The playoffs are here, and six mouth-watering matchups await us this weekend. I’m going to go through each one and for each team give a reason why they could get the win, before picking which of them I think will be joining the Chiefs and Lions in the Divisional Round. So, let’s go through them in the order they will be played.

Why the Chargers could win - Their defense

Last season, the Chargers’ defense was ranked 24th in terms of points allowed. Enter Jim Harbaugh and Jesse Minter and the Chargers now have the number one ranked defense. Star names Khali Mack and Derwin James both had pro-bowl seasons, Daiyan Henley finished the year with 147 total tackles and Tuli Tuipulotu led the team with 8.5 sacks. They are facing a Texans offense that has struggled over the second half of the season, particularly since Tank Dell and Stefon Diggs went on injured reserve. They were shut out against the Ravens on Christmas Day, and they could be facing a similar fate against the Chargers.

Why the Texans could win - Their pass rush

The Texans finished the regular season with 49 team sacks (the joint 4th most in the league) and Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr. led the way with 12 and 11 sacks respectively. While Joe Alt bolstered the Chargers offensive line this offseason, Justin Herbert was still sacked 41 times (the joint 7th most in the league) and this Texans pass rush can get after him and disrupt a Chargers passing game that has shown improvement over the second half of the season. Taking away Herbert’s effectiveness in this game will be key if the Texans are to win.

Who will win?

I can’t see past the Chargers in this one. Their number one ranked defense is up against a Texans offense that is struggling and low on confidence. The Chargers’ passing game has massively improved recently, with Ladd McConkey in particular shining, and the return of JK Dobbins is a huge boost to their rushing attack. The Chargers will put points up against the Texans, but I can’t say with any confidence that the Texans will be able to be points up against the Chargers.

Why the Steelers could win - Their playmaking defense

This Pittsburgh Steelers’ defense leads the league in takeaways this season (tied with Minnesota), turning the ball over 33 times this year. Cameron Heyward, TJ Watt and Minkah Fitzpatrick all made the Pro Bowl and players such as Donte Jackson, Beanie Bishop Jr, Deshon Elliott and Patrick Queen have all made massive impacts. With this being a divisional matchup and these two teams knowing each other so well, this could very well be an extremely tight game and the team that wins the turnover battle could be the one to progress.

Why the Ravens could win - Lamar Jackson

Quarterback Lamar Jackson won the league MVP last season and this year he has played even better. Jackson has 4172 passing yards, 41 passing touchdowns compared to just 4 interceptions, 915 rushing yards and 4 rushing touchdowns. The two-time league MVP has been near unplayable this year. The only question mark that remains over Jackson is his disappointing 2-4 record in the postseason, but he is determined to put this right this year and who would bet against him doing so?

Who will win?

The Steelers have lost their last four games, including a week 16 loss to the Ravens, and I cannot see them putting that run to an end in Baltimore. Lamar has been irresistible this season and despite the playmaking ability of the Steelers’ defense, I can’t see them having enough to stop him. Also, the Ravens’ defense has improved as the season progressed, while the Steelers’ offense has regressed, so I can only see a win for the home team in Baltimore.

Why the Broncos could win - Their defense

The Broncos’ defense has had a massive 2024. They finished the regular season 1st in sacks, 2nd in touchdowns allowed and were the 3rd ranked defense in both points allowed and rushing yards allowed. The Broncos didn’t fair quite so well when defending the passing game but they do have quite possibly the best cornerback in the league in Patrick Surtain II, who earned a Pro Bowl call up for his performances this year. It’s their pass rush that has really dominated this year, though. Nic Bonitto has had a stellar season, ending with 13.5 sacks, Jonathan Cooper got to double figures too with 10.5 sacks and DT Zach Allen ended up with 8.5. If they can put Josh Allen under enough pressure, then the Broncos can win this game.

Why the Bills could win - Josh Allen

Speaking of Josh Allen, if Lamar Jackson doesn’t win MVP this year, it will be Allen. While his season’s stats line isn’t as impressive as Lamar’s, his contribution to his team has been equally so. He has scored 40 combined touchdowns this year (28 passing and 12 rushing) and has played his best football when it matters the most. In December, Allen scored 18 total touchdowns and only turned the ball over once and he is clearly at the peak of his powers heading into the playoffs. Josh Allen is one of the few quarterbacks in the NFL capable of winning a game almost single handedly and the Broncos have to stop him if they are to have any chance.

Who will win?

The Bills and Josh Allen should have too much for the Broncos, especially with the game being played at Orchard Park. I think Denver will make the game a lot closer than many think it will be (Bills are currently 8.5 points favourites), but ultimately Josh Allen will ensure the Bills get over the line.

Why the Packers could win - Their run game

Getting their run game going is crucial for this Packers team. Josh Jacobs has had an excellent first season in Green Bay, rushing for 1329 yards and 15 touchdowns, and with Jordan Love struggling with injury, they will need him even more this week. Not only will his production be crucial, but if he can move the ball on the ground then it will take the pressure off of a banged-up Jordan Love and it opens up the big plays in the passing game. With 14 passing plays of 40 yards or more this season, the Packers have had the joint most big passing plays in the league, although last week’s season-ending injury to Christian Watson is a blow to this team’s big-play ability.

Why the Eagles could win - Saquon Barkley

This season, Saquon Barkley became the 9th player to rush for over 2000 yards in a season and he could have broken the record for the most rushing yards in a season if he hadn’t been rested for week 18. He has been the key player for this Eagles offense, shown by the fact that they have rushed the ball on 55.75% of their plays this season, more than any other team, and with AJ Brown struggling with injury and Jalen Hurts coming back from a concussion, his importance for this game has only grown. When these two teams matched up in week one, Barkley had 109 yards and two touchdowns, and it would be no surprise to see a similar level of productivity from him on Sunday.

Who will win?

This could be a very close game but ultimately the Eagles are the better team on both sides of the ball. I could have had the Eagles’ secondary as their reason for winning this game and I expect them to nullify Green Bay’s big-play ability. On offense, Barkley will have a big game and win the game for Philadelphia.

Why the Commanders could win - Jayden Daniels and the passing game

While it has mainly been the Commanders’ running game that has excelled this season, with them having the 3rd most rushing yards, it is the matchup between the Commanders’ passing game and the Buccaneers’ secondary that could win the game for Washington. Tampa Bay’s pass defense has struggled this season, and they are the 4th worst in the league in terms of yards allowed. Meanwhile, the Commanders’ passing game has been much better than many predicted back in September and star receiver Terry McClaurin has had a big year, passing 1000 receiving yards and scoring a franchise-high 13 touchdowns. He should have another big game against this secondary and if he does, Washington have a great chance of getting the win.

Why the Buccaneers could win - Their offense

For Tampa Bay to win, Baker Mayfield and Mike Evans will need to have big games. Despite missing three games through injury, Evans achieved his 11th consecutive season passing 1000 yards and Baker Mayfield threw for 4500 yards and 41 touchdowns, leading the team to having the third most potent passing offense in the league. If these two connect again on Sunday, the Commanders could find themselves having to continuously put up points to stay in the game. It isn’t just their passing game that’s a threat either. The emergence of Bucky Irving this season led to Tampa Bay finishing with the 4th most rushing yards in the league and I fully expect this dual-threat offense to put up a lot of points on Sunday night.

Who will win?

This could very well be the closest and most exciting game of the weekend, with the possibility of it turning into a shootout. I have Washington edging it as I can see Daniels and McClaurin exploiting this poor Buccaneers secondary. The Commanders have defended the pass well this year and I’m particularly looking forward to seeing Marshon Lattimore and Mike Evans renew hostilities. The outcome of this battle could be key to the game.

Why the Vikings could win - Brian Flores

Under Brian Flores, this Vikings defense has been phenomenal this year. They are joint top in takeaways (with the Steelers) and 5th in points allowed. This Rams team needs its running game to get the whole offense going and the Vikings have the 2nd best run defence in the league. If they can stifle the Rams’ running game and get after Matthew Stafford (the Vikings are 4th in sacks this season), the Vikings will be progressing to the divisional round.

Why the Rams could win - Matthew Stafford and Puka Nacua

Stopping Matthew Stafford is easier said than done though. One of only two quarterbacks playing this weekend who has won a Super Bowl, Stafford has a habit of stepping up in the big games and playing his best football. He matches up well against this Vikings defense too. When they played in week 8, Stafford threw for 279 yards and 4 touchdowns and 106 of those yards went to Puka Nacua. Nacua has followed up his breakthrough rookie year with another outstanding season, averaging 90 yards a game, the 3rd most in the league. While this Vikings defense has been impressive, they only rank 28th against the pass and Stafford and Nacua can exploit this.

Who will win?

I have the Rams in this one. As good as the Vikings have been this season, the Rams match up well with them and as I said above, I see Stafford and Nacua putting points up on them. Also, after seeing how the Lions rushed and pressured Sam Darnold last week, I fully expect the Rams’ young pass rush of Jared Verse, Braden Fiske, Kobie Turner and Byron Young to try and replicate that this week.

Dan Rowe

Wildcard Weekend Preview

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