Key Players For Remaining NFL Teams

We’re back! After a long hiatus, here’s a new article. For each remaining team in the NFL playoffs, I picked one player on each side of the ball to write about.

AFC

Baltimore Ravens

Offense: QB Lamar Jackson

The presumptive MVP of the 2023-2024 season, Jackson looked the part last week against the Texans. His counting stats as a passer weren’t gaudy, but he completed 72.7% of his passes for 152 yards and 2 TDs. On the ground, Jackson rushed for 100 yards and 2 TDs, just absolutely gashing the heart of the Houston defense. With the Chiefs looming, he’s going to have to continue to use his legs against an athletic and well-rounded Kansas City unit in order to lead the Ravens to the Super Bowl. Having TE Mark Andrews back from IR should be a big boost for the Baltimore offense, although his usage remains to be seen. It takes dynamic playmakers and clutch competitors to take down the playoff juggernaut that is the Kansas City Chiefs. Josh Allen couldn’t quite do it, but Lamar Jackson, to me, is on another level. 

Defense: DB Kyle Hamilton

Since entering the league, Kyle Hamilton has been an impact player. A safety by trade, Hamilton can make plays from wherever defensive coordinator Mike MacDonald lines him up. During the regular season, Hamilton racked up 4 INTs and 13 PDs, while also having 81 tackles and 3 sacks. He had a quiet day against the Texans last week, but his last regular season game (Week 17) featured 5 total tackles, 3 PDs, and 2 INTs. With a ton of other great players on the Ravens defense, Hamilton doesn’t necessarily need to have a legendary performance in order for the team to win. With that being said, Hamilton is a unique talent that can play a pivotal role in stopping opposing players like RB Isiah Pacheco and TE Travis Kelce.

Kansas City Chiefs

Offense: WR Rashee Rice

Since the departure of WR Tyreek Hill in 2021, Kansas City has struggled to find a reliable pass catcher behind TE Travis Kelce. Enter WR Rashee Rice, a second-round pick out of SMU in the 2023 NFL Draft. Rice scored a TD in his first NFL game, then proceeded to get better and better each week. Across the regular season, he totaled 79 receptions for 938 yards and 7 TDs. It’s been more of the same in the postseason, as Rice piled on 12 catches for 177 yards and a TD in victories over the Dolphins and Bills. Plenty of attention will be given to Travis Kelce on defense (and his girlfriend on television), which sets up Rice as a key asset for Patrick Mahomes against the vaunted Ravens defense.

Defense: DT Chris Jones

After having a contract dispute that trickled into the regular season, Chris Jones has been one of the most impactful defensive players in the league. With all respect to Aaron Donald, Jones has emerged with a great argument to be the best DT in the NFL. During the regular season, he compiled 10.5 sacks from the interior, which took his career sack total to 75.5. Those numbers don’t even begin to tell the story of how important Jones is for the Chiefs. By taking on double/triple teams, Jones opens up opportunities for Kansas City’s outside rushers. It is imperative that the Chiefs defense keeps Lamar in the pocket and limit his off-script playmaking; that starts up the middle with Chris Jones. 

NFC

San Francisco 49ers 

Offense: QB Brock Purdy

Who doesn’t love some good Brock Purdy discourse? Yes, he benefits from having superstar weapons, no doubt! There’s no denying that his regular season stats were impressive, however, which can be summed up to 69.4% accuracy, 4280 passing yards, and 31 TDs. In his 2024 postseason debut, Purdy looked very shaky. His stats, 23-39 for 252 yards and a TD, aren’t terrible, but anyone that watched the game can attest that he frequently looked overwhelmed. RB Christian McCaffrey will continue to be the focal point of the offense, but against the Lions big play susceptible defense and in a possible shootout, Purdy is gonna have opportunities to step up and make big time throws. Last year, he got hurt during a drubbing from the Eagles in the NFC Championship Game. This year? We’ll see how Brock Purdy responds. 

Defense: CB Ambry Thomas

Truth be told, the more appropriate pick here would be the 49ers secondary as a whole. With that being said, I think that’s a cop out, so I’ll pinpoint Ambry Thomas. The traditional stats aren’t too worrying from their win against the Packers last week, but there were moments where Thomas and other DBs looked out of place. Headlined by WR Amon Ra St. Brown and the RB tandem of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, the Lions have one of the most explosive offenses in all of the NFL. If Thomas and the rest of the secondary is missing tackles and allowing open space, Detroit will burn them badly. Should they hold up and neutralize the opposition, the 49ers should be on their way to the Super Bowl. 

Detroit Lions

Offense: OT Penei Sewell

While I previously threw some shade at the 49ers secondary, their front seven is no joke. The Lions have an elite offensive line, but they’re not always facing game wreckers like DE Nick Bosa. To let Jared Goff operate properly, OT Penei Sewell is gonna have to neutralize Bosa. It would be a tall task to ask Sewell to win every single repetition, but he must keep Goff upright. On top of Bosa, the Lions are gonna have to worry about DTs Arik Armstead and Javon Hargrave, as well as DE Chase Young rushing the passer. That’s not even mentioning LBs Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw… yikes. If any unit is up for the challenge, though, it’s Penei Sewell and the mighty Lions offensive line.

Defense: DB Brian Branch

I love Brian Branch. If I was an NFL GM, I would’ve selected him within the top ten of the 2023 draft. Lucky for the Lions, he fell into their lap at pick #45. Immediately, he’s become the brightest and most dangerous player on the defense. During the regular season, he amassed 74 tackles and 3 INTs, as well as a forced fumble, sack, and touchdown! Branch is a true jack-of-all-trades, a swiss army knife that impacts the game in several different facets. Last week, Branch was unphased by the playoff lights, totaling 9 tackles and converging on Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield for a sack. The 49ers offense is much more high-powered than Detroit’s previous two postseason opponents, which means the defense must stiffen up to pull off the upset. Ranging sideline to sideline, Brian Branch forcing San Francisco to turn the ball over would do wonders. 

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