Wild Card Weekend Picks

Not since 1990, has the NFL postseason had a format change. In a move that I personally love and wanted for years, this past offseason the NFL approved two extra playoff teams in each conference. Seven teams now qualify in the AFC and NFC, so that gives us six games on Wild Card Weekend and a tripleheader on both Saturday and Sunday. I always enjoyed Wild Card Weekend, but now it is even better. It will be a lot of fun to have three games each day this weekend, and hopefully we get good games all weekend long. It will also be interesting to see how the seven seeds (Chicago and Indianapolis) play this weekend. Will they be competitive or will they show that they might not belong?  It will be fun either way, and I'm looking forward to seeing how it all plays out. Here are my picks for Wild Card Weekend....

Week 17 Record: 8-8

Overall 2020 Season Record: (123-120-12)

AFC Wild Card Game

(7) Indianapolis at (2) Buffalo

A Case for the Colts: The Colts are 11-5 and finished as the 7 seed in the AFC. They are certainly no slouch. Philip Rivers has been in playoff games before and he could get hot, and you have to like their running game with rookie Jonathan Taylor. Also, I like their defense and that could keep them in the game. Plus, you have to love the story of Frank Reich coming back to Buffalo as head coach of the Colts and going against the Bills in their first home playoff game since 1995. With only 6,700 fans in attendance the Colts, won't have to worry about the crowd noise being a factor. Everyone will be picking the Bills to win easily, so the Colts definitely have the look of the "Nobody Believes in Us" team, and they can use that as motivation all week long. 

A Case for the Bills: The Bills finished 13-3 and on a tear to end the season. No one in the AFC-not even the Chiefs-were playing better than Buffalo at the end of the year. They might be the most complete team. They are the best Bills team since the 1991 Bills that featured Jim Kelly and that group. Josh Allen is a MVP candidate and he could simply take this game over. They are at home and perhaps the weather will play a role in this game as well. They are about as hot as you can be for a team heading into the postseason. They are well-coached with Sean McDermott and they are due for a playoff win. Their last playoff win was 1995. There is a very good chance they end that streak this weekend.

Prediction: BUFFALO (-6) over Indianapolis: The Bills will win their first playoff game since 1995 in front of 6,700 fans in Orchard Park, and they will host the Steelers in the Divisional Round next weekend. 

Final Score: Bills-27 Colts-20

NFC Wild Card Game

(6) Los Angeles Rams at (3) Seattle

A Case for the Rams: They might get Jared Goff back for this game from his thumb injury. Even if he is out again, you have to like the way that Sean McVay will manage the game with John Wolford at QB, just like he did in the season finale win over the Cardinals. McVay is a great, young coach and he will have his team ready to go. The Rams are division rivals with the Seahawks, so there is that familiarity between the two teams. The Rams also have a very good defense, and that will be able to keep them in the game-even if the offense is struggling.  The 12th Man in Seattle will not be a factor because there will be no fans in attendance so that should help the Rams offense. Plus, I think the Rams will have a lot of extra motivation this week because they are the underdog, nobody is going to pick them with Goff probably not playing, and they will use that all week to get themselves ready. Put it this way: They might not win, but I don't think they will get blown out.

A Case for the Seahawks: Russell Wilson had one of his best seasons of his career, and he can carry this team on his back and to a victory all by himself. The Seahawks have not been back to the Super Bowl since the 2014 season. They have seen the Rams and 49ers get there since their last appearance. They have been close numerous times the past six years, and maybe they are due to get back there. It feels like Wilson and head coach Pete Carroll have another Super Bowl run left in them together. This could be the year.

Prediction: Rams (+4) over SEATTLE: This will be a close game and I think the Rams will cover but the Seahawks will hold them off late. Even if Jared Goff doesn't play because of his thumb injury, I still think the Rams will keep it close, but Seattle moves onto the Divisional Round and head to New Orleans next week. 

Final Score: Seahawks-20 Rams-17

NFC Wild Card Game

(5) Tampa Bay at (4) Washington

A Case for the Buccaneers: This team is rolling into the playoffs at 11-5. Tom Brady had one of his best years ever, and it is starting to click with his weapons on offense and even guys like Rob Gronkowski and Antonio Brown are getting into the act. It is hard to see them slowing down on Saturday night in Washington with no fans in the stands. Their defense has been good all season, and I can see them getting after Alex Smith and causing chaos for Washington's offense. I just think they are too good and aren't going to go into Washington and be upset by a 7-9 division winner.

A Case for the Washington Football Team: At 7-9 they won the NFC East and the last two division winners to win one with a losing record (Seattle-2010 and Carolina-2014) both ended up winning their first playoff game. They can use that as motivation. Obviously, no one is picking them to win the game, and they will use that as motivation. The Ron Rivera and Alex Smith stories are nice little backdrops for the game as well.

Prediction: Tampa Bay (-7) over WASHINGTON: There is no shot Tom Brady and the Bucs are going to lose at Washington on Saturday night. It might be close for a little bit, but the Bucs will get their first playoff win since 2002 and head to Green Bay to take on the Packers next Sunday in the Divisional Round. 

Final Score: Buccaneers-31 Redskins-13

AFC Wild Card Game

(5) Baltimore at (4) Tennessee

A Case for the Ravens: They were 6-5 and on the outside of the playoff picture, but they won five in a row and at 11-5, they are clicking heading into the playoffs. All of the Covid issues are behind them-for now- and they are as healthy as they have been in a long time. They have plenty of motivation this week. Last year, the Titans shocked them in the Divisional Round and ended a 14-2 season in their first playoff game. They get their chance at revenge this week, and they will have a chance to return the favor this week. Also, they lost to Tennessee in overtime during the regular season, and there was some bad blood in that game because the Titans were dancing on the Ravens logo at midfield. I think the Ravens will be really fired up for this game and you could see them hitting on all cylinders in this game-especially with the Titans defense being suspect.

A Case for the Titans: The Titans won the AFC South once again at 12-4, and they can probably use the motivation that they might actually own the Ravens. They beat them last year in the playoffs, they beat them in overtime during the regular season, and now they host them on Sunday. Perhaps the Titans just have the Ravens number. We know the Titans want to play a certain way, and you could see how they will try to do it. Although the Ravens have won five in a row to make the playoffs, they really haven't beat anyone good. The Titans just might be more battled tested. 

Prediction: TENNESSEE (+4) over Baltimore: The Titans get revenge and knock the Ravens out of the playoffs for the second year in a row and head to Arrowhead to take on the Chiefs next weekend in the Divisional Round. 

Final Score: Titans-27 Ravens-24

NFC Wild Card Game

(7) Chicago at (2) New Orleans

A Case for the Bears: Crazy things can happen in the playoffs, so you never know. The Bears did back in at 8-8 after losing to Green Bay, but they did finish the season winning three out of their last four games. The Bears are playing with out "house money" this weekend. Literally, no one gives them a chance to win the game. They can play fast and loose and use that as motivation in this game. This was a close game in Chicago earlier in the year. Drew Brees is back but is still recovering from his fractured ribs and punctured lung. Alvin Kamara is on the Covid list and if he plays on Sunday, he still missed the whole week of practice and preparation. Plus, all the pressure is on the Saints. This might be their last shot at a Super Bowl with Drew Brees and they have lost heartbreakers the last three years in the playoffs. The Saints have to win this game and the Bears might be able to catch them playing tight.

A Case for the Saints: They are one of the best teams in the league and a legitimate Super Bowl contender. They know that this is their last shot with Drew Brees, and although it might make them play tight, they also might come out guns blazing and just blow the doors off the Bears. I could see Sean Payton dialing up a great gameplan and the Saints come out and just steamroll the Bears. You really can't take Mitch Trubisky on the road (Eventhough there will be no fans) against Drew Brees. I can't see New Orleans blowing this opportunity on Wild Card weekend. 

Prediction: NEW ORLEANS (-8) over Chicago: The Bears might keep it close for awhile, but the Saints will pull away to advance to the Divisional Round and host the Seahawks next week.

Final Score: Saints-30 Bears-16

AFC Wild Card Game

(6) Cleveland at (3) Pittsburgh

A Case for the Browns: It has been 18 years since the Browns made the playoffs, and the last time they did make the playoffs they lost to the Steelers in a classic game in 2002. They are finally back. You could see the Browns winning this game by getting an early lead, leaning on that running game, and then letting Baker Mayfield use that play-action game to keep the lead. You can definitely see the Browns take that path to win this game. When division rivals meet in the playoffs, there is no mystery to each other. They know the other opponent. That could play into the Browns favor. I think a lot of people are going to count the Browns out as well. They barely beat the Steelers to get into the playoffs last week, and Pittsburgh wasn't even playing any of their main starters. The Browns can use that as motivation as well.

A Case for the Steelers: They started off 11-0, then faltered, but won the game they needed to win in Week 16 against the Colts to get back on track. Throw last week's loss to the Browns out of the window. They didn't play their main guys. Now, they come into this game a little rested and with a chip on their shoulder. Everyone is picking the Chiefs or the Bills to win the AFC, and no one is giving the Steelers a shot. They will use that as motivation. They will also use the motivation of basically letting the Browns get into the playoffs only to eliminate them this week. You have to like the playoff experience of Big Ben and Mike Tomlin as well. You could see the Steelers coming out with a huge effort and play one of their best games on Sunday night. Finally, the Browns are dealing with Covid issues once again this week. Their head coach, Kevin Stefanski, will not be able to coach in the game because he tested positive this week. They are also missing numerous other players, so that is something that simply can't help their chances of beating the Steelers. 

Prediction: PITTSBURGH (-4) over CLEVELAND: The Steelers will advance to take on Buffalo next week in the Divisional Round. The Browns make their first playoff appearance since 2002, but it will be short-lived and they will be one and done. 

Final Score: Steelers-27 Browns-20