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Picks and predictions for this weekend's NFL playoff games...
(7) Indianapolis Colts at (2) Buffalo Bills
What to watch for: Josh Allen will look to make up for last year's Wild Card collapse against the Houston Texans with a decisive victory over a very talented Colts team. Keep an eye on his numbers, as the star quarterback for the Bills (13-3) has the potential to throw for a handful of touchdowns against any given opponent. Allen has thrown for 4,500 yards and 45 touchdowns this season, etching his name in the Buffalo Bills' record books in just his third season in the NFL.
Allen may have some extra motivation in that he was snubbed from most discussions about the MVP race in favor of Patrick Mahomes and Aaron Rodgers, and to a lesser degree, Davante Adams and Derrick Henry. Allen has posted incredible numbers for the Bills this year and managed to lead them to their first AFC East title since 1995. Allen wasn't born until 1996, so the talented youngster has not only altered the course of history for many lifetime Buffalo fans, but he has taken the team to heights that have never been reached during his own lifespan. Do not expect him to stop at this, as Allen and the Bills have a deep playoff run on their minds.
The Colts (11-5) have a veteran quarterback in Philip Rivers at the helm, but the Bills should be able to create some separation from the Colts in the 2nd half and win their Super Wild Card Weekend matchup, advancing to the next round of the playoffs.
Rivers is not known for his playoff success and although talented rookie RB Jonathan Taylor provides a spark almost every time he touches the ball, the Colts defense will struggle to contain the firepower that the Bills bring to the table with receivers like Stefon Diggs hoping to connect with Allen early and often.
Prediction: Bills 37, Colts 30
(6) Cleveland Browns at (3) Pittsburgh Steelers
What to watch for: This may be the most hard-fought matchup of the entire Super Wild Card Weekend. The Steelers (12-4) started the year on an 11-game winning streak before losing 4 out of their last 5 games, including a 3-game skid. The Browns (11-5) defeated the Steelers in Week 17 to clinch a playoff berth for the first time since 2002.
Although the Browns are a scrappy squad led by firey quarterback Baker Mayfield, the Steelers were resting many key players in the week 17 matchup and will bring more firepower to this weekend's matchup with Cleveland. Look for a motivated Pittsburgh team to resemble the version of the team that they were in the first 11 weeks of the season and show up to Super Wild Card Weekend with victory on their mind. Add to that the fact that Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski and 5 players will be out due to COVID protocol, so fortune favors the Steelers.
Prediction: Steelers 21, Browns 17
(5) Baltimore Ravens at (4) Tennessee Titans
What to watch for: The Ravens (11-5) have lost to the Titans (11-5) in the two previous matchups including last year's Divisional Round game in Baltimore and a Week 11 contest on the Ravens' home field earlier this year, but the Ravens are hot, coming into Super Wild Card Weekend on a 5 game win streak over the course of which the team has scored at least 27 points in every game and looked as electrifying as they did in Lamar Jackson's MVP season.
With that being said, Derrick Henry just stiff-armed himself into the record books, eclipsing 2,000 yards on the ground this season, and the Ravens may not have anyone on the defensive side of the ball prepared to tackle him. The Titans may have the worst defense of any of the 14 teams in the playoffs, but with the ability to grind out yards in a bruising fashion, it may not matter. Look for the Titans to advance to the next round with their 3rd straight win over Baltimore in this edition of NFL Super Wild Card Weekend.
Prediction: Titans 41, Ravens 34
(7) Chicago Bears at (2) New Orleans Saints
What to watch for: The Saints (12-4) have had Alvin Kamara putting up some terrific performances over the course of the season, including a 6-touchdown outing on Christmas Day. The electrifying running back is the definition of a game-changer and has been the driving force behind a highly successful Saints season.
Kamara has been sidelined recently due to his inclusion on the COVID-19/Reserve list as a result of a positive test. The Saints caught a break with the schedule, as their game is set for Super Wild Card Weekend's Sunday afternoon time slot. This is notable because a positive COVID test immediately removes a player from action for 10 days. Kamara is eligible to return on Sunday, but would not be have been eligible were the game to be played Saturday. Saints coach Sean Payton has said that Kamara will be a game-time decision, because while Kamara is eligible, he has not practiced in over a week. Regardless of Kamara's status, the Saints should roll over the Bears (8-8) here.
Prediction: Saints 31, Bears 17
(6) Los Angeles Rams at (3) Seattle Seahawks
What to watch for: The Seahawks (12-4) haven't always looked great this year, but Russell Wilson is known for his clutch performances, particularly in the postseason, and this team should be re-energized after winning the NFC West and locking up home-field advantage for this weekend. Look for the Seahawks to establish air supremacy and put up big numbers against an outmatched divisional rival Rams (10-6) team. A talented Seahawks receiving corps led by dynamic second-year star DK Metcalf will look to create separation from defensive backs throughout the contest, providing Wilson with windows to fit the ball into.
Rams QB Jared Goff has looked equal parts superstar-like and timid over the course of his career, with his consistency often linked to the number of pieces of the Rams offense that he has at his disposal. While there are no teams who are injury-free at this point in an NFL season, the Rams only had 7 people on their injury report for Wednesday's practice. While that is good news for them, one of these 7 players is Jared Goff himself, who is battling to return from a broken thumb.
Prediction: Seahawks 34, Rams 21
(5) Tampa Bay Buccaneers at (4) Washington Football Team
What to watch for: I'm going to be honest here. The NFC East was an absolutely awful division this year, and the Football Team (7-9) inched their way into a division championship and thus a home playoff game, partially because the Philadelphia Eagles pulled their starting QB Jalen Hurts from the game in a controversial move, effectively handing Washington the victory. Washington will get no such treatment from Tampa Bay (11-5), and living legend quarterback Tom Brady will prove to be too tough of an obstacle for this defense to overco this weekend, sending Washington packing in convincing fashion.
Although star rookie Chase Young has set his sights on sacking the superstar quarterback, Washington may suffer the most decisive defeat of any of the teams featured in the upcoming NFL Super Wild Card Weekend. The Buccaneers have extra motivation on this Super Wild Card weekend, as the Super Bowl is set to take place in Raymond James Stadium, their home venue. If the Buccaneers can establish positive momentum over the course of Super Wild Card Weekend and can keep it going throughout the next two rounds of the playoffs, they may be rewarded with a home game in the most important matchup of the year in a few short weeks.
Prediction: Tampa Bay 38, Washington 20
