This is Pittsburgh’s fifth postseason appearance under Coach Mike Tomlin, who has led the Steelers to two Super Bowl appearances, including a victory in Super Bowl XLIII. Heading into their game against Cleveland in the regular season finale, the Steelers ranked seventh in overall DVOA and No. 6 in weighted DVOA, which weighs recent games more than earlier ones. In other words, there are few teams playing better or more efficient football than the Steelers right now. However, getting through the AFC is going to be a problem, especially if running back DeAngelo Williams is unable to go once the playoffs begin.

Williams took over lead-back duties for the Steelers in Week 9 after Le’Veon Bell was lost for the season and has played over 90 percent of the running snaps. Since that time, only LeSean McCoy, Darren McFadden and Adrian Peterson (all tied with nine) have more runs of 15 yards or more than Williams (eight). If Williams can’t go, Jordan Todman and Fitzgerald Toussaint are up next on the depth chart, who have combined for 50 yards rushing this season. It’s also worth noting that the Steelers were without their star running back for last year’s first-round game and lost to the Ravens, 30-17.

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But let’s assume the Steelers are at full strength — they still wouldn’t be the most dangerous team in the first round. That honor would go to the Seattle Seahawks.

The Seahawks won six of their last seven games and trounced the Arizona Cardinals, 36-6, in their regular season finale. Before their victory over Arizona, the Seahawks ranked No. 2 in overall Football Outsiders’ DVOA, and No. 1 in their weighted DVOA, making them the hottest team heading into the postseason.

Seattle’s offense scores the fifth most points per drive (2.2) and their quarterback, Russell Wilson, is the league’s third best passer according to ESPN’s QBR and Football Outsiders’ DVOA. The game charters at Pro Football Focus, who grade each play from film, rate Wilson fifth out of 28 quarterbacks playing at least half of their team’s snaps.

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Seattle’s running game, despite losing starter Marshawn Lynch for nine games this season, ranks seventh for yards per carry (4.6) and its offensive front prevents the rusher from being stopped at or behind the line of scrimmage 83 percent of the time — good enough for the fourth best rate in the NFL.

On the defensive side, the Seahawks force the fourth most three and outs (27.1 percent of drives) and allow the least amount of touchdowns (14.8 percent of drives end in a touchdown by the other team). And of course there is shutdown corner Richard Sherman, who has held opposing quarterbacks to a 70.3 passer rating when they choose to throw to him in primary coverage.

This squad also continued to allow the fewest points in the NFL.

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In addition, the Seahawks are the most likely Super Bowl winner among any of the teams playing next week according to the betting markets.