Players to watch in the AFC Wild Card

It’s finally wild card weekend, which means it is finally NFL playoff time. The NFL regular season is ok, but during the regular season we watch a lot of dull games that have zero meaning on the season. The NFL playoffs on the other hand is where the best of the best in all of football go at it in a winner take all scenario.

So we’ve compiled a list of key players to watch for in the first round of the NFL Playoffs.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Jalen Ramsey will be heavily relied on to stop, his college teammate, Kelvin Benjamin. Benjamin is a big receiver with a very large radius to catch the football. He is what we call a “Go Getter,” Benjamin high points the ball and go gets it out of the air.

Ramsey will have to play physical all game, just the way Ramsey likes it. Ramsey should be able to limit Benjamin’s catches to a minimum as long as Ramsey is healthy. For the past few weeks, Ramsey has been dealing with a hand injury, and if he can’t use his hands to the best of his abilities then Benjamin might have a good day.

Buffalo Bills

Tyrod Taylor has to be the guy to watch in this game versus the Jaguars. As we all know, Tyrod Taylor was benched earlier in the season after a loss, but he was put back in the next game because the Buffalo Bills needed him to win the game. I see this game against the Jags as a game where the Bills decide if they want to keep Tyrod Taylor for the long term, or to start looking for a new quarterback this off-season.

This game will also be a chance for Tyrod to show the entire NFL and it’s GM’s that he might be worth taking a look at. Tyrod has done well this season before and after he was benched. I would say this game will play a big roll in the decision the Bills will have to make.

Tyrod threw for more that 2,500 yards, 14 touchdowns, and just 3 interceptions on the year. He also led the Buffalo Bills to the playoffs for the first time since 1999. That is an unreal drought to not be in the Playoffs.

Kansas City Chiefs

Alex Smith, the former #1 overall draft pick years ago, get the opportunity to lead the Chiefs to the Super Bowl. Alex Smith has done well this season, compiling 26 touchdowns and just 5 interceptions.

Alex Smith should have a solid outing against the Tennessee Titians in the wild card. Alex Smith is someone to watch because his air apparent, Patrick Mahomes, is waiting in the wings to take his spot. If Alex Smith does well. and leads the Chiefs deep into the playoffs, the Chiefs might be a little reluctant to let Patrick Mahomes run the offense next season.

The Chiefs have two players to look for in the playoffs; Alex Smith was one, and Kareem Hunt is the other.

Kareem Hunt came into the league from Toledo, Ohio and picked in the 3rd round of the 2017 NFL Draft. He has been a key figure in the Chiefs offense this season. Kareem Hunt has amassed over 1,300 yards rushing and 8 touchdowns this season. Not too bad for a rookie.

Kareem should have a solid game against the Titans as well. I see Kareem rushing over 100 yards in this game.

Tennessee Titans

The Titians player to watch will be Marcus Mariota. Mariota has played up and down this season, and I think that the playoffs might be a little to big for him at the moment. Mariota is a good young quarterback, but we will need to see production out of him going forward.

The Titans offense has the power to be great and do great things, I think if the offense would move a little faster then the Titans could become very dangerous in the playoffs.

Mariota has thrown 13 touchdowns and 15 interceptions this season. The Titans offense might not be the offense for Mariota to thrive in. Looking for this game to a pivotal game for Mariota’s career.

 

 

 

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