Every player on the football field matters, but each team taking the field during the NFL Divisional Round has someone who can have a major effect on the outcome.
Beginning with an AFC clash on Saturday afternoon, the list focuses on a particular member of each squad and his impact during what should be an exciting weekend of playoff matchups.
Alex Smith, QB, Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City’s defense is excellent and drives the team, and the unit must contain a Patriots attack that is finally getting healthy. Instead of Keshawn Martin and Brandon LaFell being the top receivers, Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola will be Tom Brady’s key targets.
With or without Jeremy Maclin (high ankle sprain), though, the pressure to succeed falls on Alex Smith.
Though the Chiefs thrashed the Houston Texans 30-0 during the Wild Card Round, Smith and Co. failed to take advantage of its opportunities. Kansas City managed just six points after five turnovers.
Brady doesn’t make many mistakes. So, not only do the Chiefs need to capitalize on any errant throw, but Smith must turn that field position into more than three points. Otherwise, Kansas City’s 11-game winning streak and season will end on Saturday.
Rob Gronkowski, TE, New England Patriots
Rob Gronkowski doesn’t need the football to make a difference. His 6-foot-6, 265-pound frame demands attention from linebackers and safeties, which opens up space for Patriots wide receivers.
But Kansas City might be bold enough to single-cover Gronk because the defense has successfully limited tight ends throughout the year. The Chiefs allowed just three touchdowns to the position.
Consequently, in this case, Gronkowski needs to make a difference with the football. He managed a season-low two receptions for 18 yards during his final regular-season outing, so Gronk will be looking for a bounce-back game.
New England could use a boost from its All-Pro tight end.
Aaron Rodgers, QB, Green Bay Packers
Until further notice, Aaron Rodgers matters most for Green Bay.
Fortunately for the reigning MVP, after a month of frustrating play, he finally received a collectively stellar effort from his teammates. The Packers scored 35 points in a win over the Washington football team thanks to an impressive performance from the offensive line.
Green Bay is only three weeks removed from the unit’s worst outing of the season, though. The Cardinals racked up nine sacks — eight on Rodgers — during a dominant 38-8 victory.
Rodgers finished 15-of-28 for 151 yards and one touchdown, throwing one interception and losing two fumbles. As long as the offensive line protects him better, the Packers have a shot.
Calais Campbell, DE, Arizona Cardinals
Of the eight sacks Rodgers endured, Calais Campbell notched 2.5. Expecting him to repeat that performance would be foolish for two reasons, however.
First of all, 2.5 sacks in a single game is a tremendous accomplishment. Only 25 players hit the mark during the season, per Pro-Football-Reference.
Plus, Green Bay’s left tackle David Bakhtiari should be healthy for this meeting. He hasn’t allowed a sack since Week 5, and ProFootballFocus (subscription required) rated Bakhtiari as the 10th-best OT.
The 6-foot-8, 300-pound monster talks like a friendly giant from a cartoon movie, but Campbell is a very real, excellent and impactful player. A sack or two and a couple more hurries from Campbell against a great left tackle would be a welcomed sign for Arizona.
Russell Wilson, QB, Seattle Seahawks
Without question, the Seahawks would not have advanced to the Divisional Round if Russell Wilson hadn’t performed a darn miracle, turning an errant snap into a 35-yard gain that set up Seattle’s only touchdown.
He matters most, and there is absolutely no way around it.
Wilson connected with Jimmy Graham eight times for 140 yards during Week 6, so he’ll need to find that production elsewhere. Doug Baldwin has flat-out dominated since Graham’s injury, and the slot receiver should have a massive day unless Josh Norman shadows him.
No matter if that happens, though, Wilson’s improvisational ability is paramount in breaking down a sound Carolina defense. Defensive backs can’t cover forever, and Wilson can scramble for critical yardage, too.
Greg Olsen, TE, Carolina Panthers
Early in the regular season, the Seahawks secondary looked vulnerable. That’s mostly changed, especially since Richard Sherman returned to his dominant form.
Cam Newton will encounter more trouble throwing to wide receivers than he did during Carolina’s 27-23 victory over Seattle, and he still only managed seven completions for 88 yards to them.
That’s where Greg Olsen comes in. He snatched seven passes for 131 yards and the game-winning touchdown. The veteran tight end was the difference then, and Olsen must overcome the adjustments the Seahawks have undoubtedly made while preparing this week.
Considering the issues the Panthers may have running the ball against a superb defensive line, Olsen may be the difference between a win and a loss. That’s not an exaggeration.
Martavis Bryant, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers
Martavis Bryant is capable of taking the top off of any defense. While the recurring problem is the speedster doesn’t consistently do that, the bigger issue is Ben Roethlisberger’s potentially bum arm.
Hypothetically, say Big Ben plays on Sunday. But can he actually throw the ball downfield? Roethlisberger has proved he’ll play through any injury possible, but a sprained AC joint and torn ligaments aren’t exactly minor.
Bryant must adapt in a major way if the deep passes aren’t an option. Roethlisberger called out Bryant before the Wild Card Round, and he responded with five receptions, 29 yards and a spectacular touchdown. Still, that’s not even six yards per grab.
On Sunday, Bryant needs to break tackles and create yards after the catch to construct his own explosive plays. Otherwise, Pittsburgh might not stand a chance on the road.
Chris Harris Jr., CB, Denver Broncos
Unfortunately for Bryant, however, Chris Harris Jr. might have something to say about a potentially explosive day.
The Broncos cornerback surrendered a meager 9.9 yards per completion, per PFF, which considered Harris the seventh-best player at the position.
Only one receiver truly bested Harris during the regular season, and it was someone on the Steelers. But that was Antonio Brown, arguably the league’s most-complete wideout.
Brown (concussion) is questionable at best. If he’s unavailable, Harris will defend Bryant and Markus Wheaton. Locking up one side of the field would further toughen the game for the Steelers, who have an injured Roethlisberger and are likely to be without Brown and DeAngelo Williams.