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Unveiling the NFL Playoffs: Predictions and Insights for Wild Card Weekend

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Wild Card Weekend: Picks, Predictions, and The Final Tally

Darin and Ed closed out the regular season with a dramatic Week 18 and are now diving into their picks for the six matchups of Super Wild Card Weekend! But first let's look at the teams not in the playoffs...

NFL Reverse Power Rankings: Who Will Bounce Back by 2026?

The NFL playoffs are finally here! Wild Card Weekend is set, and while the excitement builds for the teams competing, our hosts Darin Hayes and Ed Kleese took one final look back at the regular season to assess the teams that didn't make the cut.

In a spirited segment on the Pig Pen, Ed unveiled his Reverse Power Rankings—a prediction of the 18 non-playoff teams ranked by their likelihood of making the postseason by 2026.

Here’s a breakdown of the teams most likely to bounce back... and the ones that might be grounded for a while.

Ed’s Methodology: The 2026 Confidence Score

Ed’s rankings are not about the next five years; they are solely focused on the immediate future: How confident are we that this team can be in the playoffs by the 2026 season? (Note: Ed used 2026, which in the context of the transcript meant "next year" or "in two years").

The Bottom Rung: Gaining Altitude

Starting at the bottom, the future looks bleakest for a few franchises:

  1. #18 New York Jets: Darin noted this Jet has been "grounded for a while." Ed sees a mess on the field, especially given the coaching issues, making them the least likely to turn things around quickly.
  2. #17 Arizona Cardinals & #16 Tennessee Titans: Both teams face massive organizational turnover (coaching and likely quarterback changes), tough divisions, and a lack of strong roster depth.

The Middle Ground: The Land of Perpetual Mediocrity

This group is filled with teams that could just as easily be 6-11 as 9-8:

  1. #15 Cleveland Browns: Despite a strong defense, their offensive uncertainty (due to the Deshaun Watson contract situation) keeps them firmly in the middle. Ed summed it up: "They're the Browns."
  2. #14 Tampa Bay Buccaneers: This window feels like it's closing. Ed noted that after an early MVP conversation, Baker Mayfield settled back into his "average" cycle, and the overall roster talent isn't inspiring.
  3. #12 Las Vegas Raiders: Surprisingly high on Ed’s list, he cited the addition of the first overall draft pick and the "ultimate winner" presence of the Tom Brady connection. Darin immediately disagreed, arguing they should be much lower, believing one player won't fix the underlying issues.
  4. #11 Atlanta Falcons: The definition of "No Man's Land." The firing of Raheem Morris was shocking, especially since they were close to winning the division. However, Ed defended the move, citing poor clock management and a tendency to lose close games.

The Up Arrow: Genuine Hope for 2026

These teams have the foundational pieces—whether it’s a coach, a quarterback, or cap space—to compete immediately.

  1. #10 New Orleans Saints: They finished the year strong, and with a first-year coach and a defense that improved, the foundation is set for a rise.
  2. #9 Indianapolis Colts:...

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