5 potential sleepers in the NFL playoffs

1. Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks may not be considered a sleeper by some, but they will have to win on the road if they want to go back to the Super Bowl. Quarterback Russell Wilson fell back down to Earth after an incredible five-game winning streak that consisted of 19 touchdowns and zero interceptions. Although he threw two touchdowns, one of them came in garbage time when the St. Louis Rams had the game as good as wrapped up. However, Wilson is one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL when it comes to playoff resumes. He holds a 6-2 record despite playing only three full seasons. It remains to be seen whether running back Marshawn Lynch will return for the playoffs, but the Seahawks offense has shown that it can function without him and even without Thomas Rawls.

The Seahawks defense has also returned to its old form after a slow start. They have held their opponents to 18.1 points per game, and they have limited opposing quarterbacks to 210.6 yards per game with an 81.3 passer rating. Their rush defense is not easy to overcome either, as they have limited running backs and rushing quarterbacks to 85.3 yards per game. Week 17 will be a solid illustration of how the Seahawks can match up with the Cardinals in the playoffs if they meet again.

They have already proven to be capable of beating the Panthers, as their last meeting concluded with a game-winning, last-minute touchdown pass by Cam Newton.