NFL 23-24 Playoff X Factors

The NFL is filled with extremely talented players and that’s what makes this league so great. Each playoff team has lots of playmakers and that’s how games are won or lost. Matchups are big in the playoffs and we’ll see which stars show up in these 6 Wild Card games. 

 In the Browns vs Texans game, I feel that the receiver matchup is huge, Nico Collins vs Amari Cooper. They are clearly the best receivers on their respective teams and I believe that they’ll both need to have big games. Both Joe Flacco and C.J Stroud are passing quarterbacks and they have 2 strong receivers to throw to. Collins definitely has the harder defense to play against which makes it all the more important for him to exploit it. He was electrifying in Week 18 against the Colts and his 9 catches, 195 yards, and touchdown carried Houston to a huge win. I expect the Texans to be pass-heavy and Collins has to help out his rookie quarterback. Amari Cooper had a career day last time against Houston and he’ll want to replicate that performance. Flacco and him have built some good chemistry and they have to match the explosiveness of Houston’s offense. Cooper is the best player on the Browns offense and he has to be a leader in this game. Both of these receivers are superb and we’re in for a good battle. 

 Chiefs vs Dolphins is a game filled with many stars but I think the Waddle and Hill vs Chiefs defense is the biggest. In the past, Hill has dominated many playoff games and it’s a tough task for Kansas City’s defense to go against their former teammate. Waddle and Hill are both speedy and that duo cannot get going. Tua will be looking for them all game long and the secondary cannot get worn out. It’s draining to play 60 minutes against these guys and they have to put on another Germany performance. In that Germany game, Hill and Waddle were held to 104 receiving yards which is incredible (google). As long as Miami’s receivers don’t have space and have outside room, they can be held in check. Having a spy could be useful and even if they don’t use double coverage, they can have a player sitting deep or shallow to watch these two wideouts. 

 Steelers vs Bills isn’t on the top of my watchlist but in the playoffs, you never know. This is a huge test for the Steelers offense because they play Josh Allen’s Bills. Pittsburgh has the 5th least total touchdowns scored and the 5th least receiving yards so they’re not a very good offense (NFL.com Offense Stats). They are good at running the football though so Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren will have to be productive. This tandem is crucial to the game and they can’t put the game on Mason Rudolph’s back. The Steelers have the 4th least turnovers this season and it’s fantastic that they don’t give the ball away a whole lot (ESPN). Pittsburgh has to score points because they play against one of the best quarterbacks in the league. In addition, T.J. Watt is out so that makes it easier for the Bills to score points. The Steelers need to get going on offense because scoring points is the only chance they have in this game. 

 Packers vs Cowboys should be an entertaining game on Sunday afternoon and if the Packers have any chance of winning, the defense has to play well against CeeDee Lamb. Since Week 5, Lamb has averaged about 12 targets a game, almost 116 receiving yards a game, and he has been on a tear (ESPN). Finding these stats gave me chills and Lamb has been out of this world in these 12 games. It sounds really daunting to play against him but the Packers need a plan to take him out of the game. Prescott and Lamb are on a roll and Lamb cannot be allowed to plow through Green Bay’s defense. I think the Packers have a great chance if Lamb can be held in check and they have to quiet AT&T Stadium. The Cowboys are great at home but if Green Bay can pressure Dallas’ offense, they can pull off the upset. 

 Sunday Night will be an absolute thrill and I’m sure everyone is looking forward to the Rams against the Lions. When I look at these offenses, they seem very similar to me and the talented players are endless. I feel like this game comes down to who is better between Matthew Stafford and Jared Goff. My question is who will play better between the quarterbacks in those dire moments. In this chart, it shows how even these teams’ players are:

This game will come down to leadership and that clutch play. They’re both passing quarterbacks and I want to see who will be better under the lights in primetime. Stafford was traded to the Rams for Goff so it’ll be an intriguing game as Stafford comes back to Detroit. 

 The last game of Wild Card Weekend is the Eagles against the Bucs and considering the Eagles recent form, it could be a really close game. Jalen Hurts’ team has been on the decline while Baker Mayfield’s group has been playing some good football. In this game, there are two sets of receivers who will be major. Chris Godwin and Mike Evans are both brilliant and they face off against DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown. Receiver play is always important and both teams have a duo of WR’s. Philly’s wideouts haven’t been that good as of late and they have to bounce back in this playoff game. Hurts has to start playing better and the passing game has to get going. These 4 players are paramount in this game on Monday Night to conclude the Wild Card week. 

 There are a lot of good games heading into the always amazing Wild Card Weekend and we get to see NFL’s best in action. Which receivers will go off? What defense will play better? What quarterback will rise to the occasion?

 THE END