NFL Playoffs Under Duress List - Wild Card Round

With the conclusion of the regular season, the spotlight now shifts to the postseason, where the culmination of hard work and dedication is put to the ultimate test. In this single-elimination phase, there's no room for mistakes or regrets; it's a one-and-done scenario where a loss signifies the end of the road.

As the first round (Wild card) of postseason games approaches, all eyes will be on the teams facing the "must-win" situation — those with everything to gain and everything to lose. The drama, excitement, and unpredictability of the playoffs are set to unfold, promising a thrilling journey toward the pinnacle of football success.

While every team faces pressure, I consider the below to be under the most intense scrutiny going into Wild Card Weekend:

Philadelphia Eagles

The upcoming match is undeniably a must-not-lose situation for the Philadelphia Eagles. It serves as a chance to overshadow what has been a disappointing end to their regular season. The Eagles, once boasting the best record in the NFL at 10-1, have seen a stark downturn, losing five out of their last six games. Their points differential has plummeted to the fourth worst at -9.8, and their defence, giving up 21 touchdowns, stands as the poorest-performing in the league.

Last week's game painted a vivid picture of their struggles, falling behind 24-0 at halftime to the struggling New York Giants, who started second-string QB Tyrod Taylor. The dire conclusion to the season has forced the Eagles to have to play on the road if they are to reach the Super Bowl for the second year running. They’re not facing the toughest matchup but it won't be easy when they travel to Florida to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Led by quarterback Baker Mayfield, the Bucs have shown resilience, winning five of their last six games to clinch their division.

The challenge for the Eagles is further intensified by key injuries to receivers DeVonta Smith and AJ Brown. Additionally, their quarterback Jalen Hurts is grappling with a dislocated finger, having not thrown a football in practice as of Thursday’s practics. The stakes are also high for head coach Nick Sirianni, as a loss might put his position in jeopardy, especially with experienced coaches like Mike Vrabel and Bill Belichick readily available.

Next Game: Tampa Bay Buccanneers at Raymond James Stadium

Dallas Cowboys

For the Dallas Cowboys, this game is pivotal as some believe this season represents their best chance at winning a Super Bowl. Despite being dubbed "America's Team," the Cowboys' postseason luck has been elusive, with their last triumph back in 1995.

What favours the Cowboys as they commence their playoff campaign against the Green Bay Packers is their formidable performances at home. In six of their eight home victories this season, they have secured wins by 20 or more points, including blowouts against playoff-calibre teams like the LA Rams and the Philadelphia Eagles. Impressively, the Cowboys have accumulated more 20+ point wins this season (9) than all other NFC playoff teams combined, boasting an average of 37.4 points per game while allowing only 15. 

Adding to the Cowboys' optimism is the weakness of the Packers' defence. Giving up 30 points to the struggling Carolina Panthers, who are the worst team in football, underscores the Packers' defensive shortcomings. They give up 128 yards per game on the run, a 40% conversion rate on third downs, and a relatively high passer rating for opposing quarterbacks (94.7), the Packers' defence seems susceptible.

The historical playoff encounters between the Cowboys and the Packers add an extra layer of drama to the upcoming matchup. The heartbreaking 2016 showdown, where the Cowboys lost by a late field goal, lingers in memory. The controversial 2014 game, marked by the disputed catch involving Dez Bryant, still holds sour in the mouths of Cowboy fans who owe a win on the Packers in the playoffs. 

It should be a relatively straightforward win for the Cowboys who will come up against Jordan Love at QB in his first playoff game but as Stephen A Smith’s famous phrase goes: "What can go wrong, will go wrong for the Dallas Cowboys.”

Next Game: Green Bay Packers at AT&T Stadium

Detroit Lions

Dan Campbell's Detroit Lions have had a remarkable season, clinching the NFC North for the first time since 1993 and injecting new life into the Motor City. Despite this success, the Lions face significant pressure as they strive to overcome a prolonged playoff drought when they host the Los Angeles Rams.

The Lions' last playoff victory dates back to 1991. Their 31-season-long dry spell is the longest-standing without a post-season win in the whole NFL. Indeed, the Lions' sole playoff victory in 1991 stands as their only triumph since 1957, marking 66 years with just one playoff win. This extended period of postseason struggles has earned the Lions the title of "football purgatory.”

Furthermore, this playoff game marks the return of former Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford to Detroit for the first time since he left in 2021. Stafford, who departed for the LA Rams and won a Super Bowl in his first season, never won a playoff game in his 11 years in Detroit. Adding to the intrigue is the presence of current Lions QB, Jared Goff, who arrived in Detroit as part of the Stafford trade. Goff had previously led the Rams to the Super Bowl in the 2018 season, albeit suffering a defeat. Reports suggested that Rams head coach Sean McVay doubted Goff's championship potential, leading to the quarterback swap. Goff now has an opportunity to prove himself against his former coach.

The atmosphere is going to be electric and to secure a historic win, the Lions must counter the Rams' aerial threat and force them to rely on their running game. However, it’ll be tough the Rams are one of the hottest teams in the league at the moment. Since they come off their bye in week 10, they are 7-1 and are averaging 28 points a game. Despite the Rams' hot streak, Vegas odds favour the Lions to end 30 years of playoff drought with a landmark victory.