NFL: Wild Card Weekend
The NFL regular season has wrapped up, and Wild Card weekend is now upon us. Below is a preview of the four matchups that will take place tomorrow. However, before we get to the playoffs, check out how we did on our Preseason Division Predictions.
AFC Wild Card: No. 5 Oakland Raiders (12-4) at No. 4 Houston Texans (9-7)
Post: If this game were played before Christmas, I would take the Oakland Raiders with zero hesitation, but now that Derek Carr is injured and Connor Cook will be the starter, Lamar Miller and Houston's defense will be the difference in a Texans victory.
Final Score: Oakland 13, Houston 20.
Player of the Game: Lamar Miller (RB).
Henderson: In what will be a battle of backup QB’s, Brock Osweiler will be back starting for the Texans while Connor Cook will make NFL History by making his first start in a playoff game for the Raiders. Last week the Raiders looked uninspired against the Broncos and they ended up getting blown out in Denver, dropping to the No. 5 seed. I think Houston has to be the pick here. The Texans have actually won seven games in spite of Brock Osweiler, and their defense should shut down this Raiders offense.
Final Score: Oakland 3, Houston 10.
Player of the Game: Lamar Miller (RB).
AFC Wild Card: No. 6 Miami Dolphins (10-6) at No. 3 Pittsburgh Steelers (11-5)
Post: It's been a great season for Jay Ajayi and the upstart Miami Dolphins, but they don't stand a chance going into Pittsburgh and winning. The Steelers have too much talent with Le'veon Bell, Antonio Brown, Ben Roethlisberger, and an experienced defense, to go along with having home-field advantage.
Final Score: Miami 20, Pittsburgh 34.
Player of the Game: Ben Roethlisberger (QB).
Henderson: This is another game which features a backup QB, as Ryan Tannehill will not be able to go with a torn ACL. Matt Moore will get the start for the Dolphins, which will really hurt them. If the Steelers can put up 24+ points, they should be able to win this one going away.
Final Score: Miami 17, Pittsburgh 31.
Player of the Game: Ben Roethlisberger (QB).
NFC Wild Card: No. 6 Detroit Lions (9-7) at No. 3 Seattle Seahawks (10-5-1)
Post: Detroit had three straight weeks in which there was a chance to clinch the division, and lost all three games (granted it was against three playoff teams). Even though Seattle has struggled on offense in half of their games this season, Russell Wilson is one of the best playmakers in the league and will lead his team to yet another playoff win. I expect Detroit to keep it close for awhile, as they did against New York, Dallas, and Green Bay, but to falter late in the second half.
Final Score: Detroit 20, Seattle 28.
Player of the Game: Russell Wilson (QB).
Henderson: Both of these teams have really backed into the playoffs, as the Seahawks lost at home to the Cardinals while struggling to put away the 49ers the past couple weeks. Meanwhile, the Lions have played playoff teams the last three weeks, and each time they have been beaten miserably, only getting into the playoffs because of some help from the Giants. This game will be low scoring because neither offense is that good, but the Seahawks should likely prevail despite not having Earl Thomas.
Final Score: Detroit 10, Seattle 16.
Player of the Game: Kam Chancellor (SS).
NFC Wild Card: No. 5 New York Giants (11-5) at No. 4 Green Bay Packers (10-6)
Post: New York has a top tier defense which gives them a chance to contain a scorching Green Bay offense, but I don't think Eli Manning, Odell Beckham Jr., and Co. will be able to score enough to win this game. Aaron Rodgers and the Packers will eventually break through and advance by double-digits. Rodgers, even with a struggling offensive line and running game, has been able to create plays and find the likes of Jordy Nelson and Davante Adams. I see him continuing that trend against the Giants.
Final Score: New York 14, Green Bay 27.
Player of the Game: Aaron Rodgers (QB).
Henderson: In what will likely be the game of the week, the winner of this game is likely going to the Super Bowl because both of these teams are red hot right now. The Giants knocked the Redskins out of the playoffs last week, and their defense is legit, however their offense is still below average. Meanwhile the Packers have run the table since starting the season 4-6, and Aaron Rodgers hasn’t thrown an interception in this run. However, I’ve got to go with my preseason Super Bowl pick, the Giants in this one. Aaron Rodgers hasn’t faced a defense like the Giants during Green Bay’s 6-game win streak, and Seattle without Earl Thomas simply isn’t an elite defense. New York’s offense should find some success with the injuries Green Bay has suffered at cornerback, and if Odell Beckham Jr. can get the ball in space, watch out Packers.
Final Score: New York 20, Green Bay 13.
Player of the Game: Odell Beckham Jr (WR).
Photo Credit: Bleacher Report.
