With the Wild Card round in the rearview, the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks are finally set to join the postseason party. After earning first-round byes, both squads are well-rested and ready - but they’re also carrying a fair share of questions, especially under center.
The defenses? Legit.
The quarterbacks? That’s where things get interesting.
Sam Darnold’s Moment of Truth
Let’s start in Seattle, where Sam Darnold is staring down the biggest opportunity - and challenge - of his career. The former top draft pick has done a full 180 since his early struggles with the Jets and Panthers.
Over the past two seasons, he's helped guide both the Vikings and Seahawks to surprising 14-win campaigns, proving he can thrive when surrounded by talent. But regular-season success only gets you so far.
Now it’s about what he can do when the lights are brightest.
That’s where the questions start creeping in.
Darnold’s two most high-stakes games to date - Week 18 against the Lions with the NFC North title and the No. 1 seed on the line, followed by the opening playoff game - were also two of his worst. The Vikings didn’t just lose those games, they got blown out. And while that version of Darnold is far from the one we’ve seen most of the season, it’s a reminder that the postseason is a different animal.
This week, he faces a San Francisco 49ers defense that, on paper, should be beatable. The Niners haven’t generated much of a pass rush this season and have been vulnerable through the air. If there’s a time for Darnold to step up and flip the narrative, this is it.
A strong showing could reshape how we talk about his career - from reclamation project to playoff performer. But if he falters again, the questions about whether he’s the guy who can lead a team to a Super Bowl will only grow louder.
Bo Nix Faces the Playoff Gauntlet
Over in Denver, the Broncos are hoping Bo Nix can rise to the occasion. The rookie has had a solid start to his NFL career, showing flashes of high-level play while also dealing with the kind of inconsistency you’d expect from a young quarterback.
When he’s on, he looks like a long-term solution. When he’s off, it’s a different story - and that volatility is what makes his upcoming matchup so compelling.
Because on the other sideline? That would be Josh Allen - a league MVP and arguably the most dangerous quarterback still standing in the playoffs.
Nix enters the postseason with the lowest passer rating (87.8) and yards per attempt (6.4) among the remaining quarterbacks. That’s not ideal when you’re trying to keep pace with an offense like Buffalo’s.
The Broncos’ defense has been their backbone all season, and it’ll need to be again. But if Denver is going to make a real run, they’ll need more from their offense - and that starts with Nix.
This is the kind of game that can accelerate a young quarterback’s growth or expose his limitations. The Broncos don’t need Nix to outduel Allen throw-for-throw, but they do need him to protect the football, hit the plays that are there, and show he can handle the pressure of postseason football.
Because if the Broncos are going to punch their ticket to the Super Bowl, their defense can’t do it alone.
Both Seattle and Denver have defenses built to win in January. But in today’s NFL, that only gets you so far.
The quarterbacks will have to answer the bell. For Sam Darnold and Bo Nix, this weekend isn’t just about advancing - it’s about proving they belong on this stage.