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I’ve got the Pats getting the top seed, going 2-1 in these last three games. I’ll let you guess which one I think they’ll lose. Regardless of who they play in the playoffs they have about a 50-50 chance of making the Super Bowl given the past results. The only two teams that really scare me if the games are in Foxboro are the Jets and Steelers.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure every playoff game will be a battle, but I can’t see the Bengals/Chiefs/Broncos or any of the AFC South teams having the kind of mistake-free game needed to win in Foxborough.

Next week’s Jets game will be fascinating. They’re playing so well right now and really need this win over the Patriots. As far as a playoff game it would just come down to Fitzpatrick playing a perfect game. If he does, they’re experienced enough and have the right pieces to pull off the upset.

Same thing with Roethlisberger and the Steelers, but that one would likely have to be more of a shootout for the Pats to blow it. But you have to respect their weaponry and if the Pats offense isn’t totally locked in it would be interesting.

As a football fan I’m excited to watch the NFC playoffs. It will be a bloodbath. Personally I’m pulling for the Cardinals because if they make it to the Super Bowl against the Pats there’s a good chance I’d get to go. 

But divisional weekend for the NFC will be an amazing slate of games, likely Seattle at Carolina and Green Bay at Arizona. 

As posted last week, here’s my general list.

I think extending Hightower and Jones should be high on the priority list as well.

1. Tackle (Vollmer/Cannon entering last years, always go trenches over skill)
2. Early Down Running Back (draft, Gaffney potential?, Blount is FA)
3. Wide Receiver (Amendola possible cap casualty, LaFell entering last year)
4. Linebacker (middle guy, coverage speed, cut & re-sign Mayo on cheap)
5. Cornerback (badly need depth, look FA deals)
6. Tight End (always a need, find ideal Gronk compliment at Y-TE)
7. Guard (Are Mason/Jackson/Kline the answer?)
8. Defensive End (Sheard/Ninkovich/Jones entering last years)
9. Defensive Tackle (always a need)

We’ve seen plenty of them together this year so not much will change in that regard, but we will see more Akiem Hicks in Easley’s role as an interior rusher who played about 30% of the snaps. 

As disappointed as I am to lose Easley so close to the playoffs, I’m excited to see them using a pure pass rusher in this way. Usually Belichick is ahead of the curve on these things, but I think we spent far too many seasons with Wilfork playing third downs. Not only did it wear him out but he just couldn’t consistently push the pocket. 

Usually a first round pick who only plays 30% of the snaps might be a red flag, but I still think it’s perfect for Easley and luckily they have the depth with Hicks to slide him in there and not have to wear out Brown and Branch after their early down duties.