The Star Tribune has learned the NFL will stage four division playoff games using 168 starters who do not play quarterback.
Let’s meet some of them …
Lions offensive line
In Detroit, there aren’t five more important Lions than Taylor Decker, Jonah Jackson, second-team All-Pro Frank Ragnow of Chanhassen, Graham Glasgow and first-team All-Pro Penei Sewell of another planet. The best offensive line in football keeps cement-shoed Jared Goff from being a sitting mallard on the front stoop of Bud Grant’s home in heaven.
The Lions have a league-high 29 rushing touchdowns in 18 games and are the only team to rank top five in — deep breath — total offense, rushing, passing, average per rush, average per pass, fewest sacks allowed, time of possession, red-zone efficiency and scoring. Until the Vikings can match Detroit’s kneecap-biting toughness up front, across the board, it doesn’t matter which fancy trick play Kevin O’Connell chooses.
Antoine Winfield Jr., Bucs
In Tampa, the best and on-field orneriest player on a Bucs defense hitting its stride is safety Antoine Winfield Jr., a former Gopher who should be a current Viking.
Winfield earned first-team All-Pro honors for matching something Rodney Harrison — speaking of old-school ornery safeties — did 24 years ago. Winfield was the first player since Harrison in 2000 to post at least 120 tackles (122), 10 passes defended (12) and five sacks (6) in a single season.
Four years ago, Rick Spielman traded from 25 to 31 in the first round. The 49ers took receiver Brandon Aiyuk 25th. The Packers took Jordan Love 26th. The Ravens took second-team All-Pro linebacker Patrick Queen 28th. The Vikings took cornerback Jeff Gladney 31st. The Bucs took Winfield 45th.
Trent McDuffie and George Karlaftis, Chiefs
In Kansas City, the Chiefs are trying to reach their sixth straight AFC title game with the most vulnerable offense of the Patrick Mahomes era. Fortunately for Andy Reid, he also has the best Chiefs defense he’s ever had.
Two of his key defenders are cornerback Trent McDuffie and edge rusher George Karlaftis. Both were selected after Kwesi Adofo-Mensah traded the 12th overall pick of the 2022 draft and before he selected Lewis Cine 32nd overall.
McDuffie made first-team All-Pro this season. Karlaftis has 19 sacks in two seasons, including 1½ in a wild-card win that saw Kansas City limit Miami’s top-ranked offense to one third-down conversion in 12 tries.
