The field is a little smaller as we head into the Divisional Round this weekend. After a few blowouts and some decent matchups, it seems that the hype for this weekend’s games is much higher than last week. Each game this week has intriguing storylines and should offer some high-quality action.
Just like last week, we’re taking a look at something to watch for each group taking the field this weekend. To win at this stage in the season, execution needs to be flawless and teams need to take advantages of their strengths. Let’s get into each of these games in more detail, starting in Nashville.
Bengals at Titans
1. How healthy is King Henry?
Tennessee finally welcomes back their superstar running back this week. Henry is a rare breed of RB that can carry a team through a playoff run on his own. The big question for the Titans will be how much they can get out of him. Henry is known for being a workhorse, but can he sustain that for his first game in multiple months? The answer to that question will tell us a lot about how Tennessee’s offense is able to match up with the Cincy defense.
2. How long can Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase keep this rolling?
The college-to-NFL connection had it going on once again last week against the Raiders. It seemed that whenever the Bengals needed a spark or a big play, Burrow found his #1 receiver. Chase’s ability to win at the catch point paired with Burrow’s accuracy makes this combo so dangerous, and you can bet Cincy’s gameplan will involve getting Chase going early and often. Finding ways to get the ball to his best playmaker will be huge for Burrow in his first road playoff game.
49ers at Packers
3. Can anyone stop Davante Adams?
Speaking of dynamic QB/WR duos… Adams finished the season on a tear, and has a pretty good case for the league’s best receiver. When these two teams met earlier this year, Adams dominated. He hauled in 12 of an insane 18 targets for 132 yards and a score in a Packer win. If Adams sees that same level of involvement and productivity on Saturday, it will be hard for the Niners to keep up.
4. Does Deebo Samuel have a special performance in store?
If the 49ers are going to go into Lambeau and pull off the upset, it’s going to need a star performance from their best weapon. Samuel has been used in such creative ways this season, and he is the league’s most dynamic player. His usage in the running game has increased heavily in the past few weeks, adding a new dimension to the 49er offense. The Packers have athletes all over their defense, and their ability to contain Deebo will be huge in taking care of business at home.
Rams at Buccaneers
5. How will Tampa’s offensive line hold up?
The timing couldn’t be worse for Tampa’s O-Line to take some hits. Ryan Jensen and Tristan Wirfs are both banged up, leaving their status in question for Sunday. Even if they are able to go, they’ll need to be at the top of their game to handle the LA pass rush. Aaron Donald and Von Miller headline a deadly group up front. If the starters aren’t 100% or the backups go, Donald could potentially wreck this game.
6. Will Jalen Ramsey win the 1v1 with Mike Evans?
Another big positional battle to watch is out wide. With no Chris Godwin or Antonio Brown, it seems inevitable that Ramsey will shadow Mike Evans for most of the day. That individual matchup could be a big piece of this one. If Evans can create some separation and make a few plays, Tom Brady will get him the ball. If Ramsey can lock him up, it puts even more pressure on Brady to do what he’s done so many times and simply find a way to get the ball down the field.
Bills at Chiefs
7. How will the Bills safeties play Patrick Mahomes?
The Bills might boast the best safety duo in the league in Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde. Both have a nose for the ball, and really beef up the Buffalo secondary. Many teams have employed a two-deep look against Mahomes and Chiefs this year to prevent the home-run plays and make the Chiefs slowly work their way up the field. It’ll be interesting to see how much of this the Bills resort to, and how involved Hyde and Poyer get when Mahomes drops back. If they can force some errant decisions, Buffalo may be in business.
8. Which Chiefs’ defense shows up?
People will remember the Bills moving down the field with ease earlier this season when they took care of KC in Arrowhead. A lot has changed since that matchup, including the personnel on the Kansas City defense. Chris Jones and Charvarius Ward didn’t play in the first matchup. Nick Bolton and Willie Gay weren’t seeing nearly the same amount of snaps they’re now getting at the LB position. Melvin Ingram was on the Pittsburgh Steelers. These are significant differences in the KC unit, but at times there’s still some reversion to the group we saw early in the season. These changes will have to stick out and make an impact if the Chiefs hope to slow down Josh Allen and the Bills offense.
