Here are the top three offensive players at each skill position for wild card weekend:
QB: Josh Allen, Bills
What separates Allen from the rest of his competition is his mobility and his effectiveness inside the red zone. The Broncos have a fierce pass rush, but that should allow Allen to run for at least 60 yards and one touchdown, as well as another 240 yards passing and a touchdown.
QB: Jayden Daniels, Commanders
The way to beat the Buccaneers is by throwing the ball as much as possible. Daniels is going to have to use his mobility and his ability to throw the ball deep downfield to challenge the Bucs secondary. Look for him to throw for 250 yards and two touchdowns and run for another 60 yards as the Commanders pull off the huge upset.
QB: Matthew Stafford, Rams
The last time these two teams played, Stafford had 279 passing yards and four touchdowns to lead the Rams to victory. Even though this game is being played in Arizona it still should set up very similarly for Los Angeles. If Stafford can remain in the pocket and take the big hits, he should be able to find his receivers to the tune of 280 yards and three touchdowns and lead the Rams to an improbable victory.
RB: Saquon Barkley, Eagles
The Green Bay Packers defense is very susceptible to the power running game, and one of the biggest mismatches of the entire wild-card weekend is Philadelphia’s offensive line versus Green Bay’s defensive line. Look for Barkley to get about 125 rushing yards and at least one touchdown as the Eagles triumph.
RB: Derrick Henry, Ravens
Henry’s not going to have many more chances to play in important playoff games and you know he wants to get a Super Bowl before he retires. Look for the Ravens to feed Henry the football at least 25 to 30 times, as he should have about 130 rushing yards and a touchdown.
RB: Rachaad White, Bucs
Even though Bucky Irving has been a better play over the last eight or nine weeks, White is a visionary play mainly because Tampa Bay is going to be playing from behind, and White is used a little bit more in the passing game because he’s such a good blocker. Look for him to have about 5 or 6 catches for 30 or 40 yards as well as another 30 or 40 yards rushing with a chance for a touchdown.
WR: Terry McLaurin, Commanders
The way to beat the Buccaneers is through the air and to challenge their secondary with deep passes. Nobody does that better than TMC who is going to need to have a TD if the commanders want the W.
WR: Ladd McConkey, Chargers
Josh Palmer will not be playing, which means that Justin Herbert’s going to have to rely even more on McConkey who is his favorite target. Derek Stingley is a terrific young cornerback but he probably will see more coverage on Quentin Johnston, leaving McConkey open over the middle. McConkey has sure hands and should have at least 8 catches for 80 yards and a touchdown.
WR: Cooper Kupp, Rams
The Vikings have the worst dvoa against opposing slot receivers in the league. The last time these two teams played, Kupp had five catches for 51 yards and a touchdown, and I expect that he will have a similar stat line this week
TE: Mark Andrews, Ravens
The Ravens know the Steelers so well that they don’t have to overthink their game plan. They’re going to run the ball with Henry, they’re going to throw one or two deep passes to Bateman, and they’re going to make sure to feed their tight ends: Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely. The last time these two teams played, both Likely and Andrews caught touchdown passes. It’s quite possible that will happen again, but if I had to choose one player, it would be Andrews who will go for 65 yards and a TD.
TE: T.J. Hockenson, Vikings
The Rams have struggled against some of the better tight ends in the league this year, and Hockenson missed the game the first time these two teams played. Look for him to dominate the middle of the field with 5 catches for 60 yards and a touchdown.
TE: Zach Ertz, Commanders
Even though he’s getting older, Ertz was able to stay healthy this season and, most weeks, was Jayden Daniels second best option in the receiving game. Daniels especially looks for Ertz in the red zone he should have 5 catches for 50 yards and a touchdown.
