The best player matchups for NFL divisional playoff weekend

While Mahomes and Luck won't be on the field at the same time, there isn't a more anticipated matchup during the divisional round. Mahomes is the lineup MVP after throwing for 50 touchdowns and more than 5,000 yards, but Luck wasn't that far behind with 39 touchdowns and nearly 4,600 yards for the season. The Vegas total is creeping toward 60 points, indicating that both quarterbacks could be in for big days.

Hilton has sat at practice this week, nursing an injured ankle, but is expected to play in one of the biggest games of his career. He tore up the Texans again last week with five catches for 85 yards, but Fuller has had a solid season for the Chiefs since coming over from Washington. Fuller's success could determine if the Chiefs will be able to hold the Colts.

Williams has been a revelation at running back for the Chiefs since stepping in for Spencer Ware. He's averaged more than 100 yards from scrimmage over the last three games, but Leonard is the likely Defensive Rookie of the Year after leading the Colts with 163 tackles during the regular season. He will need another big day for the Colts to have any chance of stopping the Chiefs.

This is just one matchup in a big story that could decide Saturday's game. The Colts have allowed a league-best 18 sacks, but they face a Chiefs defense that led the NFL with 52 sacks. The task is even tougher at loud Arrowhead Stadium, and Castonzo vs. Ford will be the featured competition.

The Colts have struggled stopping tight ends all season, and the loss of safety Mike Mitchell to injury will make it even tougher. Kelce is the best tight end Indy has faced all year, as offenses continue to expose the Cover 2. Geathers and Co. have their work cut out for them.

Almost no one has been able to stop the speedy Hill yet, and it's unlikely to happen on Saturday. Desir will give it his best shot, though, and the Colts defense is well-suited to stop the big plays. Still, the Chiefs have a chance to expose the Colts zone coverage with slants and post patterns from Hill, who finished the regular season with 1,479 yards receiving and 13 total touchdowns.

Elliott is a potential nightmare for the Rams defense, which ranked dead last in the league with 5.1 yards allowed per carry. Coming off a game in which he ran for 137 yards and one touchdown vs. Seattle, Elliott has a chance to have another big day, especially if Dallas gets an early lead. Littleton led the team with 125 tackles this season but has his work cut out for him.

It's going to take a group effort to stop Donald, the likely Defensive Player of the Year. Martin is one of the league's top guards, but Donald could move around to create matchup advantages. He's been a true game-changer this season with a league-leading 20.5 sacks.

Gurley sat out the last two games of the regular season, but he should be ready to go on Saturday. He faces an elite run defense, however, led by rookie Leighton Vander Esch. Gurley could have a frustrating day unless Sean McVay has a game plan to get him out in space.

The speedy Cooks was as advertised in his first season in L.A., finishing with a career-high 1,201 receiving yards. Jones has taken well to the move from safety to corner and could be up for the challenge, as the Cowboys try to halt the Rams big-play offense.

Lawrence continues to be the Cowboys game-wrecker along the defensive line, with 10.5 sacks during the regular season. Havenstein has been a solid pass-blocker at right tackle for the Rams, but he will have his hands full.

Dallas has played markedly better since acquiring Cooper from the Raiders at midseason, and the wideout is coming off a 100-yard performance vs. Seattle. Marcus Peters has struggled for much of this season but has been an elite cornerback and takeaway machine in the past, as he tries to stop Cooper.

A quarterback matchup between two future Hall of Famers, Brady has had unmatched playoff success, while Rivers has put up big numbers during the regular season. With Brady at age 41 and Rivers age 37, the stakes are high for both players as they approach the end of their careers.

Gronk hasn't looked like his old self this year, but his size still makes him a matchup problem for opposing defenses. As for James, he's been one of the league's top rookies and generally stopped tight ends all year. For the Patriots to win, Gronkowski might have to win this matchup at least once or twice.

Even at age 32, Edelman is still going strong as one of the top slot receivers in the NFL. He has a formidable matchup vs. King, who is considered one of the league's top slot corners in just his second NFL season.

Philip Rivers has many weapons, but Allen is his favorite. The veteran wideout had 97 receptions for 1,196 yards and six touchdowns during the regular season, but Gilmore continues to play at a high level as New England's top cornerback.

Henry is expected to make his season debut after suffering a torn ACL in the offseason. His snap count remains to be seen, but the tight end can be a matchup problem, particularly in the red zone, with 12 touchdowns over the last two seasons. Chung does well in tight end coverage, but this matchup could be a challenge.

Bosa has 6.5 sacks in only eight games played this season, continuing to establish himself as one of the top pass rushers in the NFL. However, Cannon is arguably New England's best offensive lineman and could be up to the task of containing Bosa.

Brees could be looking at his last, best chance to win a second Super Bowl, while Foles is trying to make it back-to-back Super Bowl wins with the Eagles. These two quarterbacks have taken very different career tracks, but their teams' hopes ride on their shoulders.

Johnson is arguably Philadelphia's best offensive lineman and an All-Pro last season. He will be matched up against another former All-Pro in Jordan, who had 12 sacks this season. Johnson will have a tall task in keeping Nick Foles upright.

Unger made his third Pro Bowl at center this season and will be aiding in stopping one of the top defensive tackles in the NFL in Cox. The Eagles' sack artist made his fourth straight Pro Bowl this season with a career-high 10.5 sacks.

Armstead missed most of the second half of the season due to injury, but he's a difference maker for the Saints at left tackle when he's on the field. He's expected to return on Sunday but will have his hands full vs. Bennett. The former Seahawk had a great year with nine sacks and is also a force against the run.

The Saints have a chance to expose a banged-up Eagles secondary, but Thomas vs. Maddox will be one of the most high-profile matchups. Thomas is Drew Brees' go-to receiver with a league-high 125 receptions this season, but Maddox has played surprisingly well as a fourth-round rookie.

Stopping tight ends has been a problem for the Saints defense this season, so Bell and fellow safety Kurt Coleman will need to be on their games vs. Ertz. The Eagles tight end is one of the league's best and coming off a career year with 116 receptions for 1,163 yards and eight touchdowns.