Biggest Weakness for Every Remaining NFL Playoff Team

Only eight teams remain in the 2019-20 NFL playoffs, and each have a legitimate chance of taking home the Lombardi Trophy at the end of this year. However, these teams still have one glaring major flaw that could end up undoing them as early as next week, as no contender is safe from elimination in what has already been a ridiculous slate of games.

8. Minnesota Vikings: Pass Defense

The pass defense managed to hold their own against Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints, but that doesn't mean that their secondary totally out of the woods yet. They were able to double Michael Thomas due to the lack of a quality No. 2 wideout in New Orleans, but the San Francisco 49ers, which features the likes of Emmanuel Sanders, George Kittle, and Deebo Samuel, is a totally different animal. Can Xavier Rhodes, who was burnt toast for most of this season, turn back the clock in Santa Clara?

7. Tennessee Titans: Pass Defense

Shutting down Tom Brady might have looked impressive in the box score, but Lamar Jackson and Baltimore have a much more fleshed out air attack than New England this year. Dean Pees' defense ranked as one of the ten worst in the league in terms of passing yards allowed per game, and they are the worst in terms of that statistic still active. Adoree Jackson and Logan Ryan struggled with N'Keal Harry at times, so what's going to happen when Marquise Brown and all of Baltimore's weapons turn up?

6. Seattle Seahawks: Running Game

The Seahawks have been ravaged by injury in the backfield to such a degree that they had to pull 33-year-old Marshawn Lynch out of retirement. While Lynch clearly still has a lot to give as a short-yardage back, he can't be expected to carry the ball 20 times a game. Going up against a Green Bay pass defense that is much improved on what could be a frigid night in Wisconsin, Russell Wilson can't be expected to throw the ball 50 times and win. Lynch and Robert Turbin might decide if the Seahawks advance or get eliminated.

5. Houston Texans: Offensive Line

For all his strengths, Deshaun Watson isn't great at navigating pressure in the pocket. That isn't helped with a poor Texans offensive line that allowed Watson to get sacked seven times in their improbable victory over the Bills. Laremy Tunsil is solid, but one guy can't make up for four underperforming linemen. Kansas City can get to the quarterback, and the likes of Frank Clark are probably relishing the opportunity to throw Watson to the Arrowhead turf.

4. Green Bay Packers: Wide Receivers

Davante Adams is a stud, and Allen Lazard has proven he can play at a high level when asked. That's about where the value ends in the Green Bay receiving corps. No non-Adams receiver managed even 500 yards on the season, and that's with Aaron Rodgers at quarterback and an above average offensive line. Aaron Jones can't be expected to dominate against Bobby Wagner and the Seattle front seven, so either Lazard, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, or Geronimo Allison will need to make at least one big play to help push Green Bay to the conference championship.

3. Kansas City Chiefs: Andy Reid

Andy Reid is the 21st century version of Marty Schottenheimer. They can win you 10 games with their eyes closed, know how to build rosters and coaching staffs, and always end up with a high seed in the playoffs. Somehow, both of them always come up short when it matters. Reid has had Patrick Mahomes, Michael Vick, Alex Smith, and Donovan McNabb as his quarterbacks, and has just one Super Bowl appearance to show for it. Chiefs fans better hope and pray that this is the year Reid gets out of whatever funk comes over him in the playoffs.

2. San Francisco 49ers: Injuries

Kyle Shanahan's 49ers might be the most complete team in the league, as they have stars and depth at nearly every position. The injury bug, however, has whittled away at the 49ers' depth, as Richard Sherman and Dee Ford are heading into this game with nagging ailments, and center Weston Richburg is already out for the year with a torn patellar tendon. Shanahan and Jimmy Garoppolo have shown they can work with less over the course of this year, but that luck could run dry against the likes of Mike Zimmer, Pete Carroll, and Aaron Rodgers.

1. Baltimore Ravens: Rush Defense

It's hard to find one major flaw on this Ravens team that really stands out, but their lack of a dominant rush defense could be one of them. The Ravens are one of the ten worst teams in the league in terms of rushing yards per carry, and Baltimore's rushing yards allowed per game number is a bit crooked, as teams often throw the ball when they trail Lamar Jackson and company for most of the game. If they don't get off to a fast start in the playoffs, that defensive line could be tested.