The NFL Playoffs are here! We have 6 games this weekend, 3 in each conference! Here is a preview and breakdown of each NFC game:
Commanders at Bucs:
The 6th-seed Commanders head to Tampa to take on the 3rd-seeded Buccaneers this weekend. Both teams have high-powered offenses that should put up plenty of points. The Bucs won in week 18 just to be here, and they have the experience, but Jayden Daniels is as special as they get. Here’s a look at how this game should play out:
When Washington has the ball:
Tampa’s run defense has been very tough all season long, especially with Vita Vea manning the interior line. It’s hard to imagine Brian Robinson Jr. having a lot of room to run, so it would not be shocking to see Jayden Daniels lead the team in rushing yards.
Commanders Key Pass Catchers:
Tampa has been one of the worst teams in pass defense all season, as they are terrible against WR1, tight ends, and slot receivers. The Commanders have a terrific WR1 in Terry McLaurin and a very solid tight end in Zach Ertz. If Daniels can elude the pass rush, he should be able to take a few big shots downfield to McLaurin.
Jayden Needs To Stay Composed:
This is a game that the Commanders can win if Daniels can keep his composure and complete critical third-down opportunities when they arise.
When Tampa has the ball:
Baker Mayfield has been one of the top quarterbacks this season and has full command of this offense. He has just enough mobility and athleticism to elude the Commanders tough pass rush and make some big downfield plays.
Bucky Leads The Charge:
Tampa Bay has two excellent young running backs in Bucky Irving and Rachaad White. Irving has taken the mantle as RB1 and is very fluid out of the backfield catching the football as well as finding the zone gaps to run. White is the Bucs preference in goal-line situations but he has seen fewer carries in the past few weeks due to a fumbling issue.
Bucs Pass Catchers:
Mike Evans eclipsed 1000 yards once again this season and is the Bucs go-to receiver, but the Commanders added his old nemesis Marshon Lattimore before the trade deadline from the Saints, which might be the difference in this game. Rookie Jalen McMillan has really stepped up recently and will be needed with Evans being contained, but the key may be the return of tight end Cade Otton, who has missed the last few weeks with an injury. He is a very big presence in the red zone and a reliable target for Mayfield.
Conclusion:
Tampa is a 3-point favorite at home, but it feels like this game will come down to whether Jayden Daniels can make the necessary plays against a Tampa defense that has really struggled against top quarterbacks. Baker is going to have to match Daniels point for point if Tampa wants to win.
Vikings at Rams:
This game is a matchup of two head coaches who used to work together in Los Angeles (O’Connell was the OC for McVay). These two teams run very similar offenses, and they should have an excellent idea of what each other wants to do. Here is how this game should play out:
When Minnesota has the ball:
The key for the Vikings is for Sam Darnold to make good decisions when facing the Rams defensive pressure. The Rams have a terrific pass rush and can force a lot of bad throws from Darnold if they can get him to be a little skittish in the pocket.
Jones or Akers? Or both?
Aaron Jones has run well, but as of late, it seems like the Vikings are leaning on Cam Akers especially in and around the goal line. Akers is very familiar with the Rams, as he used to play there. Both running backs will be used interchangeably.
Vikings Best Matchup:
The Rams are the best team against slot receivers in the NFL, so the Vikings may lean more toward using Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson than Justin Jefferson. Against the Lions, Sam Darnold was not able to find Jordan Addison (only one catch). This cannot happen as the Rams really struggle against the deep pass where Addison should shine.
When Los Angeles has the ball:
If there is anyone who can withstand the Vikings pass rush, it’s Matthew Stafford. He’s not afraid to take a hit, and he’s at his best when teams pressure him.
Kyren Is Key:
The Rams want to establish the run with Kyren Williams, but Minnesota has one of the toughest run defenses in the league. They sometimes suffer against explosive running backs such as Jahmyr Gibbs, but Williams runs inside the tackles and not outside like Gibbs does. Look for McVay to give Williams about 18 to 22 touches, mainly to keep the Vikings defense honest.
Can Kupp Be Impactful?
The Vikings struggle against slot receivers so this could be one of those games where Cooper Kupp goes off. He’s been pretty non-existent over the past few games but this should be a game where they rely on him more than usual. Tight End Tyler Higbee is back and healthy again and could be a good target in the red zone. Puka Nacua is the engine to the Rams’ offense and they will move him around to make sure that the Vikings don’t shadow him with Stephon Gilmore.
Conclusion:
Even though the Rams are the higher seed, the Vikings are a 2.5-point favorite. This game is completely about Sam Darnold. If he plays well, Minnesota should win; if he plays like he did against Detroit, they will likely lose. For the Rams, Stafford just needs to be Stafford. He is great in big moments.
Packers at Eagles:
The 7th-seed Green Bay Packers head to Philadelphia to take on the the 2nd seed Eagles. The two teams played all the way back in week one, in Brazil, and the Eagles came away with the win. A lot has changed since then, the Packers limped into the playoffs while the Eagles cruised to the finish line. They are the clear favorites here, but in the playoffs, anything can happen. Here’s a look at how this game should play out:
When Green Bay has the ball:
Green Bay has become a running team over the last part of the season as their pass rate over expectation is the lowest in the league, and they play at a snail’s pace. With Christian Watson out with a torn ACL look for Green Bay to continue to milk the clock with Josh Jacobs and keep the time of possession in their favor.
Love Nursing Injury:
Jordan Love has a hand injury, but it would be shocking to see him miss this playoff game. He will spend a lot of the time handing the ball off to Josh Jacobs and the other RBs, but the Eagles have been the toughest team to run on in the league, which could force him to pass more than the team would like.
Beat Up Receivers:
Not only is Christian Watson out, but Romeo Doubs is not playing at full strength, either. Jayden Reed struggles against man coverage, and Bo Melton is the new WR3 with Watson out. The Packers might choose to employ a two tight end offense with Tucker Kraft and Luke Musgrave to change things up, but either way, this is a rough matchup for Green Bay.
When Philadelphia has the ball:
QB Jalen Hurts is still in concussion protocol. Hopefully, he gets to practice by the end of the week. If Hurts can’t go, backup Kenny Pickett will get the start. Pickett has been underwhelming thus far when he’s played, but he can do just enough to keep drives alive.
Saquon’s Show:
Saquon Barkley missed his chance to set the NFL rushing record by sitting out Week 18 to be fully healthy for the playoff run. It would not be surprising to see Barkley get around 30 rushes, as the Eagles OL has a definite physical advantage over the Packers DL.
Eagles WR Advantage:
Green Bay’s best CB, Jaire Alexander, is on the IR, which should play to the advantage of Eagles WRs A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. Both Eagles receivers have mismatches on the outside as the Packers secondary is on the slower side, and Brown especially should take advantage. Dallas Goedert returned from the IR in Week 18 and adds another wrinkle to Philadelphia’s offense and will force the Packers LB to watch him over the middle of the field.
Conclusion
If Jalen Hurts returns, the Eagles should have no problem winning this game. Losing the speed of Watson means the Packers will rely even more on their running attack, which will be an uphill battle against the Eagles tough run defense. Jordan Love will have to be next to perfect for the Packers to have any chance.
