JO_75
Hall of Famer
For the first time in a couple years we get to sit back and enjoy the playoffs without the pressure of hoping the Ravens finally get to the Super Bowl. Sitting there pondering who we would rather face in the divisional round, championship game, etc. For once we get to watch other teams sweat it out while also enjoying the fact that this is the most wide open the playoffs have been in years. Even if you look at the records of the teams heading into this weekend, there is no clear cut standout in the playoffs. So who knows what Super Bowl 60 will look like come Feb 8th, so let's breakdown the wild card round.
Saturday January 9th
Rams @ Panthers: For some Rams fans, they are looking at the playoffs as a revenge tour so to speak and it starts Saturday in Carolina against the surprising 8-9 Carolina Panthers. Following a MVP like season from Matthew Stafford, Stafford and the Rams look for a do-over against Carolina as the Panthers beat them 31-28 back in week 13.The turnover plague infected Matthew Stafford in their week 13 matchup as he threw a Pick 6, another interception and had a fumble on a strip-sack that helped Carolina win. The Rams will be getting Davante Adams back for this game who missed the last three regular season games with a hamstring injury, but will likely be without Guard Kevin Dotson.
When it comes to the NFL Playoffs, it doesn't matter how you got there, it's just a matter of what you do when you get there. With some crazy tiebreakers, the Panthers despite losing to the Bucs, and help from the Falcons were able to secure their first NFC South Title in a decade. Carolina in their win over the Rams in the regular season were able to control the clock with the run game, play good defense and Bryce Young posted the second best QB rating (147.1) in franchise history. If they can do that again, they will be able to show that it wasn't a fluke the first time these two teams met.
Packers @ Bears: One of the NFL's storied rivalries takes center stage Saturday Night on Amazon Prime as the Green Bay Packers head back to Chicago for a third meeting with NFC North rival Chicago Bears. This will be the only the third time these teams have met in the playoffs with the most recent one being a Packers win in the 2010 NFC Championship Game. If this game is anything like their last matchup that saw Caleb Williams pull off a hail mary of his own to find DJ Moore in the end zone to beat the Packers, we will be in for a treat.
Hey, maybe Al Michaels will sound more interested when calling the game if it happens. Green Bay will get Jordan Love back as they are healthy after resting their starters in week 18, while Da Bears will be getting Cornerback Kyler Gordon back and are hopeful that Rome Odunze returns from a foot injury. Only once since the NFL has added a 7th seed that a 7th seeded team has won, and that was the Green Bay Packers who defeated the Dallas Cowboys during the 2023 playoffs.
Sunday January 10th
Bills @ Jaguars: The last time these teams met in the wild card round, Buffalo's starting Quarterback was Tyrod Taylor, and Jacksonville's starting Quarterback was Blake Bortles. Buffalo was just a few short months away from drafting Josh Allen in the 2018 NFL Draft and the current Jacksonville Jaguars starting Quarterback Trevor Lawrence was still in High School. For Josh Allen, there is no Patrick Mahomes, no Lamar Jackson or Joe Burrow in these playoffs. This may be the Bills best chance at getting back to a Super Bowl in years, or perhaps with a loss on Sunday we are talking about Sean McDermott being fired on Monday or Tuesday.
For Jacksonville, Liam Cohen has certainly exceeded expectations leading the Jaguars to a 13-4 season, and their first playoff win since the 2022 season when they beat the Los Angeles Chargers. Perhaps finally unlocking the potential of Trevor Lawrence, Lawrence had his best year to date throwing 38 Touchdowns and leading Jacksonville to a Franchise high 27.9 points per game. The Bills will be without several key defensive players on Sunday as Bills cornerback Maxwell Hairston, linebacker Terrel Bernard and safety Damar Hamlin will not play on Sunday while Jacksonville has a clean bill of health. In what could be the game of the weekend, Jacksonville looks to remain undefeated at home in the wild card round while Josh Allen looks for his first road playoff win.
49ers @ Eagles:
Chargers @ Patriots:
Monday January 11th
Texans @ Steelers:
Saturday January 9th
Rams @ Panthers: For some Rams fans, they are looking at the playoffs as a revenge tour so to speak and it starts Saturday in Carolina against the surprising 8-9 Carolina Panthers. Following a MVP like season from Matthew Stafford, Stafford and the Rams look for a do-over against Carolina as the Panthers beat them 31-28 back in week 13.The turnover plague infected Matthew Stafford in their week 13 matchup as he threw a Pick 6, another interception and had a fumble on a strip-sack that helped Carolina win. The Rams will be getting Davante Adams back for this game who missed the last three regular season games with a hamstring injury, but will likely be without Guard Kevin Dotson.
When it comes to the NFL Playoffs, it doesn't matter how you got there, it's just a matter of what you do when you get there. With some crazy tiebreakers, the Panthers despite losing to the Bucs, and help from the Falcons were able to secure their first NFC South Title in a decade. Carolina in their win over the Rams in the regular season were able to control the clock with the run game, play good defense and Bryce Young posted the second best QB rating (147.1) in franchise history. If they can do that again, they will be able to show that it wasn't a fluke the first time these two teams met.
Packers @ Bears: One of the NFL's storied rivalries takes center stage Saturday Night on Amazon Prime as the Green Bay Packers head back to Chicago for a third meeting with NFC North rival Chicago Bears. This will be the only the third time these teams have met in the playoffs with the most recent one being a Packers win in the 2010 NFC Championship Game. If this game is anything like their last matchup that saw Caleb Williams pull off a hail mary of his own to find DJ Moore in the end zone to beat the Packers, we will be in for a treat.
Hey, maybe Al Michaels will sound more interested when calling the game if it happens. Green Bay will get Jordan Love back as they are healthy after resting their starters in week 18, while Da Bears will be getting Cornerback Kyler Gordon back and are hopeful that Rome Odunze returns from a foot injury. Only once since the NFL has added a 7th seed that a 7th seeded team has won, and that was the Green Bay Packers who defeated the Dallas Cowboys during the 2023 playoffs.
Sunday January 10th
Bills @ Jaguars: The last time these teams met in the wild card round, Buffalo's starting Quarterback was Tyrod Taylor, and Jacksonville's starting Quarterback was Blake Bortles. Buffalo was just a few short months away from drafting Josh Allen in the 2018 NFL Draft and the current Jacksonville Jaguars starting Quarterback Trevor Lawrence was still in High School. For Josh Allen, there is no Patrick Mahomes, no Lamar Jackson or Joe Burrow in these playoffs. This may be the Bills best chance at getting back to a Super Bowl in years, or perhaps with a loss on Sunday we are talking about Sean McDermott being fired on Monday or Tuesday.
For Jacksonville, Liam Cohen has certainly exceeded expectations leading the Jaguars to a 13-4 season, and their first playoff win since the 2022 season when they beat the Los Angeles Chargers. Perhaps finally unlocking the potential of Trevor Lawrence, Lawrence had his best year to date throwing 38 Touchdowns and leading Jacksonville to a Franchise high 27.9 points per game. The Bills will be without several key defensive players on Sunday as Bills cornerback Maxwell Hairston, linebacker Terrel Bernard and safety Damar Hamlin will not play on Sunday while Jacksonville has a clean bill of health. In what could be the game of the weekend, Jacksonville looks to remain undefeated at home in the wild card round while Josh Allen looks for his first road playoff win.
49ers @ Eagles:
Chargers @ Patriots:
Monday January 11th
Texans @ Steelers:
