The NFL Playoffs are here, and we have a stacked slate of Wild Card games ahead. Let’s take a look at the key players who will define each matchup. We identified one X-Factor in each game who could ultimately decide the outcome of all seven games on Wild Card Weekend:
QB Justin Herbert, Chargers (vs HOU)
Justin Herbert’s first playoff appearance featured a historic collapse. The Chargers blew a 27-point lead to the Jacksonville Jaguars during the 2022 Wild Card round. It was an epic second-half collapse on both sides of the ball. Herbert has been trying to shake the stigma of that loss for the past two seasons and has a chance to flip the narrative this week.
It’s been just two years, but the offense Herbert will lead in his second playoff game is wholly different from his first. The only player who caught a pass in the Wild Card matchup against Jacksonville that is still on the team is WR Joshua Palmer — who was inactive in Week 18 against the Raiders. Herbert guiding the Chargers to a win and igniting a deep playoff run will force his last detractors to place him in elite QB conversations.
WR Rashod Bateman, Ravens (vs PIT)
Zay Flowers’ status for this game is unknown. Baltimore’s Pro Bowl wideout suffered a knee injury in their Week 18 matchup against the Browns. Head coach John Harbaugh said it wouldn’t be season-ending and that Flowers is day-to-day. Still, he seems unlikely to be ready to suit up by Saturday.
The Ravens’ recent playoff shortcomings have largely fallen on the shoulders of two-time league MVP Lamar Jackson. However, each loss has highlighted Baltimore’s lack of playmaking pass catchers. Mark Andrews has been the team’s go-to receiver throughout Jackson’s career but has disappointed in the postseason. He has yet to reach the end zone in six playoff appearances.
Flowers dominated the Steelers in their last regular season meeting, accounting for 100 of Jackson’s 207 passing yards on the day. Bateman had just one reception (a 14-yard touchdown) in the win over Pittsburgh. He was featured more in Baltimore’s Week 18 win over the Browns (5 receptions, 76 yards, 1 TD) and just capped off a career year. He must be locked in against a smart, stingy, and opportunistic Steeler defense.
LB Nik Bonitto, Broncos (vs BUF)
Nik Bonitto has emerged as a star for the Broncos this season. He recorded the most sacks (13.5) for a team that led the league in that category by a wide-margin (Denver finished with nine more sacks than the No. 2 ranked Ravens). He’s an absolute nightmare for offenses to account for, and can completely wreck a game with just a few plays.
The path for the Broncos upsetting the Bills involves Denver’s defense forcing turnovers. Josh Allen has had his best year at taking care of the football. If the Broncos can induce a few risky plays from Allen, perhaps his turnover-prone side reveals itself. Bonitto has been making plays all year, and Denver will need their star linebacker to make a couple of game-changing ones in this contest.
RB Josh Jacobs, Packers (vs PHI)
It’s been an excellent first year as a Packer for Josh Jacobs. The former Raider has added a new element to Green Bay’s attack. He finished the year with 1,329 rushing yards and 15 TDs, and even recorded his first career receiving touchdown.
Packer QB Jordan Love is an exciting talent who continues to grow as a passer. However, his confidence can lead to costly mistakes. Love has 11 INTs on the year but none in his last seven games. He had a similar streak going into last year’s postseason when Love had just 1 INT over his last eight regular season contests. And, then Love tossed two backbreaking second-half interceptions in Green Bay’s playoff loss to San Francisco.
Jacobs will be featured early and often against the Eagles. Having an established rushing attack will ease some of the tension off Green Bay’s quarterback.
QB Jayden Daniels, Commanders (vs TB)
Rookie quarterbacks don’t often find themselves in a position to start a playoff game. However, a first-year QB has earned a postseason win each of the last two years. Last season, C.J. Stroud led a blowout victory over the Browns in the Wild Card round. The year prior, Brock Purdy won two playoff games as the starter for the 49ers and nearly guided the team to a Super Bowl appearance before getting hurt early in the NFC title game.
Daniels has a chance to make it three years in a row for rookie hurlers. He faces off against a solid, but susceptible Buccaneers defense that he made his NFL debut against. Daniels should be more ready this time. His ability to change the game with his arm or legs could be the difference in this one.
QB Sam Darnold, Vikings (vs LAR)
Sam Darnold has had a resurgent year with the Vikings, setting career highs across the board and leading Minnesota to 14 wins. However, his most recent performance is what put Minnesota in its current position. With the No. 1 seed and a first-round Bye on the line, Darnold had his worst game in a Viking uniform. Detroit’s pass rush got to him early, and Darnold was missing open receivers and making crucial mistakes.
Now, Darnold faces off against the only other team not named the Lions who he hasn’t beaten this season. After losing to the Rams back in Week 8, the Vikings rallied off nine wins in a row before the disappointing Lions loss. Minnesota needs to get back on track immediately, and cannot afford another Darnold disaster. If he puts up another dud, the Vikings could look to move on from Darnold in the offseason despite his breakout campaign.
