Wild Card Playoff Predictions

 

Wild Card Playoff Predictions

NFC

Green Bay Packers Vs Dallas Cowboys

This season from the Cowboys has been consistent, overall, Dak Prescott had the greatest season of his career, as well as CeeDee Lamb, and the defense has been a turnover machine! They didn’t suffer any long losing streaks throughout the season and were able to snag the division title at the end of the season, thanks to an epic collapse from the Eagles. But, we all know what this team needs to do and that is win in the postseason! By winning the division the Cowboys get to start the playoffs at home, which is perfect since they play much better at home than on the road. The Packers have had their ups and downs this season in Jordan Love’s first season as the starting quarterback. They can get it going offensively, but there are occasions when Love makes a big mistake and costs them games in the end. Overall, the Cowboys are a far superior team, but this is the playoffs so the Packers are not to be overlooked, but if the Cowboys stick to their game I don’t think they should have a problem in this one. I expect the defense to force Love into some turnovers and set the offense up in good field position. Which, in turn, should get them some points, possibly even from the defense since they have been known to score a touchdown or two. I expect a fight from the Packers, but I’m expecting the knockout from the Cowboys in this one.

Cowboys over Packers 31-20

Los Angeles Rams Vs Detroit Lions

This is the first time the Lions are hosting a playoff game since the early 90’s and the storyline couldn’t be better in this one. Matthew Stafford and Jared Goff were traded between these teams a couple of years ago and Stafford ended up winning the Super Bowl with the Rams. They had a down year last year, and this season started off shaky, but now they look really good, especially on offense. The Lions have played well for the most part this season, but their biggest weakness has been in the secondary. This Rams team is not the team to go up against with a weak secondary because Stafford has been lighting it up with Kupp and Nakua. I expect that to play a big part in this game. Goff has also had his issues with turnovers this season and I can see that playing a part in this game as well. The Lions have had a solid season with many accomplishments that have never happened in the history of this team, but unfortunately for them I feel like their previous quarterback is going to walk into this stadium and rip their hearts out.

Rams over Lions 27-24

Philadelphia Eagles Vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers

I can’t believe what I’ve been watching from the Eagles the last month or so. This team started the season off 10-1 and looked to be headed back to the Super Bowl and then after the 49ers loss, they have turned into a team that doesn’t even look like they want to be on the field. The defense has been terrible, the offense can’t get going, and the turnovers have been a problem. The Bucs have been up and down all season and haven’t had much of an identity, but I trust this team way more than I do the Eagles at this point of the season. The Eagles haven’t played with heart in weeks and last weeks was game was a joke! They also suffered a few injuries that don’t help. The Bucs have had their moments this season and on defense they’re pretty damn good. Mike Evans is going to be a problem for this secondary and I have a feeling he could end up having a big game because of that. Baker Mayfield plays with no fucks and really doesn’t have anything to lose at this point in his career so I have a feeling he’s going to play like that in this game and make some big plays. The Eagles look like they can’t wait for the season to end and I have a feeling that will not only be on display in this one, but their wish will be coming true sooner than expected.

Buccaneers over Eagles 17-10

 

AFC

Cleveland Browns Vs Houston Texans

When the season began absolutely none of us could have predicted that not only would the Browns make the playoffs, but their starting quarterback would be Joe Flacco! The Browns have battled through injuries all season long and the quarterback position has been the leader of the pack with the injuries. Flacco was on the couch playing housewife when the Browns needed their fourth starting quarterback of the season. Well, Flacco came right in from playing Mr. Mom to taking us back to playoff Flacco! The dude has been money since he took over at starting quarterback and has really lit a fire in this offense. Defensively, the Browns are stacked and have carried this team throughout the season. The Texans have had a historic turnaround led by the rookie phenom C.J. Stroud. He has been so much fun to watch and has given the Texans some high hopes for the future. Even though he has had some amazing games this season, there have been some down moments and I feel like this game will be one of them. The Browns defense has been a nightmare for quarterbacks led by Myles Garrett who is so strong you need multiple guys to block him. I believe the edge in this matchup will be the Browns defense coupled with the playoff experience of Flacco on the offensive side of the ball will be too much for the Texans overcome in the end.

Browns over Texans 24-20

Miami Dolphins Vs Kansas City Chiefs

For the majority of the regular season I was writing off all of the Chiefs numerous mistakes and just shrugging my shoulders with the mindset of they’re still the Super Bowl champs they will step it up at some point. Well, for the last month I have officially given up on the Chiefs. This team is garbage. They lead the league in dropped passes, they are terrible in the redzone, turnovers are a problem, and they can no longer score in a matter of seconds. There is nothing special about this team and I have felt, lately, that this team will be one and done in the playoffs. While the Dolphins have their issues and usually don’t play well against good teams, this Chiefs team is not good. If the Dolphins just stick to the game plan on offense they shouldn’t have a problem getting this win. The Chiefs will have no answer on offense if things start getting out of hand with the way Miami has been able to score this season. This Chiefs team has no spark and I feel like they will continue to get in their own way in this one and the Dolphins will be able to take advantage of that and get some quick scores.

Dolphins over Chiefs 28-23

Pittsburgh Steelers Vs Buffalo Bills

Out of every team that ended up making the playoffs, the Steelers are by far the biggest surprise. This team does not belong here at all, but they managed to put it together at the right time, and had some help with a few teams choking towards the end of the regular season. Offensively, the Steelers are trash, but the defense has been what has kept them in many games throughout the season. T.J. Watt has made the biggest impact and, unfortunately, he will not be playing in this game. The Bills, on the other hand, have been one of the hottest teams heading into the playoffs and won their division on the last game of the season. Now that the Bills have started leaning on the ground attack, it has taken a lot of pressure off of Josh Allen to have to be the leading rusher on the team and he can save his running for more critical moments in the game. Without T.J. Watt I feel like this game is going to get out of hand really quick for the Steelers because outside of Watt, they don’t have a game changer like him. The Bills defense should dominate and cause a few turnovers and I don’t believe this game will be close at any point, other than the coin toss.

Bills over Steelers 30-17