On this week’s episode of Yahoo Sports’ “Football 301” podcast, host Nate Tice and guest Derrik Klassen of The Athletic take a microscope to contending NFL teams and identify the fatal flaws that could prevent each from holding the Lombardi Trophy.
Here’s a thorough breakdown of what each enemy can damage.
Buffalo Bills
Fatal flaw: Defensive secondary
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Despite a surging pass rush and another dynamic year from QB Josh Allen, the soft part of this Bills roster is the coverage unit. Klassen pointed out that corners and safeties don’t make the grade, especially with players like CJ Gardner-Johnson — a red flag to sign for a potential contender. There is hope in the front four, but as Tice drills, the AFC playoffs will force you to beat elite QBs in a three-week run.
With Buffalo’s defense currently 28th in success rate and 30th in EPA, the risk of getting burned is painfully real. Unless the pass rush can dominate, expect shootouts and potential heartbreak in January.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Fatal flaw: Offensive depth and line strength
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With talent at the skill positions and creative, adaptable coaching, the Jags look dangerous. But their hopes may rest on a certain offensive line. Klassen emphasized the myriad of dominoes that need to fall into place for this line to work, and the recent injury to their best lineman, left tackle Anton Harrison, puts them on red alert. The run game survives on scheming and quarterback talent, not dominance in the trenches, and stats like being 28th in QB hits allowed and 30th in yards before contact on run plays underscore the looming danger.
Kansas City Chiefs
Fatal flaw: Lack of downfield speed and explosiveness in the passing game
With Tyquan Thornton out for an extended period with an ankle injury, the Chiefs’ passing attack is in danger of becoming horizontal and tight. That’s dangerous for a team built around sprawling defenses, as Klassen argued.
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While the running game has improved, and Patrick Mahomes is still able to create magic, Thornton is KC’s only real downfield threat. Even the much-touted Xavier Worthy didn’t show the same top-end juice. The stats confirm it: with almost no plays going over 20 mph on receivers outside of Thornton, the Chiefs can be turned into a “dink-and-dunk” unit.
Cincinnati Bengals
Fatal flaw: Immutable, predictable offense with a limited run game
Tice and Klassen discuss how the Bengals have returned to their old spread, shotgun-only offense, with little difference in look or concept. When forced to run, they rely on RPOs, trading blocking for flexibility and limiting explosive play potential. As defenses chase and plan specifically for the Bengals’ flavor of the spread, games inevitably get tight, with a deep ball to Ja’Marr Chase the only real bailout. As Tice said: “It’s hard to make 10 good decisions in a row against a good defense.”
Seattle Seahawks
Fatal flaw: Sam Darnold regression and no offensive “Plan B”
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According to Klassen, the Seahawks were able to win last year by Darnold threading the needle — burning defenses with big explosives. This year, Darnold’s turnover rate has dipped, his sack rate has increased, and his average target depth has fallen. The run game has suffered from injuries, and the auxiliary pass-catchers outside of Jaxon Smith-Njigba have yet to step up. Without explosives, Darnold is not the type of QB to nickel and dime down the field. The formula worked in 2025, but with the supporting cast collapsing and his confidence flagging, this offense may struggle to top it again.
Minnesota Vikings
Fatal flaw: Undefined offensive identity and inconsistency
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With the defense playing at an elite level, all eyes were on whether the Vikings’ offense could find its footing. The run game is a work in progress, the o-line is bang up and QB Kyler Murray’s style introduces volatility. There are flashes — especially when weapons like Justin Jefferson are healthy — but overall the offense feels like a “grab bag,” according to Klassen, and is prone to stalls and third-and-longs, leaving it too dependent on Murray heroics or play extension.
For more insight into the NFL, tune in “Football 301″ in Apple, Spotify o YouTube.