JO_75
Hall of Famer
Saturday Games
Chargers @ Texans (CBS/Paramount Plus): Per tradition in the Wild Card Round, the Texans kick things off at 4:30pm against Jim Harbaugh and the Los Angeles Chargers. Jim Harbaugh successfully guided the Chargers to the playoffs in his first season as Head Coach. All eyes will be on Greg Roman and the Chargers offense, as we've seen Greg Roman's offense disappear in the playoffs when he was in Baltimore, will the Chargers suffer the same fate? With no Joshua Palmer and Dobbins being limited in practice, there is concern that it may happen again. The Texans will be without OG Shaq Mason which could hinder the offensive line a bit against the Chargers pass rush. I think the Chargers find a way to win, and find themselves going to KC(if Denver stuns Buffalo) or a 4th Harbaugh Bowl matchup against the Ravens in Baltimore.
Steelers @ Ravens (8PM on Amazon Prime): As they say with divisional games, throw out the records, throw everything you know about the teams out the window as anything can happen. Lamar Jackson looks to silence his critics once again this postseason as the MVP debate rages on between him and Josh Allen. The Ravens were able to vanish the Steelers in a convincing 34-17 win that saw Lamar Jackson throw three touchdowns the last time these two met in Baltimore. The Steelers come into this one on a 4 game losing streak to end the regular season, and a 5 game losing streak in the playoffs since 2016. With no Zay Flowers, look for Baltimore to lean heavy into their run game with Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson. I expect this to be close but the Ravens pull away with the win in the 4th quarter and with a playoff game against Buffalo or the Chargers/Texans waiting for them in the divisional round.
Sunday & Monday Night Games
Broncos @ Bills (Sunday 1PM on CBS/Paramount Plus): This might be the craziest stat I've seen about this game all week.... Sean Payton has a 30-12 record against opposing Head Coaches who are bald. Sean McDermott is bald by the way. The Bills are banged up heading into this game but also were able to rest guys in the loss to the Patriots in week 18. McDermott has a 9-4 record against rookie quarterbacks in his Bills tenure and Bo Nix looks to make it 9-5 and stun the AFC playoff picture. The 7th seeded Packers beat the 2 seeded Cowboys last year, Sean Payton and Bo Nix look to make it a second consecutive year where a 7th seed has knocked out the 2 seed. Broncos were a blocked field goal away from beating KC earlier in the year and could very well pull off a playoff upset against a MVP candidate in Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills.
Packers @ Eagles (4:30PM ON FOX): Jalen Hurts and Jordan Love are both ready to go for this playoff game on Sunday as we see a week one rematch between the Eagles & Packers. When these two teams met in week one, Saquon started his Eagles career off with three Touchdowns and 109 yards rushing. While Derrick Henry & Saquon got all the attention, the signing of Josh Jacobs by the Packers was really underrated. Jacobs rushed for over 1300 yards, becoming the first Packer to do since Ahman Green in 2003. They may have to lean on Jacobs as the passing attack won't have Christian Watson who tore his ACL in the week 18 loss to the Chicago Bears. With Hurts back in the lineup, this is looking to be a first round exit for the Packers as the Eagles march to the Super Bowl begins.
Commanders @ Buccaneers (8:30PM on NBC/Peacock): Another week one rematch as the Commanders head to Florida to take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. What a year it has been for Washington as not only did they get new ownership but rookie Quarterback Jayden Daniels took the NFL by storm this season. Posting a 25 Touchdown to 9 interception ratio, the rookie QB looks to make some noise in the postseason. Tampa Bay meanwhile has it's own rookie sensation in Bucky Irving who Washington must stop if they want a shot to win Sunday Night. In what could be the game of the weekend, both teams look to prove they belong in the playoffs.
Vikings @ Rams(8PM on ABC/ESPN/ESPN+): The last time these two met, it was a close game on Thursday Night that became known for a missed face mask on Sam Darnold that was not called. This time, the Vikings are hoping things are a bit different and are the ones coming out on top in this one. Did the Lions expose Sam Darnold and the Vikings offense in week 18? There's a lot of talk about whether the Vikings should stay the course with Darnold, how much he'll get paid but a disappointing playoff game against the Rams may give the Vikings doubt on keeping Darnold next season.
Chargers @ Texans (CBS/Paramount Plus): Per tradition in the Wild Card Round, the Texans kick things off at 4:30pm against Jim Harbaugh and the Los Angeles Chargers. Jim Harbaugh successfully guided the Chargers to the playoffs in his first season as Head Coach. All eyes will be on Greg Roman and the Chargers offense, as we've seen Greg Roman's offense disappear in the playoffs when he was in Baltimore, will the Chargers suffer the same fate? With no Joshua Palmer and Dobbins being limited in practice, there is concern that it may happen again. The Texans will be without OG Shaq Mason which could hinder the offensive line a bit against the Chargers pass rush. I think the Chargers find a way to win, and find themselves going to KC(if Denver stuns Buffalo) or a 4th Harbaugh Bowl matchup against the Ravens in Baltimore.
Steelers @ Ravens (8PM on Amazon Prime): As they say with divisional games, throw out the records, throw everything you know about the teams out the window as anything can happen. Lamar Jackson looks to silence his critics once again this postseason as the MVP debate rages on between him and Josh Allen. The Ravens were able to vanish the Steelers in a convincing 34-17 win that saw Lamar Jackson throw three touchdowns the last time these two met in Baltimore. The Steelers come into this one on a 4 game losing streak to end the regular season, and a 5 game losing streak in the playoffs since 2016. With no Zay Flowers, look for Baltimore to lean heavy into their run game with Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson. I expect this to be close but the Ravens pull away with the win in the 4th quarter and with a playoff game against Buffalo or the Chargers/Texans waiting for them in the divisional round.
Sunday & Monday Night Games
Broncos @ Bills (Sunday 1PM on CBS/Paramount Plus): This might be the craziest stat I've seen about this game all week.... Sean Payton has a 30-12 record against opposing Head Coaches who are bald. Sean McDermott is bald by the way. The Bills are banged up heading into this game but also were able to rest guys in the loss to the Patriots in week 18. McDermott has a 9-4 record against rookie quarterbacks in his Bills tenure and Bo Nix looks to make it 9-5 and stun the AFC playoff picture. The 7th seeded Packers beat the 2 seeded Cowboys last year, Sean Payton and Bo Nix look to make it a second consecutive year where a 7th seed has knocked out the 2 seed. Broncos were a blocked field goal away from beating KC earlier in the year and could very well pull off a playoff upset against a MVP candidate in Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills.
Packers @ Eagles (4:30PM ON FOX): Jalen Hurts and Jordan Love are both ready to go for this playoff game on Sunday as we see a week one rematch between the Eagles & Packers. When these two teams met in week one, Saquon started his Eagles career off with three Touchdowns and 109 yards rushing. While Derrick Henry & Saquon got all the attention, the signing of Josh Jacobs by the Packers was really underrated. Jacobs rushed for over 1300 yards, becoming the first Packer to do since Ahman Green in 2003. They may have to lean on Jacobs as the passing attack won't have Christian Watson who tore his ACL in the week 18 loss to the Chicago Bears. With Hurts back in the lineup, this is looking to be a first round exit for the Packers as the Eagles march to the Super Bowl begins.
Commanders @ Buccaneers (8:30PM on NBC/Peacock): Another week one rematch as the Commanders head to Florida to take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. What a year it has been for Washington as not only did they get new ownership but rookie Quarterback Jayden Daniels took the NFL by storm this season. Posting a 25 Touchdown to 9 interception ratio, the rookie QB looks to make some noise in the postseason. Tampa Bay meanwhile has it's own rookie sensation in Bucky Irving who Washington must stop if they want a shot to win Sunday Night. In what could be the game of the weekend, both teams look to prove they belong in the playoffs.
Vikings @ Rams(8PM on ABC/ESPN/ESPN+): The last time these two met, it was a close game on Thursday Night that became known for a missed face mask on Sam Darnold that was not called. This time, the Vikings are hoping things are a bit different and are the ones coming out on top in this one. Did the Lions expose Sam Darnold and the Vikings offense in week 18? There's a lot of talk about whether the Vikings should stay the course with Darnold, how much he'll get paid but a disappointing playoff game against the Rams may give the Vikings doubt on keeping Darnold next season.
