Wild Card Weekend: Key Matchup for Every Game

Wild Card Weekend has arrived and this is the deepest playoff field in years. Every game this weekend looks on paper to be a good one. In fact, each of these eight teams has a shot to make a playoff run. All 22 players on the field at any time will have an impact on the game. However, there is a key matchup for every contest on Wild Card Weekend.

Stars play a major role in deciding the outcome of a game, especially in crunch time when a game hangs in the balance. But in a playoff atmosphere, teams need to play well all around; games will be decided not only by the players at the top of rosters, but also by unheralded guys who step up when they have to.

Here are the key matchups for Wild Card Weekend and potential X-factors we should watch out for:

Indianapolis Colts @ Houston Texans

Key Matchup: Texans D-line vs Colts O-line

The battle of the trenches when Indy has the ball will define this game. The Texans secondary has proven it cannot stop Andrew Luck. In two games this year, Luck has combined for 863 yards passing while completing 65% of his attempts with six touchdowns and only one interception. To counteract this, the Texans need to get pressure on Andrew Luck and force him to get the ball out quickly. J.J. Watt and Jadeveon Clowney, being the stars that they are, have to cause consistent pressure on the Colts’ revamped offensive line. If they can force sacks, errant throws or at least short passes, Houston has a great chance to win the game, but if Luck starts connecting deep shots with T.Y. Hilton (who always torches Houston), the Texans might as well start packing up.

X-Factor: Tyrann Mathieu

Mathieu has been up and down this season but has a chance to prove himself in the playoffs before hitting the offseason free agent market. In this game, he has two ways to make an impact. First, the Honey Badger can live up to his nickname and make plays on the deep ball Luck loves to throw. In addition, when Mathieu is in red zone coverage, he will primarily be on Eric Ebron, who has 13 touchdowns on the season. If he can prevent Ebron from scoring, the Texans have a great chance of holding Indy to field goals in the red zone.

Seattle Seahawks @ Dallas Cowboys

Key Matchup: Ezekiel Elliott vs Seahawks Front Seven

Both teams in this matchup want to play “ground and pound” football and control the clock. However, Ezekiel Elliott has the ability to shed a few tackles and break off big runs. The Seahawks front seven needs to contain Zeke and be consistent with their tackling. Specifically, defensive Jarran Reed and linebacker Bobby Wagner need to continue stopping the run like they have all season. Reed was seventh among defensive tackles 26 run stops on the season; Wagner, a first-team All-Pro, has missed a grand total of one tackle all year long.

X-Factor: Tyler Lockett

Wider receiver Tyler Lockett is a huge X-factor for the Seahawks offense. Usually, when Russell Wilson does his spin cycle to avoid sacks and chucks up a perfect deep ball, he is the recipient. Lockett only had 57 catches on the season (less than four per game), but they were for 957 yards and ten touchdowns. If Wilson and Lockett can connect on one or two deep balls against Dallas, they might blow a potentially low-scoring game wide open.

Los Angeles Chargers @ Baltimore Ravens

Key Matchup: Chargers linebackers vs Lamar Jackson

Lamar Jackson is not a typical NFL quarterback; in fact, he is quite the opposite. Averaging 79 rushing yards a game since becoming the Ravens starter, Jackson forces opposing linebackers to make quick decisions. If they react a split-second too late, Jackson will take off and make the defense pay. Two weeks ago when these two teams played, LA actually did a great job containing Lamar, holding him to only 39 yards rushing on 13 carries. Their offense couldn’t muster much up but was actually driving at the end, down by six. An Antonio Gates’ fumble cost them the game, but a win was within reach. This time around, the Chargers’ offense should have a better game plan against Baltimore; if LA’s linebackers can produce a repeat performance by containing Lamar Jackson, they will give themselves another good opportunity to win this game.

X-Factor: Hunter Henry

Hunter Henry tore his ACL back in OTAs in May and missed the entire regular season. However, he was recalled off the PUP (physically unable to perform) a couple of weeks ago. The Chargers have not announced whether he will play, but if he does, that would be a huge addition to their offense. Henry, who was coming off a solid 2017, was expected to take a big step forward this year. The injury derailed his progress, but he would be a great playmaking option and red-zone threat against the lockdown Ravens defense.

Philadelphia Eagles @ Chicago Bears

Key Matchup: Lane Johnson vs Khalil Mack

This will be an extremely important matchup. Khalil Mack is a game-wrecker who will singlehandedly put fear in a quarterback and alter the outcome of a game if given the chance. On the other hand, Eagles right tackle Lane Johnson has previously proven that he can handle Mack. Last year when these two faced off, Khalil Mack was coming off five straight games with a sack. However, Johnson held Mack to zero sacks, zero tackles for loss and a lone QB hit.

As it did against Aaron Donald, Philadelphia will most likely double team Bears Pro-Bowl defensive tackle Akiem Hicks with the center and left guard. If Lane Johnson can stop Mack, Nick Foles will have a chance to wait for his playmakers to get open. But if Foles is pressured, Chicago’s suffocating secondary will not allow the Eagles to move the ball.

X-Factor: Eddie Jackson’s injury

Eddie Jackson is officially questionable for Sunday’s game and will be a game-time decision. If the ball-hawking All-Pro safety cannot play, it will be a huge gift for Nick Foles and the Eagles offense. Not only is Jackson terrific at breaking up passes, but he is always a threat with the ball in his hands with five defensive touchdowns in the last two seasons. If Jackson is unavailable, or if his play is compromised, the Eagles will catch a huge break. Foles will have a much better chance at completing deep balls to Alshon Jeffery or Nelson Agholor.

Featured image by Getty Images

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