Who will step as much as lead their groups to the divisional spherical of the AFC playoffs? Listed here are the gamers we imagine have one of the best shot.
Baltimore Ravens | Derrick Henry | RB
Baltimore went 1-1 in final 12 months’s playoffs, beating Houston 34-10 within the divisional spherical and dropping 17-10 to the Chiefs within the AFC Championship. Quarterback Lamar Jackson completed because the main passer and rusher in each video games, which is why the crew signed Henry.
Henry practically eclipsed the two,000-yard mark for the second time in his profession with 1,921 yards this season, second solely to Saquon Barkley, who rushed for two,005 yards. Pittsburgh, the Ravens’ subsequent opponent, held Henry to 65 yards in Week 11 however gave up 162 yards to him in Week 16.
One other efficiency like that ought to give the Ravens simply sufficient to beat a Steelers crew that’s had their quantity for the previous few years.
Buffalo Payments | Josh Allen | QB
Generally the plain reply is one of the best. Allen hasn’t posted the gaudy numbers of years previous, however he’s arguably having one of the best season of his profession and has one of the best odds (-270) to be named the NFL’s Most Useful Participant, per FanDuel Sportsbook.
Whereas the MVP is meant to be a regular-season award, a giant sport in opposition to the Broncos may seal the deal for Allen and get Buffalo the win.
Denver Broncos | Nik Bonitto | LB
Bo Nix additionally looks like an apparent alternative, however rookie quarterbacks will be difficult within the playoffs. Final 12 months, Houston’s C.J. Stroud threw three touchdowns in his postseason debut however Broncos legend John Elway was benched in his first playoff begin again in 1983.
If Denver hopes to upset Buffalo, it’ll have to lean on its seventh-ranked protection, led by Bonitto. The third-year linebacker posted a career-high 13.5 sacks this 12 months, the third most within the NFL, en path to his first Professional Bowl nomination.
