Playoff football is here! In the NFL’s longest season ever, we’re also treated to an extended Wild-Card Weekend, as the Cardinals and Rams will face off in the first ever Monday Night playoff game.
With 6 games ahead over the next 3 days, let’s take a look at each of the matchups at hand, and determine some big questions that may help us to determine who will continue on to the Divisional Round next weekend.
Raiders at Bengals:
1. Can Maxx Crosby slow down Joe Burrow?
For the Raiders to have a chance today, the pass rush simply must get to Joe Burrow. We know all about the skill position players Cincinnati can throw at you, but if the O-Line struggles, that can be negated. Burrow gets sacked quite a lot, and Crosby is one of the league’s best at generating pressure. If he can wreck the line of scrimmage, it could completely turn the tide of this matchup.
2. Can Joe Mixon replicate his last performance against Las Vegas?
When these two teams met back in Week 11, it was Mixon who shouldered much of the load offensively in a blowout win for Cincy. Mixon got the ball 30 times, and went over 100 yards with 2 touchdowns. With all of the pressure the Raiders are capable of creating, Mixon may be central once again to the Bengals gameplan. Making Las Vegas respect the run might open things up for Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
Patriots at Bills
3. How ugly is Bill Belichick willing to make this?
Buffalo and New England played one of the more memorable games of the year a few weeks back. It wasn’t the highlights that were remarkable, but rather the conditions. Bill Belichick took advantage of some crazy weather to cater a gameplan focused on the run, leading to a road win. While the wind won’t be as bad tonight, Buffalo is expecting temperatures below 0. Josh Allen has notably struggled in cold-weather games and the conditions seem to favor New England once again. Buffalo is the more talented team, but if there’s one coach that can manipulate the conditions to his favor, it’s Mr. Belichick.
4. Can Josh Allen play a turnover free game?
Allen has established himself as a premier quarterback in the NFL. His one big issue, especially in the playoffs, has been decision making. Allen can get a little reckless at times, and while the reward is big, the risk is too. This should be a game that Buffalo can control, but Allen’s ability to take care of the ball and keep the Bills in control of field position will be crucial to ensuring there’s no upset tonight.
Eagles at Buccaneers
5. Which skill position player steps up for Tampa?
Chris Godwin and Antonio Brown are both out of the equation for the Bucs this year. That creates some opportunities for other guys in the organization to earn Tom Brady’s trust. Mike Evans and Gronk will still be the top targets, but the reps are there for guys like Scottie Miller, Ke’Shawn Vaughn, and Tyler Johnson to establish themselves. To make a deep run in these playoffs, one of these guys will have to carry more than what they’ve been used to.
6. Can Jalen Hurts run his way into the Divisional Round?
For Philly to pull off the mega-upset on Sunday, Jalen Hurts is going to have to get it done in multiple ways. One of the biggest changes in Tampa from last year is their run defense. It was nearly historic last year, and it has faltered heavily this season. The biggest issue the Bucs face this week is that Lavonte David is unlikely to play. Devin White has really struggled against the run, and Kevin Minter hasn’t been a suitable replacement for David at the other linebacker spot. Hurts should be able to use his dual-threat ability to really challenge Tampa’s defense. If he scrambles in the right spots, this could come down to the wire.
49ers at Cowboys
7. How will Kyle Shanahan counter Dallas’ aggressive defense?
When you think about the Cowboys defense, Micah Parsons and Trevon Diggs immediately come to mind. These two have transformed the unit for Dallas, and are two of the brightest young players in the league. Both of them, however, are known for being very gutsy in their pursuit. Kyle Shanahan has likely spent all week thinking up offensive schemes that will target this aggressiveness. Using Deebo Samuel and George Kittle in quick hitter situations and relying on both players’ ability to run after the catch could be the difference in this one.
8. Which version of the Cowboys offense shows up?
The Cowboys’ offense looks different almost on a weekly basis. There is so much talent at every area on the field, and it doesn’t make sense when this group doesn’t click. Nonetheless, that has been the case for stretches of the season and it’s fair to say that the season likely hinges on how Dak Prescott and his weapons come out of the gates. Getting Amari Cooper and CeeDee Lamb involved early and often is pivotal. Neutralizing Nick Bosa is also critical if Dallas is going to get the ball to their playmakers.
Steelers at Chiefs
9. Can TJ Watt and Cam Heyward wreck this game?
The Steelers were embarrassed the last time they made the trip to Kansas City. TJ Watt played that game injured, and it clearly made a difference. In one of the lone games that Watt didn’t record a sack, the Pittsburgh defense was dominated by Patrick Mahomes. For the Steelers to pull off what would be one of the more shocking upsets in recent memory, Watt and Cam Heyward simply have to get in the backfield. If those two can create pressure and more importantly, turnovers, the Steelers may have a shot. If the Chiefs’ O-Line wins up front, it shouldn’t be close.
10. Is playoff Frank Clark back?
You might be surprised to hear that Frank Clark ranks 5th all time in sacks in postseason history. 2 sacks this week would push him up to 3rd all time. Clark has been known in Kansas City for elevating his play when the lights get brightest. If he’s able to turn it up once again this year, things will open up even more for Chris Jones and Melvin Ingram. All three of them winning at the line makes the Chiefs pass rush dangerous. It also helps the secondary that loves to press receivers on the line.
Cardinals at Rams
11. Is the Matthew Stafford trade going to pay off?
I think this is probably the most obvious storyline heading into this weekend. The Rams traded for Matthew Stafford for games like this one. Stafford’s season has included some peaks and some valleys. However you choose to evaluate his year, what matters is how he performs from here on out. Taking care of a division rival in the first round is a great place to start.
12. Can Kliff Kingsbury change the narrative?
Since arriving in the NFL, the notion on the Cardinals’ head coach has been the inability to sustain early success. Each of the last two Cardinal teams have started the year off scorching, and have fizzled out. This year’s group was able to stay in the postseason, which is a first for Kingsbury and Kyler Murray. If they can rediscover some early success, or if Kliff can prove he’s able to adjust late in a season, people might view his coaching ability a little differently. Beating Sean McVay in a chess match would certain capture the attention of many.
