The NFL Playoffs are here! We have 6 games this weekend, 3 in each conference! Here is a preview and breakdown of each AFC game:
Broncos at Bills:
The Broncos are back in the playoffs for the first time since Peyton Manning retired. They had a solid season, but this matchup might be too difficult of a task for them. They have to go into Buffalo and take on one of the best teams in the league, the possible NFL MVP in Josh Allen, and do it in one of the toughest environments to win in the league.
When the Broncos have the ball:
Many people were shocked that the Broncos decided to start Bo Nix as a rookie. However, Sean Payton saw something in Nix that made him believe that he could handle the responsibilities of the position. Payton was certainly right, and Nix has been tremendous. He’s shown excellent mobility and decision-making throughout the season. This is going to be the toughest test of his young career playing in frigid Buffalo.
Running Back By Committee:
Buffalo’s biggest weakness is that they are bad against tough running backs. What the Broncos like to do is rotate their backs, as they have three very good ones, and they will probably lean on them and run about 60% of the time. The bad news for Buffalo is that their top tackler, Terrell Bernard, may miss the game. If he does, this could mean real trouble for the Bills.
Courtland Sutton Is Key:
The Bills don’t normally get beat deep by opposing receivers, so Nix is going to have to take what the Bills secondary gives him. Courtland Sutton is very difficult to handle in the red zone as he is a big, bodied receiver who wins a lot of 50/50 balls. Marvin Mims is also emerging as the big play threat that the Broncos were seeking when they drafted him.
When the Bills have the ball:
In previous seasons, Buffalo has been more of a pass-first offense, but under offensive coordinator Joe Brady, they have become more of a run-first team. The beauty of Josh Allen is that he has exceptional mobility and is used as a running back in the red zone. It would not be surprising to see him run for at least one touchdown against Denver and perhaps more.
James Is Cooking:
James Cook has become one of the top rushers in all the NFL. Cook can take any carry to the house but is also a solid enough receiver out of the backfield to keep defenses honest. The Bills are very deep at running back and use Ty Johnson and Ray Davis as change-of-pace backups.
Pass Catching Weapons:
Khalil Shakir is the Bills best receiver against zone coverage and Amari Cooper is their top receiver against man coverage. Cooper is not 100% healthy but he’s expected to play. Rookie Keon Coleman is a big red zone target due to his size, and Dalton Kincaid is reliable over the middle and could have an impact in this game as Denver is susceptible to good tight ends.
Prediction:
Sean Payton has brought the Broncos back from the depths of oblivion, but it might be asking too much to win in frigid Buffalo against Josh Allen and company.
Chargers at Texans:
The fifth-seed Chargers head to Houston to take on the 4th seeded Texans. The Texans limped into the playoffs and are lucky they play in such a weak division, while the Chargers finished strong. Their first season under head coach Jim Harbaugh was a big success, and they will look to parlay it into playoff success, too.
When the Chargers have the ball:
Justin Herbert has thrived in Greg Roman’s offense. He’s shown more mobility this year than in seasons past, which has given his game another dimension. The Texans have been very strong against opposing running backs, so Herbert might have about 30 to 40 rushing yards in this game.
Running Attack:
JK Dobbins surprised people with his ability to stay healthy for most of the season. He’s given the Chargers a lift with his explosive running as well as his pass-catching ability. The Texans defense has been solid against the run, so look for Dobbins to have 15 to 18 touches, but don’t expect a huge game from him.
Elite Rookie:
It is without question that Ladd McConkey has been a top-three rookie wide receiver in the league this year. He is Justin Herbert’s go-to guy in critical situations and runs exceptional routes. He should be able to dominate the Texans defense, which struggles against slot receivers. Quentin Johnston is very inconsistent: In some games, he makes amazing plays, and sometimes, he has some bad drops. He’s going to need to hold on to the ball if the Chargers want to win.
When the Texans have the ball:
After having a phenomenal rookie season, second-year quarterback CJ Stroud has regressed slightly. It’s probably not as much Stroud’s fault as it’s been the fact that his receivers have been injured. The Chargers play a very difficult zone concept scheme, and they have an excellent pass rush with Joey Bosa on the outside. Stroud is going to need to be at his best if the Texans want any chance to win.
Mixon Needs To Carry The Load:
When the Texans were playing well in the beginning of the season Joe Mixon was running for well over 100 yards per game and had multiple touchdowns. Teams got wise to what the Texans wanted to do and started putting more men in the box to stop him. It is likely the Chargers will probably do the same and force Stroud to beat them with his arm.
Other Texans Playmakers:
Nico Collins is one of the top five receivers in the NFL and can dominate against any type of defensive coverage. The Texans brought in Diontae Johnson recently after Tank Dell was ruled out for the year. Johnson has all the ability in the world, but he’s not yet In sync with Stroud and doesn’t know the offense entirely. They’re going to need him to step up and play like the receiver he can be if they want any chance to win.
Prediction:
The Chargers just have too much on both sides of the football and should be able to beat the Texans.
Steelers at Ravens:
These two division rivals will meet for the third time this season. The Steelers won the first matchup earlier in the season when they were playing well, and the Ravens defense was struggling. The Ravens dominated the second matchup between the two teams and are playing excellent football right now, while the Steelers are playing their worst football of the year.
When the Steelers have the ball:
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin shocked fans and experts alike earlier in the season when he decided to bench Justin Fields for Russell Wilson. It paid off, as Wilson’s all-around game helped the Steelers flourish. Wilson has the arm to challenge Baltimore’s secondary, which has been its Achilles heel.
Two-Headed Monster
The Steelers have a two-headed rushing attack with Najee Harris as the primary ball carrier and Jaylen Warren as the pass-catching back. With the Steelers likely to be down in this game, they’re going to need to rely on Warren as much as possible to make big plays on 3rd and short.
Wilson to Pickens:
The key to the Steelers winning this game will be George Pickens stepping up and being the WR1 that he thinks he is. Baltimore is one of the worst teams against opposing top receivers, but Pickens tends to drop the ball in big situations. He’s got to come up big if the Steelers want to win. TE Pat Freiermuth will need to be heavily involved as well to take some pressure off Pickens.
When the Ravens have the ball:
The Ravens were built for this time of year. Lamar Jackson tends to overthrow some passes, but he can always be counted on to run and make plays with his legs. He knows the Steelers well and won’t be surprised with anything that he hasn’t seen before.
King Henry:
The Ravens added Derrick Henry specifically for the playoffs. Henry has never won a Super Bowl, and he really wants one prior to his retirement. He should be able to get about 25 to 30 carries in this game and is always a threat to break off a big play.
Pass Catchers:
The big question for the Ravens is the health of Zay Flowers. Flowers injured his knee in Week 18 and is very questionable and a game time decision. If Flowers is unable to play Rashod Bateman becomes the number one receiver. While Bateman is a solid player, he’s nothing like Flowers. If Flowers is out, what the Ravens will likely do is use their two tight ends extensively. Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely are both pass-catching weapons and should be able to find open space in the Steelers secondary.
Prediction:
The Steelers don’t have enough offensive firepower to keep up with Baltimore, whose running attack and Lamar Jackson’s dual-threat ability should lead them to victory.
