Wild Card Weekend Preview

The NFL Playoffs are upon us. This week, we’ll narrow the field from 14 teams down to eight through six big games over three days. It’s one of the most exciting and fun times of the year as we watch these teams battle to secure a shot at the Super Bowl. As always, I’ll be previewing and picking each of the playoff games in a quest to get a perfect post-season. Let’s see how it goes!

Saturday Games:

Los Angeles Chargers (11-6) at Houston Texans (10-7)
About: This is an interesting matchup. Last year, the Texans were the surprise upstart with a new Head Coach that went from bottom of the heap to the playoffs. This year, no one was surprised to see the Texans win the AFC South, we just thought they’d be better. The team sputtered a bit down the stretch thanks in part to a brutal schedule and injuries. The Chargers, meanwhile, are the hot team that went from last in the AFC West to the Wild Card thanks to a turnaround under new Head Coach Jim Harbaugh. The team played the Chiefs and Ravens tough and did enough to leap over the Steelers to move to the No. 5 seed and a trip to Houston. Justin Herbert has been very careful with the ball, while Quentin Johnston and Ladd McConkey have come on as the season has gone forward. The Chargers’ defense is much improved to the point they’re one of the more dangerous Wild Card teams. Can C.J. Stroud and Nico Collins provide enough bang to get the Texans’ a home win? These teams didn’t play in the regular season, so this game will come with a fair bit of feeling each other out. I think the Chargers are the hotter, better team.
The Pick: The Chargers

Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7) at Baltimore Ravens (12-5)
About: This is a tale of two teams going in opposite directions. The Steelers limped into the post-season, losing their last four games. That saw them slide from the No. 3 overall seed to the No. 6 seed, setting up a re-match with the Ravens. These two teams split their regular season matchups, with the Steelers winning the first and the Ravens winning the Saturday before Christmas. But the Ravens had their chances in the first matchup and seem to be the better. They’re also peaking at the right time. Unless the Steelers get their offense together in a hurry, it’s hard to imagine they’ll stand much of a chance here.
The Pick: The Ravens

Sunday Games:

Denver Broncos (10-7) at Buffalo Bills (13-4)
About: The Broncos were a surprise team as rookie quarterback Bo Nix had a good first season in helping lead the Broncos back to the post-season for the first time since winning Super Bowl 50. But it’s a young team that has been uneven against good teams. The Bills are a good team. The Bills cruised to the AFC East title and were the only team to beat the Chiefs during the regular season at full strength. The Bills are a strong No. 2 seed and one of the favorites in the AFC behind MVP-candidate Josh Allen. On paper, this shouldn’t be close. But stranger things have happened, especially with a defense as talented as the one for the Broncos.
The Pick: The Bills

Green Bay Packers (11-6) at Philadelphia Eagles (14-3)
About: This is a re-match of the opening week game that took place in Brazil. That was also, technically, a home game for the Eagles, who won that game. The Packers had a strong season despite the six losses. Five of those losses came to teams with 14 or more wins (Eagles, Lions, Vikings). That doesn’t bode well for a playoff field that includes all those teams. The Packers also come into this game short-handed, with Christian Watson lost for the season and quarterback Jordan Love ailing. The Eagles also have questions at quarterback. Jalen Hurts is back to practice but missed the final two games of the regular season with a concussion. Backup Kenny Pickett is dealing with broken ribs. But the Eagles have Saquon Barkley, an MVP-Candidate after a 2,000-yard rushing season. This figures to be a fun and intriguing battle.
The Pick: The Eagles

Washington Commanders (12-5) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-7)
About: The Commanders were a big surprise. They went from the No. 2 overall pick to a 12-win Wild Card team. They also registered a huge win over the Eagles that helped move them to the No. 6 seed. That’s largely thanks to Jayden Daniels, the front-runner for Rookie of the Year, and the new culture brought by Head Coach Dan Quinn. The Buccaneers, meanwhile, are just consistent. They won the NFC South again. Baker Mayfield looked like one of the best passers in the league, again. And Mike Evans had 1,000 yards receiving, again. This Buccaneers team also found a backfield weapon in rookie Bucky Irving. All that makes them a dangerous team, particularly at home. These two teams met in Week 1, a 37-20 Buccaneers’ win. But these teams have been on a journey since then and are in different places. Can the Buccaneers get the win again?
The Pick: The Buccaneers

Monday Game:

Minnesota Vikings (14-3) at Los Angeles Rams (10-7)
About: The Vikings had an amazing season. The team won 14 games behind journeyman quarterback Sam Darnold. Now, Head Coach Kevin O’ Connell travels to face his former team to open the playoffs, looking for a win to get them to the next round. The Rams, meanwhile, outlasted everyone in the NFC West. Matthew Stafford had a strong season with Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp his primary weapons. They Rams rested starters last week, leaving them fresh to face this big opening round challenge. Another potential challenge is the fires in Southern California, which have cast some doubt on where this game will be played. It’s possible it will swing to Phoenix, which would somewhat negate a homefield advantage for the Rams. The Rams beat the Vikings when the two met earlier this season, and they could well do it again. But I think the Vikings won 14 games for a reason. Either way, this figures to be an intriguing way to wrap up the first weekend of the playoffs.
The Pick: The Vikings