19. Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie
Kansas Metropolis did not skip a beat defensively after buying and selling L’Jarius Sneed to the Titans through the offseason. McDuffie has been instrumental in retaining the secondary afloat by permitting simply 140 yards after the catch on 54 receptions (h/t Pro Football Focus).
18. Eagles cornerback Quinyon Mitchell
A Defensive Rookie of the 12 months finalist, Mitchell — who is anticipated to play Sunday after struggling a shoulder damage within the divisional spherical — has been a wonderful exterior nook for the Eagles. Per PFF data, Mitchell is tied with veteran cornerback Darius “Large Play” Slay for a team-high 16 compelled incompletions and has solely allowed 43 receptions on 77 targets, a completion fee of 55.8 p.c.
18. Eagles broad receiver DeVonta Smith
The 2020 Heisman winner has been quiet by the primary two rounds, nabbing eight receptions for 76 yards towards the Packers and Rams. Smith continues to be probably the greatest offensive playmakers remaining, ranking ninth in ESPN Analytics’ wide receiver ratings.
16. Payments cornerback Christian Benford
Benford is likely one of the league’s extra underrated defensive backs however was a limited participant in observe on Wednesday and Thursday due to a concussion. In 17 video games (together with postseason), Benford has two interceptions and 10 passes defended and has allowed 37 receptions, 396 yards and two touchdowns.
15. Chiefs offensive lineman Joe Thuney
In Week 15, the nine-year veteran shifted from left guard to left sort out after coming into the season with solely 81 profession snaps at left sort out. He has held up properly, offering stability for what might have been a catastrophe.
14. Eagles broad receiver A.J. Brown
Brown has had loads of time to learn through the Eagles’ 2-0 playoff begin, recording simply three receptions on 10 targets for twenty-four yards. Nonetheless, he is probably the greatest wideouts within the playoffs, and with 13 receptions, 162 yards and a landing towards the Commanders this season, he might be in line for a breakout efficiency.
13. Eagles left sort out Jordan Mailata
Mailata is essential for Philadelphia’s excellent offensive line, which is sixth in ESPN’s pass-block win rate rankings and ninth in run-block win fee. Per PFF, Mailata has solely allowed one sack and 17 whole pressures this season, and ESPN ranks him 14th amongst all offensive tackles in pass-block win fee (92 p.c).
12. Eagles linebacker Zack Baun
Baun is likely one of the yr’s greatest tales, going from primarily a particular groups participant with the Saints to a first-team All-Professional linebacker in Philadelphia. In the course of the common season, he had 151 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 11 tackles for loss and 5 compelled fumbles as Philadelphia finished the season ranked first in total defense.
11. Eagles defensive sort out Jalen Carter
The second-year professional had his first multi-sack playoff recreation (two) within the divisional spherical towards the Rams and likewise deflected two passes and compelled a fumble. According to PFF data, Carter leads the Eagles with 65 pressures (together with postseason).
10. Commanders linebacker Bobby Wagner
The longer term Corridor of Famer, in his thirteenth season, is the spine of Washington’s protection. The 34-year-old former Seahawk leads the Commanders with 132 tackles, and he is additionally a wonderful run defender, posting the sixth-lowest missed sort out fee this season on run performs amongst 56 linebackers with at the least 250 run-defense snaps (h/t PFF).
9. Chiefs heart Creed Humphrey
Humphrey has by no means missed a recreation since being chosen within the second spherical (No. 63 general) of the 2021 NFL Draft and was named first-team All-Professional for the primary time this season. He is the league’s greatest heart, permitting no sacks and getting flagged for a penalty solely as soon as this season.
8. Commanders broad receiver Terry McLaurin
It is exhausting to not really feel good for McLaurin, who suffered by dismal seasons in Washington to get so far. McLaurin had his fifth consecutive 1,000-yard receiving season in 2024 (1,096) and scored a career-high 13 touchdowns. He has continued his excellence within the playoffs with 11 receptions and 176 yards receiving.
7. Eagles proper sort out Lane Johnson
Johnson is an all-around asset for the Eagles, equally dominant in pass- and run-blocking conditions. Per PFF data, he hasn’t allowed a sack this season, and working again Saquon Barkley averaged 5.4 yards per carry off right tackle.
6. Chiefs tight finish Travis Kelce
The all-time playoff receptions chief comes by when Kansas Metropolis wants him most. After a down common season through which Kelce gained his fewest receiving yards in a full season (823), the four-time first-team All-Professional had 117 yards receiving within the divisional-round win over the Houston Texans, his ninth 100-yard playoff recreation, breaking a tie with Corridor of Fame broad receiver Jerry Rice for essentially the most 100-yard postseason video games in NFL historical past (h/t Stathead).
5. Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels
Daniels seemed like something however a rookie in main Washington to its first convention championship recreation since 1991 by outdueling Lions quarterback Jared Goff, an MVP finalist, within the divisional spherical. He already has 4 fourth-quarter comebacks. Daniels threw for 3,568 yards and rushed for 891 through the common season.
4. Chiefs defensive sort out Chris Jones
Jones was named first-team All-Professional for the third consecutive season in 2024. He ranked first in ESPN’s pass-rush win rate among defensive tackles regardless of being double-teamed on a staggering 70 p.c of his snaps, which additionally frees up different defenders to win manageable one-on-one matchups.
3. Eagles working again Saquon Barkley
Barkley joined retired former Saints quarterback Drew Brees as arguably the 2 greatest offensive free brokers in league historical past after his monster common season. The 2018 Related Press Offensive Rookie of the 12 months, a finalist for MVP and Offensive Participant of the 12 months, rushed for a career-high 2,005 yards and 13 touchdowns and has adopted that with 51 carries, 324 yards (6.4 yards per try) and two touchdowns in two playoff video games.
2. Payments quarterback Josh Allen
Allen has been one of many league’s greatest quarterbacks for years, however he moved up a notch this season with higher ball safety. His 1.2 interception fee is the bottom of his profession, and ESPN NFL analyst Dan Orlovsky famous that Buffalo’s 12 turnover-free video games are “essentially the most by any group … since that stat was tracked in 1933.”
