We've reached Wild Card weekend in the NFL, and it's an interesting one to say the least. Three of the four AFC teams playing this week are doing so with their backup quarterback, and very few people (if anyone) will give the winners much of a chance next week. With the Dolphins, Steelers and Raiders all playing, t's also a bit of a throwback to the 70s/80s. Once upon a time, these three teams won 12 of 14 AFC championships and eight Super Bowls from 1971-84.
Meanwhile, I don't think anyone would be surprised to see any of the four NFC teams running the table and playing in Houston on February 5. Three of the four starting quarterbacks have won the Super Bowl, and the Giants and Packers both made title runs after winning three road games. None of them are worried about the prospect of playing that extra game.
Raiders (12-4) at Texans (9-7): Houston-The difference between first place and second place was bigger in the AFC West than any other division. One home game and possibly a second to get to the Super Bowl vs. potentially three on the road. The Raiders had such a great year. But they're not going to win three road games. Wouldn't have happened with Derek Carr, and definitely won't with Connor Cook. Which means this will likely be the Raiders' only trip to Houston this postseason.
This is definitely a winnable game for Oakland, though. Problem is, it's also the best possible matchup for Houston. This is what the Texans signed Brock Osweiler for. Yes, he was terrible during the season and got benched in favor of Tom Savage. But with Savage out, it's Osweiler making the wild card start (which is what the Texans were expecting all along anyway). If he doesn't screw it up for them, the Texans defense can make the big plays against that Raiders offense that has definitely not been anywhere near as dynamic since Carr went down. And after last year's 30-0 embarrassment at the hands of the Chiefs, you know the Texans are eager to redeem themselves. I think they will in a low-scoring, defensive battle.
Lions (9-7) at Seahawks (10-5-1): Seattle-I was so happy that Washington lost last week. Not just because it knocked the Redskins out of the playoffs, but more because the Lions didn't deserve to not be in. However, that three-game losing streak to end the season (which, in fairness, was against the Giants, Cowboys and Packers) dropped them to a wild card, for which their reward is a cross-country trip to face the Seahawks. And we all know how good Seattle is at home.
Needless to say, this is a tough assignment for Stafford and Co. Playing the Giants at home would've been tough, but this one is even tougher. Because they have to deal with both that Seahawks defense and Russell Wilson. Not to mention Seattle's postseason experience. For the most part, this is the same team that has won six games over the last three postseasons and is looking to get to its third Super Bowl in four years. It's gonna be a long night for the Lions.
Dolphins (10-6) at Steelers (11-5): Pittsburgh-When these two met in Week 6, the Dolphins totally crushed the Steelers. That started Miami's crazy winning streak that got them into the playoffs. It was also during the middle of the Steelers' standard midseason stretch where they aren't any good. A lot has changed since then. Mainly, Pittsburgh went back to being the Steelers and Miami lost Ryan Tannehill.
Of the four games this weekend, I think this one probably has the biggest favorite. The Steelers are the only AFC team playing on Wild Card Weekend that has any chance of making it to the Super Bowl. They've got the Three B's, who all got a needed rest last week (when they almost lost to the Browns). Miami's just reaching the playoffs is a tremendous story, and I think this could be the start of something for the Dolphins. It would be a surprise to see them play the Patriots next week, though. Because the Steelers have been firing on all cylinders for the last couple weeks.
Giants (11-5) at Packers (10-6): Giants-Without question, this is the best game of Wild Card Weekend. So it's fitting that it's a veritable tossup. You've got the hottest team in football in the Packers against a Giants team that's making its first postseason appearance in five years. But, Eli Manning knows how to win on the road in the playoffs better than any other quarterback still playing. And when the Giants make the playoffs, they win the Super Bowl.
Both Giants title runs under Manning included a victory at Lambeau before the Super Bowl win over the Patriots. Yes, this is a different team than those two Tom Coughlin took into Green Bay. But it's a very similar one. Eli Manning and a championship-caliber defense. The Giants defense against Aaron Rodgers, who's been playing out-of-his-mind since Thanksgiving. Can they shut him down the way they did the Dallas offense twice? The way they couldn't when they met in the regular season? If not, the Packers will continue their roll. All of the pressure's on Green Bay, though. And I think the Giants defense will step up to win another classic playoff game between these two at Lambeau.
Last Week: 11-5
Overall: 167-87-2
No comments:
Post a Comment