This year’s NFL playoff picture brings no shortage of intrigue, and while the AFC brings plenty of storylines to Wild-Card weekend, the NFC might just steal the show.
From a rivalry renewed to the ultimate revenge game and a head-scratching development in Philadelphia, here’s a collection of storylines and questions we’re looking at ahead of the NFC’s slate of wild-card games this weekend.
No. 7 Green Bay Packers @ No. 2 Dallas Cowboys | Sunday 4:30 p.m. ET
Think back to the some of the most thrilling playoff matchups of the last decade, and the Packers and Cowboys come to mind.
Yup, there’s history here. And it doesn’t exactly favour the boys in blue. But things look a little different this time. Dak Prescott is putting up MVP numbers and has a defence that’s downright scary backing him up, while the man opposite him isn’t longtime Packer Aaron Rodgers but first-year starter Jordan Love. Oh, and nestled among the intrigue is the presence of Mike McCarthy on the other sideline. But the fact remains that when facing a playoff-calibre opponent, the Cowboys are… questionable. Of their 12 wins this season, just two came against opponents with a plus-.500 record at the time.
One key question for the Packers: Can Jordan Love best Prescott?
Dak Prescott finished the regular season with more touchdown passes than anyone else. Guess who’s No. 2 on that list? It’s Jordan Love, current darling of the NFL now that he’s finally announced his presence and shown us what he can do. With Love at the helm of the league’s youngest squad, the Packers are playing with house money — a stark contrast to the pressure weighing on Dallas — and have proven themselves against some of the NFL’s top teams in the Chiefs, Lions, and Rams. Can he keep that momentum going on the road? The Cowboys’ elite defence and perfect 8-0 home record pose Love’s toughest challenge yet.
One key question for the Cowboys: Can CeeDee Lamb keep his hot streak alive?
So many pieces are in place for the Cowboys this year: The Eagles’ collapse couldn’t have come at a better time for Dallas to grab home-field advantage, nor could Prescott’s MVP-like play. And when the team needs him most, top receiver CeeDee Lamb is at his best. Lamb has been excellent all season long, but appears to be hitting another gear at the most optimal time, putting up back-to-back 13-catch games to close out the season and hitting the playoffs on a nine-game touchdown streak. He’s the big-play weapon Prescott loves to target most, and against the Packers — a pass defence vulnerable down the middle — Lamb has the potential to break this game wide open.
No. 6 Los Angeles Rams @ No. 3 Detroit Lions | Sunday 8 p.m. ET
Both offences know how to rack up points. Both defences are a little bare beyond excellent pass-rush units. Neither coach is afraid to call a bold game. And everyone involved knows that this wild-card matchup between the Rams and Lions is… well, it’s personal.
Never mind that the 2021 trade that sent Matthew Stafford from Detroit to L.A. in exchange for Jared Goff and two first-round picks has turned out to be a rare win-win transaction — the Rams got their Super Bowl, the Lions landed some key draft picks, and both quarterbacks have thrived in their new markets. Goff said himself the chip on his shoulder acquired after being ousted from L.A. will never leave him, while it’s unclear what kind of reception Stafford will receive in his old home. He fought for 12 years to land Detroit a home playoff game, and instead arrives as the visitor for the occasion.
As far as intrigue goes, it doesn’t get much better than this.
One key question for the Rams: Can Puka Nacua steal a win for L.A.?
While the Lions have been strong against the run, holding opponents to just 3.7 yards per carry, Detroit’s defence is vulnerable through the air — they allowed an average of 7.8 yards per catch this year, good for second worst in the league. Against a Rams squad that features a pair of elite wide receivers in Cooper Kupp and rookie Puka Nacua, this could be an issue. Nacua just wrapped up a historic rookie season — the best we’ve ever seen from a first-year wide receiver, in fact. Let’s see what he can do in the playoffs.
One key question for the Lions: Can Dan Campbell’s Lions run their way to victory?
All eyes will be on Jared Goff as he attempts to exact revenge on his old club when the Lions host their first-ever playoff game at Ford Field and search for their first post-season victory since 1991. But with a receiving corps that’s less than fully healthy and a run game that’s impressed all season, he might not be the one holding the keys to victory here. Detroit leads the league in rushing touchdowns this year (27 — tied with San Francisco and Miami) and have averaged a fifth-best yards per carry (4.6) between David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs. Like Detroit, L.A.’s pass coverage has been spotty, making that an area worth exploring. But with tight end Sam LaPorta’s availability still unknown, the Lions may need to lean even more heavily on their ground game.
No. 5 Philadelphia Eagles @ No. 4 Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Monday 8 p.m. ET
The Eagles were flying. With a 10-1 record to start the season with a statement, all they’ve left us with since are questions. Injuries are one thing — and sure, the Eagles are dealing with some ailments on both sides of the ball, including a Week 18 finger injury to Jalen Hurts that adds plenty of salt to the open wound that is Philly’s struggles down the stretch. But the Eagles that enter the post-season are a far cry from the one that was challenging for the Super Bowl just one year ago.
Meanwhile, the Buccaneers aren’t so far removed from their own Super Bowl run, only with one major difference: Baker Mayfield is under centre, winning the top job and thriving in this offence. He, too, is dealing with an injury, however, which could mean this matchup comes down to defence.
One key question for the Eagles: Um, what’s going on with A.J. Brown?
A five-game losing streak. A string of injuries. A total and complete loss of offence. If you were thinking things couldn’t get much worse for the Eagles on the heels of a five-game losing streak, the club’s top option at wide receiver would like a word.
Or, rather, there’s been no word from A.J. Brown — and that’s the problem. The receiver apparently scrubbed his social media of any Eagles content earlier on Friday and then reportedly wasn’t at practice. This comes after he suffered a possible knee injury in Philly’s season finale. So, what comes next?
Jason Kelce might just be their only hope.
One key question for the Buccaneers: Is Mayfield healthy enough for a run?
The Eagles aren’t the only one limping into the playoffs. Baker Mayfield is dealing with bruised ribs, which could spell trouble for the hosts in Tampa Bay. The NFC South champs’ 9-0 division-clinching victory over the Panthers in Week 18 wasn’t exactly a thriller, but it didn’t have to be. It does, however, prompt a few questions about whether Mayfield’s offence can bring a little more energy in the post-season against a vulnerable Eagles defence. While wide receiver Mike Evans, who’s enjoyed one of his best seasons alongside Mayfield, said his QB has been looking good in practice, a handful of missed passes in Week 18 suggest we could be in for another low-scoring affair Monday night.
