The NFL's divisional round playoff action gets underway Saturday with a late afternoon matchup between the New England Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs, followed by a prime-time showdown featuring the Green Bay Packers and Arizona Cardinals.
Here are three player matchups to keep your eyes on:
Patriots' WRs vs. Chiefs' CBs
New England's wide receivers will be forced to take on more substantial roles as star tight end Rob Gronkowski fights through a pair of injuries that had him listed as questionable heading into the weekend.
Julian Edelman's return finally puts the group back at full strength, but Kansas City's cornerback tandem of Marcus Peters and Sean Smith should match up well.
The Chiefs can be expected to use Peters and Smith almost exclusively in press coverage, in the hope of disrupting the rhythm of New England's passing game.
Any sort of success in that area would force Tom Brady to hold the ball longer than he'd like, potentially allowing the Chiefs' pass rushers to capitalize on their matchup with a thin offensive line.
Packers' O-Line vs. Cardinals' D-Line
The Packers were dismantled in a Week 16 matchup with the Cardinals due in large part to a horrendous performance in pass protection. Arizona tallied nine sacks on the day, cruising to a 38-8 win.
Though Green Bay will have considerable improvements to make across the board, David Bakhtiari's return, after missing the past three games with an ankle injury, represents a substantial upgrade at left tackle.
A healthy five-man front, where everyone is at their regular position, should give the Packers' offense a chance to build upon what appeared to be a perfectly timed breakout game last week.
Despite wide receiver depth issues, there should be plays available for Aaron Rodgers should he get enough time in the pocket.
David Johnson vs. Packers' Defense
Johnson's electrifying play down the stretch saw him make a late case for Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.
For as many opportunities as he'll have to gash the NFL's 21st-ranked run defense, it's his potential to make explosive plays in the passing game that should most worry Green Bay on Saturday.
The Packers were unable to match up with Johnson as a receiver in the Week 16 blowout loss, allowing him to haul in three passes for a season high 88 receiving yards.
Those are the kind of game-breaking plays the Packers can't afford as they try to keep Arizona's high-powered attack under wraps. Whether it's by altering their underneath coverage or utilizing a big nickel package to get another defensive back on the field, Green Bay must limit Johnson's production.
