The playoffs have been insane so far. Every game has been great besides Chargers vs Patriots. All of the losing teams so far are teams that could’ve made the Super Bowl if it wasn’t for their one game. In this article I will go over why each team lost, and what they need to build on the become contenders.
Jaguars: Extending Eittene, and using Tuten more
The run game was why they lost. Not because the run game was playing bad but because they didn’t run enough. The Bills allow the most rush yards in the league, but what hurt the Jaguars was not using that to their advantage. Tuten shows how well he can play as he ran only 4 times but for over 10 yards 3 of those. Travis Eittene had also been phenomenal this year being 7th in running back consistency. If the Jaguars ran the ball more they would have won, but they only carried 14 times. Some people think the Jaguars should let Eittene walk and have Tuten be starter, but Ithink that’s wrong. The Jaguars shouldn’t have to rely on a pass game that has no true WR1, and having Eittene would really help with consistency. If the Jags also use Tuten more as he can be a great runner, I think the Jags can go far next year.
Eagles: How Surprising? Fire Kevin Patullo The play calling in this game against San Francisco was absolutely terrible. The Eagles at the end of the game had so much time around 2 minutes and 30 seconds to just throw a touchdown and win. With one of the most talented offenses in the NFL you would think they can do that right? Kevin Patullo should have just called some high-percentage throws like check-downs, since they had so much time, but for some reason Patullo was calling the lowest percentage throws you can find like deep balls and on the last play Hurts threw to Goedert who has triple covered. If Kevin was fired and the Eagles hired somebody else who could call plays the Eagles would be back to their Super Bowl self.
Steelers: Go all in in free agency on offense
The Steelers defense is still just fine. They might have underperformed on defense, but still they have a pretty good defensive roster. The offense is the reason they lost. The Steelers have no QB, one of the worst receiving cores, and a pretty bad offensive line. With the Steelers pick in the draft their best option at QB would be going after Malik Willis, or Mac Jones who have played awesome for their respective teams, and won some crucial games. Next in free agency to put them over the edge there are some great receivers in free agency who could really help those QBs. Those Wrs are Alec Pierce and George Pickens who both had their best career year this year, both leading their teams in receiving. George Pickens is a player who can’t be resigned by the Cowboys unless they want to kill their defense, but the hard part is Pickens doesn’t want to be on the Steelers. Alec Pierce I feel would fit really well with the Steelers. The Steelers need an offensive line. This is a pretty good year for free agent lineman. There is guys like Tyler Linderbaum, who could help the Steelers go from bottom 10 in pass blocking win rate, to top 10. The Steelers if they can fix their offense, can make another winning season happen.
4. Panthers: Bring in veterans
As I said in my biggest flaw article, the Panthers have no playoff experience on their team. The Panthers would have not been able to survive in these playoffs when they have no experience and every other team in the playoffs have been many times before besides the Bears. The Panthers need more veterans to lead the team and teach to develop young players. I think the Panthers could really use a veteran at WR, as the Panthers have one of the youngest cores in the league. If a veteran can help develop Tet Mcmillian, Jalen Coker and Xavier Leggete into stars, then that could really help Bryce Young and a playoff push.
5. Chargers: Interior Offensive Line
I’m pretty sure this was my biggest flaw for the Chargers in my biggest flaw article and it still is. Justin Herbert got absolutely killed with this offensive line against the Patriots and that’s why they lost. Their offensive line would be better if Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater weren’t injured, but they were. The Chargers IOL all needs fixing as Zion Johnson is a draft bust, Bradley Bozeman is terrible, and Mekhi Becton has also been bad. Good for the Chargers though is that Tyler Linderbaum is available in free agency and that is my #1 spot for Linderbaum. The Chargers are 32nd in league pass blocking win rate, and they need to fix their entire IOL to succeed next year.
6: Packers: It wasn’t their fault
Honestly the Packers are a top 5 team without injuries. All the Packers need is better backups right now, as they are very injured.