The top seed in each Conference – the Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers – earned a bye for wildcard weekend, but they return to action for the divisional play-offs. The Ravens ended the regular season with the NFL’s best record (13-4) and 2019 MVP Lamar Jackson looks set to win the award for a second time.

But despite Baltimore’s commanding wins over San Francisco and Miami in December, the 49ers (12-5) have been favourites to win Super Bowl 58 since late November because of their star-studded roster.

Both teams rested many of their starters for their final game of the regular season so Ravens quarterback Jackson and 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey, favourite for Offensive Player of the Year, have had a three-week break.

Baltimore host the Houston Texans, who finished 10-7 after just three wins in 2022. Quarterback CJ Stroud, 22, has enjoyed a record-breaking rookie season and last week’s 45-14 win over Cleveland means he already has as many play-off wins as 27-year-old Jackson, who has won just one of four.

“That’s been the knock on him for the past few years,” added Umenyiora. “He’s been outstanding in the regular season but once the play-offs come, he’s tended to fall off.

“He’s been sitting out, so is he going to be rusty? There’s a lot of pressure on him and the Ravens.

“They face a young and hungry Texans team and if they can knock the Ravens off, it will put Baltimore’s coaching staff and Lamar Jackson in a very difficult situation.”

The 49ers also face a young team with no fear and few expectations, the Green Bay Packers.

Jordan Love has impressed in his first season since replacing Aaron Rodgers as the team’s starting quarterback and after a strong finish to make the play-offs, the Packers upset second seed Dallas 48-32 last week.