NFL wild-card weekend has arrived! A total of 12 teams will be in contention as we begin thinning the postseason herd to eight. Super Bowl hopefuls will rely on individual difference-makers to gain a competitive advantage over their adversaries. Coaches are racking their collective brains in search of advantageous matchups.
Superstars often control hard-fought playoff games. Winning individual battles will be crucial to determining the outcomes. We've identified three player-versus-player matchups that could dictate this weekend's results.
MYLES GARRETT VS. LAREMY TUNSIL
Is there a bigger or better heavyweight matchup on this weekend's card than Myles Garrett versus Laremy Tunsil? I think not. Garrett is a Defensive Player of the Year finalist after totaling 14.0 sacks, clinching his sixth consecutive double-digit sack season. The Browns will be relying on their top-ranked defense to stifle historic rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud. Garrett's efforts will be critical to making Stroud uncomfortable in the pocket.
Standing in Garrett's way is Tunsil, one of the league's few elite left tackles. Pro Football Focus credited Tunsil with an 85.4 pass-blocking grade this season. Tunsil is PFF's second-ranked tackle in that metric, trailing just Tyron Smith of the Dallas Cowboys. Tunsil was only assigned blame for five sacks, 20 pressures, and three quarterback hits all season. If Garrett can get the better of Tunsil on occasion, he’ll look to strip the ball from Stroud’s hands. A turnover could be decisive in what’s expected to be a close matchup.
TYREEK HILL VS. L’JARIUS SNEED
This weekend's slate reunites old flames. Matthew Stafford travels to Detroit for a showdown with the Lions. Mike McCarthy will attempt to eliminate the Green Bay Packers, a franchise he won a Super Bowl with. No storyline is more entertaining than Tyreek Hill facing the Kansas City Chiefs.
Hill has not disappointed since orchestrating his exit from the Chiefs to sign a more lucrative contract with the Dolphins. Hill led all pass-catchers in receiving yards (1,799) this season and even looked primed to threaten Calvin Johnson's single-season record for a while. Miami led the league in total yards per contest (401.3) and passing yards per game (265.5), and finished second in points scored per outing (29.2) as a result.
Hill wasn't in his finest form toward the season's conclusion, however. Hill failed to record 100-plus receiving yards in his final four appearances after surpassing that benchmark eight times earlier this year. Uncharacteristic drops plagued Hill down the stretch.
Chiefs cornerback L'Jarius Sneed is likely to draw the Hill matchup. An underrated performer, Sneed has allowed an opposing passer rating of just 55.9, allowing quarterbacks to complete 51.8% of targets thrown in his direction.
CEEDEE LAMB VS. JAIRE ALEXANDER
CeeDee Lamb finished the campaign on an absolute heater. A dominant 227-yard showing against the Lions in Week 17 propelled Lamb to finish second overall in the league in that category, totaling a career-high 1,749 yards. Lamb has established himself as an elite go-to weapon.
Packers No. 1 cornerback Jaire Alexander is day-to-day after rolling his ankle during a walkthrough practice. Injuries have forced Alexander to miss nine contests this season, but it'd be shocking if he didn't suit up versus the Cowboys. If Alexander recaptures his top-end form, he's capable of making life difficult for Lamb and the Cowboys offense.
There's a ton of pressure on McCarthy to succeed this postseason. An upset defeat to the Packers could end McCarthy's tenure as Dallas' head coach. If Alexander blankets Lamb, the Cowboys must identify alternatives to avoid the unthinkable.
