The Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks had the bye weeks of their respective conferences this postseason, which means this weekend might be our first likelihood to see them in motion. Each groups boast sturdy defenses that ought to give them an opportunity towards any opponent, but additionally have huge questions at quarterback that would maintain them again.
Sam Darnold wants to indicate he can shine on largest stage
In Darnold’s case, there is no such thing as a denying what he has been in a position to do over the previous two common seasons in main the Seahawks and Minnesota Vikings into shocking 14-win seasons. He utterly re-invented his profession after washing out with the New York Jets and Carolina Panthers, and has taken benefit of some good conditions with gifted pass-catchers round him.
Now he simply wants to indicate he can get the job completed within the playoffs. It is likely to be much more tough given the injury news regarding him on Thursday.
The 2 largest video games Darnold has performed in to this point in his profession had been the Vikings’ Week 18 sport towards the Detroit Lions that determined the NFC North and the NFC’s top-seed, after which the playoff sport that adopted. They had been his two worst video games of the season because the Vikings had been blown out in each of them.
He can not have a repeat of that on Sunday towards a San Francisco 49ers protection that has had little or no pass-rush this season and is extraordinarily susceptible.
A giant efficiency and a Seahawks win may also help re-write Darnold’s narrative.
A foul efficiency and a loss will maintain the questions relating to whether or not he’s ok to win a Tremendous Bowl with lingering round.
Broncos will want Bo Nix to step up
If you happen to had been to rank the remaining eight quarterbacks within the playoffs it will most likely be a well-liked consensus to place Nix on the backside of the rankings.
He has held his personal over his first two years within the NFL and appears to be a strong beginning NFL quarterback. When he’s good, he will be actually good. However when he’s dangerous, he can develop into a legal responsibility for the Broncos.
That stage of inconsistency can create some concern going into the playoffs, particularly when a league MVP — and arguably the perfect quarterback nonetheless within the playoffs — is lining up on the opposite aspect in Buffalo Bills starter Josh Allen.
Nix completed the common season averaging simply 6.4 yards per cross try and solely an 87.8 passer score, each numbers are the bottom among the many playoff quarterbacks nonetheless remaining. Denver’s protection can take the Broncos a great distance, but when they will outscore what Allen can do and get again to the Tremendous Bowl they will want much more from their offense and their quarterback.
