We’ve finally arrived at Wild Card weekend and one of these remaining teams are going to win the Super Bowl. It’s been a strange, wild, and always entertaining season, and the Cowboys could win a Super Bowl – LOL. The Cowboys, Falcons, Patriots, and Chiefs all have a first-round bye.
Oakland Raiders (12-4) at Houston Texans (9-7)
The first game of Wild Card weekend is uh, alright. The consensus I’ve heard from football fans is that no one wants to actually watch this game. I feel like I have to watch it because I write about football and because it’s my duty as a die-hard NFL fan to watch a wild card game between two teams that have fizzled out at the wrong time. Somebody has to win this game and they’re going to get slaughtered in New England next week.
The Raiders lost Derek Carr to injury and the Texans lost Tom Savage, who took Osweiler’s job, to concussion. The Raiders offense looked terrible last week, unable to put up a touchdown. Not like it really matters, but the poor Raiders miracle season is looking like it’ll come to an end this weekend.
Winner: Houston
Detroit Lions (9-7) at Seattle Seahawks (10-5-1)
The Seahawks have been playing to their competition all year long, but it’s time for them to step up to the plate and play the kind of football they have been in the playoffs in years past. They’re at home, which is an advantage in itself. The Lions lost to the Packers in their final regular season game and lost out on the division. Matthew Stafford’s middle finger is still banged up and seems to be unable to maneuver the ball the way he wants to. Seattle is still missing Earl Thomas and that’s evident in the way their defense has been playing since they lost him a few weeks ago.
If the Seahawks defense can get in and disrupt Stafford and shut down Zenner, Russell Wilson will just have to play his brand of football and the Hawks will roll on to the divisional round.
Winner: Seahawks
Miami Dolphins (10-6) at Pittsburgh Steelers (11-5)
Ryan Tannehill is seemingly done for the year and the Steelers starters on offense rested last week. Big Ben, LeVeon Bell, and Antonio Brown all got some rest last week, so they’ll be ready to redeem themselves from the loss to Miami in October. It’s going to be a different game than the first time they met this season. Pittsburgh’s weather will likely also play a factor for the Dolphins, who rarely play in the cold. 19 and snow for Sunday’s game.
Winner: Steelers
New York Giants (11-5) at Green Bay Packers (10-6)
Packers beat the Giants once this year, in week 5. However, both teams have changed since then. The Giants defense was hurt in week 5 and those guys in the secondary are back and full strength. Those Giants have a great chance to eat up those Aaron Rodgers deep throws.
Packers have won 6-straight to win the division and host the Giants. Aaron Rodgers is red hot fire right now – dude will make plays out of nothing. The Giants have the Packers number, however, and have the best chance of any of the road teams to come out on top and make it to divisional weekend. If the Giants can contain Rodgers to the pocket and prevent him from rolling out and running around to make plays, they’ll be able to keep it close and pull off the upset.
At least Aaron can go home to this:
Winner: Giants