Amaar Burton
While so many things have become lesser versions of themselves during the COVID-19 pandemic, the NFL went the other way and made its postseason bigger than ever. The NFL expanded its field of playoff teams from 12 to 14 this year, which means more playoff games on the way to the Super Bowl.
The bigger and (hopefully) better version of the NFL postseason kicks off on Jan. 9. Here are 10 players you have to watch during the playoffs.
1. Davante Adams (Green Bay Packers)
Packers QB Aaron Rodgers is a top contender for league MVP, but he wouldn’t be in that position without Davante Adams, who might be the best wide receiver in football. Adams led the NFL with 18 touchdown catches this season.
2. Tom Brady (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
The man that many call the G.O.A.T., Tom Brady has led the Bucs to the playoffs in his first run with them after 20 years with the New England Patriots. The six-time Super Bowl champ is going for No. 7, and at 43 years old he’s still putting up elite numbers.
3. Stefon Diggs (Buffalo Bills)
The Bills are still known as that team that lost four straight Super Bowls in the 1990s. That reputation can change if Buffalo ever wins a Super Bowl, and Stefon Diggs can help make that happen. The star wide receiver led the NFL in catches and receiving yards this season, helping the Bills win their first AFC East division title since 1995.
4. Myles Garrett (Cleveland Browns)
The historically horrible Browns are back in the playoffs for the first time since 2002, and a big reason for that is pass-rushing defensive end Myles Garrett. Built like a tank and as fast as a Ferrari, Garrett also writes poetry in his spare time.
5. Derrick Henry (Tennessee Titans)
“King Henry” is a beast, plain and simple. Human beings his size (6’3″, 247 pounds) shouldn’t move as fast as he does, which is why the former Heisman Trophy winner led the NFL in rushing yards and touchdowns for the second straight year and became the eighth player in NFL history to run for over 2,000 yards in one season.
6. Alvin Kamara (New Orleans Saints)
While QB Drew Brees and WR Michael Thomas have been in and out of the Saints lineup with injuries, Alvin Kamara is the constant in NOLA. The NFL’s most dangerous dual-threat running back, Kamara can change a game with one play and make defenders look silly trying to stop him.
7. Patrick Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs)
Last season’s Super Bowl MVP might be the most purely talented quarterback the game has ever seen. This past offseason, Patrick Mahomes signed a 10-year, $450 million contract that is the richest deal in NFL history. He looked like he was worth it this season, leading the Chiefs to a league-best 14-2 record.
8. Marcus Peters (Baltimore Ravens)
After scoring at least one defensive touchdown in each of the past three seasons, Marcus Peters was shut out in 2020. So in other words, the All-Pro cornerback is due to find the end zone this postseason. While he didn’t score, Peters collected four interceptions and two fumble recoveries this regular season.
9. T.J. Watt (Pittsburgh Steelers)
The odds-on favorite to win NFL Defensive Player of the Year led the NFL with 15 sacks and headlines a Steelers defense that is one of the best in the league. T.J. Watt has two older brothers in the NFL; defensive end J.J. Watt is a three-time DPOY for the Houston Texans, and fullback Derek Watt is a teammate of T.J.’s in Pittsburgh.
10. Russell Wilson (Seattle Seahawks)
All-Pro quarterback, Super Bowl champion, husband of R&B star Ciara, and he recently launched a clothing line with his famous wife. Russell Wilson has come a long way since he was dismissed by NFL Draft experts eight years ago as too short to thrive in the league.
