Breaking down the NFL playoff field

AFC

No.1 seed: San Diego Chargers
What’s hot to like: San Diego is the NFL's most complete team. Their running game, passing game, run defense, pass rush, secondary all fare among the league’s elite. Any team that wants to beat them has to have a near-perfect performance, otherwise the Chargers will simply wear them down.
What’s not to like: The main question mark this team has on offense is, can the passing game remain this good in the postseason? Young starting QB Philip Rivers has been somewhat off lately. His inexperience in the playoffs could also be a big factor.
Staring into the crystal ball: They can beat you any way they want to. The only way they lose is if they either get over-confident, or their young leader loses confidence. But the way they have played this year, they have champions written all over them.

No. 2 seed: Baltimore Ravens
What’s hot to like: The defense. Physically and mentally this is the toughest D unit out there. I can’t see a single weakness in their defense. With Steve McNair at QB they finally have a meaningful offensive unit as well.
What’s not to like: Besides McNair this offense has gotten used to being just a tag-along to the defense. The passing game is all good, but gaining yards on the ground might be an issue here. Don’t get me wrong, Jamal Lewis is a fine RB, but their ground game will not make other teams fear them.
Staring into the crystal ball: Anybody who says there's not much difference between this team and the 2000 Ravens who won Super Bowl 35 is crazy. This team has a way better offensive unit than in 2000, the defense is comparable. Yet what was enough in 2000 might not be enough this time. The competition seems fierce enough to limit these Ravens to a conference finals appearance.

No. 3 seed: Indianapolis Colts
What’s hot to like: Peyton Manning is the best quarterback in football. No ifs, ands or buts. He runs an offense that is efficient, dynamic and that holds enough surprises that no team can truly prepare for them. The Colts probably have the best offensive unit in these playoffs.
What’s not to like: The Colts have the NFL's worst-run defense. No ifs, ands or buts. With this sorry defensive unit they are in grave danger of not even making it out of the wildcards.
Staring into the crystal ball: Is this the year Peyton finally makes it to the big game? The offense might be the best there is, but as they say: you can't win in the playoffs without stopping the run. So he’ll probably have to wait one more year.