NFL Divisional Round: Highest-graded plays of the week

• Rashid Shaheed’s opening kickoff return for a touchdown: Shaheed delivered in the playoffs, opening Seattle’s win over the San Francisco 49ers by bursting through the kickoff coverage, slipping an early tackle attempt and outrunning the rest of the unit for a return that earned a +1.5 PFF grade.

• 2026 NFL Draft season is here: Try the best-in-class PFF Mock Draft Simulator and learn about 2026's top prospects while trading and drafting for your favorite NFL team.

This season, we launched a weekly series at PFF that provides a behind-the-scenes look at our grading process. Each week, we have broken down some of the highest-graded individual plays, complete with tweets to show you the action.

Here are a few standout plays from the divisional round.

Ja'Quan McMillian’s overtime interception

JA'QUAN MCMILLIAN INTERCEPTION

BUFvsDEN on CBS/Paramount+
Stream on @NFLPluspic.twitter.com/S3yuoRu30c

— NFL (@NFL) January 18, 2026

McMillian’s overtime interception sparked controversy in the Denver Broncos’ win over the Buffalo Bills, but the reality is that it was an outstanding play by the former undrafted free agent. He not only ripped the ball away from wide receiver Brandin Cooks to prevent the completion, but also secured possession himself for the turnover, earning a +1.5 PFF grade on the play.

Rashid Shaheed’s opening kickoff return for a touchdown

RASHID SHAHEED 95-YARD KICKOFF RETURN TO START THE GAME.

SFvsSEA on FOX/FOX One
Stream on @NFLPluspic.twitter.com/buR0WrfA6x

— NFL (@NFL) January 18, 2026

When the Seahawks traded for wide receiver Rashid Shaheed at the deadline, they envisioned him providing instant juice as both a playmaker and return threat. He delivered in the playoffs, opening Seattle’s win over the San Francisco 49ers by bursting through the kickoff coverage, slipping an early tackle attempt and outrunning the rest of the unit for a return that earned a +1.5 PFF grade.

Nik Bonitto’s sack and forced fumble

Plays like this are why Nik Bonitto had a career year 😤

BUFvsDEN on CBS/Paramount+
Stream on @NFLPluspic.twitter.com/AJrtA4A0ch

— NFL (@NFL) January 17, 2026

Beating the left tackle one-on-one was enough on its own to earn edge defender Nik Bonitto a +1.5 PFF grade, as he won instantly at the line of scrimmage to generate pressure on quarterback Josh Allen. He added another +1.0 grade on the finish, stripping the ball from Allen’s arm to record a sack and force a fumble.

Kayshon Boutte’s incredible fourth-quarter touchdown

KAYSHON BOUTTE HOW?!?! 🤯

Incredible catch for the TD! 🔥

Texans-Patriots on ABC, ESPN and the ESPN App pic.twitter.com/ZtlVxmiwsE

— ESPN (@espn) January 18, 2026

The highest-graded offensive play of the weekend belonged to New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte, who beat Houston Texans cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. over the top for a touchdown. The one-handed grab earned a +2.0 PFF grade and extended what ultimately became an insurmountable Patriots lead on Sunday afternoon.