Well, we've reached the playoffs. And if you told me back in September that these would be the eight teams playing this weekend, I wouldn't have believed you. It's not just who's missing from the postseason (the Packers, the Seahawks) or that eight of the 12 teams (the most since 1990) are new to the field. It's the complete randomness of some of them. I mean, seriously, who had a Bills-Jaguars playoff game anywhere on their radar when the season began!?
But that's the beauty of the NFL. Other than penciling in the Patriots for a bye every year, you really have no idea who's going to be good. As a result, we've got a wide open playoff field. Especially in the NFC, where it really looks like it's anybody's game. I think New England is actually vulnerable, too. Pittsburgh had that first game and is chomping at the bit for a rematch in the AFC Championship Game.
Before going into my picks for wild card weekend, I think it's only fair to reveal my Super Bowl pick. And it's Steelers-Vikings. Pittsburgh wants that rematch because they know they can beat New England. Even in Foxboro. As for Minnesota, their goal is to not leave their home stadium until their first preseason road game. Seeing as they're the best team in the NFC and the Eagles look shaky, I think that's exactly what'll happen. The Vikings become the first team to play a home Super Bowl, which they use to their fullest advantage against the Steelers.
Minnesota, theoretically, just needs to win three home games in order to be Super Bowl champions. Chalk me up as someone who thinks that can happen. I'm going to say it. The Vikings don't just play in the Super Bowl at home. They win it at home.
As for what's going to happen in the wild card games...
Titans (9-7) at Chiefs (10-6): Kansas City-Kansas City had that little hiccup in the middle of the season, but rebounded to win its last four and defend its AFC West crown. The Titans, meanwhile, got it done in Jacksonville last week to clinch their first playoff spot in a decade. And of all the newcomers, Tennessee is probably the least unlikely. They were actually a popular playoff pick at the start of the season.
However, Tennessee faces a tall task in Kansas City. The Chiefs have definitely gotten their mojo back, and they're in the playoffs for the third straight year, so you know that won't be a factor. Most of all, though, I'm not sure the Titans can score enough against the Chiefs defense. Marcus Mariota's gonna need to have the game of his life, and it still might not be enough. The Chiefs of the last month look like the Chiefs of the beginning of the season, when they were arguably the best team in football.
Falcons (10-6) at Rams (11-5): Rams-The defending NFC champion Falcons are the only repeat playoff team in the NFC. And it's not totally unreasonable to think that they could make a return trip to the Super Bowl. Although, they're going up against that high-flying Rams offense with all of its All-Pros. Who knows? Maybe they'll actually be able to fill up the Coliseum this time, too.
There were questions about the Rams and their staying power all year, but I think they answered all of their doubters by ending up 11-5 and winning the division. It's their first playoff appearance since 2004, and their first as the LA Rams in 30 years. Or, when Head Coach Sean McVay was a 1-year-old. This Rams team is too young, too good and too oblivious to care about that, though. If this game was in Atlanta, I might be inclined to pick the Falcons. But I like the Rams. I don't think Atlanta will be able to score enough to keep up with them.
Bills (9-7) at Jaguars (10-6): Jacksonville-Of the four matchups this weekend, this one is by far the most surprising. The Jaguars have gone from laughingstock to AFC South champs (although, those helmets are still the source of justified ridicule). The Bills, meanwhile, ran the gamut of emotions on Sunday. They did what they had to do, saw the Bengals were winning, then saw the Ravens take the lead, then Cincinnati won it and ended Buffalo's 17-year playoff drought.
To put that in perspective, when I moved to Buffalo as a freshman in college, their first game that season was a Sunday Night Football playoff rematch against the Titans. That was the first season of the drought. I lived in Buffalo for six years, and the Bills didn't make the playoffs. It's been 11 years since I lived there, and now they're finally back! As a quasi-adopted Buffalonian, their fans deserve it.
And here's the crazy thing about this game, it's the best matchup for both of them. The Bills would've gotten hammered if they played the Chiefs, while the Jaguars got swept by the Titans this season. As it is, either one can win this game. It's really a matter of whether or not the Bills are able to do anything against the Jacksonville defense. The Jaguars' offense doesn't really inspire me, but their defense is among the best in the game. And I think they'll ride that defense all the way to Pittsburgh.
Panthers (11-5) at Saints (11-5): New Orleans-We knew we were gonna get an NFC South division game in the wild card round, and I fully expect a typical NFC South shootout between the Panthers and Saints. This game is in New Orleans because the Saints won both regular season meetings, but what's that saying about beating the same team three times in one season?
I can see either of these teams beating the Eagles next week. But only one of them will have that opportunity. And, for some reason, I think that'll be New Orleans. The Saints have the edge. It's a very slight edge, but it's an edge nonetheless. Although, the real matchup in this game is the Saints' offense against the Panthers' defense. So, basically, it comes down to who has a better game between Drew Brees and Luke Kuechly. Brees knows this may be his last good chance at reaching another Super Bowl (the NFC South champion has been to the Super Bowl the last two years, remember). He'll make a big play late that proves to be the difference in a Saints win.
Last Week: 9-7
Regular Season: 161-95
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