The NFL Wild Card Playoff round begins this weekend and there pressure to win is great. Yet, there are some figures who have the greatest pressure.
Let’s some at the five people facing the most pressure in the Wild Card round, presented in alphabetical order:
Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen
It’s not like this is a make-or-break game for Allen. But the Bills have a legitimate chance to win their first Super Bowl title. Losing at home in the Wild Card round to the No. 7 would be a pretty bad blow. When teams with high expectations get upset early in the playoffs, fingers point at the quarterback. Allen is a favorite to win the MVP. Yet, if the Bills’ season ends at the hands of a Broncos’ upset win, that will be the lasting memory of Allen’s 2024 season whether he’s win hardware or not.
Minnesota Vikings’ QB Sam Darnold
If anyone told us five months ago that Darnold would be facing big pressure in the playoffs, they would have been asked if they were seeing ghosts again. So, in a sense, Darnold is playing with house money at the conclusion of this season. The truth is, Darnold is playing for future earnings. After a terrific Minnesota season Darnold helped save after first-round pick J.J. McCarthy was lost for the year in the preseason, the veteran looked like his journeyman self in a massive Week 18 matchup at Detroit which sent the Vikings to a No. 5 playoff seed and a trip to the Los Angeles Rams. If Darnold plays poorly in this game and the Vikings’ season ends, it could affect his future. He is a free agent and if the Vikings don’t franchise him, there will be interest around the league by quarterback-needy franchises in a year where its a weak draft class at his position. A lot of eyes will be on Darnold on Monday night.
Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni
It seems like Philadelphia Eagles fans are just waiting for Sirianni to blow it, doesn’t it? Calls for his head will swirl in Philly if the No. 2 seed Eagles lose to the No. 7 Green Bay Packers on Sunday. The Eagles have a Super Bowl-caliber team and Sirianni has been led them to a 14-3 record, highlighted by a 10-game winning streak. After barely losing the Super Bowl in the 2022 season, the Eagles faded down the stretch and went one and done in the playoffs last season, which put Sirianni on the hot seat for many Eagles’ fans. If this strong season ends in the wild-card round at home, Sirianni may have to order in for his cheesesteaks for a while.
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Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud
Stroud was one of the most anticipated players to watch going into the 2024 season. He had a tremendous rookie season and was a big reason why many thought the Houston Texans could be the Kansas City Chiefs’ biggest threat to dethrone them in the AFC. But Stroud regressed and the Texans were somewhat of a disappointment as they survived the weak AFC South. They host the Los Angeles Chargers on Saturday and are a slight home underdog. If Stroud plays poorly and the Texans lose, the buzz around him and the team going into the 2025 season, will be much quieter than in 2024.
Pittsburgh Steeler head coach Mike Tomlin
There isn’t anyone on this list facing more pressure than Tomlin. Frankly, it seems a good portion of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ vast fan base have grown tired of him. Of course, they are spoiled. The Steelers have never had a losing record in his 18 seasons as the head coach. It’s a remarkable feat. Still, fans are focusing on another historical fact: The Steelers haven’t won a playoff game since the 2016 season, going one and done four times since. Plus, the Steelers skidded their way into the postseason. After a hot 10-3 start, they lost four straight games against strong competition and they saw the Baltimore Ravens take the AFC North. Now, the Steelers have to go play at their bitter division rivals. If the Steelers get blasted at Baltimore to lose five straight and their season, the heat is going to be on Tomlin. it would be a shock if the Steelers fired him as a result. But their may be some conversations on how long Tomlin will get to bring postseason success back to the city.
