3 people with the most to prove in the Divisional Round
As the NFL playoffs start to heat up, pressure begins to build up on players and coaches. Some teams and players have a lot of pressure on them to win a Super Bowl this season, while some teams, such as the Kansas City Chiefs, do not have a lot of pressure to deal with. These blockbuster matchups, set for this weekend are games you do not want to muss. All teams have talent all over the field and nothing is more exciting than watching these players compete with everything on the line. We look at the top 3 people with the most to prove in the Divisional round this weekend.
1. Lamar Jackson (Ravens vs Bills)
Lamar Jackson is known as one of the best overall players in the NFL. In the regular season, he consistently puts up MVP numbers. He has won the MVP award twice and is looking to win his third this season. He has a 70-24 record in the regular season. Nobody questions his greatness in the regular season. When it comes to the playoffs, unfortunately, there is a drop in his performance. He enters this weekend with a 3-4 playoff record, eight touchdowns, and six interceptions. He is looking to change the narrative. He put up a great performance against the Pittsburgh Steelers last week and is looking to continue his run when the Baltimore Ravens visit the Buffalo Bills. Most of the playoff losses in Jackson’s career have been because he has not played up to standard. The team goes away from their identity, which is running the ball. The Ravens showed last week that running the ball effectively and letting Lamar Jackson be Lamar Jackson was the formula to winning the game. If they stick to that formula, the Ravens may see themselves in the AFC championship game.
2. Josh Allen (Ravens vs Bills)
Unfortunately, somebody must lose this matchup between the Ravens and Bills. This game features the top two MVP candidates, Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen. Whoever wins will receive the glory, and the loser will be judged on how they could not get the job done again. Josh Allen has been a great playoff performer. He has 23 touchdowns and four interceptions with a 6-5 playoff record. He is 5-1 in the wild card round but 1-4 in the Divisional round and AFC championship. Every team in the AFC must go through Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs to get to the Super Bowl. It has been that way since Patrick Mahomes became a starter in the NFL. Josh Allen has lost to him in the playoffs twice. Josh Allen has been one of the top quarterbacks in the league for multiple years and he has yet to get to a Super Bowl. This season, people expected the Bills to fall off because of the offensive weapons that left the team in free agency. But Buffalo finds themselves hosting a divisional game against one of the best teams in the league and their MVP candidate. If Josh Allen wants to get to the Super Bowl, it starts Sunday night.
1. Dan Campbell (Commanders vs Lions)
Dan Campbell has done an amazing job in turning this franchise completely around and making them title contenders for years to come. Last season, the Detroit Lions won their first playoff game in 31 seasons and gave the city of Detroit hope of a championship. Unfortunately, the Lions fell short of the Super Bowl by losing to the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship game. Now the Lions are 15-2 and have a home-field advantage for the playoffs. They are arguably the best team in the NFC and are looking to make their first Super Bowl appearance in franchise history. Dan Campbell is known for his aggressive coaching style and making gambles on 4th down. The Lions have the most 4th down attempts among the remaining playoff teams with 33 attempts. His coaching style is the reason why the Lions are where they are right now. But that is also one of the reasons why the Lions found themselves at home watching the Super Bowl. The city of Detroit is hoping that his aggressiveness leads them to their first championship, rather than an upset by rookie quarterback, Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders.
Geoffrey Huggins
DiSportsPhotoAgency
Writer
