The NFL Divisional Round begins today with two games, followed by two more on Sunday. As the postseason continues, attention is turning to player performance trends, especially in the passing game.
One player to watch is New England Patriots wide receiver DeMario Douglas. His receiving production has declined each season since his rookie year, and his yardage line remains low entering the Divisional Round.
Douglas went over 17.5 receiving yards in eight of 18 games this season. His Wild Card performance was quiet, but his role in the offense expanded, with a higher route participation rate than usual.
He also played most of his snaps from the slot, where Houston’s defense has been less effective compared to the perimeter. Douglas was a reliable option for quarterback Drake Maye when under pressure, which could matter against a strong Texans defense.
Another key name is Chicago Bears tight end Colston Loveland. The rookie started slowly, failing to reach 40 receiving yards until midseason.
Loveland’s role grew significantly over the second half of the year. His targets, route participation, and overall production all increased, turning him into a central part of Chicago’s passing attack.
His recent form has been especially strong. Over his last three games, Loveland averaged more than 100 receiving yards and saw heavy involvement on key passing plays.
With the Divisional Round set to close on Sunday, Douglas and Loveland stand out as players whose recent usage and trends could shape how their offenses perform in crucial playoff matchups.
