Wild Card Weekend is in the books, with six NFL teams qualifying for the divisional round of the playoffs and six more returning home for an early start to the 2025 offseason. Many remaining clubs register as Super Bowl worthy, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have no questions to answer yet.
Here are the most pressing questions we have for teams still alive looking for NFL glory:
Lamar Jackson exorcised a demon from the AFC North this season by beating the rival Pittsburgh Steelers, an occasional Kryptonite for his superstar talent, not once but twice, including in the wild-card round. He is an MVP. The next hurdle is bigger: beating Josh Allen (again) to reach the AFC title game.
Buffalo Bills: Can Allen carry the load to the end?
Routing the Denver Broncos and their rookie quarterback at home was one thing. Beating Lamar Jackson and, potentially, Patrick Mahomes in back-to-back games will be a much tougher task for Josh Allen, even if he’s as capable as anyone of playing Superman. Relying on James Cook is an underrated key.
Detroit Lions: Can anyone stop them on their home field?
The Lions are a star power on offense and a successful group on defense. A loss in the 2023 NFC title game didn’t break them; it made them stronger. Which begs the question: Is a conference foe capable of taking Ford Field for itself? Jayden Daniels will be the next dynamic point guard to try out.
Houston Texans: How long can they rely on their “D”?
CJ Stroud was the magical centerpiece of their surprise run to the playoffs a year ago. This time around, DeMeco Ryans tenacious defense is the reason they are still hanging around. Unless Stroud comes alive amid a battle-weary supporting cast, they might struggle to outlast the rest of the platoon.
The Chiefs have mostly won on the margins in recent seasons, relying heavily on the theatrics of Patrick Mahomes, as well as the timely stifling of Steve Spagnuolo’s defense, to win trophies. Andy Reid’s offense finally showed some juice late in 2024, with Marquise Brown slotted in at wideout.
Believe it or not, this Rams team started 1-4. But part of that was because Matthew Stafford barely had a healthy receiving corps and miraculously avoided his own injury. When they’re on, they’re on. But the streaks have been a problem. Will firepower meet new expectations?
The Eagles responded to outside noise regarding a slow aerial action sequence earlier this season by airing it on the Steelers. Since then, they haven’t really torched a team as a passing offense, with Jalen Hurts just returning from injury in the wild-card round. Their running game and defense are legit, but to go the distance they may need to utilize their elite perimeter targets more.
Jayden Daniels is a one-man band for Kliff Kingsbury, carrying a lackluster backfield with his smooth mobility and carving up opposing defenses with his quick arm. Getting some extra help from Kingsbury’s running backs or the red zone playsheet could allow the Commanders to extend their surprisingly hot run.
