Just 14 teams remain on the road to Super Bowl 59 in New Orleans, and there are stories everywhere you look – Sky Sports NFL host Neil Reynolds picks his biggest playoff road…
This is truly the most wonderful time of year in the NFL, the stakes couldn’t be higher – win and you move on, lose and you go home. It’s that simple.
Some of the most famous plays in history have been made in the playoffs, legacies have been built in the playoffs – look at Joe Montana, Tom Brady, Patrick Mahomes.
This is when the stars shine brightest and when it really matters.
Here are the five stories I’ll be looking for…
Match winners
This playoff is filled with game-winners, players who can take over a game by themselves in a magical moment or two and either flip the script or propel a favored team to victory. Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, even Justin Herbert of the Los Angeles Chargers and Matthew Stafford of the Los Angeles Rams on their day.
Of course those quarterbacks can dictate what happens in games. Even Jared Goff has been on at times, although I think it’s more of a collective with the Detroit Lions.
Saquon Barkley can take over plays for the Philadelphia Eagles, just like Derrick Henry does for the Baltimore Ravens on the field.
You’ll also see the possibility of Justin Jefferson getting hot, or even TJ Watt leading the Pittsburgh Steelers defense to bail out a struggling offense.
These are the kind of stars who can win games on their own.
Redemption quarterbacks
Every playoff season has stories that capture the imagination and tug at your heartstrings. We have three quarterbacks who have completely rebuilt their careers after being waived by at least one team.
Jared Goff, who led the Lions to their 15-2 record – let’s face it, the Rams didn’t want him anymore, I’m not sure the Lions really did in the first place, it was a waste of salary and a draft grab choose Goff has been outstanding.
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Jared Goff of the Detroit Lions sets up Sam LaPorta for a touchdown with a fake pass play against the Chicago Bears
Who would have thought that Sam Darnold would lead the Minnesota Vikings to 14 wins in his fourth NFL team, and I think Baker Mayfield has shown, in his fourth team, why he was the first overall pick in the Draft NFL for the Cleveland Browns in 2018 Mayfield has been sensational and at times willed his team to win.
If you like an underdog story, a career comeback tale, then you’ll be rooting for Goff, Darnold and Mayfield in the NFC.
Novice callers ready to shine
It’s not just about the veteran quarterbacks, there are some rookies here who have been action-packed and fun to watch for most of the season.
Both of these center backs mirror each other, both have maturity, both have lively arms and can damage defenses with their feet. And what’s more, they both have given hope to entire cities.
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Jayden Daniels of the Washington Commanders throws a Hail Mary to Noah Brown to seal the victory over the Chicago Bears.
Washington was a franchise on its knees, and they’ve turned into a 12-win team with the arrival of Jayden Daniels. Denver wasn’t supposed to be anywhere near the playoffs this season and they have 10 wins under Bo Nix.
These two quarterbacks may not go all the way this time, but they will be in the playoffs for many years to come.
Veteran coaches
When Sean McVay was hired as the head coach of the Los Angeles Rams at the age of 31, it started a flurry of young coaches coming into the NFL, and there are many who are doing very well across the league. You can look at DeMeco Ryans in Houston, Kevin O’Connell in Minnesota, and even Dan Campbell in Detroit as someone new to being an NFL head coach.
There are veteran coaches who are tried and tested, especially in the AFC: you have Andy Reid in Kansas City, John Harbaugh of the Ravens, Jim Harbaugh of the Chargers, Sean Payton has the Broncos ahead of schedule, and then Mike Tomlin in Pittsburgh. .
You have these grey-bearded coaches who have been on this big stage, and that helps, which is important at this time of year – it’s not always a young man’s game!
History calls
As we move into the first round of the playoffs, we’ll whittle down 14 teams to two that will be standing in New Orleans on February 9th.
These are the potentially career-defining moments where you can write your name in the NFL history books.
Will Kansas City be the first team to three-peat? Sometimes they just seem inevitable, I don’t think they will go smoothly in the AFL.
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We take a look back at the lead-up and highlights from the Super Bowl, where the Kansas City Chiefs emerged victorious
Will the first Super Bowl win be for Buffalo, Detroit or Minnesota? Those teams have passionate fans who won’t dare to dream until they’re standing under that confetti in Louisiana at the Superdome.
It’s an open race to the Super Bowl. The AFC is pretty high with Kansas City, Buffalo and Baltimore, but watch out for the Los Angeles Chargers as well. In the NFC I think it’s between Detroit and Philadelphia.
It will be fantastic, there will be games and moments we will talk about for years to come and a champion will be crowned – I can’t wait! Enjoy the play-offs, we’ve got every game for you live on Sky Sports.
When is the Super Bowl?
Wild Card Weekend will run from Saturday, January 11 to Monday, January 13 before the playoffs enter the divisional round on Saturday, January 18 and Sunday, January 19, at which point the respective No. 1 will join the action after their farewell.
Then it’s on to the AFC and NFC Championship Games on Sunday, Jan. 26, before Super Bowl LIX takes place at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on Feb. 9.
It will be the 11th time the Super Bowl has been hosted in New Orleans, the first time since 2013 and the eighth game to be held at the Caesars Superdome.
Grammy-winning rapper Kendrick Lamar will headline the Super Bowl halftime show.
