19. Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie
Kansas Metropolis did not skip a beat defensively after buying and selling L’Jarius Sneed to the Titans throughout the offseason. McDuffie has been instrumental in retaining the secondary afloat by permitting simply 140 yards after the catch on 54 receptions (h/t Pro Football Focus).
18. Eagles cornerback Quinyon Mitchell
A Defensive Rookie of the 12 months finalist, Mitchell — who is anticipated to play Sunday after struggling a shoulder damage within the divisional spherical — has been a wonderful outdoors nook for the Eagles. Per PFF data, Mitchell is tied with veteran cornerback Darius “Huge Play” Slay for a team-high 16 pressured incompletions and has solely allowed 43 receptions on 77 targets, a completion price of 55.8 %.
18. Eagles large receiver DeVonta Smith
The 2020 Heisman winner has been quiet by the primary two rounds, nabbing eight receptions for 76 yards in opposition to the Packers and Rams. Smith remains to be among the best offensive playmakers remaining, ranking ninth in ESPN Analytics’ wide receiver ratings.
16. Payments cornerback Christian Benford
Benford is without doubt one of the league’s extra underrated defensive backs however was a limited participant in apply on Wednesday and Thursday due to a concussion. In 17 video games (together with postseason), Benford has two interceptions and 10 passes defended and has allowed 37 receptions, 396 yards and two touchdowns.
15. Chiefs offensive lineman Joe Thuney
In Week 15, the nine-year veteran shifted from left guard to left deal with after coming into the season with solely 81 profession snaps at left deal with. He has held up effectively, offering stability for what may have been a catastrophe.
14. Eagles large receiver A.J. Brown
Brown has had loads of time to learn throughout the Eagles’ 2-0 playoff begin, recording simply three receptions on 10 targets for twenty-four yards. Nonetheless, he is among the best wideouts within the playoffs, and with 13 receptions, 162 yards and a landing in opposition to the Commanders this season, he may very well be in line for a breakout efficiency.
13. Eagles left deal with Jordan Mailata
Mailata is essential for Philadelphia’s excellent offensive line, which is sixth in ESPN’s pass-block win rate rankings and ninth in run-block win price. Per PFF, Mailata has solely allowed one sack and 17 complete pressures this season, and ESPN ranks him 14th amongst all offensive tackles in pass-block win price (92 %).
12. Eagles linebacker Zack Baun
Baun is without doubt one of the 12 months’s greatest tales, going from primarily a particular groups participant with the Saints to a first-team All-Professional linebacker in Philadelphia. In the course of the common season, he had 151 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 11 tackles for loss and 5 pressured fumbles as Philadelphia finished the season ranked first in total defense.
11. Eagles defensive deal with Jalen Carter
The second-year professional had his first multi-sack playoff recreation (two) within the divisional spherical in opposition to the Rams and in addition deflected two passes and compelled a fumble. According to PFF data, Carter leads the Eagles with 65 pressures (together with postseason).
10. Commanders linebacker Bobby Wagner
The long run Corridor of Famer, in his thirteenth season, is the spine of Washington’s protection. The 34-year-old former Seahawk leads the Commanders with 132 tackles, and he is additionally a wonderful run defender, posting the sixth-lowest missed deal with price this season on run performs amongst 56 linebackers with a minimum of 250 run-defense snaps (h/t PFF).
9. Chiefs middle Creed Humphrey
Humphrey has by no means missed a recreation since being chosen within the second spherical (No. 63 total) of the 2021 NFL Draft and was named first-team All-Professional for the primary time this season. He is the league’s greatest middle, permitting no sacks and getting flagged for a penalty solely as soon as this season.
8. Commanders large receiver Terry McLaurin
It is onerous to not really feel good for McLaurin, who suffered by dismal seasons in Washington to get up to now. McLaurin had his fifth consecutive 1,000-yard receiving season in 2024 (1,096) and scored a career-high 13 touchdowns. He has continued his excellence within the playoffs with 11 receptions and 176 yards receiving.
7. Eagles proper deal with Lane Johnson
Johnson is an all-around asset for the Eagles, equally dominant in pass- and run-blocking conditions. Per PFF data, he hasn’t allowed a sack this season, and working again Saquon Barkley averaged 5.4 yards per carry off right tackle.
6. Chiefs tight finish Travis Kelce
The all-time playoff receptions chief comes by when Kansas Metropolis wants him most. After a down common season during which Kelce gained his fewest receiving yards in a full season (823), the four-time first-team All-Professional had 117 yards receiving within the divisional-round win over the Houston Texans, his ninth 100-yard playoff recreation, breaking a tie with Corridor of Fame large receiver Jerry Rice for essentially the most 100-yard postseason video games in NFL historical past (h/t Stathead).
5. Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels
Daniels regarded like something however a rookie in main Washington to its first convention championship recreation since 1991 by outdueling Lions quarterback Jared Goff, an MVP finalist, within the divisional spherical. He already has 4 fourth-quarter comebacks. Daniels threw for 3,568 yards and rushed for 891 throughout the common season.
4. Chiefs defensive deal with Chris Jones
Jones was named first-team All-Professional for the third consecutive season in 2024. He ranked first in ESPN’s pass-rush win rate among defensive tackles regardless of being double-teamed on a staggering 70 % of his snaps, which additionally frees up different defenders to win manageable one-on-one matchups.
3. Eagles working again Saquon Barkley
Barkley joined retired former Saints quarterback Drew Brees as arguably the 2 greatest offensive free brokers in league historical past after his monster common season. The 2018 Related Press Offensive Rookie of the 12 months, a finalist for MVP and Offensive Participant of the 12 months, rushed for a career-high 2,005 yards and 13 touchdowns and has adopted that with 51 carries, 324 yards (6.4 yards per try) and two touchdowns in two playoff video games.
2. Payments quarterback Josh Allen
Allen has been one of many league’s greatest quarterbacks for years, however he moved up a notch this season with higher ball safety. His 1.2 interception price is the bottom of his profession, and ESPN NFL analyst Dan Orlovsky famous that Buffalo’s 12 turnover-free video games are “essentially the most by any staff … since that stat was tracked in 1933.”
