Wild card weekend did not disappoint for the first three games as the Rams-Panthers, Packers-Bears, Bills-Jaguars, and 49ers-Eagles all delivered one score games coming down to the final possession. The divisional round is now set with the Bills-Broncos and 49ers-Seahawks playing on Saturday. On Sunday, the Texans-Patriots and Rams-Bears will play for their opportunity to go to their respective conference championships.
Wild Card Round: 5-1
Divisional Round Matchups & Predictions
(Saturday) Buffalo
Bills @ Denver Broncos, 4:30 PM EST
Analysis: Buffalo’s advantage going into this game is that they had the ability to play on wild card weekend to get their “playoff mojo” going. Denver meanwhile has been resting and will need to come off the “bye” ready to counter Buffalo’s rushing attack and the mobility of Josh Allen.
If Denver wants to advance to the AFC Championship, their defense needs to propel them there. Josh Allen has been suffocated by good to great defenses like New England, Houston, Philadelphia, and Atlanta. Denver must be relentless against Allen.
X-Factor: Josh Allen
Pick: Bills win 27-23
(Saturday) San Francisco 49ers @ Seattle Seahawks, 8:00 PM EST
Analysis: Expect another physical game from these two teams that just saw each other in Week 18. Seattle won but that was without Trent Williams at left tackle. That should give Brock Purdy more time. Shanahan will also reconstruct the game plan since they were held to 3 points. But, Mike Macdonald’s defense is no joke and this will be a tough test without George Kittle. Although Jake Tongues has proven to be a quality backup in his absence.
X-Factor: Kyle Shanahan vs. Mike Macdonald
Pick: Seahawks win 20-17
Houston Texans @ New England Patriots, 3:00 PM EST
Analysis: If the Patriots win this game it’s because they exploited the Texans run defense. I have a hard time seeing Drake Maye beat this defense through the air. Houston’s defense has been tough to solve by offensive coordinators all year.
On the other side, CJ Stroud and the Houston offense must find a way to score 20 points. If they get 20, they win. If not, they lose.
X-Factor: CJ Stroud
Pick: Patriots win 17-13
Los Angeles Rams @ Chicago Bears, 3:00 PM EST
Analysis: Los Angeles won an ugly game in Carolina to get to the divisional round. Chicago advanced via a furious comeback (again) in the 4th quarter against Green Bay. The worry here for LA is that the defense has not been what it was in the first half of the year. They must keep Caleb Williams in the pocket and force him to win via making his reads from there. Letting him escape the pocket is asking for a Green Bay-esque meltdown. In addition, the defense must take away the run game of DeAndre Swift and Kyle Monangai.
Then it’s up to Matthew Stafford to be the guy he is in big moments and in big games…
X-Factor: Rams defensive line & edge rushers
Pick: Rams win 34-31
Who advances to the AFC and NFC Championship games? Name your picks in the chat below.
