With the NFL postseason over and done with, it is time to focus on the playoffs.
In the NFC, there is no question that the Dallas Cowboys and the Carolina Panthers have the inside track as favorites. Not to take anything away from the Detroit Lions and the Arizona Cardinals, talent is something that has given the initial two the upper hand in their billings.
Between the Cowboys and the Lions it will be interesting to see how the team would be able to make do with the suspended Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley. Suh will be sitting this one out due to a suspension while Fairley is on the injury list.
But the offensive side of the Lions may suffer as well. Suh is not only a factor on the defensive side but also on the offensive end. He is the team's best rush passer. With Suh out, it will be interesting how the team will adjust against the Cowboys.
In the other pairing, it seems interesting how the Panthers will be able to use their improved defense against Arizona's questionable offensive plays. With Drew Stanton's return still questionable, Ryan Lindley has simply failed to fill up the slack.
Cam Newton is expected to star for the Panthers who, together with Jonathan Stewart, have been responsible for Arizona's four-game winning streak.
In the AFC, don't count the Bengals and the Ravens out just yet. Easily the underdogs in their respective pairings.
With Le'Veon Bell proving to be invaluable, the Steelers may prove to be predictable. This could be a reprieve of sorts for the Ravens if Ben Roethlisberger and Joe Flacco are able to deliver.
The Bengals could get a slight advantage over the Colts who have become too reliant on Andrew Luck. The Colts, like the Steelers, could be one dimensional as well. With a couple of turnovers, the tandem of Jeremy Hill-Giovani Bernard could turn the tide in favor of the Begals easily.
