NFL Wild Card: 5 quarterbacks and coaches facing the biggest pressure this weekend

Buffalo Bills Quarterback Josh Allen

Josh Allen, a frontrunner for the NFL MVP, has shown impressive form this season. While many expect him to snag the MVP award again, it’s worth noting that he hasn’t had major setbacks. Still, the Bills have been a bit clunky at times, not quite the competitive force many anticipated. Ultimately, it’s on Allen; being the quarterback comes with that responsibility. Given how open the AFC is this year—especially with notable stars like Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, and Joe Burrow out of the way—it’s prime time for the Bills to clinch that elusive Super Bowl title. Fair or not, the burden rests on Allen’s shoulders as they face the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.

Los Angeles Chargers Quarterback Justin Herbert

This season has seen Justin Herbert make strides, but it hasn’t been without challenges. The Chargers’ offensive line has faced a slew of injuries, which has put Herbert under pressure. To complicate matters, he’s been playing with a fracture in his non-throwing hand for over a month now. Despite his toughness, he’s feeling the weight of the playoffs. With an 0-2 postseason record—a significant loss to Jacksonville three years ago and last year’s tough outing against Houston, where he threw four interceptions—the scrutiny surrounding his playoff performance is growing. If the Chargers don’t advance against the New England Patriots on Sunday, the buzz could become overwhelmingly negative.

Philadelphia Eagles Quarterback Jalen Hurts

Jalen Hurts and the Eagles offense have had a turbulent season. No one in this unit has had a standout performance while trying to defend their Super Bowl title. Hurts has encountered considerable struggles, and if they can’t pull through against the visiting San Francisco 49ers, it could mean a long offseason for him. Sure, exiting the playoffs right after winning a Super Bowl isn’t necessarily a catastrophe, but in Philadelphia, the expectations are, uh, a bit different.

Green Bay Packers Head Coach Matt LaFleur

Matt LaFleur finds himself on shaky ground as he enters what some are calling a “lame duck” year. There are whispers that if the Packers falter against their NFC North rivals, the Chicago Bears, he could be seeking a different opportunity. Honestly, this seems a bit extreme—considering the team has dealt with significant injuries, keeping LaFleur in place could be beneficial. Still, the winds of change can blow swiftly in the NFL, and LaFleur certainly needs a win this weekend.

Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin

The last image of Mike Tomlin we have is him celebrating an exciting comeback win during Week 18. However, he still faces challenges. Although he has an impeccable record in Pittsburgh, it’s been since 2016 that he enjoyed a playoff victory. There are whispers that if the Steelers can’t secure a win at home against the formidable Houston Texans on Monday night, a split might be on the horizon.