Just three more games of the NFL season remain and by the small hours of Monday morning, we will know who will be contesting Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas next month.
First up on Sunday evening is a mouthwatering clash between the AFC’s top-seed Baltimore Ravens and a Kansas City Chiefs side that have rediscovered their mojo in the post-season. Then it will be over to California, where the San Francisco 49ers will be looking to end the Detroit Lions’ fairytale run in this season’s play-offs.
So as the four remaining head coaches draw up their gameplans, who will the key players be this weekend?
Lamar Jackson and Patrick Mahomes - Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs
The pre-match discourse ahead of the AFC Championship game will centre around the quarterback battle, so for brevity’s sake, we’ll group them together here.
Arguably the NFL’s two biggest stars will meet for the first time in the post-season after contrasting regular seasons. The Ravens’ roster is packed with talent, giving room for Jackson to play his best football again, while Mahomes’ elite play has covered up a multitude of weak spots across the Chiefs’ squad.
Jackson’s reported half-time locker room outburst with the score level against the Texans showed that the QB has become a leader, and the subsequent second-half explosion into life was evidence that he has put his previous play-off failures behind him.
Jackson is likely to win his second MVP award on the eve of the Super Bowl, matching Mahomes' tally. The Chiefs signal-caller has two Super Bowl rings to add to that, making this QB arms race a fitting subplot worthy of the occasion.
Travis Kelce - Kansas City Chiefs
Yes, we all know why the younger Kelce brother will get plenty of headlines in the run-up to this one, but we’ll focus solely on the football for this piece.
The naysayers had been out in force during the second half of the regular season as the 11-year veteran failed to hit his usual standards, but like the rest of the Chiefs offense, he seems to have been saving his best football for when it matters the most.
With 12 catches for 146 yards and two touchdowns in the post-season so far, he has reminded us why he’s Mahomes’ top target, but could find himself up against top-tier opposition on Sunday when he is matched up against Ravens’ All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton. Get the popcorn ready for that individual battle.
Jahmyr Gibbs - Detroit Lions
When it comes to areas that the Lions will try and exploit against the 49ers, the San Francisco run defense looks to be the obvious place to start. Ranked as the 15th best in the NFL as per DVOA, it’s clearly the number one seed’s weakest unit and the Lions have the tools to go at them.
Packers running back Aaron Jones averaged six yards per carry on his way to a 108-yard total on Saturday and a strong Lions offensive line, coupled with a one-two punch at running back is a potential difference maker.
David Mongomery brings the muscle and will look to soften up the Niners defensive line and can open the door for the more dynamic Jahmyr Gibbs to take advantage.
This plan is somewhat reliant on the Lions defense keeping a lid on the 49ers offense though, as it won’t suit a team playing from behind.
Brock Purdy - San Francisco
The 49ers starting quarterback has been a lightning rod for discussion all season with the hot takes on him ranging from him being an MVP-in-waiting to a sub-par NFL starter.
His performance against Green Bay did little to move the dial from either party - the naysayers will point to his struggles in the San Francisco rain and saw two would-be interceptions dropped, but his fans will point to his clutch game-winning drive in the fourth quarter.
It’s fair to say the second-year QB will be in the spotlight again this weekend. Thankfully for Purdy and the Niners, the weather forecast (at the time of writing, at least) is much better, removing that variable.
However, Purdy may have to do without Deebo Samuel, who had to leave the Packers win in the first half with a shoulder injury and is a huge doubt for Sunday. The Niners have struggled without Samuel when he has been absent this season, but Purdy has plenty of weapons and a habit of letting criticism fuel him, especially after a defeat.
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