Green Bay, Wisconsin – The highly anticipated match between Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen takes center stage this weekend. As the Chiefs battle the Bills once again, football fans are in for a treat. However, there are several other intriguing storylines to watch unfold during this weekend’s games.
In Cincinnati, rookie C.J. Stroud has a chance to upset the reigning MVP, Lamar Jackson. Stroud’s impressive performance could shake up the playoff picture. Meanwhile, the Packers and 49ers will reignite their historic rivalry, bringing a whole new level of intensity to the field. Additionally, two former first overall draft picks, Jared Goff and Baker Mayfield, look to build upon their comeback stories.
The matchup between Mahomes and Allen is reminiscent of the fierce rivalry between Tom Brady and Peyton Manning. With their seventh meeting on the horizon, it is clear that Mahomes vs. Allen is the best quarterback rivalry since Brady vs. Manning. Fans can expect another exhilarating game as the Chiefs and Bills meet in the playoffs once again. The last time they faced off in the postseason, the game resulted in a thrilling 42-36 overtime victory for Kansas City.
Meanwhile, the Baltimore Ravens possess a formidable combination: the league’s top scoring defense and the MVP favorite in quarterback Lamar Jackson. Jackson’s recent recognition as a first-team All-Pro selection further solidifies the Ravens’ status as title contenders. In fact, they are only the fourth team since 1970 to have a first-team All-Pro QB and the No. 1 scoring defense. The previous three teams went on to win the Super Bowl.
Despite Jackson’s impressive regular-season accomplishments, his playoff record leaves room for improvement. With a 1-3 record and more turnovers than total touchdowns, Jackson must step up his game to avoid another early exit. The Ravens face the challenge of becoming the first team in NFL history to lose multiple playoff openers after a 14-win season. Jackson himself could become the first quarterback with more MVP titles (two) than playoff wins (one).
In another exciting matchup, C.J. Stroud has the opportunity to make history. If he leads his team to victory against the Ravens and Browns, he will become the first quarterback to defeat both the No. 1 scoring defense and the No. 1 total defense in the same postseason. Stroud’s stellar performance in the College Football Playoffs and NFL postseason so far demonstrates his ability to excel against elite defenses.
The Houston Texans’ potential success would defy the odds. With preseason Super Bowl odds of 200-1, they could become the most improbable team to reach the conference championship in the past 45 years. This achievement would surpass that of the 1999 Rams and the 2021 Bengals. In a similar vein, the Green Bay Packers have a chance to pull off another upset against the 49ers as they did against the Cowboys, joining the ranks of teams that have won multiple playoff games as touchdown underdogs.
As the divisional round kicks off, seven former first-round quarterbacks will take the field, setting a record for the most in this stage of the playoffs. Their presence emphasizes the importance of being aggressive in the draft and securing a franchise QB.
Intriguingly, half of the remaining playoff teams were not even in a playoff spot through Week 12. The Texans, Bills, Buccaneers, and Packers all clinched a playoff spot in Week 18, highlighting the unpredictable nature of the game.
Lastly, the San Francisco 49ers’ offensive prowess this season is worth noting. With an impressive average of 6.61 yards per play, they rank seventh in Super Bowl-era history. However, it is worth mentioning that none of the top 12 teams in this category have won a Super Bowl.
As the weekend approaches, football fans eagerly anticipate the thrilling matchups and potential upsets that await them. The battles between quarterbacks and the stakes involved make this round of the playoffs incredibly enticing to watch.