The five most important players to watch in the NFL playoffs

The NFL playoffs won't include the Kansas City Chiefs for the first time in a decade. So, it feels like anything can happen in the postseason this year.

But which players will have the most impact on how long their team remains in the playoffs? Here are the five players who will determine just that.

Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen

While Allen hasn't played at an MVP level, he ended the regular season with the fourth-highest completion percentage (69.3%) and eighth-most touchdown passes (25), despite a lack of great pass-catchers around him. He also had the third most rushing touchdowns (14), behind running backs Jonathan Taylor and Derrick Henry. 

Allen's dual-threat ability is what makes him the Bills' focal point and gives them a chance to stay alive in any playoff game. However, Allen is playing through a foot injury, and if that worsens, the Bills don't have a good enough defense to help them limp through games. Everything rides on Allen being the best version of himself for the next month.

Houston Texans DE Will Anderson Jr.

If the Texans are going to make a serious playoff run, it's their league-best defense that will drive them there, and Anderson Jr. is the MVP for Houston's defensive unit. In his third season, the team captain has posted his best year yet with 12 sacks for 101 yards lost, the fourth-most among pass rushers.

While his rushing partner, Danielle Hunter, is ahead of him with 14 sacks, the tandem wouldn't have this much success without each other splitting opposing offenses' attention. So, if Anderson Jr. can keep playing at a high level, the Texans will keep every playoff game close.

New England Patriots QB Drake Maye 

Drake Maye enters his first NFL postseason as a legitimate MVP candidate, finishing the year with a league-best 71.7% completion percentage and 112.9 passer rating. He's also broken multiple team records held by Tom Brady. 

However, Maye will now have to prove he can be a playoff winner like the future Hall of Famer. How the 23-year-old's star-making regular-season performance translates into the playoffs is the most exciting storyline. And without a first-round bye, Maye will quickly get the chance to prove if he's ready for the superstar label.