Throughout the entire week, coaches have been scheming in order to slow down or eliminate impact players. It appears to work more often than most people would realize come playoff time. As we know, it is all about the entire unit or team as a whole thriving in the ultimate team sport come January.
Unfortunately, COVID has put a tight grip on the Cleveland Browns and their chances this Sunday. Elsewhere, injury news looks more encouraging for players like Stefon Diggs and Cole Beasley up in Buffalo. The same cannot be said for a defensive back who was supposed to have lined up across from them, in Rock Ya-Sin. Finally, the most important matchup worth watching in the Ravens-Titans game may not be as obvious. With that in mind, it is now time to list our key matchups for the AFC games on Wild Card weekend. Let’s kick things off with the game from Western New York.
Buffalo Bills vs Indianapolis Colts
Bills Wide Receivers vs Colts Cornerbacks
Diggs and Beasley have been dealing with injuries throughout the week. Beasley (knee) got hurt late in the win against the New England Patriots in Week 16. His status did not look promising for a good while. However, the fact that he has practiced at all this week has to be an encouraging sign. Reports of Diggs (oblique) were even more up in the air. He also practiced in a limited fashion as of Thursday’s injury report. Both will likely fight hard to play, especially considering the season both receivers and the Bills offense has had. In addition, neither Diggs nor Beasley has missed more than one game in any of the past three seasons.
On the other hand, it looks like second year cover man Rock Ya-Sin will miss the game for the Colts (concussion). This means TJ Carrie will step up into his starting role. Xavier Rhodes has surprised with somewhat of a resurgence after joining Indianapolis this season. And, slot corner Kenny Moore II has been one of the more consistent slot cover guys across the league over the last couple of seasons.
Buffalo is not afraid to move both Diggs and Beasley around the formation. With both having silky smooth route running skills and natural hands, it will take a collective effort from the Colts to get the job done. Without the length and physical presence of Ya-Sin, Indianapolis will have to be able to find some sense of physicality, while still staying under control. The Colts run a three safety look better than anyone under defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus. That makes for a compelling challenge for the Bills offense, depending on how much they utilize it. It will be important for the Colts cornerbacks to stay on top of routes.
Pittsburgh Steelers vs Cleveland Browns
Steelers Offensive Line vs Browns Pass Rush
This will be a vital test for many reasons for the Cleveland Browns pass rush. For one, they will need to help out depth players in the back seven. As of now, linebacker Malcolm Smith, cornerbacks Denzel Ward and Kevin Johnson and safety Ronnie Harrison remain on the COVID list and likely won’t be playing on Sunday. Elsewhere, Ben Roethlisberger has struggled against pressure the worst he has in his career.
-
Ep 39: Quarterback Contracts, Hill vs Adams, Top 5 QB Contracts
by Full Press Coverage on August 1, 2022 at 12:36 am
Led by Myles Garrett, Cleveland amassed 38 sacks on the season. Good for 12th most in the NFL, the Browns have aggravated many quarterbacks throughout the season. Garrett had 12 sacks this season, his third straight with 10 or more. Veteran Olivier Vernon ruptured his Achilles last week, and was having one of his best seasons. He will be deeply missed on that defense. However, Cleveland has quite the ample amount of depth at their disposal. Adrian Clayborn will takeover for Vernon and provides sneaky speed. Breakout player Porter Gustin has become more recognized and praised by opponents. The Browns can also provide interior pressure with studs Sheldon Richardson and Larry Ogunjobi.
Usually a staple of the Steelers success, the offensive line has been up and down throughout the season. Despite a low number of sacks allowed, veterans Alejandro Villanueva, Maurkice Pouncey and David DeCastro have begun to decline. The team is due for upgrades soon throughout free agency or the draft. Arguably, their best performing offensive lineman this season has been rookie Kevin Dotson. The rookie fourth round pick out of Louisiana-Lafayette quickly received praise from teammates and coaches since the outset of the season. But, he cannot do it all on his own.
Tennessee Titans vs Baltimore Ravens
Titans Receivers vs Ravens Defensive Backs
As well as the Baltimore Ravens have been playing, this secondary has been streaky at best. Other than intelligent cornerback Marlon Humphrey, it has been hard to rely on the defensive backs if you are Baltimore. And in this upcoming matchup against the Titans, they have proved to struggle against these opposing receivers downfield.
With a quarterback like Ryan Tannehill and the NFL’s best running back in Derrick Henry, Tennessee is able to win with play action passing better than anyone. A lot of credit goes to Tannehill’s accuracy in the intermediate to deep passing game. But after the catch, no one is more physical in making defenders miss than AJ Brown. The Ole Miss product ran through the entire defensive backfield in a score against the Ravens earlier this season.
In that game earlier this season, Brown amassed 15.5 yards per reception and 8.86 yards per target. But what about Corey Davis? The former fifth overall pick out of Western Michigan has put together a career best season. More importantly for him, it has come in a make or break contract year. His 65 receptions, 984 receiving yards, five receiving touchdowns and 15.1 yards per reception in 2020 are all career highs. More importantly his drops have decreased significantly, as his catch percentage this season was a career best 70.7%. Up from 62.3% in 2019, 58% in 2018 and 52.3% in his rookie season of 2017. Tannehill has more trust in him, and his yards after catch ability has finally shined through. Baltimore is looking for inspired performances from Marcus Peters, Chuck Clark and DeShon Elliott.
For this weekend’s Wild Card content, be sure to keep locked on to Full Press Coverage.
– Braden Holecek is the Kansas City Chiefs managing editor for Full Press Coverage. He covers the NFL. Like and follow on Follow @ebearcat9//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Follow @FPC_Chiefs//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js and Facebook.
-
Ep 118: Senior Class Talk With Football Historian Ken Crippenby Full Press Coverage on August 11, 2022 at 10:03 pm
Pro Football historian Ken Crippen joins Clark and Ira to discuss the […]
-
Ep 117: Former Chiefs VP of Player Personnel Bill Kuharich Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on August 3, 2022 at 10:26 pm
Former Chiefs VP of Player Personnel Bill Kuharich joins Clark and Ira to […]
-
Ep 116: Former Buccaneers Head Coach Bruce Arians Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on June 29, 2022 at 3:03 am
Former Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians joins Clark and Ira to discuss […]
-
Ep 115: Gil Brandt Joins The Show To Remember Cowboys RB Don Perkinsby Full Press Coverage on June 22, 2022 at 3:46 pm
Pro Football Hall of Famer Gil Brandt joins Clark and Ira to discuss the […]
-
Ep 114: Former Bengals QB Ken Anderson Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on June 15, 2022 at 5:12 pm
Former Bengals quarterback and NFL MVP, Ken Anderson, joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 113: HOF Voter Barry Wilner Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on June 10, 2022 at 6:04 pm
For AP chief correspondent and current Pro Football Hall of Fame voter, […]
-
Ep 112: Colts Owner Jim Irsay Joins To Talk "The Jim Irsay Collection"by Full Press Coverage on May 31, 2022 at 3:05 pm
Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay returns to the show to talk with Calrk […]
-
Ep 111: Joe Horrigan Returns To Remember Vietnam Veteran And Former Bills OT Bob Kalsuby Full Press Coverage on May 25, 2022 at 9:25 pm
As we approach Memorial Day, Joe Horrigan returns to the show to talk to […]
-
Ep 118: Senior Class Talk With Football Historian Ken Crippenby Full Press Coverage on August 11, 2022 at 10:03 pm
Pro Football historian Ken Crippen joins Clark and Ira to discuss the […]
-
Ep 117: Former Chiefs VP of Player Personnel Bill Kuharich Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on August 3, 2022 at 10:26 pm
Former Chiefs VP of Player Personnel Bill Kuharich joins Clark and Ira to […]
-
Ep 116: Former Buccaneers Head Coach Bruce Arians Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on June 29, 2022 at 3:03 am
Former Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians joins Clark and Ira to discuss […]
-
Ep 115: Gil Brandt Joins The Show To Remember Cowboys RB Don Perkinsby Full Press Coverage on June 22, 2022 at 3:46 pm
Pro Football Hall of Famer Gil Brandt joins Clark and Ira to discuss the […]
-
Ep 114: Former Bengals QB Ken Anderson Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on June 15, 2022 at 5:12 pm
Former Bengals quarterback and NFL MVP, Ken Anderson, joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 113: HOF Voter Barry Wilner Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on June 10, 2022 at 6:04 pm
For AP chief correspondent and current Pro Football Hall of Fame voter, […]
-
Ep 112: Colts Owner Jim Irsay Joins To Talk "The Jim Irsay Collection"by Full Press Coverage on May 31, 2022 at 3:05 pm
Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay returns to the show to talk with Calrk […]
-
Ep 111: Joe Horrigan Returns To Remember Vietnam Veteran And Former Bills OT Bob Kalsuby Full Press Coverage on May 25, 2022 at 9:25 pm
As we approach Memorial Day, Joe Horrigan returns to the show to talk to […]
-
Ep 247: Full Foss NFL Projectionsby Full Press Coverage on August 16, 2022 at 12:39 am
-
Ep 246: NFC TD Projectionsby Full Press Coverage on August 13, 2022 at 1:40 pm
-
Ep 245: AFC TD Projectionsby Full Press Coverage on August 11, 2022 at 3:16 pm
-
Ep 244: Auction Draft Strategyby Full Press Coverage on August 6, 2022 at 4:20 pm
-
Top 5 Running Backsby Full Press Coverage on August 12, 2022 at 12:42 am
Ian and John discuss FPC Chiefs Managing Editor Braden Holecek's Top 5 […]
-
Tyreek Hill vs. Davante Adams: Who Has The Better Season?by Full Press Coverage on August 1, 2022 at 12:48 am
From Full Press NFL Weekly, Ian Glendon, Braden Holecek, and Kyle Senra […]
-
Julio Jones Signs in Tampa Bayby Full Press Coverage on July 29, 2022 at 2:11 pm
Ian and John discuss Julio Jones joining Tom Brady in Tampa Bay. Learn […]
-
Juan Soto Wins Home Run Derby; Is It Worth Watching?by Full Press Coverage on July 19, 2022 at 1:10 pm
From FPC Radio LIVE, Ian Glendon and John Sapochetti react to Juan Soto's […]
-
8/15 - Zach Wilson, Deshaun Watson, NFL Top 100 Listby Full Press Coverage on August 15, 2022 at 1:15 pm
Ian and John discuss the Zach Wilson injury scare, Deshaun Watson's debut […]
-
NBA Retires Bill Russell's Jersey League Wideby Full Press Coverage on August 13, 2022 at 2:25 pm
Ian and John discuss the NBA's decision to retire Bill Russell's "#6" […]
-
Kevin Durant and Aaron Rodgersby Full Press Coverage on August 12, 2022 at 4:20 pm
Ian and John discuss the Kevin Durant power move and the similarities […]
-
8/12 - Recapping NFL Preseason Action; NBA Retires Bill Russell's Jerseyby Full Press Coverage on August 12, 2022 at 1:20 pm
Ian and John discuss the pair of NFL preseason games from Thursday and […]
-
8/11 - Serena Williams, Kevin Durant, Top 5 Running Backs, NFL Preseasonby Full Press Coverage on August 11, 2022 at 3:03 pm
Ian and John discuss Serena Williams impending retirement, Kevin Durant, […]
-
Serena Williams And The Best 21st Century Athletesby Full Press Coverage on August 11, 2022 at 2:59 pm
Ian and John discuss Serena Williams' career and impending retirement as […]
-
Aaron Rodgers, Ayahuasca, and The Green Bay Packersby Full Press Coverage on August 10, 2022 at 12:00 pm
Ian and John discuss Aaron Rodgers recent revelations and the upcoming […]
-
Recapping The 2022 Pro Football Hall of Fame Ceremonyby Full Press Coverage on August 9, 2022 at 2:21 pm
Ian discusses his experience in Canton and the Hall of Fame ceremony with […]
-
Ep 39: Quarterback Contracts, Hill vs Adams, Top 5 QB Contractsby Full Press Coverage on August 1, 2022 at 12:36 am
Ian, Braden, and Kyle discuss the new quarterback contracts, Tyreek Hill […]
-
Ep 38: Tyreek Hill Traded To The Dolphinsby Full Press Coverage on March 24, 2022 at 12:10 am
Ian and Braden react to the trade of Tyreek Hill from the Chiefs to the […]
-
Talkamania Episode 229by Talkamania on August 5, 2022 at 3:37 am
-
Talkamania Episode 227by Talkamania on June 12, 2022 at 3:27 am
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 193 "Summer Slam Review"by Boot 2 The Face on August 8, 2022 at 10:05 am
Marty and Rucker return to talk the sights and sounds of Nashville for WWE […]
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 191 "Summer Slam Preview"by Boot 2 The Face on July 28, 2022 at 12:31 am
Rucker is joined by Angel and Timmy C of Filter Free Popcast who you can […]
-
Ep 247: Full Foss NFL Projectionsby Full Press Coverage on August 16, 2022 at 12:39 am
-
8/15 - Zach Wilson, Deshaun Watson, NFL Top 100 Listby Full Press Coverage on August 15, 2022 at 1:15 pm
-
Ep.19: 2022 Michigan State Football Previewby Full Press Coverage on August 15, 2022 at 5:00 am
-
Ep 141: Preseason Week 1by Full Press Coverage on August 14, 2022 at 10:56 pm
-
Ep 126: Kamalaby Full Press Coverage on August 13, 2022 at 2:00 pm
-
Ep 246: NFC TD Projectionsby Full Press Coverage on August 13, 2022 at 1:40 pm
-
8/12 - Recapping NFL Preseason Action; NBA Retires Bill Russell's Jerseyby Full Press Coverage on August 12, 2022 at 1:20 pm
-
Top 5 Running Backsby Full Press Coverage on August 12, 2022 at 12:42 am
-
The Game Talks About Mets, Yankees, Braves, Phillies and Dodgers at the Deadlineby Full Press Coverage on August 12, 2022 at 12:30 am
-
Ep 118: Senior Class Talk With Football Historian Ken Crippenby Full Press Coverage on August 11, 2022 at 10:03 pm
-
8/15 - Zach Wilson, Deshaun Watson, NFL Top 100 Listby Full Press Coverage on August 15, 2022 at 1:15 pm
-
NBA Retires Bill Russell's Jersey League Wideby Full Press Coverage on August 13, 2022 at 2:25 pm
-
Kevin Durant and Aaron Rodgersby Full Press Coverage on August 12, 2022 at 4:20 pm
-
8/12 - Recapping NFL Preseason Action; NBA Retires Bill Russell's Jerseyby Full Press Coverage on August 12, 2022 at 1:20 pm
-
8/11 - Serena Williams, Kevin Durant, Top 5 Running Backs, NFL Preseasonby Full Press Coverage on August 11, 2022 at 3:03 pm
-
Serena Williams And The Best 21st Century Athletesby Full Press Coverage on August 11, 2022 at 2:59 pm
-
Aaron Rodgers, Ayahuasca, and The Green Bay Packersby Full Press Coverage on August 10, 2022 at 12:00 pm
-
Recapping The 2022 Pro Football Hall of Fame Ceremonyby Full Press Coverage on August 9, 2022 at 2:21 pm
-
8/9 - Pro Football Hall of Fame; Shawshank Prison; Aaron Rodgersby Full Press Coverage on August 9, 2022 at 2:06 pm
-
Tom Brady Turns 45; Is He Still The Face Of The NFL?by Full Press Coverage on August 3, 2022 at 9:49 pm