The NFL playoffs are here, and there's wonderful news for fans of all 14 competing teams: they're all better than you might think.

After 18 weeks of regular season football, it's easy to form fixed opinions about teams based on what we've seen week to week. But when ESPN's Dan Graziano and the research team stepped back to examine the full body of work, they discovered something exciting—many of the concerns we have about playoff teams don't hold up under closer scrutiny.

Take the Seattle Seahawks, for example. All season, critics pointed to their rushing attack as a weakness, with the team ranking 27th in offensive rush efficiency. But here's the encouraging truth: they've dramatically improved when it matters most. From Week 10 through the season's end, Seattle's running backs ranked fourth in the league in rushing effectiveness. Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet combined for over 2,000 scrimmage yards, giving the Seahawks a balanced attack heading into the postseason alongside star receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

The Chicago Bears offer another heartwarming story of growth. Second-year quarterback Caleb Williams faced criticism for his 58.1% completion percentage, which ranked last among starting quarterbacks. However, the numbers reveal something more impressive: Williams has mastered the art of avoiding costly mistakes. He led the NFL in smart throwaways rather than forcing bad passes, posted the second-lowest pressure-to-sack ratio in the league, and threw nine touchdowns against just one interception when under pressure. His ability to protect the football has been crucial to Chicago's success, with the Bears winning nine of his ten lowest completion percentage games.

The Philadelphia Eagles demonstrate how teams can thrive even when circumstances change. While running back Saquon Barkley's production decreased from his historic previous season, the Eagles haven't missed a beat. This adaptability shows championship resilience and the depth of talent across their roster.

What makes these revelations so exciting is their timing. Teams aren't just good—they're improving, evolving, and peaking at exactly the right moment. The playoffs reward teams that can adjust and overcome perceived weaknesses, and this year's field is full of squads doing exactly that.

For the Green Bay Packers, Denver Broncos, Los Angeles Rams, and every other playoff team, similar positive trends emerge when you look beyond surface-level statistics. These organizations have spent months refining their identities, addressing weaknesses, and building momentum.

The beauty of the NFL playoffs is that every team arrives with a legitimate chance and a compelling story. This year, those stories are particularly encouraging because they're about growth, adaptation, and teams becoming their best versions at the perfect time. Whether it's improved rushing attacks, smarter quarterback play, or unexpected depth emerging in key positions, all 14 playoff teams have reasons for optimism that go deeper than their records suggest.

As the postseason unfolds, fans can feel confident that they're watching teams who've genuinely earned their spots and developed the tools needed for a championship run. The myths are busted, and the truth is even better than we hoped.