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Top Reason Why Each NFL Playoff Team Will Fail To Make A Super Bowl Run

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There’s plenty to like about each of this year’s playoff teams, but like every year, each of them has at least one flaw that could keep them from winning it all. Here is one thing that could keep each team from hoisting the Lombardi trophy this February.

12. Seattle Seahawks - No Longer Have Dominant Run Game

Seattle Seahawks - No Longer Have Dominant Run Game Getty Images
The Seahawks are as dangerous as any team this playoffs season, but they've been relying on the brilliance of Russell Wilson in their current stretch, which reared its ugly head in a home loss to the St. Louis Rams in Week 16 (only scored 10 points). Unless Wilson can be consistently great, it could be a short run for the back-to-back NFC champs.

The Seahawks are as dangerous as any team this playoffs season, but they've been relying on the brilliance of Russell Wilson in their current stretch, which reared its ugly head in a home loss to the St. Louis Rams in Week 16 (only scored 10 points). Unless Wilson can be consistently great, it could be a short run for the back-to-back NFC champs.

11. Green Bay Packers - No Running Game

Green Bay Packers - No Running Game Getty Images
Eddie Lacy looked like he was ready to become a star this season, but he has been bad for most of the year. James Starks provides a nice change of pace, but he's not a featured back. Without a running game to depend on, Aaron Rodgers can't do his thing. That's why the Packers are unlikely to go deep into the playoffs this season.

Eddie Lacy looked like he was ready to become a star this season, but he has been bad for most of the year. James Starks provides a nice change of pace, but he's not a featured back. Without a running game to depend on, Aaron Rodgers can't do his thing. That's why the Packers are unlikely to go deep into the playoffs this season.

10. Washington Redskins - Lack of Playoff Experience

Washington Redskins - Lack of Playoff Experience Getty Images
Not many people expected the Redskins to be in the playoffs this season, but here they are. They're on a roll, but too many of their key players lack playoff experience. Specifically, Kirk Cousins doesn't have experience playing this late into the year. While he's talented, he might not have the stuff to go deep into the playoffs at this point in his career.

Not many people expected the Redskins to be in the playoffs this season, but here they are. They're on a roll, but too many of their key players lack playoff experience. Specifically, Kirk Cousins doesn't have experience playing this late into the year. While he's talented, he might not have the stuff to go deep into the playoffs at this point in his career.

9. Minnesota Vikings - Too Much Youth

Minnesota Vikings - Too Much Youth Jeff Hanisch-USA Today Sports
Like the Redskins, the Vikings don't have a ton of experience in the playoffs. Not only that, but most of their key players are in their first couple years in the league. Teddy Bridgewater has been impressive this season, but it remains to be seen how he does against a stiff Seahawks defense. On the defensive side of the ball, inexperience may be the team's ultimate undoing.

Like the Redskins, the Vikings don't have a ton of experience in the playoffs. Not only that, but most of their key players are in their first couple years in the league. Teddy Bridgewater has been impressive this season, but it remains to be seen how he does against a stiff Seahawks defense. On the defensive side of the ball, inexperience may be the team's ultimate undoing.

8. Arizona Cardinals - Inconsistent Defensive Play

Arizona Cardinals - Inconsistent Defensive Play Getty Images
The Cardinals might just be the most complete team in the NFC, but their defense has been inconsistent lately. If they have even one slip up in the playoffs, their season will be over. It seems like the team will be able to put up the points necessary to make a deep run, but their strong defense needs to avoid a letdown in order to be playing in the Super Bowl.

The Cardinals might just be the most complete team in the NFC, but their defense has been inconsistent lately. If they have even one slip up in the playoffs, their season will be over. It seems like the team will be able to put up the points necessary to make a deep run, but their strong defense needs to avoid a letdown in order to be playing in the Super Bowl.

7. Carolina Panthers - Greg Olsen's Recent Inconsistent Play

Carolina Panthers - Greg Olsen's Recent Inconsistent Play Getty Images
Cam Newton's favorite target, Greg Olsen, has been struggling through injuries and inconsistency in recent weeks which is bad news for the 15-1 Panthers. If they have to play the Seahawks in the Divisional round, they're going to need to convert their scoring chances in the red zone. That falls on Olsen, and if he can't perform well, Carolina is going to be in trouble.

Cam Newton's favorite target, Greg Olsen, has been struggling through injuries and inconsistency in recent weeks which is bad news for the 15-1 Panthers. If they have to play the Seahawks in the Divisional round, they're going to need to convert their scoring chances in the red zone. That falls on Olsen, and if he can't perform well, Carolina is going to be in trouble.

6. Pittsburgh Steelers - Inability To Get Key Defensive Stops

Pittsburgh Steelers - Inability To Get Key Defensive Stops Getty Images
The Steelers have the strongest offense of any team in the playoffs, but their defense is much less formidable. Overall, the unit is solid, but it seems to fold under pressure more often than it should. That's really bad news in the playoffs where every play is under a microscope. The team will need a key stop at some point this playoff season, and if they can't step up to the challenge, they will be going home without another championship.

The Steelers have the strongest offense of any team in the playoffs, but their defense is much less formidable. Overall, the unit is solid, but it seems to fold under pressure more often than it should. That's really bad news in the playoffs where every play is under a microscope. The team will need a key stop at some point this playoff season, and if they can't step up to the challenge, they will be going home without another championship.

5. Kansas City Chiefs - Lack of Offensive Playmakers

Kansas City Chiefs - Lack of Offensive Playmakers Getty Images
Jeremy Maclin has proven to be a huge addition for the Chiefs this season, but they really don't have many playmakers outside of him. Sure, Travis Kelce is a great red-zone target, but he's not going to make guys miss in open space. Even though they're the hottest team in football, losing Jamaal Charles might prove to be too much for this overachieving team.

Jeremy Maclin has proven to be a huge addition for the Chiefs this season, but they really don't have many playmakers outside of him. Sure, Travis Kelce is a great red-zone target, but he's not going to make guys miss in open space. Even though they're the hottest team in football, losing Jamaal Charles might prove to be too much for this overachieving team.

4. Houston Texans - Weren't Tested Enough In Regular Season

Houston Texans - Weren't Tested Enough In Regular Season Matthew Emmons-USA Today Sports
Playing in the AFC South didn't prepare the Texans for what they're going to face in the playoffs. Yes, they played well against the Colts, Jaguars and Titans, but that's not saying a whole lot. It remains to be seen whether they're as good as they've looked in past weeks, but based on their weak regular season schedule, they're likely to be taken off guard this January.

Playing in the AFC South didn't prepare the Texans for what they're going to face in the playoffs. Yes, they played well against the Colts, Jaguars and Titans, but that's not saying a whole lot. It remains to be seen whether they're as good as they've looked in past weeks, but based on their weak regular season schedule, they're likely to be taken off guard this January.

3. Cincinnati Bengals - Injuries (Including Andy Dalton)

Cincinnati Bengals - Injuries (Including Andy Dalton) Getty Images
It is still unknown whether or not Andy Dalton will play next weekend for the Bengals, but even if he does, one has to guess he won't be at 100 percent. That spells trouble for a Bengals team that is going to have to keep up with a high-powered Steelers offense. Ultimately, injuries could be the downfall of this team.

It is still unknown whether or not Andy Dalton will play next weekend for the Bengals, but even if he does, one has to guess he won't be at 100 percent. That spells trouble for a Bengals team that is going to have to keep up with a high-powered Steelers offense. Ultimately, injuries could be the downfall of this team.

2. New England Patriots - Not Enough Weapons For Tom Brady

New England Patriots - Not Enough Weapons For Tom Brady Getty Images
The injury bug has also bitten the Patriots and it has showed in recent weeks. Even though Tom Brady has proven to be able to produce offensively without a ton of weapons, he's running really thin now. Of course, Rob Gronkowski is his favorite weapon, but he can only target him so much. The team did get Danny Amendola back in Week 17 and could have Julian Edelman back for the playoffs, but each of those players is a major question mark because of their injury history.

The injury bug has also bitten the Patriots and it has showed in recent weeks. Even though Tom Brady has proven to be able to produce offensively without a ton of weapons, he's running really thin now. Of course, Rob Gronkowski is his favorite weapon, but he can only target him so much. The team did get Danny Amendola back in Week 17 and could have Julian Edelman back for the playoffs, but each of those players is a major question mark because of their injury history.

1. Denver Broncos - Unpredictable Quarterback Play

Denver Broncos - Unpredictable Quarterback Play Getty Images
Peyton Manning came in during Week 17 and helped the Broncos clinch the No. 1 seed in the AFC, meaning he may end up being the playoff starter for the team. It would be a cool ending to his career, but he's simply not what he once was. Without knowing who their quarterback will be or how he will play, the Broncos can't be considered a favorite to win it all.

Peyton Manning came in during Week 17 and helped the Broncos clinch the No. 1 seed in the AFC, meaning he may end up being the playoff starter for the team. It would be a cool ending to his career, but he's simply not what he once was. Without knowing who their quarterback will be or how he will play, the Broncos can't be considered a favorite to win it all.

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