NFL Duress List - Divisional Round

The Divisional Round of the playoffs is here—a critical stage where the No. 1 seeds from both conferences, the Kansas City Chiefs and the Detroit Lions, finally join the action. With only eight teams remaining, the stakes increase that little bit more. This is a win-or-go-home scenario, with each team vying for a coveted spot in the Conference Championships —the game before the Super Bowl.

Last week's Wild Card round delivered an unforgettable mix of drama and high-stakes football, setting the stage for another electrifying weekend. As we prepare for these marquee matchups, let’s dive into the teams and players under the most pressure to secure a victory this weekend…

Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens

This is undoubtedly the most anticipated matchup of the postseason—a clash between two elite quarterbacks at the peak of their game. They were both in the 2018 NFL Draft and these are the two frontrunners in the MVP race. Both of these quarterbacks, who are battling to reach and win their first Super Bowl are under serious pressure as they lock horns in the play-offs fighting for a chance to get to the AFC Championship Game.

Let’s start with the home side, the Buffalo Bills, who delivered a statement win last week by scoring 31 unanswered points to dismantle the Denver Broncos 31-7. While that performance was impressive, they now face a much tougher challenge in the Baltimore Ravens. Some argue that Josh Allen is under greater pressure this week, given his historical struggles in the divisional round of the playoffs. For three consecutive seasons, the Bills have seen their postseason dreams crushed in the divisional round, turning this into an unsettling trend—especially with a quarterback of Allen’s calibre at the helm.?

A loss at home would not only be embarrassing but could also spark uncomfortable questions about Allen’s credentials as a top-tier playoff quarterback. Critics would start to suggest that he struggles to win at home and fails to rise to the occasion against the league’s best. To silence those doubters, Allen must dominate the Ravens and prove that he and the Bills are the team to beat in the AFC.

On the other hand, Lamar Jackson’s situation mirrors much of what was said last week. Despite being on the brink of winning his third MVP award, his postseason record remains a blemish on an otherwise stellar career. A victory over the Bills on the road would go a long way towards silencing his critics. Crucially, Jackson arguably has the best team he’s ever played with. Although he may be without his top receiver, Zay Flowers, he still has an All-World running back in Derrick Henry, along with formidable weapons in Rashod Bateman, Mark Andrews, and Isaiah Likely. Even with the injury to Flowers, the Ravens head into the game as slight bookies favourites, having already dismantled the Bills 35-10 earlier this season in Baltimore.

It’s a shame that one of these quarterbacks will have to bow out at this stage. For one, their legacy will shine for at least another week, while for the other, it will take a significant hit and dominate the headlines for days to come. It promises to be a cold night in Buffalo on Sunday, but all eyes will be on this electrifying showdown.

Next Game: Buffalo Bills v Baltimore Raves @ Highmark Stadium

Detroit Lions

Dan Campbell’s Detroit Lions achieved an historic 15-2 regular-season record, securing the NFC’s No. 1 seed for the first time in franchise history. In just four years as head coach, Campbell has led the Lions into uncharted territory, and now, entering the playoffs as the favourites to represent the conference in the Super Bowl.

This marks only Detroit’s second postseason appearance under Dan Campbell, but it already feels like a pivotal moment for the franchise. Both coordinators, Aaron Glenn and Ben Johnson, are widely tipped to secure head coaching roles elsewhere, adding urgency to capitalise on this window of opportunity while the coaching staff remains intact.

The Lions face significant pressure to deliver this season, as the Super Bowl window is notoriously short. Opportunities must be seized when they present themselves. Memories of last year’s NFC Championship Game still linger, when the Lions squandered a 17-point lead to the 49ers and missed out on a Super Bowl berth.

The Lions will host the red-hot Washington Commanders on Saturday night with a spot in the NFC Championship Game at stake. While Washington are undoubtedly dangerous, they’re being led by rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. It would be a major shock—and a significant letdown—if a first-year quarterback were to come into Downtown Detroit and eliminate the Lions.

Next Game: Washington Commanders @ Ford Field

Philadelphia Eagles

The vibes in Philadelphia feel decidedly off at the moment. Despite their victory over Green Bay in the Wild Card round last week, the Eagles’ offensive performance, particularly in the passing game, left much to be desired. This ongoing issue has cast a shadow over what should be a confident postseason run. The tension seems to be most evident with AJ Brown, whose dissatisfaction has become increasingly apparent. Earlier in the season, after a win against the Carolina Panthers, Brown made a pointed remark when asked about areas for improvement, simply stating, “passing”—a comment widely interpreted as an indirect shot at quarterback Jalen Hurts.

Last week, during the high-stakes playoff game against the Packers, Brown was spotted on the sideline reading a book—not reviewing plays or film, but an actual book. While some might argue he was just being himself, others see it as a subtle message: if he’s not going to get targets, he might as well occupy his time elsewhere. In that game, Brown managed just one catch for 10 yards, tying a career-low with the Eagles, and was targeted a mere three times. The Eagles, as a whole, threw for just 121 yards, averaging 5.3 yards per attempt. Hurts even went nearly two full quarters without completing a pass, which only adds to Brown’s frustration. For a receiver earning $32 million a year, his desire to be more involved is understandable.

The Eagles’ success—13 wins in their last 14 games—has largely been attributed to their dominant rushing attack spearheaded by Saquon Barkley. This ground-first approach has been undeniably effective, but it begs the question: is this the sustainable way to win as the playoffs progress? Typically, as teams move deeper into the postseason, quarterbacks are called upon to make crucial plays through the air.

If the Eagles find themselves trailing early against the Los Angeles Rams—an explosive offensive team—they will likely have no choice but to lean on Hurts’ arm. This could become the ultimate test for a quarterback many still see as the team’s weakest link. While every other position on the roster inspires full confidence, doubts linger about Hurts’ ability to deliver when it matters most. Should the Eagles falter, especially due to a lacklustre passing performance, the blame will almost certainly fall squarely on his shoulders, reigniting debates about whether he can truly lead Philadelphia back to the Super Bowl, as he did during the 2022 season.

Next Game: LA Rams @ Lincoln Financial Field