It’s the time of year again. The NFL’s chances to make the playoffs are coming down to the wire, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t even a little bit excited about it. Believe it or not, making the NFL playoffs isn’t easy. In fact, it’s an incredibly hard task that only a select few teams are successful in completing. There’s actual strategy and skill involved in enabling one’s team to make it to the playoffs. Depending on who you talk to, there are several theories as to what’s the best approach when it coming to your team’s chances and strategy.
One of the major components of this strategy is evaluating a team’s current strengths and weaknesses. It’s important to understand what situations you’re placed in and can realistically succeed in. A team needs to figure out what type of game plans are most successful for them, and utilize those to give themselves a better chance of entering the playoffs. It’s also crucial that the team works together and utilizes their collective strengths in order to achieve their common goal. The nucleus of the team needs to have a plan that the rest of the team abides by.
As for a home-field advantage, that can certainly help a team’s chances. After all, that’s a major part of what NFL is all about – going all out to win at home, and that pride is truly palpable when a team is performing in front of their home crowd. When teams can take advantage of the built-in enthusiasm for their home games, the playoffs become much more of a distinct possibility. It gives the players a tangible reason to push forward and fight for their place in the playoffs.
The biggest factor is simple though – if a team can pull off the regular season with a winning record, that would go a long way in ensuring their spot in the playoffs. All teams should strive for a winning record during the regular season in order to have a strong chance at making the playoffs.
Not to get all philosophical, but the NFL season is like a rollercoaster. Depending on how the team performs on any given day, a team could be out of playoffs or right in the thick of things. The league is highly competitive, and so, no one team is guaranteed to make it to the playoffs. It’s a game that requires a lot of hard work and dedication. With the right attitude and preparation, a team will be in a much better position come playoffs time.
This is why I’m a firm believer in working hard and staying committed. Every team needs to get its players on the same page and rally around the same goals. As long as they stay focused and give 100 percent every game, playoffs are sort of a formality. It’s hard to predict what’s going to happen, regardless of a team’s capabilities, but the journey is always worth it in the end.
Finally, if a team wants to make it to the playoffs, they need to just go out there and do it. That might sound like common sense, but it’s easy to get caught up in the minutiae of the entire season. Ultimately, the team has to make the plays on the field and win the games when it counts. Whether it’s luck or hard work, making the playoffs is a challenge that the team put in the work in and earned the recognition.
As for the other aspects of making the playoffs, it’s important to have a solid defense. All-star defenders can spark some life into the team and help carry them to wins. Defenses, once they gel, can be monstrously effective at stifling opponents, and this can be felt throughout the team. Having a dominant defense can be essential for a team to make it to the playoffs.
Also, a team’s focus needs to remain consistent even if wins aren’t always forthcoming. It’s easy to get discouraged, which can also be a team killer. To ensure longevity and success, teams need to remain focused. Instilling resilience and strength-in-adversity among players can go a long way towards improving morale and buying teams the edge they need to make it to the playoffs.
As for the rest of the roster, a team needs to know how to use their strength collectively. Offensively, teams need to have players that can be relied on, players that are adept at executing plays in a timely, efficient manner. A team can have all the talent in the world, but if their offensive is unable to execute, what good does that do the team? Timely plays can be the difference between not going to the playoffs and going all the way.
Special teams are also an area that need serious attention if a team is going to make a playoff push. Special teams have the potential to turn a game from a win to a loss. Since these plays require specific players, it’s important that a team knows the importance of leaving no stone unturned. Having reliable players in place for special teams will give a team an advantage that can be difficult to replicate.
Most importantly, teams need to have unity when it comes to making the playoffs. Not only do they need to completely buy-in to one plan, but they also need to stay positive and work together. If everyone is working together, not only will the team as a unit be more successful, but it will also give players the necessary momentum to push through when things appear to be at their hardest.
It takes a lot for teams to make the playoffs, and as much as talent and confidence helps, it’s all about coming together as a team that will make all the difference. It’s no secret that every team wants to make the playoffs, but only a select few manage to do so. With the proper planning and dedication, teams can make the playoffs and have a chance to achieve their ultimate goal.