Wildcard Weekend Preview

AFC No. 7 seed Indianapolis Colts at AFC No. 2 seed Buffalo Bills, 12:05 p.m. CST (CBS, CBS All Access)

Buffalo Bills play their first home playoff game in 25 years against Phillip Rivers and the Indianapolis Colts. I am looking forward to seeing Josh Allen against a stout Colts defense. Our old friend Xavier Rhodes has returned to form with his new team. I am hoping we see some Diggs v Rhodes battles today. The Bills have passed more on first down than any other team in the NFL this year. The Colts run offense is the key for them. They could keep the ball away from the Bills’ potent offense and put up some points. Phillip Rivers is their game manager at this point. He can either implode with 3 INTs or explode with 3 TDs. TY Hilton is almost an afterthought for them these days, but he might still has some magic left in his legs.

Prediction: Bills 33 - Colts 24

NFC No. 6 seed Los Angeles Rams at NFC No. 3 seed Seattle Seahawks, 3:40 p.m. CST (FOX, FOX Deportes)

This is the game I am least excited about. The Seahawks aren’t scary by any means, but the Rams are the most inconsistent good team in the NFL. It isn’t looking good for Jared Goff to play today. He had surgery on his broken thumb two weeks ago. Rumor has it he will try and give it a go, but I expect John Wolford to play a lot. Old Rusty Wilson can never be counted out for the Seattle Seahawks. We’ve seen him rip our hearts out on Wildcard weekend in the past. I think they will try to lead with their run game today and hit DK Metcalf on some play action bombs. If Jared Goff was healthy, I would probably lean towards that Rams defense full of studs. They have the best CB in the league in Jalen Ramsey.

Prediction: Seahawks 20 - Rams 13

NFC No. 5 seed Tampa Bay Buccaneers at NFC No. 4 seed Washington Football Team, 7:15 p.m. CST (NBC, Universo)

Tom Brady isn’t used to playing Wildcard Weekend. He is on the road to play the 7-9 Football Team. The Football Team is likely without Alex Smith so our old friend Taylor “kick the Door” Heinicke is likely to get the start. He isn’t the quarterback you want starting for you. Washington’s defense is the reason why this team is in the playoffs. I expect them to try to play Zimmer ball. We all know that leads to an L in the playoffs. I am hoping to see Tommy put up some big numbers and get some rest in the 4th quarter of this one. I just don’t see how Washington can keep it close. There are too many weapons for Tom Brady. Mike Evans is questionable with what looked like a nasty knee injury last week, but ended up just being a sprain. I expect Antonio Brown to get a lot of looks and I’ll predict 145 yards and 2 TDs for him.

Prediction: Tompa 35 - Washington 10

AFC No. 5 seed Baltimore Ravens at AFC No. 4 seed Tennessee Titans, 12:05 p.m. CST (ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN+, ESPN Deportes, Freeform)

This matchup is the two best running teams in the league. We have King Henry who ran for over 2k yards. The first back since Adrian Peterson. We also have the Baltimore Ravens who led the league in rushing. A rematch from last year where Derrick Henry ran for 195 yards and took down the 1 seeded Ravens. Lamar Jackson is looking for his first playoff win after looking like an elite QB during the regular season. This year the Ravens have come in quietly. I think this will be a very fast moving game, the clock not the football. I just have a feeling Lamar Jackson is due for a good performance in the game. I think he lights them up for 2 TDs passing and 1 TD rushing. Derrick Henry will get 140 yards and Ryan Tannehill will probably get a big play or two to AJ Brown, but it won’t be enough.

Prediction: Ravens 20 - Titans 17

NFC No. 7 seed Chicago Bears at NFC No. 2 seed New Orleans Saints, 3:40 p.m. CST (CBS, Nick, Amazon Prime Video, CBS All Access)

We have the only NFCN team playing this weekend vs the team we love to hate. It is Mitchell Trubisky vs Drew Brees. I don’t think either QB inspires confidence in me at this point. Trubisky is All Pro against our defense, but not against many others. He is up and down. Drew Brees looked old last year when we took them out Wildcard Weekend. He got some rest this year with his broken ribs. This is likely Brees’ last game and I can’t see it ending against the 8-8 Bears. This should be the game we’re playing. This should’ve been our rematch and chance to end Brees’ career. I am bitter, but can’t reasonably pick the Saints to lose. Kamara probably looks great and scores a few TDs.

Prediction: Saints 24 - Bears 12

AFC No. 6 seed Cleveland Browns at AFC No. 3 seed Pittsburgh Steelers, 7:15 p.m. CST (NBC, Telemundo, Peacock)

Sadly our old friend Kevin Stefanski can’t be on the sidelines this weekend because of the plague. So our other old friend Mike Priefer will lead the Browns into their first playoff game in ages. They will face a familiar foe in the Pittsburgh Steelers who also have an old friend in Mike Tomlin. The Steelers have sputtered into the playoffs as the 3 seed. I am excited to see Baker Mayfield in his first playoff game. The Steelers defense looked great to start the year, but not so much recently. Mayfield is the 2nd best QB on play action this year (according to ESPN, the 1st QB plays in Wisconsin), but the Steelers are also stout against it. Big Ben looks older than Tom Brady Bill Belichick. They did finish the last two games a little stronger after a bad December losing to the Football Team, Bills and Bengals to lose their 1 seed. I just don’t think Ben has any magic left and I think JuJu misses having an elite receiver on the other side of the offense. The Steelers run game isn’t as potent as it was in prior years. I know they almost beat the Browns last week with their backup QB, but I am predicting a Pittsburgh loss.

Prediction: Browns 24 - Steelers 20