We are here and I couldn’t be more excited for the playoffs. There were plenty of wild finishes including the Jaguars upset loss to the vengeful Titans that opened up the final spot for Pittsburgh (by miracles above) to lock up, help Buffalo clinch the last playoff spot, and give the AFC South title to the Texans instead. The Bills turned around a 6-6 record to cap off the last five wins, including a big one at Miami to protect their division title from the Fins. The NFC South title went to the Bucs which resulted in the Falcons’ elimination. Then the final seeding went to Green Bay after a four-way battle with Seattle, New Orleans, and Minnesota.
And to add a small note, the coaching fires and retires definitely hit home from this whole thing, but I might discuss my experience with the “Three Old Men” of coaches on a separate post someday, but not right now. It’s a lot to process and I still have posts to put out for the playoffs.
Before the playoffs commence on Saturday, I want to run down some info for the wild card matchups.
UPCOMING MATCHUPS
6) #7 STEELERS VS. #2 BILLS
TJ WATT-LESS DEFENSE VS. THE MADDEN CURSE
Not the most interesting matchup, but it all depends on how a fan looks at it. It seems one-sided because the Bills look more established than the Steelers. However, I said this about 1,000 times this season, and I will say this again. The Madden curse still exists, it’s expected to be a windy weekend, and Josh Allen’s well-known for self-inflicting mistakes. If Allen has any, the game could be much closer despite TJ Watt being out. More interestingly, the Bills’ run defense isn’t that great, and Pittsburgh will utilize Jaylen Warren and Najee Harris as much as possible. Pittsburgh doesn’t succeed that well without TJ Watt’s presence which may affect their production. How this matchup’s not on Peacock is beyond me, but maybe the NFL knows something we don’t? Guess we’ll find out.
5) #7 PACKERS VS. #2 COWBOYS
THE MIKE MCCARTHY BOWL PART 2
It technically wouldn’t be a playoff if the Packers and Cowboys don’t meet, right? Dallas must play their A-game because they lost nine of their last 10 meetings against Green Bay since 2009. However, Dallas may have the biggest break of their life. Why? No Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers owns the record at 8-3. But ever since Dak Prescott came onto the scene, the tide changed, and three of the last five meetings were decided by four points or less. Dak’s 0-3 in those situations and 1-4 overall against Green Bay. I have a feeling that 4-game losing streak ends this weekend and Mike McCarthy nets his first win against his old team.
4) #5 EAGLES VS. #4 BUCCANEERS
WEEK 3 MONDAY NIGHT REMATCH
Both teams met up for three straight seasons which Tampa owns a 2-1 record. This is the sixth time they meet in the playoffs, but it’s their fourth time against each other in the wild card. Back in Week 3, Philly handled their business at Tampa Bay. At that time, Philly was still intimidating coming off a Super Bowl, and running them to the ground with Swift, Gainwell, and Hurts while AJ Brown carved Tampa’s pass defense. This is a different story with a much closer result. Philly lost five of their last six games while Tampa won five of their last six. Baker seems really connected with his offense despite his rib and lower body injury. What happened in the last two weeks should be swept under since they played their divisional opponents. Philly’s defense struggled, and the offense is ebb-and-flow with AJ Brown hurt and Hurts suffered a serious finger injury. Tampa’s offense and Philly’s defense will be the focal point while the other side is likely a slugfest. Be ready for a mid- to low-scoring game depending on the health of key players.
3) #6 DOLPHINS VS. #3 CHIEFS
THE TYREEK HILL GAME PART 2
Whether Tyreek Hill is welcomed back or booed, he returns to Kansas City since leaving for Miami. He’s up against the Chiefs defense again after limiting him to just eight catches for 62 yards (and 3 rush yards). However, K.C.’s defense has their hands full with De’Von Achane’s presence after being inactive in the last meeting. K.C.’s the only team to not allow 30 points all season, so all hands are on deck for sure. As for the Chiefs offense, the ball goes through Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and Isiah Pacheco, but who else is trustworthy? Rashee Rice gained plenty of attention and Justin Watson is ok, but who comes up clutch in crucial situations? Miami looked improved on defense for a bit, but recent injuries bombarded their depth chart. Pass rusher Andrew Van Ginkel, Bradley Chubb, Jerome Baker, backup Cameron Goode, and Xavien Howard are all out. Depth could determine if they can handle Mahomes, Pacheco, and Kelce for four quarters.
2) #5 BROWNS VS. #4 TEXANS
THE WHAT COULD’VE BEEN THE DESHAUN WATSON BOWL
This should be a must-see for one of the oldest QBs in the league facing one of the youngest QBs in the league. The Texans look confident and ready to take the world by storm as long as CJ Stroud’s leading them. The Browns are the most resilient team in the league, overcoming the most injuries of any team in the league. No matter the adversity, Cleveland won enough games to clinch their first playoff berth since 2020. We expect a mid-to-high scoring, and it likely comes down to the last possession of the game. However, Cleveland should do their damnest not to put the ball in Stroud’s hand for the final drive or Myles Garrett must turn up his motor to overpower drive!
1) #6 RAMS VS. #3 LIONS
THE BATTLE OF THE QB TRADE
The dream matchup we all want to see. Yes, the Renewed Rams versus the Brand-New Lions in the “Battle of the QB Trade” Part 2. They met two seasons ago after the trade took place in that offseason. That year, the Rams won the Super Bowl thanks to Matt Stafford and Aaron Donald. However, the Lions took Jared Goff and a few Lions vets to build more pieces to the team that’s now a dangerous problem to any team overlooking them. Both teams have the weapons to take the top off defenses, and it’s looking like a potential high-scoring affair. In retrospect, both teams are capable of keeping the score to a premium of 20s each. Whatever the result is, we’re expecting plenty of excitement when you have Sean McVay and Dan Campbell on opposite sidelines in the same building.
UPSET ALERT
#5 PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
Not the best way to appear in the wild card this weekend. Their defense fell apart, and the offense is slowly showing some wear. Tampa Bay faced them on Monday Night Football back in Week 3 and knows them enough to compete an end Nick Sirianni’s run. If Philly doesn’t recuperate by Monday, their run is over.
#5 CLEVELAND BROWNS
The Browns may have taken care of business against Houston the first time around, but prolific rookie quarterback CJ Stroud wasn’t active. With him, rookie linebacker Will Anderson and the rest of the healthy core in full force, the Browns defense and defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz have their hands full. What no one’s aware of is that their defense is subpar on the road (29.6 points allowed per game) compared to home (13.9 points allowed per game). Don’t forget that Cleveland’s been bombarded by injuries across the depth chart. There’s still key players, starters, and Joe Flacco, but can they handle 60 minutes of electricity that Houston will dish out???
#3 DETROIT LIONS
Detroit had a very successful regular season, but it’s time to wake up for the postseason. MCDC’s well aware but how prepared is he for postseason football? He knew what the challenge was after the first two seasons against the 49ers, the Eagles, the Cowboys, the Dolphins, the Bills, the Chiefs, the Rams the first time around, and the Ravens. The real test is against the Rams again in three seasons since the Jared Goff/Matt Stafford trade. Detroit’s up against a renewed and recovered Rams team that’s not afraid of tough competition. With Sean McVay’s confident group, this could be a long 60 minutes for Detroit.
#2 BUFFALO BILLS
I must mention them because the Madden Curse is still alive and well. The Bills overcame a rough start and won the division with the Hard Knocks and Chase Claypool curse trumping it. Pittsburgh is without TJ Watt, but Josh Allen’s prone to turnovers and Pittsburgh needs the pass rush to create it. Not saying the Steelers will win, but a certain Steeler co-worker of mine was absent for three straight weeks creating Pittsburgh’s 3-0 run to the playoffs. He’s not here again, so anything’s possible.
WHO ADVANCES
#4 HOUSTON TEXANS
Joe Flacco’s 7-2 all-time against the Texans as a Brown and Raven (which technically was a Brown if we all just think about this carefully). They’re also 10-0 against the AFC South since 2020 and 4-0 against Houston during that span. It’s probably a different story because CJ Stroud’s active against the Browns after missing that game with a concussion. Honestly, I had the Browns for a few days, but the injuries and a questionable road defense forced me to change my pick. Houston won’t allow Cooper to have a 250 receiving yard day again, and CJ Stroud will make sure they won’t win in their house twice in one season.
#3 KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
The Chiefs faced Miami and held off their comeback. The game should have a similar result, but Kansas City’s defense plays a bigger part than the last meeting. Miami may have Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, De’Von Achane, and maybe Raheem Mostert in their arsenal, but the team’s too beat up and could likely come up short in their second straight wild card appearance under Mike McDaniel.
#2 BUFFALO BILLS
Despite the Madden curse, I think the Bills should handle their business against Pittsburgh. While Pittsburgh finally found a formula to success, I have yet to believe they can go on a surprising run unless they run into Baltimore and Cleveland. Mason Rudolph did well for three weeks, but he has a tough task against Buffalo’s resilient defense. Also, they’re without TJ Watt. We all know how that goes without him.
#2 DALLAS COWBOYS
The Packers played hot the past few weeks, but Dallas is the better team. Aaron Rodgers’ presence would’ve been the difference, but he’s not there and this is a youthful team. Unless Green Bay plays their A-game on all sides, mistakes will happen and Dallas will make them pay.
#6 LOS ANGELES RAMS
Yes, this is the Brand-New Lions, and I’m well aware of MC DC’s success with the offense and the pass rushing defense, led by Aidan Hutchinson. But it’s hard to root against a resurging Rams team that improved since the bye week.
#4 TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
It’s hard to believe, huh? Me choosing Tampa over Philly? But I watched the Week 3 highlights. Philly did well, forced turnovers, and capitalized on time of possession against Tampa’s defense. Tampa had opportunities, but Baker wasn’t fully clicking with the offense yet and Rachaad White didn’t become a factor until later on. Tampa, to an extent, is now clicking together as a whole while Philly’s offense looks anything but consistent and creative with injuries while their defense has continued their decline whether it’s injuries or inconsistencies. The results likely flip in Tampa’s favor with their defense playing a major factor.
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