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While there are still three weeks of NFL action before the playoff picture is set in stone, it's always fun to look ahead at the most exciting and intriguing potential matchups for the 2023 NFL playoffs.
Whether it's in the Wild Card Round, Divisional Round, Conference Championship Round, or Super Bowl, football fans love to watch games full of drama and storylines. In a single-elimination format, these aspects are enhanced. Whether a battle between two elite quarterbacks is set to take place, or head coaches who were on staff together are set for battle, there are plenty of interesting matchups that could take place over the next few months.
In this article, we'll cover the most optimal potential matchups for drama, storylines, and plain 'ole good football for the 2023 NFL postseason.
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Los Angeles Rams vs. Detroit Lions
This NFC Wild Card matchup is an obvious choice. We should all hope this one materializes. Ahead of the 2021 season, the Rams traded Jared Goff, two first-round picks, and a third-round pick in exchange for longtime franchise quarterback Matthew Stafford. Clearly, the trade was worth it since Stafford led L.A. to a Super Bowl victory. However, Goff has been spectacular over the last two seasons, and he'd probably want nothing more than to send Sean McVay and the Rams packing.
This game would take place in Detroit, where Stafford has not yet returned to play against the Lions. It would be littered with offensive talent outside of the QB spot, including Jahmyr Gibbs, David Montgomery, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Sam LaPorta, Cooper Kupp, Puka Nacua, and Kyren Williams. If there's any playoff matchup we can speak into existence, I hope it's this one.
High-five for @JaredGoff16!#ProBowlVote pic.twitter.com/GzQLIw72Au
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) December 19, 2023
Buffalo Bills vs. Kansas City Chiefs
This selection doesn't need much analysis. Josh Allen vs. Patrick Mahomes for the third team in the playoffs would be another must-watch contest. Allen is 3-1 against Mahomes in the regular season, but he has yet to defeat Mahomes in two postseason meetings. This duo is setting up to be the next Tom Brady vs. Peyton Manning rivalry for a decade-plus in the AFC, so football fans should hope they cross paths in as many playoff games as possible.
Gabe Davis for 4️⃣
Davis is the first player in NFL postseason history with four touchdown receptions in a single game.
🎥 @NFLpic.twitter.com/i4F2e0U0jo
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) January 24, 2022
Heading into Week 16, the Bills are playing their best football, while the Chiefs have looked mortal throughout the entirety of the 2023 campaign. Buffalo is not yet a lock for the playoffs, so some work has to be done before it can happen.
Cleveland Browns vs. Baltimore Ravens
This game is the only one on the list that features a backup quarterback. However, Joe Flacco is at least a familiar name, and a matchup against the organization that he won a Super Bowl MVP with would be an awesome story. The veteran QB still holds the record for the most touchdown passes in a single postseason (11), so it will be fun to see if he has any playoff magic left in the tank.
10 year anniversary of Mile High Miracle
Joe Flacco ➡️ Jacoby Jones pic.twitter.com/0clYdRZhdw
— Sarah Ellison (@sgellison) January 12, 2023
The Ravens rightfully replaced Flacco with Lamar Jackson midway through the 2018 NFL season, and Flacco failed to secure a locked-in starting role for any organization since. While Flacco's story would be the best narrative in this game, it would also feature the two premier defenses in the AFC.
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Houston Texans
Houston is just on the outside looking in for an AFC Wild Card berth, but if they qualify, this would be a fun AFC South battle. C.J. Stroud and Trevor Lawrence are likely to face one another twice a year for a long time, so let's get this rivalry started with a win-or-go-home bout.
Both quarterbacks have been banged up this season, so hopefully they'll be good to go by the time this game would be played.
The AFC South after Week 15:
• Jaguars: 8-6
• Colts: 8-6
• Texans: 8-6🍿🍿🍿 pic.twitter.com/HrLOQNuFkr
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) December 18, 2023
Miami Dolphins vs. San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers appear to be the best team in the NFC by far, and if they reach the Super Bowl, the Miami Dolphins would be a perfect opponent. Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel spent time on staff with 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan with three different organizations dating back to 2006 with the Houston Texans. This is by far the most intriguing head coaching matchup, as both squads have similar offensive philosophies that have been explosive in 2023.
The 2016 #Falcons coaching staff
HC: Dan Quinn
AHC: Raheem Morris
OC: Kyle Shanahan
QBs: Matt LaFluer
Off. Assistant: Mike LaFluer
Off. Assistant: Mike McDaniel
LBs: Jeff UlbrichPretty crazy how many future HC's & future coordinators were all coaching together that year. pic.twitter.com/FyyenYFa2E
— Miles Garrett (@MilesGarrettTV) January 19, 2023
The 49ers might have a huge edge on defense, but Miami has Jalen Ramsey, Xavien Howard, Christian Wilkins, and Bradley Chubb on the roster. Each player is capable of making game-changing plays, as are 49ers defenders Nick Bosa, Fred Warner, Chase Young, and more.
Houston Texans vs. Kansas City Chiefs
C.J. Stroud has arguably been a top-five quarterback in the NFL at just 22 years old. We haven't seen a quarterback be this good in his first full year as a starter since Patrick Mahomes. If Stroud wants to be the best, he has to beat the best. What better way to prove himself than in a matchup with Mahomes?
Mahomes already has fun QB duels against Josh Allen and Joe Burrow in the AFC. Could Stroud be the next young stud to get in his way of a Super Bowl run?
Dallas Cowboys vs. Green Bay Packers
The Packers are falling out of the playoff race after two straight losses, but they are not out of it completely.. If Dallas holds onto the No. 2 seed in the NFC and Green Bay climbs back into the seven-spot, we could see head coach Mike McCarthy take on the organization that he led to a Super Bowl.
Whether it's right or wrong, McCarthy doesn't get a ton of credit for the Packers' XLV run because he had Aaron Rodgers. Surely, he'd relish the idea of defeating his former team when it matters most.
The Packers have fired head coach Mike McCarthy.
McCarthy had a 125-77-2 record over 13 seasons. pic.twitter.com/cNMmfJspI0
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) December 3, 2018
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