The playoffs are here and Wild Card Weekend kicks things off with some really fun and interesting storylines. In the NFC, you have a classic Dallas-Green Bay matchup with Dallas head coach Mike McCarthy facing his old team, Philly hanging on to their season by a thread trying to get back to a Super Bowl, and Matt Stafford and the Rams going to Detroit to take on his old team with Jared Goff trying to lead the Lions to their first playoff win since 1991. The AFC features the Bills hosting the Steelers as Buffalo and Josh Allen try to make their run for their franchise's first Super Bowl title, Tyreek Hill going back to Arrowhead for the first time as the Dolphins travel to KC to take on the Chiefs, and Joe Flacco and the Browns traveling to Houston to take on the Texans and C.J. Stroud. There is definitely the possibility for a lot of fun and entertaining games this weekend....
Last Week's Record: 13-3
Final Regular Season Overall Record: 143-110-18
(HOME TEAM IN CAPS)
AFC Wild Card Game
(5) Cleveland at (4) Houston
A Case for the Browns: The Browns have been such a story this season, and now they have added the improbable redemption run of Joe Flacco this past month. The Browns are 11-6, and Flacco was the fourth starting QB this year after Deshaun Watson went down halfway through the year. Flacco has fit perfectly with this offense and somehow he is playing his best football since like 2014. We know how Flacco can get hot in the playoffs, so he can actually carry this Browns team on his back. The Browns defense was one of the best in the NFL all year long, and the strength of their team. They have the advantage over a rookie QB like C.J. Stroud. There seems to just be something magical about this Browns team and it feels like they could get on a run. Plus, they pounded the Texans in Houston a few weeks ago.
A Case for the Texans: Houston is playing with house money in this game. NO ONE expected them to win 10 games and make the playoffs with a rookie head coach in DeMeco Ryans and a rookie QB in C.J. Stroud. Most people had them below 6 wins easily this year, yet here they are. Everyone is going to be picking the Browns, so they can play the underdog role all week long. Plus, C.J. Stroud has been the best rookie QB since Andrew Luck, and he could have a big day and put this game on his shoulders and lead the Texans to the upset.
Prediction: Cleveland (-2) over HOUSTON: I'm surprised the line is this low for the Browns. I just think their defense will make life difficult for C.J. Stroud and their offense will do just enough to get the victory and move on to the Divisional Round.
Final Score: Browns-24 Texans-17
AFC Wild Card Game
(6) Miami at (3) Kansas City
A Case for the Dolphins: Miami has consistently had one of the top offenses in the NFL all year long. You have the Tyreek Hill revenge game factor as he heads to Arrowhead for the first time since being traded from the Chiefs. These teams met in Germany in November and the Dolphins can use that loss as motivation to figure out a way to knock off the Chiefs. Vic Fangio (Miami's DC) knows how to attack the Chiefs offense and usually has a good defensive gameplan for Pat Mahomes. Miami also was a front-runner for a top seed in the AFC all year long, but injuries and key losses at the end of the year spoiled those hopes. Now, they are the underdog to the Chiefs and no one believes that they can get on a run. They will use that as motivation.
A Case for the Chiefs: Kansas City gets a banged-up Dolphins defense that is missing pass-rushers, linebackers and secondary players across the board. It is perfectly set up for Patrick Mahomes to take advantage of this beat-up defense. The Chiefs defense also did a really nice job on the Dolphins offense when they played in the regular season. The weather is calling for a windchill of -13 on Saturday night in KC, so that definitely favors the Chiefs. Too many factors are lining up in the Chiefs favor for this one.
Prediction: KANSAS CITY (-4) over Miami: The Dolphins once promising season comes to an end in a bitter, cold way on Saturday night in Arrowhead. Pat Mahomes and the Chiefs advance to the Divisional Round for the sixth straight year.
Final Score: Chiefs-27 Dolphins-20
AFC Wild Card Game
(7) Pittsburgh at (2) Buffalo
A Case for the Steelers: The Steelers have Mike Tomlin as their head coach. Somehow and someway, Tomlin got this team to 10 wins and a playoff berth. He's the better coach in the game on Sunday, so you know he will have his team prepared and ready to go. The Steelers are definitely the team that no one believes in the most this weekend, so they can play fast and loose. The Bills have all the pressure on them and doesn't make it easy on themselves. so maybe the Steelers can take advantage of that. Buffalo was a big favorite last year over Miami in the same spot, and they almost lost. Did I mention that Mike Tomlin is the Steelers coach?
A Case for the Bills: At 6-6, they looked like they might miss playoffs, but then they ripped off five straight wins and won the AFC East. Now, they are the 2 seed and host the Steelers and Mason Rudolph. I can't see the Steelers moving the ball consistently against the Bills defense in this spot. T.J. Watt got hurt in Week 18, so he is out, and that should allow Josh Allen to have a big day. Maybe the Bills are just hitting their stride at the right time. I can see them going on a big playoff run starting with this game on Sunday.
Prediction: BUFFALO (-10) over Pittsburgh: The Bills are heavy favorites and they should be. This would be a monumental disaster if they lost this game. Weather will be a factor as they are calling for a very windy and blustery day in Buffalo. I think it might close for a little while, but the Bills will win and advance to the Divisional Round for the fourth year in a row.
Final Score: Bills-26 Steelers-10
NFC Wild Card Game
(7) Green Bay at (2) Dallas
A Case for the Packers: The Packers are ahead of schedule this year. Not many people picked them to make the playoffs. They are one of the youngest teams since the merger to make the playoffs. They are playing with house money coming into this game as big underdogs. Jordan Love has played really well the second half of the season. All the pressure is on the Cowboys. No one expects the Packers to win this game. If things go their way and get a lead, then it could snowball in their favor.
A Case for the Cowboys: The Cowboys are deserving of the #2 seed in the NFC this year and they are a legitimate Super Bowl contender. They are very dominating at home, and their offense and Dak Prescott should have a big game against the Packers and their defense. I like the matchup of Dan Quinn's defense against against a QB making his first career playoff start. It feels like this could be a statement game for Dallas as they make their run to the Super Bowl.
Prediction: DALLAS (-7) over Green Bay: This is a fun game in the 4:25pm EST window on Sunday. Mike McCarthy gets revenge on his old team, and Dallas advances to the Divisional Round for the second straight year.
Final Score: Cowboys-38 Packers-24
NFC Wild Card Game
(6) Los Angeles Rams at (3) Detroit
A Case for the Rams: They have the better coach in Sean McVay. You know McVay will have his team dialed in for this one. Matt Stafford has to be extra motivated going back to Detroit for a playoff game. Put it this way: I trust the combo of McVay and Stafford over Dan Campbell and Jared Goff. I think the Rams can score with the Lions and keep the pressure on them since they are favored to win their first playoff game since 1991. The Rams won a Super Bowl two years ago, but no one had them in the playoffs after last year's disastrous season, but here they are right back in the mix. I think they will be very dangersous in this spot.
A Case for the Lions: They have one of the best offenses in football. They can score with anyone and they very good at home. Jared Goff plays the game of his life and gets revenge on McVay for trading him. The Lions fans have waited a long time for a home playoff game and they have waited a LONG time for a playoff win. It could be their time to get that done. I would expect the Lions fans to be loud and on their feet all night long and make that a very tough environment for the Rams.
Prediction: DETROIT (-3) over LA Rams: As much as I feel like the Lions are due to win a playoff game, I keep thinking that the Rams will win this game. I just have a gut feeling they will pull it out late and sending the Lions home with another epic, disappointing loss.
Final Score: Rams-33 Lions-31
NFC Wild Card Game
(5) Philadelphia at (4) Tampa Bay
A Case for the Eagles: They are the defending NFC Champions, and they still have a lot of talent and they still have Jalen Hurts. I think when the game is on the line, Hurts will find a way to make a play to win the game. After starting 10-1, they finished 11-6 and they are banged up, but maybe they were just trying to get to the playoffs and then turn it on. That's not inconceivable to think. Plus, they just seem like they are the better team than Tampa Bay-even if this game is in Tampa. It would be hard to fathom the Eagles getting bounced in the Wild Card round.
A Case for the Bucs: The Bucs finished 9-8 and won the putrid NFC South, but they played really well down the stretch. They are a home underdog-which is always dangerous. The Bucs are playing with house money and have nothing to lose. All the pressure is on the Eagles. Baker Mayfield can get hot as we have seen at times this year, and the Eagles defense has been so bad the last month that you can see a scenario in which Mayfield carves them up late and pulls off the upset.
Prediction: Philadelphia (-3) over TAMPA BAY: Philly crawled to the finish line and a lot of people don't have faith in them even winning this game, but I think they find a way to pull it off and advance to the Divisional Round.
Final Score: Eagles-28 Buccaneers-24
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