Minnesota Vikings WR Justin Jefferson and QB Sam Darnold cannot flop once more
In a 31-9, Week 18, loss to the Detroit Lions, Darnold accomplished 18-of-41 passes for 166 yards, and Jefferson completed with three receptions for 54 yards. The QB-WR tandem higher not have one other dud in Monday’s street recreation towards the Los Angeles Rams at 8 p.m. ET, or Minnesota (14-3) might have an early postseason exit.
The Vikings have gained three of their previous 4 video games. Throughout this stretch, Darnold has seven touchdown passes. Jefferson, in the meantime, has three TD catches.
Los Angeles Rams should resolve offensive points to maintain up with Vikings
Though the Rams offense options QB Matthew Stafford and WR Puka Nacua, it has just lately stalled. L.A. (10-7) has failed to attain 20 factors in three of its previous 4 video games.
That will not minimize it towards the Vikings’ explosive offense. Minnesota ranks ninth in the league in factors scored (25.4).
Los Angeles Chargers QB Justin Herbert could have finest likelihood to win his first playoff recreation
Herbert — who has began one playoff recreation in 5 seasons with the Chargers — is in a implausible place heading into their street recreation towards the Houston Texans at 4:30 p.m. ET on Saturday.
The Texans (10-7) have misplaced 5 of their final 9 video games and are 14th in points allowed (21.9). Herbert, in the meantime, is on a tear. Over his previous three starts, he has accomplished 73.3% of his passes for 911 yards and 7 touchdowns.
Do not count on Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson’s struggles towards Pittsburgh Steelers to proceed
According to Stathead, in eight regular-season video games towards Pittsburgh, Jackson has accomplished 58% of his passes and has extra interceptions (9) than TD passes (eight).
Regardless of his earlier struggles towards Pittsburgh, Jackson should not lay an egg of their residence recreation on Saturday at 8 p.m. ET. Over his past three starts, the two-time MVP logged 764 yards (592 passing and 172 dashing) and eight TDs (seven passing and one dashing).
Steelers ought to contemplate QB swap
After the Steelers’ 19-17 Week 18 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, quarterback Russell Wilson mentioned he does not “wanna talk about the past.” Nonetheless, it is laborious to disregard the crew’s current slide.
Pittsburgh (10-7) has misplaced 4 straight video games. During this span, Wilson has posted an abysmal 37.4 QBR. If Wilson’s struggles proceed, the Steelers ought to contemplate turning to backup QB Justin Fields, who has a 4-2 beginning document this season.
Commanders rookie QB Jayden Daniels could flourish in postseason debut
Final season, Houston Texans QB C.J. Stroud gained his playoff debut towards the Cleveland Browns. Though the Commanders are on the street towards the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday at 8 p.m. ET, Daniels might do the identical.
The Buccaneers’ 29th-ranked pass defense (243.9 YPG) presents a good matchup for Daniels. In 17 begins, the 2024 No. 2 total choose tossed 25 TDs and engineered 4 fourth-quarter comebacks.
The Philadelphia Eagles passing assault might rebound towards the Inexperienced Bay Packers
Eagles RB Saquon Barkley has rushed for two,005 yards in 16 video games, overshadowing their passing recreation’s issues. Philadelphia QB Jalen Hurts has averaged 193.5 passing yards per recreation in 15 begins, the second-lowest determine of his five-year profession.
A struggling Packers protection ought to give Hurts and Co. a superb alternative to seek out their groove in Sunday’s residence recreation at 4:30 p.m. ET. Inexperienced Bay ranks thirteenth within the league in passing yards allowed (215.6). Packers two-time Professional Bowl cornerback Jaire Alexander (knee) was additionally just lately positioned on injured reserve.
Packers should depend on dashing assault
In a 24-22, Week 18, loss to the Chicago Bears, Packers broad receiver Christian Watson — who’s third on the crew in receiving yards (620 in 14 video games) — exited with a knee damage. In his postgame news conference, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur mentioned he isn’t “tremendous assured” about his availability towards the Eagles (14-3).
With the important thing damage to their receiving corps, the Packers (11-6) ought to lean on operating again Josh Jacobs. In 17 video games, Jacobs has 301 carries for 1,329 yards and 15 TDs.
Denver Broncos rookie QB Bo Nix might give them a combating likelihood
The Broncos (10-7) have their work minimize out for them of their street matchup towards the Buffalo Payments (13-4) on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET. If Nix retains thriving, that will assist them pull off an unbelievable upset.
Nix is scorching coming into the playoffs. Over his past three starts, the 2024 No. 12 total choose has accomplished 79% of his passes for 803 yards with 9 TDs and one interception.
Payments QB Josh Allen ought to shred Broncos’ stingy protection
Denver’s protection options a number of Professional Bowlers, together with edge-rusher Nik Bonitto and cornerback Patrick Surtain II. This proficient unit ought to give Allen little bother.
In 17 video games, he posted a career-high 77.2 QBR, the second finest within the NFL. Moreover, he has thrown a career-low six interceptions.
