NFL Playoffs: New Years Resolutions

So you’ve made it this far, but there’s still plenty more work to be done.  What follows are the New Years Resolutions needed for each of the 12 NFL Playoff teams to advance to the Super Bowl.  Playoffs are a whole new ballgame, and here’s what each of this season’s competitors needs to focus on:
   
1. Denver Broncos – We will ride our Quarterback and beat the best.
 
Prior to their Week 7 bye, the Broncos were 3-3 with losses to Atlanta, Houston and New England.  After the bye, the Broncos went 10-0, but only faced 2 teams (Cincinnati and Baltimore) that finished the season above .500.  Can they beat the league’s best when they need to most behind the AFC’s Comeback Player of the Year?
 
2. New England Patriots – Our secondary will not yield.
 
From last year’s Super Bowl loss to all four defeats this year, the Patriots secondary has received the bulk of the blame.  Can they get the stops they need to in order to get Brady his fourth ring?
 
3. Houston Texans – We will run the ball better than anyone else.
 
A lot of doubt in Houston after the last four weeks, but if Arian Foster can dominate opponents on the ground, they will own the time of possession and it will inspire the rest of the team to regain their early season form.
 
4. Baltimore Ravens – We will prove our veteran moxie.
 
A dropped pass away from the Super Bowl last year, no one questions the Ravens’ ability to manage a game, but whether that can get them back to the top is the big concern.
 
5. Indianapolis Colts – Our offense will be amongst the best.
 
Defensively, the Colts are capable, but unspectacular.  Offensively, they’ve been simply magnificent at times this year.  If Luck and company can be consistently dominant, the Colts could potentially shock the world.
 
6. Cincinatti Bengals – Our defense will stand strong.
 
They’ve held opponents to 20 or less in their past 8 games (posting a 7-1 record during that streak), but now the stakes are higher and the opponents are tougher, can the Bengals defense prove to be one of the NFL’s elite units?
   
1. Atlanta Falcons – Our offense will be efficient and deadly.
 
When Matt Ryan and company have things working in their favor, no one questions that Atlanta is one of the top teams in the league, but whether they will be on the top of their game in January and February is something we’ll have to wait and see.
 
2. San Francisco 49ers – We will make the plays we need to.
 
Everything in the Harbaugh system comes down to efficiency: low turnovers and converting on key plays.  During any playoff run, you’re likely to see a few tight matchups, and whether the 49ers can come up with the big plays necessary to advance or not is the question between a Super Bowl run and a longer offseason than they’d like.
 
3. Green Bay Packers – Our defense will prevail.
 
Stopping Adrian Peterson isn’t a simple task, but the Packers have had their share of problems stopping just about everyone this year.  Can the defense rebound from last year’s pitiful playoff display?
 
4. Washington Redskins – We will dominate the clock.
 
With long, well-calculated drives, the Redskins offense has really frustrated opponents this season.  With 7 straight wins, the ‘Skins need to keep playing smart, efficient football to advance in the playoffs.
 
5. Seattle Seahawks – Our defense will not be broken.
 
Russell Wilson has been great behind center all season and Marshawn Lynch has proven to be one of the league’s top runners, but in order for the Seahawks to make a Super Bowl run, they will need Richard Sherman and company to be quite possibly the best defense in the playoffs.
 
6. Minnesota Vikings – We will support our star.
 
There’s no question that Peterson will cripple opponents this postseason, but whether or not Christian Ponder and the rest of the offense can support him amidst a playoff run is still up in the air.