Wild Card Weekend has arrived and this is the most wide-open the playoffs have been in a longtime. The AFC features no Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs, no Lamar Jackson and the Ravens, and no Joe Burrow and the Bengals. The Broncos, Patriots, and Jaguars are the 1,2, and 3 seeds. The NFC features the Seahawks and Bears as the 1 and 2 seeds, with the Rams, 49ers, and Packers all on the road in the first round. There are four road favorites in the six games. Home underdogs are usually dangerous, but there is a case to be made for a lot lower seeds advancing. The Broncos have the bye week, so it is opportunity to sit back and watch it all unfold.
Last Week's Record: 9-7
Final Regular Season Overall Record: 131-128-13
(Home Team in CAPS)
NFC Wild Card Game
(5) Los Angeles Rams at (4) Carolina Panthers
A Case for the Rams: They are arguably the best team in the NFC. They are fluky two-point conversion play away from beating Seattle a few weeks ago and having the #1 seed. Matthew Stafford is playing at a high level and will likely win the MVP this year. They get Davante Adams back this week to help their offense even more. They have a huge coaching advantage with Sean McVay. They got beat by the Panthers in Carolina in late November, so I think they can use that loss as a way to adjust and figure out a plan to go take care of business this time.
A Case for the Panthers: No one thinks the 8-9 Panthers are going to win this playoff game, so they can use that as motivation. Maybe they can use the win over the Rams in November as a driving force this week. They are playing with house money considering they are happy just to be in the playoffs and the Rams are Super Bowl contenders and have a lot more at stake. No one in Carolina would be upset if they lost this game in this spot.
Prediction: Rams (-10) over CAROLINA: The Rams go into Carolina and take care of business over the Panthers and advance to for the second consecutive year.
Final Score: Rams-30 Panters-16
NFC Wild Card Game
(7) Green Bay Packers at (2) Chicago Bears
A Case for the Packers: Just a month ago, the Packers were 9-3-1, just beat the Bears in Lambeau, and the favorite in the NFC. They finished with four straight losses and are the #7 seed going into the playoffs. They are still dangerous though. The Packers have been banged up for the last month. They sat Jordan Love in Week 18 to rest for the playoffs. They lost to the Bears a few weeks ago in Chicago in a game that featured a bunch of miraculous plays by the Bears to win it in overtime. The Packers could be dangerous here. I like their chances. Everyone kind of forgot about them these last few weeks, and I think they will play really well over an opponent they know so well. Maybe it is time the Bears' luck runs out.
A Case for the Bears: It has been a dream season for the Bears under first year head coach Ben Johnson. They won the NFC North with a 11-6 record and now get to host a playoff game for the first time since 2018. It feels like Ben Johnson will come up with a great game plan for Caleb Williams to perform well in this game. You know the crowd will be really into it on Saturday night for a rare home playoff game for the Bears. Perhaps the Bears dream season continues.
Prediction: Green Bay (-1) over CHICAGO: The Packers go into Soldier Field and knock off the Bears to advance to the Divisional Round for the first time since 2023.
Final Score: Packers-23 Bears-20
AFC Wild Card Game
(6) Buffalo Bills at (3) Jacksonville Jaguars
A Case for the Bills: This season has always been about the playoffs for the Bills. Whatever happened in the regular season did not really matter. As long as they got into the playoffs, that is all that mattered. It didn't even matter about the record or the seed. They just needed to get in and make their run. They enter the playoffs as the 6th seed with a 12-5 record. Although they are a slight favorite, a lot of people are picking the Jaguars. You can absolutely see the Bills using that as motivation for this game. The Bills have Josh Allen and James Cook and that is all they need to go into Jacksonville and advance.
A Case for the Jaguars: The Jaguars finished 13-4 and were the hottest team in the AFC the last two months. Trevor Lawrence is playing the best football of his career, and a lot of people think the Jags can make a legitimate run to the Super Bowl. I could see that happening-especially if they get by the Bills this week. No one has believed in the Jaguars all year long, and they have used that as motivation this whole season.
Prediction: Buffalo (-1) over JACKSONVILLE: The Bills knock off the Jags in an entertaining game to advance to the Divisional Round for the 6th straight year.
Final Score: Bills-33 Jaguars-25
NFC Wild Card Game
(6) San Francisco 49ers at (3) Philadelphia Eagles
A case for the 49ers: A lot of people are doubting the 49ers after being knocked out as a possible 1 seed last week in their Week 18 loss to Seattle. Now, the Niners have to go the Wild Card route. They can be very dangerous in this spot. Not a lot of people are talking about them even knocking off Philly-let alone making a run in the playoffs. You know Kyle Shanahan will have a good game plan and get them ready for this game. They will play well and you can see them giving the Eagles are really hard time in this matchup.
A case for the Eagles: They are at home in front of their crowd in the playoffs. That should give them a huge advantage right off the bat. They are the defending Super Bowl champs, so the experience factor is in their corner. They have a good defense and they know how to win some of these close, low-scoring, tough games.
Prediction: PHILADELPHIA (-4) over San Francisco: The Eagles beat the Niners to advance to the Divisional Round for the third time in four years.
Final Score: Eagles-26 49ers-20
AFC Wild Card Game
(7) Los Angeles Chargers at (2) New England Patriots
A case for the Chargers: They have Jim Harbaugh as their coach and Justin Herbert as their QB. That makes them very dangerous in my opinion. Their defense is good as well, and I think they can be a dangerous team heading to Foxboro. They were favored to knock off the Texans last year in the Wild Card game, and they got embarrassed. I think they can get some redemption here. A lot of people are picking the Pats and underestimating the Chargers. I could see the Chargers pulling this off.
A case for the Patriots: They had a great season going 14-3. Mike Vrabel is a really good coach, and he will have them ready to play for this game. Drake Maye might win the MVP and he has been great all year long. I could see him stepping up and putting the Pats on his back and willing them to a win here.
Prediction: Chargers (+4) over NEW ENGLAND: The Patriots win but it is a close one over the Chargers in Foxboro. The Pats advance to the Divisional Round for the first time since 2018
Final Score: Patriots-23 Chargers-20
AFC Wild Card Game
(5) Houston Texans at (4) Pittsburgh Steelers
A Case for the Texans: Their defense has been one of the best in the NFL all year long. You could see them just making Aaron Rodgers' life miserable all game long. They have been one of the best teams in the league since the beginning of October. After an 0-3 start, they went 12-2 from that point to finish 12-5. C.J. Stroud has been good in the playoffs the last two years, so he has plenty of playoff experience. They are simply a better team than the Steelers.
A Case for the Steelers: The Steelers might have a little magic going after their miraculous win over the Ravens on Sunday night in Week 18 to win the AFC North. They get the advantage of being at home, and the game is on Monday night, so the weather could be a factor. The home crowd will be fired up for the first home playoff game since 2020 and the first one with fans since 2017. Everyone is going to be picking the Texans, and at least one game is always surprising during Wild Card weekend.
Prediction: Houston (-3) over PITTSBURGH: The Texans survive a tough game and advance to the Divisional Round for the third straight year.
Final Score: Texans-23 Steelers-17
