The AFC and NFC championship games are finally here.
On Sunday, it’s the Rams against the 49ers (6:30 p.m. ET, Fox) for the third time this season for the NFC crown. The 49ers are 2-0 against L.A. this season and have won the last six matchups. And the Bengals and Chiefs (3 p.m. ET, CBS) tangle for the second time with the AFC’s spot in the Super Bowl on the line. The Bengals won the first matchup, 34-31.
So here are 10 players to watch in the NFL title games on Sunday; the under-the-radar guys who don’t get the hype but can make a big difference.
Mecole Hardman, WR, Chiefs
Hardman is a gadget-type player whose 4.3 speed can produce explosive plays. The Bengals will rightfully focus most of their attention on Patrick Mahomes’ favorite weapons in Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce, which will create opportunities for Hardman to potentially produce game-changing plays.
Elijah Mitchell, RB, 49ers
Deebo Samuel gets much of the hype, and rightfully so. But Mitchell is the 49ers' leading rusher for a squad that ranks top 10 in rushing in the NFL. He ran for 96 yards and a TD against the Cowboys in the wild-card round and led the team in rushing against the Packers last week. A strong day on the ground from Mitchell will give San Francisco a great shot at beating the Rams for a seventh straight time.
Jimmie Ward, S, 49ers
Ward is the quarterback of the 49ers secondary and one of the reasons why the defense is holding postseason opponents to 15 points per game. Against the Packers, he made one of the biggest plays of the game. He blocked the field goal just before the half to keep the deficit at 7-0 at the break after he was one of the reasons why Aaron Jones was able to catch a 75-yard pass from Aaron Rodgers.
Brandon Aiyuk, WR, 49ers
Tight end George Kittle and Samuel will receive a lot of attention from the Rams secondary, so Aiyuk must step up. Last time these two teams matched up, Aiyuk produced six catches for 107 yards. He’s capable of a similar performance in the NFC title game.
Van Jefferson, WR, Rams
Cooper Kupp, Odell Beckham and Tyler Higbee receive attention the bulk of the headlines, but Jefferson is capable too. He was the Rams' second-leading receiver this season with 802 yards and six TDs. Jefferson’s numbers in the playoffs haven’t been dynamic as he’s only produced 70 yards in two games but with the amount of attention the big three receive, it could create an opportunity for him to produce.
Sony Michel, RB, Rams
Michel was the Rams' leading rusher in the regular season with 845 yards and ran for 58 yards in the team's first playoff win, against the Cardinals. Against the Bucs, he only received one carry as Cam Akers got the bulk of the work. But Akers fumbled twice, so the Rams should balance out the carries between the two and let Michel get more opportunities.
Leonard Floyd, OLB, Rams
Von Miller and Aaron Donald are Hall of Fame pass rushers. They’ll get a bunch of attention from the 49ers O-line, but Floyd is a premier rusher too as he had 9.5 sacks this season. If he can execute against most 1-on-1 blocks in the pass and run game, that’ll increase the Rams chances of shutting down the San Fran offense.
Trey Hendrickson, DE, Bengals
The Bengals are in the AFC championship game, and Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase rightfully deserve a lot of the credit. They’re two of the best players at their position. But Hendrickson is an elite pass rusher (14 sacks in the regular season). The Chiefs have one of the best offenses of all time from a talent perspective, with one of the best offensive head coaches in Andy Reid. The only way the Bengals have a shot is if Hendrickson can lead a disruptive pass rush.
Arik Armstead, DT, 49ers
Armstead has been balling in the postseason; he has three sacks in two games — and in the regular-season finale against the Rams he had 2.5. The only way the 49ers can win this matchup is if they slow down Matthew Stafford, who threw 41 touchdowns in the regular season. Armstead, Nick Bosa and company are charged with that task.
Chris Jones, DT, Chiefs
Jones probably smiled the entire time he watched the Bengals divisional round game as Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons sacked Burrow three times. And the Titans finished with nine on the day. Jones had nine sacks on the season and is a two-time All-Pro player. If the Bengals offensive line blocks anything similar to how they did against the Titans, expect Jones’ name to be called a lot.
