The NFL's Final Four brings high-powered offenses, franchise-carrying quarterbacks and the profiles that suggest points will be flying in the Conference Championship Weekend ahead. The foursome also begs the question: Are offenses significantly ahead of defenses in the league circa 2017?
Look at the numbers: Atlanta averages 33.9 points per game. Green Bay scores an average of 28 points per game, with New England a tick behind at 27.9 points per outing. Pittsburgh, which has battled injuries for much of the season, has averaged 24.8 points per game.
Maybe in the end the defenses will win out, but the leading characteristics of the four finalists are based on scoring points, which isn't exactly the narrative from last year when Carolina and Denver headed into Super Bowl 50 carrying the mantles of great defenses.