The NFL Playoffs, All-Pro Selections, and the Meaning of Life

As the weather gets colder and the calendar turns to 2022, only one thing in the world is for certain: Football! The NFL Playoffs are upon us and in this cold time of year, it’s only appropriate that I give my hot takes regarding American football and all that comes with it.

The All Over the Place All-Pros

If you liked that pun as much as I did, then you’re going to enjoy this section. Instead of just naming my own All-Pro team, I’m going to run through the official AP All-Pro First Team selections, compare them to what I would’ve picked, and give them a thumbs up, thumbs down, or an indecisive sideways thumb.

First, the offense. 

Quarterback

AP Selection: Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay

My Selection: Tom Brady, Tampa Bay

Aaron Rodgers has the better touchdown to interception ratio and record while playing fewer games than Brady. However, context and basic statistics matter when voting for an All-Pro Quarterback. With regards to you nerds who enjoy more non-traditional advanced stats, Rodgers and Brady were each top three in EPA, QBR, and DVOA. However, for the more typically average football fan, Brady dominated in pretty much every key quarterback stat. Brady, at age 44, led the NFL in passing yards, passing touchdowns, and PFF grade. Facing more adversity regarding injuries and schedule, Brady trumps Rodgers in the QB conversation and his receivers constantly dropping passes or juggling into interceptions shouldn’t matter as much as his overall efficiency and volume. To sum it up, to be doing what Tom Brady did at age 44 should be illegal and if he was in Aaron Rodgers’ situation, there wouldn’t be an argument about who the #1 QB was in 2021.

Grade: Thumbs down.

Running Back

AP Selection: Jonathan Taylor

My Selection: Jonathan Taylor

In a year that saw Derrick Henry go down in Week 8(yet still somehow be top five in rushing until very late in the season), the question about who would fill the void as the top back in the league became more prevalent. Would it be Chubb, Mixon, Cook, or maybe even Zeke? No. The resounding answer was Jonathan Taylor. After watching Carson Wentz in Week 18, or really any week that the Colts decided to air it out, football fans saw how vital Taylor was in carrying the Colts to a top 10 scoring offense. Jonathan Taylor led the league in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns. There is no argument here, it’s Taylor.

Grade: Thumbs up.

Wide Receivers

AP Selections: 

Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams

Davante Adams, Green Bay

Deebo Samuel, San Francisco

My Selections: 

Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams

Davante Adams, Green Bay

Justin Jefferson, Minnesota

In the receiving category, the AP mostly nailed it on the head. Cooper Kupp secured only the fourth receiving triple crown since 1970. He joined Jerry Rice, Sterling Sharpe, and Steve Smith as the only players since then to lead the league in receiving yards, receptions, and receiving touchdowns. He also came up just short of breaking the all-time single season receiving record held by Calvin Johnson. He was a no-brainer. Another no-brainer was Davante Adams. He wasn’t historic like Kupp, but he stayed healthy and was his usual dominant self. He finished top three in receiving yards and top two in receptions. Adams showed that when he is healthy, he’s unstoppable. Where I differ from the AP is in the final receiver. What I’m about to say might seem sac-religious to some football fans, but I don’t care about the rushing ability of a wide receiver when considering All-Pro voting. Deebo Samuel set the wide receiver rushing touchdown record this year with eight, but I don’t care. This list is about receiving and the third best receiver in the league this year was not Deebo Samuel, but Justin Jefferson. On a struggling Minnesota team, Jefferson, along with Dalvin Cook, stood out as the only bright spot on a mess of a squad. Unlike Cook, he stayed healthy. Unlike Deebo, he’s a true deep threat. Jefferson is unguardable one on one and if it weren’t for Cooper Kupp, he would’ve led the league in receiving yards. He also had 31 more receptions than Samuel, which better fits the receiver category. Jefferson is in his second season and has only been more dominant. In my opinion, he deserves it more. 

Grade: Sideways thumb, slightly up.

Tight End

AP Selection: Mark Andrews, Baltimore

My Selection: Mark Andrews, Baltimore

Like running back, this one is a no-brainer. Andrews didn’t only put up crazy numbers, he was the only receiving threat on a Ravens team that almost made the playoffs missing a countless number of starters. He led tight ends in receiving by over 200 yards and unlike second place finisher Travis Kelce, was also an elite blocker. Among tight ends, Andrews tied with Kelce in receiving touchdowns with nine, but led tight ends in receptions with 107, fifteen more than second place Kelce. While Kelce might be more talented, Andrews dominated him in pretty much every statistical category this year while playing a more vital role in the offense. In Tight End University’s class of 2021, Mark Andrews stands alone at the top.

Grade: Thumbs up.

Offensive Line

AP Selection:

Tackles: Trent Williams, San Francisco, Tristan Wirfs, Tampa Bay

Guards: Joel Bitonio, Cleveland, Zach Martin, Dallas

Center: Jason Kelce, Philadelphia

My Selection:

Tackles: Trent Williams, San Francisco, Tristan Wirfs, Tampa Bay

Guards: Joel Bitonio, Cleveland, Zach Martin, Dallas

Center: Creed Humphrey, Kansas City

I won’t dive too deep into the offensive line, as I agree with most of the AP’s picks here. Trent Williams is the best blind side tackle in the league, period. My only wish is that the tackles and guards weren’t limited to sides of the line. Yes, Tristan Wirfs is the best right tackle in the league, but is he really better than the Chargers’ Rashawn Slater or the Patriots’ Trent Brown? Probably not. They just happen to play the same position as Trent Williams, who is that much better than everyone else. I agreed with both guards as they were the best players on two of the best O-Lines in football. My only disagreement is with the centers. I truly believe that stigma around rookies is one of the flaws in All-Pro voting. Although we saw one rookie on the All-Pro 1st team this year, we should’ve seen two. Creed Humphrey was by far the best center in the league. The Chiefs rushing and passing attack is just different with him in the lineup. In addition to the eye test, he led all centers in PFF grade, whereas Kelce was third. When it comes to centers, it was all Creed Humphrey in 2021.

Grade: Sideways thumb.

Well, that was fun. I didn’t really disagree that much with the offense. Apart from quarterback, there weren’t many large problems with the voting. That’ll change with the defense.

Edge Rushers

AP Selection: TJ Watt, Pittsburgh, Myles Garrett, Cleveland

My Selection: TJ Watt, Pittsburgh, Myles Garrett, Cleveland

This one’s short and sweet. Watt tied the single season sack record and Garrett had another copy and paste elite season. Nobody else deserves consideration in the top two. 

Grade: Huge thumbs up.

Interior Linemen

AP Selection: Aaron Donald, Los Angeles Rams, Cameron Heyward, Pittsburgh

AP Selection: Aaron Donald, Los Angeles Rams, Cameron Heyward, Pittsburgh

This one also was pretty easy, but it was closer than the edge guys. Aaron Donald is a no-brainer, but I did contemplate between Kansas City’s Chris Jones and Cam Heyward. In the end, Hayward gets my vote for games played and tackles. Heyward played a full season and nearly quadrupled Jones’ tackle total. He also finished with one more sack. Jones will be back here next year, but on a dominant Steeler front seven, Heyward was one of a few standouts.

Grade: Thumbs up.

Linebackers

AP Selection:

Micah Parsons, Dallas

Darius Leonard, Indianapolis

De'vondre Campbell, Green Bay

My Selection:

Micah Parsons, Dallas

Darius Leonard, Indianapolis

Matthew Judon, New England

Okay, hear me out. The first two linebacker spots are relatively easy. Similarly to Watt and Garrett on the edge, the top two linebackers were very obvious. Parsons and Leonard dominated their positions all year long and were the best players on their respective defenses by a wide margin. However, the third spot is up for grabs. Why Judon wasn’t counted as an edge rusher is beyond me, but if he isn’t then he deserves credit here. Campbell was excellent in PFF grade and total tackles, but was nowhere near Judon in his ability to pressure the quarterback. Judon finished seventh in sacks and hurries, categories where Campbell didn’t crack the top 150. He was solid in coverage and in the open field, but Judon was similar in his dominance to Parsons and Leonard, while Campbell was not. Not only that, but Judon, along with J.C. Jackson was the face of New England’s defensive turnaround. It’s definitely a bit of hometown bias, but I’m going with Judon.

Grade: Sideways thumb, slightly up.

Cornerback

AP Selection: Trevon Diggs, Dallas, Jalen Ramsey, Los Angeles Rams

My Selection: J.C. Jackson, New England, Jalen Ramsey, Los Angeles Rams

The cornerback selection is what’s wrong with voting for the AP All-Pro team. J.C. Jackson led all cornerbacks in PFF grade, leads cornerbacks in every major category since coming into the league, was second in interceptions, led the league in passes defended, and allowed the lowest passer rating among starting cornerbacks. The second cornerback spot is up for debate, but Jackson proved that he was the best corner in the league this year and him not being here is a joke. For the second spot, the pick is between Ramsey, Diggs, and Atlanta’s A.J. Terrell. I chose Ramsey because of his all-around great play. He doesn’t give up a ton of yards, has a high PFF grade, and shuts down top targets. Terrell also proved to be a shutdown corner with a high PFF grade. He wasn’t an interception machine, but proved to be elite against top receivers within his division. Diggs really only has the interceptions. Diggs led the league in yards surrendered with 907. Diggs allowed double the amount of touchdowns surrendered than Jackson, with six. Diggs was an interception machine but he was also terrible in coverage. AP voters care about the basic stats so much that they looked past poor coverage to put him above everyone else. For cornerbacks, Jackson is the king and Ramsey and Terrell are a toss up for second place. Diggs shouldn’t be in the conversation. He takes risks on every play and faces the consequence nearly every time. All I can say about the cornerback vote is that the AP got it wrong.

Grade: Big thumbs down.

Safety

AP Selection: Kevin Byard, Tennessee, Jordan Poyer, Buffalo

My Selection: Kevin Byard, Tennessee, Jordan Poyer, Buffalo

Once again, I agree with the AP. Byard is a no-brainer, but the second slot was a toss up. I almost went for Arizona’s Budda Baker or Buffalo’s other star safety in Micah Hyde, but Jordan Poyer also gets it for me. Poyer was great in every facet of the game while making big plays in the biggest games. Without Poyer, Buffalo might not be in the playoffs, let alone atop their division. Overall, a couple of solid picks.

Grade: Thumbs up.

Special Teams

AP Selection:

Kicker: Justin Tucker, Baltimore

Punter: AJ Cole, Las Vegas

Kick Returner: Devin Duvernay, Baltimore

Punt Returner: Braxton Berrios, New York Jets

Special Teamer: JT Gray, New Orleans

Long Snapper: Luke Rhodes, Indianapolis

My Selection:

Kicker: Justin Tucker, Baltimore

Punter: AJ Cole, Las Vegas

Kick Returner: Devin Duvernay, Baltimore

Punt Returner: Braxton Berrios, New York Jets

Special Teamer: Matthew Slater, New England

Long Snapper: Luke Rhodes, Indianapolis

As much as I want to say nothing about Special Teams, I largely agree with the AP. I would’ve put Matt Slater over JT Gray, but that’s because I’m a New England homer and he remained excellent this year. Overall, Solid picks. 

Grade: Punters are people, too.

The Playoffs

These playoffs are going to be fun. For the last few years, the Super Bowl chase has been between maybe one or two teams in each conference. Last year, it was Buffalo, Kansas City, Green Bay, and Tampa Bay. Some might argue that the same four teams as last year are still the four favorites this year. However, I disagree. I think that Super Bowl 56 is still anybody’s game. In this spirit, I’m going to rank the playoff teams, make my wild card picks, and see how many people disagree with me. 

Playoff Power (P)Rankings

1.  Green Bay Packers

The Packers are healthy, hot, and ready to go. This team is on fire with a truly elite offense. While the defense might be a question mark against top teams, they have a first round bye and the extra week of rest could serve as a major advantage to their mid-tier defense. The returns of David Bakhtiari, Jaire Alexander, and Za’Darius Smith should help them out, but they don’t even really need the help. The Packers are the one seed and deservedly so.

2. Kansas City Chiefs

The talent is there and in recent weeks, it’s started to finally come together. If their team is healthy enough to play at full strength, they’ll succeed. With Mahomes, Kelce, and Hill, anything is possible. It especially helps that they have the easiest wild card matchup of any team, as they get to play the Steelers, a team that lucked into a playoff spot, in Kansas City. 

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tom Brady. That should be enough, but with a solid run game, amazing front seven, and elite O-Line, this team could very well repeat as champs. It will be hard, as losses in the secondary and to the receiving core look to be serious and long-term. However, if there’s one guy who could get it done, it’s Tom Brady.

4. Los Angeles Rams

It seems like the Rams are getting healthy and gaining some momentum at the perfect time. Although they’re coming off of a loss to end the season, they did win a division that had three playoff teams. The offense is healthy again and loaded with talent. The defense has a generational talent at nearly every position. Could there be back to back years of a team hosting a Super Bowl? The Rams could very well make that happen.

5. Arizona Cardinals

I know that they probably shouldn’t be nearly this high, but hear me out. Although the momentum isn’t necessarily there, the one thing that Arizona has proved to be good at is proving themselves when it matters. The division slipped out of their hands and they’ve had almost no momentum, but the talent is what’s keeping them in the top five. With the imminent return of JJ Watt and the first real game of Kyler Murray’s career, the Cards will be in a dogfight with the Rams and I cannot wait. They have a solid, albeit inconsistent defense with one of the best offensive attacks in football. Anything is possible, and the Cardinals could very well make a run.

6. Buffalo Bills

The talent is there for the Bills. Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs are an elite connection and the defense has slowly rounded back into shape. On paper, the Bills are one of the best teams in the playoffs, but I just do not trust them in big games. Yeah, they went into New England and won this year, but what happened in Buffalo? What happened against Tampa Bay? What happened the last time they played at Arrowhead? I can’t trust them against good teams and that’s why they’re this low. 

7. New England Patriots

Although they’re led by a rookie quarterback, they sure as hell don’t look like it. Although the last four weeks haven’t been as grand as they’d hope, New England is still good at focusing on their strengths. No matter the result, they’re going to run the ball well, put pressure on your quarterback, and be an opportunistic defense that doesn’t take many risks. I trust them under pressure and if they can get risky teams like Kansas City or Buffalo to make mistakes, they might just mess around and end up in the Super Bowl. I know they don’t look the hottest right now, but the weather in January isn’t going to favor the passing game. Never count them out. Long live the evil empire.

8. San Francisco 49ers

The Niners are hot. The Niners have been rolling and coming off of a win against the Rams in overtime to sneak into the playoffs, I kinda like their chances. They get a vulnerable Dallas team who is prone to choking playoff games in the Wild Card and I think that’s just what they need. San Francisco wasn’t supposed to be here, but now they are. With offensive playmakers everywhere and a surprisingly solid defense, I like their chances. Like New England, their seeding heavily underrates how good of a team they are.

9. Dallas Cowboys

I know what you’re thinking. “How can a three seed be this low?” Well, the Cowboys reputation hurts them here. They always lose big games. That statement is not hyperbole. On paper, the Cowboys have a great team with one of the best offenses and defenses in football. However, they are extremely vulnerable to chunk plays and have a spotty run game at best. The defense is truly elite, but they have moments where they play as young as they are. They might go far and a part of me hopes that they can break free of the status quo and win a few playoff games, but I’m too afraid that what they want just won’t happen. They’re good, but proven to be losers in the postseason.

10. Tennessee Titans

Yes, the Titans are a one seed and yes they are getting Derrick Henry back. Yet, somehow, I don’t really care. The Titans have lost some bad games this year and if Derrick Henry can’t play like he did for the first eight weeks of the season, this team is very screwed. Their entire offense revolves around an elite running game and if Henry is anything short of elite coming off of major surgery, the Titans don’t stand a chance. Henry’s injury along with a spotty front seven and I just don’t really love the Titans in any scenario. They’ll likely have to play the Patriots, Raiders, or Bengals. Each of those teams have explosive offenses with solid defenses. So, in summation, I do not care about the one seed, I don’t think they’re healthy enough to win. 

11.  Las Vegas Raiders

Some might call it optimism, but I call it fact when I describe how high I am on Vegas. For a team that had to win in Week 18 to get in, I love their chances. I only have them tenth, but that’s because I think they lack a true playmaker on each side of the ball. Carr, Jacobs, Waller, Crosby, and Hobbs are good, but not amazing. Maxx Crosby is probably the closest thing they have to a “playmaker” but this team gets by on a bend, don’t break mentality. They keep games close and they make big plays. However, the problem with this is that they allow the opponent to have a lot of chances. If things shook out differently last Sunday on any number of 50/50 plays, the Raiders wouldn’t be here. Overall, I love the chaos but hate the vulnerability. 

12.  Cincinnati Bengals

I think I may be short-changing the Bengals a bit, but I don’t really care. For most of the Bengals roster, this is a first. This team is young and inexperienced and although they’ll play host on Wild Card weekend, I’m not sold on their defense yet. Similar to Vegas, they have a bend, don’t break mentality against good teams. The offense is high flying, but in a one-game elimination, a poorly thrown deep ball or sloppy route can be the difference between moving on to the divisional round and moving on to the offseason. Like the Raiders, I love the chaos but hate the vulnerability and inexperience.  

13.  Philadelphia Eagles

Although I love Philly, I have to do this. I hate putting the Eagles this low, especially when they’ve shown to have long playoff runs in them before, but I just can’t buy into this team. The offense is like a light bulb at times, looking elite one minute, then having a flip switched and suddenly they turn into the 2020 Eagles. The defense has been alright, with certain guys like Darius Slay standing out, but I just don’t think they have anything that puts them over the top. They also didn’t receive much matchup help as they’re playing Tom Brady and the Bucs in the wild card in what is a massive legacy game for him and his team. The birds are fun, but this isn’t the year.

14.  Pittsburgh Steelers

Welp, they’re in. I don’t think anyone expected them to be here, but somehow they are. The defensive front is solid, boasting likely DPOY T.J. Watt, but outside of Watt and rookie standout Najee Harris, there isn’t much to boast about on this Steelers team. The porous pass defense will be in for a tough challenge against Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Tyreek Hill, and the Chiefs, and I can’t see them coming out on top. The good news for them is that after a couple years of mediocre play, Big Ben is finally gone. They’re a write-off in the playoff picture.

Playoff Predictions

    These playoffs are going to be hard fought and that’s a fact. Only one game (Steelers-Chiefs) is probably going to be a blowout and outside of that, we’re in for some good matchups. On Saturday, we get the chaos bowl in Raiders-Bengals, followed by the long anticipated, tie-breaking, rubber match of Patriots-Bills. On Sunday, we start off the festivities with Eagles-Bucs, then shift over to the Nickelodeon Wild Card Game of Cowboys-Niners, which is sure to feature an amazing performance from NVP favorite, Robbie Gould. To finish off the Sunday, we get a snoozefest nightcap that could and should probably be skipped in Steelers-Chiefs. The twist of the weekend is that it’s not over until Monday night, where we get to see who’s really the king of the NFC West with the MNF Wild Card Special of Cardinals-Rams. I, for one, cannot wait, but just so I’m not labeled as a poor fan, here are my picks for Wild Card Weekend.

Wild Card Predictions

(7) Steelers @ (2) Chiefs

Winner: Chiefs

(6) Patriots @ (3) Bills

Winner: Patriots

(5) Raiders @ (4) Bengals

Winner: Raiders

(7) Eagles @ (2) Buccaneers

Winner: Buccaneers

(6) 49ers @ (3) Cowboys

Winner: 49ers

(5) Cardinals @ (4) Rams

Winner: Rams

Super Bowl Prediction

(2) Chiefs* @ (2) Buccaneers*

Winner: Buccaneers*

*My real prediction is (6) Patriots @ (2) Buccaneers with the Patriots winning. Legally, as a New England fan, I have to say this.

Conclusion

After thinking about football for this long, I’ve pondered the point of investing this much thought to NFL Football in 2022. We could all be dead soon. With climate change, COVID, a divisive political landscape, and increased tension among all of us, I start to wonder what the point of life is. Then, all of a sudden, I see it. I see Marcus Williams miss a tackle and Stefon Diggs run into the end zone as time expires on the NFL’s Instagram account. At that precise moment, I remember why we live. I remember why we all feel joy. If nothing else, what brings humans pleasure in life is good ol’ fashioned American football. My wish to all of you is to not only watch and enjoy these NFL playoffs but cherish them because you never know when you’ll see Mac Jones and Josh Allen repeatedly hand the ball off in prime time ever again. 

Adam Zimmerman-Diaz

IG - @adam.zd