roster. It is higher than Philadelphia’s. They’re O-line, like New England, is OK.”
Herd Hierarchy for the Wild Card: 49ers fall, Jaguars rise: Who’s the very best playoff crew? | The Herd
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