NFL Analyst names 1 QB who is under more pressure than Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers
The NFL playoffs are a time when star players simply can't crack under pressure. If they do, it's time to go home. Some might argue that the Wild Card round is one in which the pretenders are weened out quickly to get down to the real championship hopefuls. Fans and analysts alike know that the weight of expectation is increasingly felt by star players as the prospect of a Super Bowl draws near.
ESPN's Bart Scott appeared on Get Up Thursday morning with a list of the top five NFL players under the most pressure this weekend in the playoffs. Fans may think stars like Aaron Rodgers or Tom Brady would show up at the top. But that was not the case as Scott listed Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen in the top spot.
"Man it's Josh Allen. If not now, then when? $250 million, Daboll, his coordinators are probably going to be leaving him, you know, so he's probably going to, you know learn from other people. But they've given him everything that he needs, right they went out and got him a number one receiver, they went out and got him a veteran receiver Emmanuel Sanders. Now this is the time." remarked Scott
Scott then went on to speak about Allen's impending matchup against Patrick Mahomes as well as their past encounters, stating that the Bills quarterback is under the most pressure between the two.
"They paid him his $250 million. They felt that he could be the difference when he had to go against Patrick Mahomes and he's gonna have to prove that. I think that's the player under the most pressure to win now."
It is hard to argue with Scott's take given the massive contract Allen signed and the fact that he led the Bills to the AFC Championship Game a year ago.
However, Mahomes and the Chiefs beat Allen's Bills in the AFC Championship game last season. Losing against the Kansas City Chiefs once again would be a massive disappointment and would have Bills fans wondering if it was a mistake to pay Allen. Mahomes holds a 2-1 record over Josh Allen heading into this game.
Per Over The Cap, Josh Allen vs Patrick Mahomes will be the first playoff matchup between the NFL’s 2 highest-paid players (by APY) in at least the last 10 seasons
Josh Allen and other NFL stars under immense pressure
The rest of Scott's list included Rodgers, Mike Evans, Matthew Stafford and Derrick Henry.
.@BartScott57 says these players are under the most pressure in the playoffs ⬇️ https://t.co/3RDjKLXeIt
Rodgers has the unique pressure of trying not to suffer an early playoff exit in what should be another MVP season. A similar angle is true for Stafford after he finally got his first career postseason win. Stafford led the Rams to a 34-11 rout over the Arizona Cardinals in the Wild Card round last week. Losing in the Divisional Round would turn a special season into just another write-off for both men.
Evans faces the pressure of being Brady's top receiver once again. Not having Chris Godwin and Antonio Brown left a void on offense, Evans filled it nicely last week. The Buccaneers wideout recorded nine receptions for 117 yards and a touchdown. He will now try to replicate that success against a tough Los Angeles Rams secondary.
Henry faces pressure just by getting back on the field as he missed half the season due to injury and is set to return to action following the Tennessee Titans' all-important first-round bye. Before his season was derailed, he had amassed 219 carries for 937 yards and scored 10 touchdowns in just 8 games.
Which Divisional Round matchup are you the most excited for? https://t.co/JDBliGaYFe
Allen is still a key figure in this NFL postseason, and with him under center, the Bills are expected to be a top contender in the AFC. But should he falter against Kansas City, the Bills organization's faith in him may start to wane.
Also Read: NFL Rumors: Giants looking to go big with move for Dan Quinn as HC and 49ers key front office member as GM