0 of 5
Playoff football requires a lot more focus and effort than regular-season action. Some competitors raise their level of play with more at stake. An average talent can catapult himself into the spotlight with standout performances in January.
Last year, the New England Patriots went into the postseason with household names like Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman. The latter earned Super Bowl MVP honors, but running back Sony Michel left a lasting impression, logging 71 carries for 336 yards and six touchdowns through three games.
In wintry weather, defense travels and ground attacks can control the game flow, putting pass-rushers and running backs on the watch list. Still, we can't discount a quarterback elevating his team with a stellar passing performance or two en route to a Super Bowl title.
Among the 12 clubs that currently hold playoff spots, we'll take a look at five players who could dominate the headlines in the coming weeks.
Who's going into the postseason without an All-Pro or Pro Bowl season but with the capability of changing the complexion of playoff games? Which players could have their shining moments in the 2019 postseason?
1 of 5
Jimmy Garoppolo won two Super Bowls with the Patriots, but he stood in Brady's shadow. Now, he has an opportunity to lead his squad to the Promised Land.
Garoppolo had an impressive 2019 campaign. Questions about his durability have subsided. He's suited up for every game this season. Through 15 contests, the 28-year-old put his arm talent on full display, throwing for 3,693 passing yards, 27 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.
In Week 14, Garoppolo had a passing duel with New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees. The latter posted better numbers (349 yards and five touchdowns), but the 49ers signal-caller threw for 349 yards, four touchdowns and an interception, which helped his team to a 48-46 victory.
As a new face under center in January, Garoppolo could add to his popularity with another scoring shootout during the postseason. The sixth-year veteran's New England roots, and more specifically his time behind Brady, provides a captivating background story.
2 of 5
If the Philadelphia Eagles hang on to the No. 4 seed in the NFC, quarterback Carson Wentz will likely have to rely on running backs and tight ends in the aerial attack as he's done over the last three weeks. The coaching staff could also lean on the ground attack.
Miles Sanders can contribute in both aspects of the offense. In Week 15, he logged his first 100-yard performance against the Washington Redskins, rushing for 122 yards and a touchdown. For the season, the Penn State product leads all rookie running backs in receiving yards (510).
The Eagles expect running back Jordan Howard back on the field for the season finale against the New York Giants, but Sanders has shown the capacity to handle a heavy workload. He'll likely see a good portion of the touches going forward.
Averaging 5.9 yards per touch with 1,276 yards and six touchdowns from scrimmage, Sanders can break off a long run or extend plays after the catch for chunk yardage. He's a featured ball-carrier who brings some flash in the open field.
3 of 5
Among the Tennessee Titans' offensive playmakers, A.J. Brown has benefited most following the quarterback switch from Marcus Mariota to Ryan Tannehill. Over the last five weeks, the rookie wideout has eclipsed 113 receiving yards in three contests.
Don't categorize Tennessee's offense as a limited ground-and-pound unit. Tannehill can throw deep or short to Brown and watch him beat defenders downfield or outrun them after receptions. This season, the Titans signal-caller has thrown 20 touchdown passes—five of them went to the first-year wideout from Ole Miss.
In Week 16, against the Saints, Brown only touched the ball twice. Yet, he made the most of both plays, logging a 34-yard reception and scoring on a 49-yard rushing attempt. He brings instant offense that could discourage an opposing defense and energize his offense.
Through 15 contests, Brown has averaged 19.3 yards per catch and leads all rookie wideouts in receiving yards (927). He's also recorded a team-high seven receiving touchdowns.
4 of 5
Typically, we don't hear about star defenders breaking out during the postseason, but someone has to chase down Russell Wilson, Brees and potentially Wentz in the NFC.
Za'Darius Smith didn't earn Pro Bowl honors, but he's an emerging pass-rusher in the league. The versatile defensive lineman is oftentimes mentioned as one-half of the Smith brothers, Preston being the other, but the 27-year-old can be a standalone game-wrecker. We saw that when he recorded seven tackles, five for loss, and 3.5 sacks Monday against the Minnesota Vikings.
This season, Smith leads the Green Bay Packers in sacks (13.5) and tackles for loss (17). He can line up on the edge or inside to disrupt opposing offensive attacks.
In 2019, Smith has played a career-high 84 percent of defensive snaps, which indicates his every-down capability. He could lead the Packers' revamped defense on a deep playoff run.
5 of 5
The Kansas City Chiefs coaching staff deserves credit for strengthening its pass defense with a few new faces, including Bashaud Breeland, Tyrann Mathieu and Juan Thornhill.
Nevertheless, we can't overlook Charvarius Ward's development. In 2018, he served as a backup, playing 12 percent of defensive snaps. Now, he's a full-time starter and a key component of the Chiefs' eighth-ranked pass defense.
In addition to a pair of interceptions, Ward is tied with Mathieu for a team-best 10 pass breakups.
Depending on how the final matchups shake out, we could see Ward line up across from speedy deep threats like the Buffalo Bills' John Brown or A.J. Brown. He should be equipped to handle those assignments after facing wide receiver Tyreek Hill during team practices. The second-year cornerback could use his length (6'1", 196 lbs) when covering bigger wide receivers.
Although we shouldn't expect Ward to shut down top pass-catchers on an island, he's good enough to make some impact plays and flash as someone to follow in the secondary. Going up against top talent in the postseason, the sophomore standout could elevate his game to another level.
Who knows, maybe Ward will pick off Brady in a critical late-game sequence. That would certainly be a keeper for his highlight reel.
"Spotlight" - Google News
December 27, 2019 at 08:52PM
https://ift.tt/39lp3GS
NFL Players Who Can Steal the Spotlight in the 2020 Postseason - Bleacher Report
"Spotlight" - Google News
https://ift.tt/34IXLax
Shoes Man Tutorial
Pos News Update
Meme Update
Korean Entertainment News
Japan News Update
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "NFL Players Who Can Steal the Spotlight in the 2020 Postseason - Bleacher Report"
Post a Comment