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Five NFL stars who could decide the outcome of NFL Wild Card weekend
NFL Wild Card weekend features some of the NFL's biggest teams, the most talented up-and-coming head coaches, and several of the best players in the league.
When the margins are as razor-thin as this, it’s not always about who has the best roster, or even the best scheme. It’s about that guy. The player who shows up with a game-winning play or performance when the game is on the line.
Here are five of the NFL stars who could decide the outcome on Wild Card weekend.
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Josh Allen, QB – Buffalo Bills
Few players carry a team on their back quite like Allen. Beyond being the face of the franchise and the signal-caller of the offense, the 29-year-old also led the Bills in rushing touchdowns this season (14).
Unlike many quarterbacks in the Wild Card field, the reigning MVP doesn’t have a true No.1 receiver to lean on. Khalil Shakir paced Buffalo’s pass-catchers with 719 receiving yards, ranking just 44th league-wide.
No stat captures Allen’s importance better than this: in the four games Buffalo conceded 31 or more points, Allen accounted for 17 total touchdowns and 1,351 yards - and the Bills went 4-0.
A Super Bowl ring still eludes him, but Allen’s dual-threat ability and calm under pressure mean that, against Jacksonville this weekend, Buffalo will have reason to believe as long as he has the ball.
Puka Nacua, WR – Los Angeles Rams
Nacua finished the regular season second only to Seattle’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba in receiving yards, while tying him for touchdown catches - and in one fewer game. He also led the NFL with 129 receptions.
His connection with Rams' quarterback and MVP frontrunner Matthew Stafford was devastating all year, but it peaked down the stretch. With Davante Adams sidelined over the final three games, Nacua erupted for 348 yards and four touchdowns.
Still just 24, Nacua sits at the heart of the Rams’ gameplan to knock off Carolina on Saturday night. Look for yet another stellar performance from #12.
Caleb Williams, QB – Chicago Bears
In just one season under head coach Ben Johnson, Williams has completely rewritten the narrative. After a rocky rookie campaign, he enjoyed a breakout 2025 campaign, finishing as Chicago’s single-season passing leader with 3,942 yards.
Behind a rebuilt offensive line and growing confidence, the 24-year-old helped guide the Bears to their first playoff appearance since 2020. Whether Chicago can go any further rests firmly on Williams' shoulders.
Sunday’s matchup with Green Bay’s talented defense will be his toughest test yet, but if Williams stays poised when the pressure hits, Chicago could advance to the Divisional Round.
Christian McCaffrey, RB – San Francisco 49ers
Head coach Kyle Shanahan deserves credit for steering the 49ers to a 12–5 record, despite long stretches without defensive stars Fred Warner and Nick Bosa.
However, the driving force - and the biggest reason San Francisco has a real shot at dethroning Philadelphia - is their backfield dynamo, McCaffrey.
Already one of only three players in NFL history to post 1,000 rushing yards and 1,000 receiving yards in a single season, the 29-year-old came agonisingly close to becoming the first to do it twice.
The 49ers have weapons everywhere, but if they’re going to take down the defending champions on Sunday, McCaffrey will be at the heart of everything.
Drake Maye, QB – New England Patriots
Maye didn’t just survive change in New England, he thrived in it. With a new head coach and offensive coordinator, the second-year quarterback elevated his game in 2025, throwing 31 touchdowns against just eight interceptions.
Still only 23, Maye already looks every bit a long-term answer, leading the Patriots to an astonishing 13 wins in their final 14 regular-season games.
The Chargers’ defense will test him on Monday night, but Maye’s 72% completion rate - the highest single-season mark in franchise history, even eclipsing Tom Brady - suggests the moment won’t be too big for him.
