The 2024/25 NFL season has already produced its share of high drama and entertainment.
As the remaining teams go into the playoff stages, some top performers have produced match-winning displays, but while several of those players have already been eliminated, many still have a role to play.
The likes of Joe Burrow, Jared Goff and Baker Mayfield returned the best stats at the end of the regular season, but who will be the pivotal players in the lead up to the Super Bowl?
The Star Man
While others may have returned more impressive statistics, Patrick Mahomes is the NFL player with the highest profile right now. In the post Tom Brady era, the Chiefs have been the most successful franchise in the competition, and quarterback Mahomes continues to pull the strings.
As they headed into the playoffs, Super Bowl odds listed Kansas City as second favorites to lift the Vince Lombardi Trophy, just behind the Philadelphia Eagles. If they are to make it three wins in succession, Patrick Mahomes will be pivotal to their success.
While he’s not been at his absolute best this season, the Chiefs’ starting QB has returned some respectable stats. After 16 games of the campaign, Mahomes ranks seventh out of all quarterbacks with 26 touchdown passes and 3,928 passing yards. He’ll want to improve on those numbers, and it will be fascinating to see how his postseason develops.
MVP Contenders
As the playoffs began. Jared Goff was one of three contenders for the NFL season MVP. Patrick Mahomes, meanwhile, was down in sixth place and seemingly out of contention.
The other three names in the frame were Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen and Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley. Barkley is an interesting inclusion as the only non-quarterback in the top four, and he fully justifies his nomination.
It’s been a solid season for the Eagles man who had returned over 2,000 rushing yards as his team headed into the playoffs. Barkley had also provided an exceptional thirteen touchdowns as Philadelphia emerged as the team most likely to challenge the Super Bowl favorites.
Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen will also feature in the postseason, and both men will have more chances to secure that MVP award. Baltimore’s Jackson is another man to have produced more than 4,000 passing yards in the regular season, and he’s also delivered a stunning 41 touchdowns.
Josh Allen’s passing yards may be down in comparison to other quarterbacks. In fact, he ranks down in 14th place for this particular statistic, but the Buffalo Bills’ key man has been consistent in other areas. With strong support, he’s only been sacked 14 times this season, and with just six interceptions, he’s one of the best in the business for keeping the offensive play going.
Best of the Rest
Among those with an outside chance of landing the MVP award this season is the Philadelphia Eagles man Jalen Hurts. He’s the quarterback who supplies the passes for Saquon Barkley to latch onto, and he’s enjoy a productive campaign at the heart of the Eagles’ offense.
As underdogs for a Super Bowl win, the Washington Commanders aren’t expected to go deep into the playoffs, but fans should pay close attention to Jayden Daniels. He’s another quarterback, but Daniels stands out on this list because this is his rookie season. It’s been an impressive start to his professional career, and there will be more to come from this promising player.
Other names to watch as the postseason develops include Sam Darnold of the Minnesota Vikings and Justin Herbert of the LA Chargers.
Every player on the franchise roster will have a role to play as the current NFL season reaches its climax. A field goal, an interception, a sack or a fumble can often make the difference between success and failure on the field.
While the destination of the Vince Lombardi Trophy could all come down to one small play, the best-performing players on each roster will influence the patterns of the games. All of the men on this list have enjoyed productive regular seasons, but can they continue with their impressive form at the crucial point of the campaign?
