The 2026 NFL Wild Card Playoff round begins this weekend and there pressure to win is great. Yet, there are some figures who have the greatest pressure.
Let’s some at the five people facing the most pressure in the Wild Card round, presented in alphabetical order:
Buffalo Bills’ quarterback Josh Allen
The defending NFL MVP has been mostly great this season and, while he’s very likely not going to repeat as the MVP, a strong case can be made. While Allen hasn’t been the problem this season, the Bills have been clunky at times, and simply don’t look as dangerous as in the recent past. That falls on Allen, of course, because he’s the quarterback. Considering the AFC is as wide open as we’ve seen in in years and powerhouses Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow are not part of the party, this is the Bills’ time to finally win their first Super Bowl. It’s on Allen’s shoulders, fair or not. It starts Sunday at the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert
Herbert has had a strong season and he continues to get better. It hasn’t been easy. The Chargers’ offensive line has been ravaged by injuries and he’s gotten knocked around. Plus, he’s played for the past month-plus with a broken hand on his non-throwing arm. Herbert is tough, but it’s the playoffs and he has sagged. Herbert is 0-2 in the postseason with an epic Chargers’ collapse at Jacksonville three years ago and a loss at Houston last year in which Herbert threw four interceptions. The noise around his playoff struggles has gotten louder and it could become deafening if he is the reason for another Chargers’ postseason exit Sunday night at the New England Patriots.
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts
It’s been an odd season for Hurts and the Eagles’ offense. No one connected with the unit has had a good, consistent season in their Super Bowl title defense campaign. Hurts has struggled a lot and if it continues in the Wild Card round and results in an Eagles’ defeat to the visiting San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, it will be a long offseason for Hurts. In reality, going one-and-done the season after winning the Super Bowl isn’t exactly a disaster. But this is Philly. The rules are different.
Green Bay Packers head coach Matt Lafleur
LaFleur is entering a lame-duck year and there have been some rumblings that Packers could look to make a change if they fall on their face this weekend at NFC North rival, the Chicago Bears. Frankly, I believe that narrative is a bit silly. The Packers have dealt with major injuries and you could do a lot worse than having LaFleur as your head coach. But, change happens fast, so LaFleur needs a win this weekend.
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin
When we last saw Tomlin, he was beating his chest after a wild, improbable winner-takes-the NFC-North home game in Week 18. But Tomlin is far out of the woods. Yes, he has never had a losing record in 19 seasons in Pittsburgh, but he last won a playoff game in 2016. There are rumors a split could be coming if the Steelers lose at home to the rugged Houston Texans on Monday night.
