Superbowl LII - 12 Different Roads to Winning It

The 2017-18 NFL Regular Season is over. It was business as usual in some ways (Tom Brady and the New England Patriots got the 1st seed in the AFC, again), and very surprising in others (the Buffalo Bills made the playoffs for the first time since 1999).

Injuries and suspensions to key players made a big difference in this season (Aaron Rodgers, Carson Wentz, Ezekiel Eliott). Also, Jimmy Garoppolo proved to be an absolute stud with the San Francisco 49ers.

However, all of that is behind us. After a frantic week 17, where Andy Dalton and the Cincinnati Bengals beat the Baltimore Ravens to put the Buffalo Bills in the playoffs (it was that complicated and close), all the 12 teams have been finalised and the playoff picture is set. Let's take a look at what each of these teams needs to do, in order to lift the Lombardi Trophy on February 4th, 2018 at the U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.

NFC #1: Philadelphia Eagles

Quarterback Nick Foles needs to prove his mettle in the playoffs

With MVP candidate and starting Quarterback Carson Wentz gone for the playoffs with a knee injury, the onus falls on the backup QB Nick Foles to take the 13-3 Philadelphia Eagles, deep into the playoffs. The Eagles will also need to utilize their 3 Running Backs a lot more. Their defence is stellar and if it can create turnovers, they can reach the Superbowl and win it.

Superbowl odds : 15-1

Writer prediction : NFC Divisional Round

AFC #1: New England Patriots

Quarterback Tom Brady continues to be dominant at the age of 40

The Superbowl LI champions New England Patriots lost the first game of the season to the Kansas City Chiefs. Before that, they lost star wide receiver Julian Edelman in the pre-season. And still, they ended the season with a 13-3 record and the top seed in the AFC. Tom Brady led the league in passing yards and is an MVP candidate, again. In the playoffs, Tom Brady will do what he always does, dominate. Tight End Rob Gronkowski is a matchup nightmare and by far the biggest offensive weapon (who's not a Quarterback) in the NFL. They have two very good Running Backs in Dion Lewis and James White. So offensively, they look set. Defensively however, they have to stop the running game and not give up big runs on 1st and 2nd downs.

Superbowl Odds: 2-1

Writer prediction: Superbowl LII Champions

NFC #2: Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings defence has been a juggernaut all year.

The 2017-2018 Minnesota Vikings are only the 17th team in Superbowl history to have the top ranked scoring AND overall defence. They won 11 of their last 12 games, finishing the season 13-3. Their defence has to continue keeping the opposition out of the end zone and on the other end, Quarterback Case Keenum should continue playing with a chip on his shoulders and prove people wrong.

Superbowl Odds: 4-1

Writer prediction: NFC Championship Game

AFC #2: Pittsburgh Steelers

Wide Receiver Antonio Brown had an MVP caliber season before injury

The Pittsburgh Steelers have received their first bye since 2010. For this storied franchise to win its 7th Superbowl title they need MVP candidate Antonio Brown to come back from injury. The Big 3 of Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, Running Back Le'Veon Bell and Wide Receiver Antonio Brown is one of the most potent offensive trios in NFL history. The emergence of Wide Receiver Juju Smith-Schuster adds, even more, bite to this already explosive offense. However, to win, they'll have to outscore teams as the defense has not been able to stop opposing teams from scoring since Linebacker Ryan Shazier went down with an injury.

Superbowl Odds: 9-2

Writer Prediction: AFC Championship Game

NFC #3: Los Angeles Rams

Todd Gurley has rushed for an MVP caliber season for the Rams

Having rushed for 1,305 yards in the 2017-2018 season, Running Back Todd Gurley is a definitive MVP candidate. So he's well qualified to 'carry' (pun intended) the Los Angeles Rams through the playoffs. The Rams need to continue scoring over 30 points per game and play aggressive defense to keep the other teams guessing.

Superbowl Odds: 9-1

Writer prediction: NFC Wild Card Round

AFC #3 Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jacksonville Jaguars feature a very formidable defense

The Jacksonville Jaguars captured a division title for the first time in 18 years. They were led by a defense that featured 4 Pro-Bowlers and ranked 2nd overall.To go deep into the playoffs, the Jaguars need to continue playing the same level of defense. On offense, they need to run the football as often as they can and restrict the number of mistakes that Quarterback Blake Bortles is susceptible to making.

Superbowl Odds: 12-1

Writer Prediction: AFC Divisional Round

NFC #4: New Orleans Saints

Future Hall of Famer Drew Brees is still playing at a high level for the Saints

After losing the first two games of the season, the New Orleans Saints went 11-3 for the rest of the way. Having a legend like Drew Brees will help and he will continue to make timely and accurate throws. The Pro Bowl Running Back duo of Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara (first since 1975) should continue to be a major threat in the back field. Their defence has been dominant all season and they just need to keep doing what they've done all year.

Superbowl Odds: 7-1

Writer Prediction: NFC Champions

AFC #4: Kansas City Chiefs

Rookie Running Back Kareem Hunt has been sensational for the Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs haven't had a home playoff win since 1993. To break that streak, the defense which has finally woken up needs to continue its dominance. On the offensive side, they need to continue feeding the ball to rookie sensation Kareem Hunt. He'll open up the entire offense and create different looks. And when Tyreek Hill races down the sideline with single coverage, Quarterback Alex Smith should know better than to not throw it to Hill's side of the field.

Superbowl Odds: 25-1

Writer Prediction: AFC Divisional Round

NFC Wild Card #1: Carolina Panthers

Linebacker Luke Kuechly has led a dominant Panthers defense all season

The Carolina Panthers defense is one of the best in the NFL and it will keep teams out of the end zone. So the onus is mainly on Quarterback Cam Newton to shrug off his inconsistencies and revert to his 2015 MVP 'Supercam' version. Christian McAfferty's development is also crucial for their success as they are not very likely to win with Newton as their leading rusher.

Superbowl Odds: 18-1

Writer prediction: NFC Wild Card Round

AFC Wild Card #1. Tennessee Titans

The Tennessee Titans make a playoff appearance after 9 years

The Tennessee Titans started the season well but went 1-3 in their last 4 games. they scraped into the playoffs by beating the Jacksonville Jaguars in week 17. Their defense has played well throughout the season and they need to continue doing so. Offensively, they have to make it ugly and the Offensive Line needs to control the line of scrimmage.

Superbowl Odds: 80-1

Writer Prediction: AFC Wild Card Round

NFC Wild Card #2 Atlanta Falcons

Quarterback Matt Ryan must reach for his MVP level of play.

After the heart-wrenching defeat in Superbowl LI, the Atlanta Falcons didn't really start the season well and only made it to the playoffs after defeating the Carolina Panthers in the last game of the season. Needless to say, 2016 league MVP and Quarterback Matt Ryan has to be sensational for them to go deep into the playoffs. The Running Back duo of Tevin Coleman and Devonta Freeman also needs to perform at the highest. Julio Jones is always a deep threat but the Falcons will be best served by distributing the ball among other receivers and hitting Julio Jones for one on one matchups.

Superbowl Odds: 30-1

Writer Prediction: NFC Divisional Round

AFC Wild Card #2: Buffalo Bills

Running Back LeSean McCoy's return from injury is crucial for the Bills

The Buffalo Bills are back in the playoffs after 17 years! They are also one of the 13 teams without a Superbowl. They also have the worst offense and defense among all the playoff teams. To have any chance of winning, they need to have star Running Back LeSean McCoy back from his ankle injury. On top of that, Quarterback Tyrod Taylor needs to step his game up a notch and make some plays with his wide receivers.

Superbowl Odds: 200-1

Writer Prediction: AFC Wild Card Round