We’re now down to the cream of the crop: the four best teams from each division are only two wins away from a trip to New Orleans and Super Bowl XLVII. Each team has strengths that have carried them this far, but they will all need to address and try to correct their weaknesses if they hope to hoist the Lombardi Trophy Four weeks from now. Let’s take a look at a couple of key things each team will need to focus on if they don’t want their season to end too soon.
Atlanta Falcons (No. 1 Seed)
Running Game: The Falcons, and more specifically Michael Turner, were largely ineffective on the ground all season; eclipsing the 100 yard mark just twice. The Seattle Seahawks big, physical secondary matches up extremely well against Atlanta’s receivers, and if they expect quarterback Matt Ryan to have success through the air they’ll need the run game to be effective.
Defense: Atlanta’s defense didn’t impress anyone this season, ranking 15th or worse in every major defensive category (except interceptions, which they’re tied for fifth with 20). If they hope to win this game, the Falcons’ defense must stop Marshawn Lynch and Russell Wilson on the ground, forcing the Seahawks to go one dimensional with their offense and rely heavily on the passing game.
San Francisco 49ers (No. 2 Seed)
Blitzing and Quarterback Pressure: This is by no means a weakness for the 49ers. Quite the contrary, they do a phenomenal job of it, which they’ll have to continue if they hope to win. Aaron Rodgers has been sacked more than any quarterback ever this year, and it’s clearly starting to show: When defenses are constantly disrupting the pocket Rodgers has looked confused and made poor decisions lately; taking unnecessary sacks instead of throwing the ball away. The Packers’ running game is sure to be ineffective against San Francisco, so if the 49ers can get to Rodgers early and often; Green Bay will be in serious trouble.
Running Game: It’s not hard to see that the Packers’ defense absolutely could not stop any player running out of the backfield last week against the Minnesota Vikings. Colin Kaepernick has great speed and awareness when running, and running back Frank Gore has always given the Packers Problems. If the 49ers can establish a healthy running game with their running back and quarterback they will be able to torch Green Bay for a lot of yards - plus, it will open up potentially big plays in the passing game.
Green Bay Packers (No. 3 Seed)
Defense: Everything about the Packers’ defense needs to improve immensely if they want to escape Candlestick Park with the victory. Clay Matthews needs to get in the backfield early and often and cause problems for Kaepernick and Gore. The pass defense has been decent, but needs to stay sharp as they’ll probably be playing a lot of man-coverage all day. The biggest problem is honestly tackling: The Packers got to Joe Webb and Adrian Peterson in the backfield quite often last week, but failed to bring them down and subsequently gave up big plays.
Pass Protection: The Packers have way too many receiving weapons for the 49ers to hope to successfully cover. If the Packers’ battered (see: terrible) offensive line can give Rodgers a little time in the pocket, he could torch San Francisco all day for huge numbers. If not, the Packers are doomed. They absolutely cannot win this game if Rodgers is constantly on his back.
Seattle Seahawks (No. 5 Seed)
Defense: The Seahawks’ highly skilled secondary shouldn’t have a problem shutting down the Falcons’ receivers; but with defensive end Chris Clemons out for the rest of the season, Seattle will have to find a way to still put pressure on Ryan and stop the run. If Ryan is given too much time in the pocket, someone is bound to get open eventually.
Passing: Everyone knows Wilson has got wheels. Atlanta will try their hardest to shut down monster running back Lynch along with Wilson, and force him to become a one-dimensional, prototypical pocket-quarterback. If that happens, Wilson will have to prove that he’s not just a glorified running back (see: Tim Tebow) and is actually an accurate passer with good arm strength.