With the playoffs just two weeks away, some players around the NFL are playing for more than just a trip to the postseason.
In his recent column for SI.com, NFL analyst Albert Breer mentions many of the incentives and escalators players are on the cusp of reaching. Below are a few that stood out the most.
J.J. Watt, Arizona Cardinals
If Watt, who has 9.5 sacks this season, records half of a sack in one of Arizona’s final two games against Atlanta and San Francisco, he’ll earn a $1 million bonus for reaching 10 sacks. He has four sacks in his last four games, which includes a three-sack performance against Denver on Dec. 18. Watt has earned at least one sack every other week since Oct. 30 against the Minnesota Vikings. He recorded no sacks last week, so it would seem he’s due in Sunday’s matchup against the Falcons.
Justin Houston, Baltimore Ravens
Houston needs just one sack to earn a $1.5 million bonus for reaching the 10-sack plateau. It would mark just the second time in the last eight years he reached double-digit sacks.
Jordan Poyer, Buffalo Bills
Poyer’s contract pays him some impressive cash for taking the ball away from the opposition. He needs just two more interceptions to earn a $750,000 bonus for reaching six interceptions. Poyer will also pocket $250,000 for a pick-six or a fumble recovery, and $300,000 for two fumble recoveries. If the stars align, Poyer could theoretically earn an extra $1.3 million for causing the correct combination of turnovers.
Preston Smith, Green Bay Packers
