NFL Regular Season Review and Playoffs Preview

The NFL’s regular season wrapped up last Sunday with possibly the highest-stakes game so far. The Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings (both 14-win teams) faced off in a thrilling matchup where the winner would not only secure the division title but also clinch the #1 seed in the NFC, while the loser would become the first 5th seed in NFL history to have 14 wins. The Lions emerged victorious, powered by a stellar performance from star running back Jahmyr Gibbs, who racked up 139 rushing yards, 31 receiving yards, and four total touchdowns.

As we look back at the regular season, we’ll break down the standout performances of star quarterbacks, examine overpaid underperformers, and provide insights into what’s ahead for Wild Card Weekend.

To elevate the analysis, we’ve incorporated exclusive projections from Huddle’s trading team on key player performances, offering a data-driven perspective on what to expect as the playoffs begin.

STARS: AFC QBs Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow and Josh Allen

Lamar Jackson just became the first player in NFL history to throw for more than 4,000 yards and run for more than 900 yards in the same season. Jackson also set an NFL-record for the best TD-to-INT ratio, throwing 41 touchdowns against only 4 interceptions. 

Josh Allen posted stats that might pale in comparison to Jackson, but make no mistake, the Bills will only go as far as Allen can take them. His 12 rushing touchdowns on the ground helped make the Bills the first ever NFL team with 30 passing touchdowns and 30 rushing touchdowns in the same season. And he found success despite losing his top-two wide receivers in the offseason.

Joe Burrow endured what I would define as the “Drew Brees Experience” this season. He led the NFL in passing yards and passing touchdowns, but missed the playoffs in large part due to a horrendous defense and untimely special teams gaffs. Joe Burrow became the first QB in NFL history to throw for 250+ yards and 3+ touchdowns in 8 consecutive games. He also torched the Baltimore Ravens to the tune of 9 touchdowns and over 800 passing yards, but lost both games.

DUDS: NFC QBs Kirk Cousins and Brock Purdy

Before the season kicked off, it seemed Kirk Cousins would resume helping lead explosive offenses, like he did for 3 seasons (really 4, including an injury-shortened one) for the Minnesota Vikings. Instead, Cousins was unceremoniously benched 14 games into his Atlanta Falcons tenure, which included a four-game losing streak in which Cousins threw 0 touchdowns and 8 interceptions. That $180M deal that the Falcons signed Cousins to is already looking like one of the worst in recent memory.

Brock Purdy’s inclusion here might rub some the wrong way, but Purdy was coming off a season where he threw for 4,280 yards and 31 touchdowns on 69% completion. Given that he’s expected to sign one of the biggest deals in NFL history, he took a step back. He threw for roughly 400 fewer yards, his completion percentage dipped by four percent and he threw 11 fewer touchdowns and 1 more interception. Purdy is still a good QB, but he can’t use the excuse of losing some players to injury for explaining the huge drop off in play.

Check out Huddle's Regular Season performance here!

AFC Wild Card Preview:

LA Chargers vs HOU Texans

The Texans have limped into the playoffs, as the team has been battered and beaten by injuries the past month. QB CJ Stroud regressed from his rookie campaign, and the Texans once again lost WR Tank Dell (and earlier, Stefon Diggs) to a devastating leg injury. Meanwhile, the Chargers are riding high behind new coach Jim Harbaugh and star rookie WR Ladd McConkey.

Our picks? Herbert will throw for more than 234 passing yards, Joe Mixon and JK Dobbins will surpass 60 rushing yards, and Ladd McConkey will have over 75 receiving yards.

PIT Steelers vs Baltimore Ravens

Anytime the Ravens and Steelers play, you can expect it to be a war. These teams flat out do not like each other, and both teams are itching for postseason success. Lamar Jackson has as many MVPs (2) as playoff victories, so he’s going to be hunting for more. The Steelers haven’t won a playoff game since 2016, and a decade without postseason success for one of the NFL’s blue bloods feels insane.

Lamar Jackson might be the cog for the offense, but we’re picking Derrick Henry to rush for more than 112 yards against a hurt Steelers defense, while we’re also taking Pickens for at least 58 receiving yards, as the Steelers will have to find victories through the air against Baltimore.

BUF Bills vs DEN Broncos

The most exciting aspect of this matchup may surprise casual viewers. The Broncos led the NFL with 63 sacks, 9 more than any other squad. The Bills had the stoutest offensive line, allowing just 14 sacks, 8 fewer than any other team. This will be a battle of big men on the lines. If the Broncos are to upset MVP favorite Josh Allen, they’ll have to do it by taking down the strong QB. Lest we forget, the Bills best wins were against the Chiefs and Lions, and the Broncos were a blocked FG away from beating KC. 

Our picks are that Courtland Sutton has over 60 receiving yards and that James Cook rushes for at least 63 yards. 

With stars rising, rivalries igniting, and underdogs ready to shine, the road to the Super Bowl promises to be a thrilling journey. Stay tuned as we continue to bring you in-depth analysis and projections throughout the playoffs!