The 2025 NFL regular season is complete, and for 14 teams, their efforts during the season have earned them a playoff berth. This week, twelve out of fourteen teams will play for their right to keep their championship dreams alive during the wildcard round of playoff games. As the stakes rise, the pressure on each team shifts to its top players. If a team’s top players can put together a great performance, the team can move on to the Divisional round of the playoffs. However, for some of these teams, their top players will not perform up to their own standards, or they will make mistakes that end their team’s season. As teams prepare to head into Wildcard Weekend, we have assessed the Top 25 players in the wildcard round of the playoffs.
#25 Panthers QB Bryce Young
The Carolina Panthers have earned their chance to play a home game in the wildcard round of the playoffs by being able to run the ball with running backs Rico Dowdle and Chuba Hubbard. In addition, the Panthers’ defense has been very opportunistic in forcing turnovers. During the regular season, the Panthers defeated the Rams due to the strength of their running game and defense. However, this week, Panthers quarterback Bryce Young is going to have to step up his level of play and find a way to hit some deep passes to players like Tetaroia McMillan. Previously, Young has failed to consistently complete deep passes, especially in the red zone.
#24 Steelers DE T.J. Watt
This week the Pittsburgh Steelers are going to face a big challenge against the Houston Texans. Defensively, the Texans are one of the best teams in the NFL. On the other hand, Houston has been inconsistent on offense especially in the red zone. The challenge for the Steelers’ defense this week is going to be putting pressure on Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud and force Houston to turn the ball over and kick field goals in the red zone. Steelers defensive end T.J. Watt needs to overcome his recent injuries and be ready to dominate the Texans offensive tackles and put maximum pressure on C.J. Stroud.
#23 Patriots RB TreVeyon Henderson
The New England Patriots have put in the hard work to win the AFC East, which allows them to host the Los Angeles Chargers in the wildcard round of the playoffs. Playing in New England means the conditions will be cold, and there could be inclement weather, such as rain or snow. Those conditions give the Patriots a significant advantage over the Chargers, but only if they can run the ball effectively. Due to injuries the last few weeks, the Patriots are missing some of their offensive linemen, so that means that rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson is going to have to have a great game to allow the Patriots to maintain their advantage over the Chargers.
#22 Patriots WR Stefon Diggs
During the 2025 NFL season, the New England Patriots have made significant improvements on offense. While quarterback Drake Maye and head coach Mike Vrabel get credit for that improvement, the bigger factors in the Patriots’ improvement have been their running game and the big-play potential of wide receiver Stefon Diggs. This offseason, the Patriots signed Diggs, hoping he could overcome his recent injury history to provide deep-threat potential for New England. So far this season, Diggs has played well, catching 85 passes for 1,013 yards and four touchdowns. This week, the Patriots will need Diggs to be able to stretch the field against the Chargers to give Maye more room to operate in the short and intermediate passing zones.
#21 Packers RB Josh Jacobs
The Green Bay Packers come into the wildcard round of the playoffs, managing injuries to several of their top playmakers. While the Packers have struggled with inconsistency due to those injuries, Packers running back Josh Jacobs could give the offense a big boost due to his versatility. When Jacobs has been healthy this season, he has been an outstanding weapon for the Packers in the red zone, scoring 13 rushing touchdowns. In addition, Jacobs has been effective at being a receiver out of the backfield, forcing opposing defenses to account for him as a passing threat. This week, Jacobs could be an X-factor for the Packers as they look for ways to pick up first downs against a Bears defense that has thrived on forcing turnovers.
#20 49ers QB Brock Purdy
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan has built his offense around quarterback Brock Purdy’s skills and efficiency. During the season, Purdy missed several games with turf toe, and last week he suffered a minor shoulder injury against the Seahawks. As the 49ers travel to Philadelphia to face the Eagles, San Francisco needs Purdy to be ready to play his most efficient football in what will most likely be non-ideal conditions. Purdy’s ability to manage the weather, his arsenal of offensive weapons, and an elite Eagles pass rush will determine if the 49ers get to move on to the next round of the playoffs.
#19 Chargers QB Justin Herbert
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert is the key to whether or not the Chargers will be able to pick up a win in the wild card round on the road in New England. During the season, Herbert has been the only stable part of a Chargers offense that has been decimated by injuries at running back and along their offensive line. Despite being sacked 54 times this season, Herbert has found a way to make enough plays to help the Chargers compete on a weekly basis, no matter which supporting players are missing on offense. Herbert has excelled under pressure with a quarterback rating of 94.1 and a 2.1 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Herbert will have to continue to perform well under pressure from the Patriots’ defense and contend with potentially cold weather.
#18 Jaguars RB Travis Etienne Jr.
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. has been a big part of the Jaguars’ resurgence under the leadership of Liam Coen. During the 2025 season, Etienne has rushed for 1,107 yards and 6 rushing touchdowns. In addition, Etienne has also made an impact on the Jaguars’ passing game with 36 receptions and 7 receiving touchdowns. Due to the Buffalo Bills’ inconsistent run defense, Etienne is likely going to be the biggest advantage the Jaguars have over the Bills if he can get going early in the game.
#17 Rams WR Davante Adams
After a few down seasons with the Jets and the Raiders, Rams wide receiver Davante Adams appears to be ready to return to the Rams lineup to be a big-time playmaker in the red zone. Recently, Adams has missed a few games due to a hamstring injury, but all reports are that he is ready to return to the field this week against Carolina. While Adams has 789 receiving yards for the season, he has been an elite player when the Rams get into the red zone. Adams has been targeted a league-leading 31 times in the red zone, and he has scored 14 touchdowns. If the Rams can get the ball to Adams early and often, they could run away with this game early in their rematch with the Panthers.
#16 49ers TE George Kittle
Tight end George Kittle has been an outstanding “tone-setter” for the San Francisco 49ers offense. Kittle has established himself as a physical blocker in the running game and pass protection. In addition, Kittle has caught 57 passes for 628 yards and 7 touchdowns. Recently, Kittle has struggled with ankle and hamstring injuries. San Francisco needs Kittle to be ready to come out and play his best football against an elite Philadelphia Eagles defense.
#15 Packers QB Jordan Love
When healthy, Packers quarterback Jordan Love has been one of the most efficient and aggressive quarterbacks in the NFL. Love can run the Packers’ offense at a high level, whether he is in a shotgun formation or under center. On the other hand, Love has been dealing with a concussion and an elbow injury. In addition, the Packers’ wide receivers, Christian Watson and Jayden Reed, have been hampered by injuries, limiting Love’s ability to be productive in the passing game. Also, the Packers’ offensive line has been inconsistent in pass protection, putting Love at risk. To get a win in Chicago this week, Love will have to come out and play his best game of the year.
#14 Texans QB C.J. Stroud
Despite dealing with injuries early in the season, Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud has grown under offensive coordinator Nick Caley. A big part of Stroud’s improvement has been improved pass protection, and this season, Stroud has only been sacked 23 times compared to 52 sacks last season. On the other hand, Stroud has been most successful in the open field, and he tends to struggle in the red zone when the field gets compressed. The Texans’ offense is ranked 30th in the league when it comes to Red Zone Touchdown Rate. This week, Stroud will need to get the ball in the end zone to finish drives against the Pittsburgh Steelers’ tough defense.
#13 Rams RB Kyren Williams
Rams running back Kyren Williams should be ready to play his best football of the season this weekend. During the season, Rams head coach Sean McVay has been managing Williams’ load in the running game to limit the wear and tear on his body. Despite having fewer carries this season, Williams has gained 1,252 rushing yards, and he has scored 10 rushing touchdowns. In addition, Williams has improved as a receiver out of the backfield, making him a more versatile weapon for the Rams’ offense. This week, there is no reason for the Rams to limit Williams’ touches against Carolina, so he could end up having his best game of the season so far.
#12 Bills RB James Cook
When the Buffalo Bills’ offense is willing to lean on the running ability of running back James Cook, the Bills have their best offensive performances this season. Cook won the NFL rushing title this season with 1,621 rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns. The Bills have struggled in the postseason when they rely too heavily on quarterback Josh Allen to power the offense on his own. When Cook gets running downhill, it allows the Bills to run a much better passing attack by opening up space with play-action passes. This week, the Bills open the playoffs against a Jaguars team that could be the best in the AFC, and if they are going to get a win in Jacksonville, they have to run a balanced offense.
#11 Texans WR Nico Collins
Texans wide receiver Nico Collins has continued to establish himself as the top passing threat for the Houston offense. This season, Collins has caught 71 passes for 1,117 yards, but his passing game production has not necessarily led to touchdowns. So far this season, Collins has only caught 6 touchdown passes, although he did miss some playing time due to minor injuries. This week, Collins needs to step up his ability to make explosive plays in the passing game for quarterback C.J. Stroud.
#10 Eagles RB Saquon Barkley
So far this season, Eagles running back Saquon Barkley has struggled to reproduce the dominant performances that he had for Philadelphia last season on the way to a Super Bowl victory. Last year, Barkley ran for 2,005 rushing yards during the regular season, and this year, he has only gained 1,140 rushing yards along with only 7 rushing touchdowns. There is a chance that Barkley’s drop in production could be due to him pacing himself throughout the season to minimize wear and tear on his body. If the Eagles are going to make another run to the Super Bowl, Philadelphia must regain its dominance in the running game this week against the 49ers.
#9 Bears QB Caleb Williams
During the 2025 NFL season, Bears quarterback Caleb Williams has blossomed under the leadership of head coach Ben Johnson. So far this season, Williams has set a new franchise record for the Chicago Bears with 3,942 passing yards for the season. Williams has also benefited from the Chicago Bears’ improved offensive line and their strong running game. In addition, Williams has shown that he has the speed to be a dual-threat quarterback for the Bears when needed. The combination of Williams’ mobility and improved pass protection has reduced the number of sacks Williams has taken from 68 sacks last season to 24 sacks this season. Williams will need to prove that he can perform on the big stage at home in the wildcard round.
#8 Patriots QB Drake Maye
During the 2025 NFL regular season, Patriots quarterback Drake Maye has risen to the top of the quarterback ranks in almost all statistical areas for quarterbacks this season. Maye has passed for 4,394 yards along with 31 passing touchdowns and only 8 interceptions. In addition, Maye has shown that he is a legitimate threat running the ball if his receivers are covered downfield. For the Patriots to officially return to the top of the AFC, New England needs Drake Maye to continue playing at an MVP level. This week, Maye will have a big edge against the Chargers due to their inability to contain mobile quarterbacks.
#7 Eagles WR A.J. Brown
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown has experienced a dip in his production compared to last season, but it is likely that his regression has been a result of the Eagles struggling to get their passing game going at times during the season. Brown is second on the team with 78 receptions and 1,003 receiving yards, along with 7 touchdown catches. This week would be an ideal time for Brown to have a breakout game against a 49ers defense that will have to focus on stopping the Eagles’ run game and finding ways to generate a consistent pass rush.
#6 Eagles QB Jalen Hurts
During the 2025 NFL season, Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts has improved his efficiency as a passer, reducing his turnover rate. On the other hand, Hurts’ more conservative play has reduced the Eagles’ offense’s overall production compared to last season. While Hurts has only thrown for 3,224 passing yards, he has set a career-high with 25 passing touchdowns and only 6 interceptions. At the same time, Hurst has run the ball for a career-low 421 rushing yards. This week, Hurts will need to continue focusing on playing efficient football to avoid giving the 49ers offense short fields or extra possessions against their defense.
#5 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey
49ers running back Christian McCaffrey has bounced back from several injury-riddled seasons to reestablish himself as the engine that drives the San Francisco offense. This season, McCaffrey has played in every game for the 49ers, and while he has only run the ball for 1,202 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns, he has added more explosive play potential in the passing game. So far this season, McCaffrey has caught 102 passes for 924 receiving yards and 7 receiving touchdowns. San Francisco needs McCaffrey to come back strong after struggling against the Seahawks’ defensive front seven last week.
#4 Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence
During the 2025 NFL season, Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence has exploded while running head coach Liam Coen’s offense. This season, Lawrence has set a career record with 29 passing touchdowns, and while he has thrown 8 interceptions, only one of those has come from the last 8 games. In addition, Lawrence has established himself as a consistent running threat with 359 rushing yards and 9 rushing touchdowns. Lawrence has set a new record for total touchdowns scored in a season with 38 total touchdowns. The Jaguars will need Lawrence to continue to excel as a dynamic player against the best defensive units in the AFC.
#3 Rams WR Puka Nacua
his season, Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua has established himself as the top wide receiver in the NFL. Nacua leads the NFL with 129 receptions for 1,715 receiving yards and 10 receiving touchdowns. Recently, defenses have been able to focus on shutting down Nacua without Davante Adams in the lineup for the Rams offense. Adams’ return this week could lead to a huge game for Nacua against the Carolina Panthers’ defense. Traditionally, Nacua has some of his best performances against zone coverage defenses, like the one the Carolina Panthers use as their primary scheme.
#2 Rams QB Matthew Stafford
This season, the Rams’ offense has benefited from a great season by quarterback Matthew Stafford. Stafford leads the NFL in total passing yards with 4,707 yards and a league-high 46 passing touchdowns. The last time the Rams played the Panthers, Stafford threw three of his eight interceptions for the season. Those turnovers allowed the Panthers to upset the Rams, and history could repeat itself if Stafford does not return to the MVP-level form that he displayed earlier this season.
#1 Bills QB Josh Allen
The Buffalo Bills will need to resist the temptation of putting all of the weight of their championship hopes on the back of quarterback Josh Allen. While Allen has been one of the most dynamic players in NFL history during the regular season over the last several years, Buffalo’s offense tends to hit a wall against great defensive teams in the playoffs. While the Jaguars’ defense still has some work to do to be an elite unit, the Bills need to diversify their offensive game plan by leaning on running back James Cook. That will lighten the load on Allen and make it more difficult for the Jaguars’ defense to force Allen into making mistakes that could cost the Bills their chance to make another deep run in the playoffs.
Make sure you check out Predicting Every Wild Card Weekend Game
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