32 NFL teams compete for a shot at the golden Vince Lombardi Trophy. Only one team wins and secures the title of Super Bowl Champions. Recently, the football teams that have made it into the playoffs have been announced. The teams in the AFC (American Football Conference) include the Baltimore Ravens, New England Patriots, Kansas City Chiefs, Houston Texans, Los Angeles Chargers, and the Indianapolis Colts. The records for these teams were quite impressive this year with the best record being 12-4 (Chiefs). The NFC (National Football Conference) playoff teams include the New Orleans Saints, Los Angeles Rams, Chicago Bears, Dallas Cowboys, Seattle Seahawks, and the Philadelphia Eagles.

In State College, football is a main source of entertainment, from Penn State football games to NFL teams. State High students make up a large portion of the fans in State College supporting many different teams. As the playoffs approach, students are voicing their opinions on which teams they think will win upcoming games and who will lose it all.

¨I think the New Orleans Saints will definitely make it to the SuperBowl as well as the New England Patriots. The Saints have a good defense this year and Drew Brees is having an outstanding season. The Patriots are always a tough team especially in the playoffs,”  State High football coach and former player for the New York Giants, Dirk Grissinger, said.

The Saints have made a major impact this years season. They ended with a 13-3 record (the best in the NFC.) They definitely make other teams nervous and have beat tough competition throughout their own season. Along with the Saints, the Patriots have a reputation for being a tough team to beat. Their morale and specific players, like Tom Brady, contribute to games in ways that other teams cannot compare to.

“I think the Chicago Bears and the New England Patriots will be the two teams to make it to the Superbowl. The Bears defense is the best in the league and defense wins championships. Overall I think all the teams in the playoffs that made it to where they are deserve to be there,” senior Dan Sherry said.

Like every year, millions of fans anticipate the outcome of the playoffs and eventually the SuperBowl. Many have different opinions based on their beliefs of what skills are important like teamwork, defense, and offense. Who will make it past the playoffs and into the SuperBowl and what teams will they have to beat to get there? Only time will tell.