Six big questions for the first round of the playoffs
In the greatest offensive year in NFL history, the value of experienced quarterbacks prevailed.
Tom Brady, 43, signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and took them to the playoffs for the first time since the 2007 season. The Indianapolis Colts signed Philip Rivers, 39, and he led them to an 11-5 season and a wild-card berth. Ben Roethlisberger, 38, came back from elbow surgery to win the AFC North for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Ryan Tannehill, 32; Russell Wilson, 32; Drew Brees, 41; Aaron Rodgers, 37; and Alex Smith, 36, led their teams to division titles.
That type of experience provides at least a little certainty for what to expect during the NFL postseason’s first round, but plenty of questions remain. Here is a look at the biggest question for each matchup:
COLTS AT BILLS
Can Josh Allen stay as hot in the playoffs as he was during the regular season?
Allen finished the regular season as the NFL’s hottest quarterback. The Bills won their last six games, and Allen kept getting better each week. He threw for 4,544 yards and 37 touchdowns, and the Bills ended up as the second-highestscoring team in the league at 31.3 points per game - a nearly 12-point improvement from last season.
But this is only Allen’s second playoff game. Last year, he tried to do a little too much as Buffalo blew a lead to the Houston Texans in a 22-19 overtime loss, and trying to force big plays that turn into mistakes is still an issue for him at times. He’ll also be facing the NFL’s eighth-ranked defense, led by dominant tackle DeForest Buckner and athletic linebacker Darius Leonard.
RAMS AT SEAHAWKS
Can Sean McVay get enough out of the quarterback position to eke out a win?
McVay isn’t sure who will start at quarterback Saturday. Jared Goff will be trying to play 12 days after thumb surgery, which won’t be easy. John Wolford did an adequate job in an 18-7 victory over Arizona on Sunday, completing 22 of 38 passes for 231 yards and adding a running element to the Rams’ offense with six carries for 56 yards. That mobility, a departure from Goff, who is more of a pocket passer, opened up some deep throws downfield that had been missing in recent weeks. But Wolford didn’t lead a touchdown drive; the Rams got their points from field goals and their topranked defense.
BUCCANEERS AT WASHINGTON
Will Tom Brady be able to handle the Washington pass rush?
The one thing that gives the greatest quarterback of all time trouble is when defenders are around his legs as he’s trying to throw. Washington’s defensive front is its greatest strength, with four recent first-round picks and veteran Ryan
Kerrigan powering a passing defense that allows just 191.8 yards per game, second best in the league.
Making matters worse for Brady is that he may not have star wide receiver Mike Evans, who suffered a hyperextended knee in Sunday’s victory. He has other weapons, from Chris Godwin and Antonio Brown to two good tight ends and a deep running back group, but not having his top target could prove problematic if Washington can consistently disrupt the pocket.
RAVENS AT TITANS
Will Lamar Jackson conquer his past postseason problems?
The Titans shocked the NFL by beating Jackson and the 14-win Ravens in last season’s playoffs, and they came back from a 21-10 deficit to win in Baltimore this season. These are the best running teams in the league, but the difference could come down to quarterback play.
Jackson will need to outduel Tannehill, who had five fourth-quarter comebacks this season, through the air in addition to on the ground. Jackson has excelled during the team’s five-game winning streak, which came against the NFL’s easiest closing schedule, but his passing numbers are down across the board. His completion percentage dropped from 66.1 to 64.4. His touchdowns dipped from 36 to 26. His yards per attempt fell from 9 to 6.9.
Led by Tannehill and Derrick Henry, Tennessee has the chance to put up a lot of points, even against a good Ravens defense.
BEARS AT SAINTS
Can Mitchell Trubisky actually outduel Drew Brees?
The question might seem ridiculous, given that Trubisky has largely been a disappointment for Chicago (although his recent resurgence might force the Bears to consider bringing him back) and Brees is an all-time great. But Trubisky
led a potent offense during the Bears’ recent four-game stretch in which they scored 30 points or more in each contest.
The Saints are built more around a stout defense and the running of Alvin Kamara — who should be able to return for the playoffs after missing Week 17 following a positive coronavirus test — than they are the throwing of Brees.
BROWNS AT STEELERS
Can the Steelers run the ball well enough to win?
Pittsburgh ended the season with the NFL’s worst running offense, producing just 84.4 yards per game.