RADIO
The 2023 NFL season began in September, and the regular season is already over in what feels like a blink of an eye. As we head toward postseason action, there are clear contenders and pretenders who qualified for a Wild Card contest.
When the NFL expanded the playoffs to allow seven teams from each conference to get in the dance, it opened up the possibility of weaker and potentially undeserving teams to play on Super Wild Card Weekend. That's the case this year.
Without further ado, let's dive into overrated and underrated NFC teams ahead of the start of the road to Super Bowl 58.
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Most Overrated NFC Wild Card Team
Green Bay Packers
- Record: 9-8
- Seed In NFC Playoffs: No. 7
- Wild Card Matchup: at Cowboys
Jordan Love exceeded expectations by a mile this year, completing over 64% of his passes for 4,159 yards, 32 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. Most importantly, he brought the Packers to the playoffs, something Aaron Rodgers failed to do in 2022.
Green Bay's offense is the youngest unit in the league, yet they showed flashes of explosive upside throughout the season. However, its defense finished 27th in DVOA, which sets up to be a significant issue against the high-powered Dallas Cowboys offensive attack. It's also worth noting Green Bay had the seventh-easiest schedule during the 2023 campaign. There's nothing to be ashamed of since Green Bay is technically rebuilding, but expect the Cowboys to put this NFC Wild Card game out of reach early.
The future is bright, but for now, the Packers can't be considered a legitimate Super Bowl threat.
Jordan Love with the perfect touch to Dontayvion Wicks 🎯pic.twitter.com/0cLShI1m7t
— Eli Berkovits (@BookOfEli_NFL) January 7, 2024
Other NFC Pretender(s)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-8)
- Philadelphia Eagles (11-6)
Tampa Bay clinched its third consecutive NFC South title on Sunday with a 9-0 victory over the Carolina Panthers. However, the Buccaneers' offense ranks 20th in DVOA and its defense ranks 14th. By no surprise, the weakest division in the NFL produced the weakest team in the NFC playoffs, and although the Philadelphia Eagles are sliding at the wrong time, they'll likely handle Baker Mayfield's 9-8 team.
As mentioned above, Philadelphia is favored in and should win the game against Tampa Bay. However, they could be in big trouble afterward. If all the favorites win this weekend, the Eagles, who have gone 1-5 in their last six games, will have to square off with the San Francisco 49ers on the road. The Eagles have one of the worst defenses in the NFL and finished the season with a mediocre +0.3 point differential per game. The 49ers will likely be heavy favorites in that potential showdown.
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) January 8, 2024
Most Underrated NFC Wild Card Team
Los Angeles Rams
- Record: 10-7
- Seed In NFC Playoffs: No. 6
- Wild Card Matchup: at Lions
The Rams have won seven games in their last eight tries after the Week 10 bye. The one loss came to the Baltimore Ravens, on the road, in overtime. Sean McVay has Los Angeles playing like the hottest team in the NFL when it matters most, and Detroit's secondary can be exploited in this spot.
Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp have rebounded in 2023, while Kyren Williams and Puka Nacua have emerged out of nowhere and become top players at their positions. The Rams' young and inexperienced defense could be the Achilles heel in the postseason, but McVay has reached the Super Bowl twice in the last five years, and it won't be a complete shock if he does it again.
TOUCHDOWN Puka Nacua 🔥
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/c8ZoP7O6Fj
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) January 7, 2024
Other NFC Contender(s)
- Dallas Cowboys
Dallas heads into the playoffs with the second-best point differential per game (+11.4). Although it's tough to call the No. 2 seed underrated, it might fit the bill here. NFL fans are waiting to laugh at the Cowboys if they "choke" away another potential trip to an NFC Championship game, but this could be the team that finally gets it done.
CeeDee Lamb and Dak Prescott have performed like top-three players at their positions over the last month and a half of the regular season, and we all know about the playmakers Dallas has on the defensive side of the ball. Dallas should have no problem taking care of Green Bay at home. If they win, they'll play a Divisional Round game at home where the team is undefeated this season.
CeeDee Lamb WR Ranks this season
Rank
Touchdowns 1st
Scrimmage Yards 1st
Receptions 1st
Touches 1st
Targets 1stDefinition of WR1 pic.twitter.com/KsKuDZnPZa
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) January 8, 2024
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