The NFL Regular Season has come to an end. It’s now time to shift gears to the place where names are made, the playoffs. For 17 weeks, teams have endured challenges, injuries, bad calls, and overall adversity. The playoffs are here, and they begin with eight teams squaring off in the Wild Card Round. As game day approaches, I’ll look to take a closer look into each Wild Card matchup. In addition, I will be giving my predictions as well.
Indianapolis Colts (10-6) @ Houston Texans (11-5)
Indianapolis is coming into this game after winning nine of their last ten games. The Texans come in winning 11 of their last 13. The biggest factor in this game will be QB play. Deshaun Watson is playing in his first playoff game. The question at hand is whether or not he can handle the pressure. Colts QB Andrew Luck has been playing like the surefire Comeback Player of the Year, and the Colts are as hot as any team in the league. From going from 1-5 to 10-6, the Colts have looked like the team no one wants to see.
With WR T.Y Hilton back to his normal self and TE Eric Ebron having a career year, the Colts offense is scary. However, the Texans are just loaded with talent. With a defense that includes J.J Watt, Jadeveon Clowney, Tyrann Mathieu, and Johnathan Joseph, it may just be too much for that hot Colts offensive line. In addition, the Texans have WR De’Andre Hopkins. Hopkins had an unprecedented 115 catches, 1,425 yards, and zero drops this year. I expect Andrew Luck to win the QB battle, however, I expect the Texans to beat their AFC South rivals and move onto New England.
Final Score Prediction: Houston Texans 28 – 21 Indianapolis Colts
Seattle Seahawks (10-6) @ Dallas Cowboys (10-6)
This is one of the more intriguing match-ups of the weekend. I’m interested to see how the Cowboys’ fifth-ranked rushing defense will stop the Seahawks’ top-ranked rushing offense. Ever since the acquisition of WR Amari Cooper, the Cowboys have had their ups and downs. QB Dak Prescott and NFL rushing leader Ezekiel Elliot must come to play against this scary Seattle defense.
The defense is led by Bobby Wagner who’s 138/138 on tackles with zero broken ones this season. Although the Cowboys are at home, I simply don’t think they’ll pull out the victory. I haven’t been sold on Dallas. A win against the Saints doesn’t change that either.
Both the Seahawks and Cowboys have been mightily consistent this season with some bad losses. Despite that, I’d take QB Russell Wilson in the playoffs over most QBs simply because the moment is never too big for him. Wilson is a Super Bowl-winning quarterback who’s managed to carry an underrated Seahawks team all season. Paired with him is RB Chris Carson who’s quietly fifth in the league in rushing yards with 1,151. Russell Wilson, the run game of RB Chris Carson, and that dangerous defense will be too much for Dak and the Cowboys to handle.
Final Score Prediction: Seattle Seahawks 24 – 20 Dallas Cowboys
Los Angeles Chargers (12-4) @ Baltimore Ravens (10- 6)
The Ravens are led by rookie QB sensation Lamar Jackson against the Chargers. Jackson has been on a tear since week 11 and is rewriting the record books. Along with being the youngest Heisman winner ever, he’ll also be the youngest QB to start a playoff game.
Behind Jackson, the Ravens have seemed to have gotten a new life. Along with the best defense in the league, the Ravens have risen up into a team who many see as the biggest threat in the AFC. With the dual-threat Jackson, they’ve also had the second-ranked rushing offense in the league. The Chargers are led by QB Philip Rivers who’s having arguably the best season of his career.
Los Angeles has key playmakers on defense with DE Joey Bosa, CB Casey Hayward Jr, S Derwin James, and DE Melvin Ingram III. However, the Ravens’ ground-and-pound offense has proven to be effective against anyone. Jackson is a dual-threat stud, but I just can’t dismiss the Chargers.
I believe WRs Keenan Allen and Mike Williams will come through big time. With RB Melvin Gordon and TE Hunter Henry returning, this offense is scary. The Ravens’ top defense is legit, but with the weapons the Chargers have, and despite the week 16 loss to the Ravens, I expect the Chargers to win.
Final Score Prediction: Los Angeles Chargers 27 – 14 Baltimore Ravens
Philadelphia Eagles (9-7) @ Chicago Bears (12-4)
The third-ranked defense in the league goes up against the defending Super Bowl Champions. Philadelphia somehow rebounded back from 5-5 to snag the sixth seed. After QB Carson Wentz went down with a fractured back, Nick Foles is once again at the helm.
Philly is significantly better with Foles under center. As good as Wentz is, the team just seems to respond better with Foles in.
However, on the other side, you have a Bears team who may be the biggest threat in all the NFC. QB Mitchell Trubisky has been one of the most improved players in the league this season. It’s proven by the Bears’ 12-4 record. However, he’s another young player making his playoff debut.
That Bears defense has been even better. Khalil Mack, Eddie Jackson, Roquan Smith, and the rest of those boys are just scary. But if the past is any indication, youth has shown to have cost some teams. I can’t go against the champions with a QB who can drop 400+ yards on any day. The Bears are seen by many as the biggest threat. If Foles is healthy, it’s the Eagles. They may not be the great team on paper they were last year, but they’ve proven to be able to handle the big moments and adversity.
Final Score Prediction: Philadelphia Eagles 21 – 17 Chicago Bears
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This is just the Wild Card round. Anything can happen. Some bold predictions were made, but overall, we’re in for a competitive Wild Card weekend. As the rounds go on, I’ll take more in-depth looks and make more predictions. With only days until kick-off did I get something wrong? Will defense prevail this weekend? Let me know.