NFL: Wild Card Predictions
No. 5 Los Angeles Chargers (12-4) @ No. 4 Baltimore Ravens (10-6): The Chargers are just a few weeks removed from being the top team in our rankings, but the reason they fell? The Ravens came into town and came away with a 22-10 win that kept them in the NFC North lead. QB Lamar Jackson, who is 6-1 as a starter, threw for 204 yards and one score on 54.5 percent passing. His touchdown went to TE Mark Andrews, also a rookie, who totaled 83 yards on just two catches. QB Philip Rivers, a potential MVP candidate, struggled mightily against a great Ravens defense, throwing for only 181 yards and two interceptions. The Chargers are the better and more talented team, but Baltimore has a historic defense and home field advantage. ESPN FPI gives Los Angeles a 50.8 percent chance to win.
Blake Stoll: Ravens.
Caleb Henderson: Ravens.
Charles Post: Chargers.
Chinedum Wejinya: Chargers.
Greg Schwochow: Ravens.
Max Heningburg: Chargers.
Tyler Taylor: Ravens.
Raven Martin: Chargers.
No. 6 Indianapolis Colts (10-6) @ No. 3 Houston Texans (11-5): The Colts and Texans met twice during the regular season, and split the meetings, with the road team winning each. In Week 4, Houston went to Indianapolis and won 37-34 in overtime to get their first win. Then they started rolling. QB Deshaun Watson had 375 yards and two touchdowns in that game. In Week 14, the Colts came away with a 24-21 victory behind 399 yards from QB Andrew Luck and an incredible 199 yards on nine catches by WR T.Y. Hilton. If there's anything these two matchups tell us, it's that this game should come down to the wire. According to Pick Center, the Texans are 1.5 point favorites. In a game like this, it might take the unexpected to win so keep an eye on RB Marlon Mack (973 yards) and TE Ryan Griffin (24 catches).
Blake Stoll: Texans.
Caleb Henderson: Colts.
Charles Post: Texans.
Chinedum Wejinya: Texans.
Greg Schwochow: Colts.
Max Heningburg: Texans.
Tyler Taylor: Texans.
Raven Martin: Texans.
No. 5 Seattle Seahawks (10-6) @ No. 4 Dallas Cowboys (10-6): The Cowboys are an impressive 7-1 on their home field, and the Seahawks have historically struggled on the road compared to home. If this game comes down to the wire, then it's pretty obvious who that favors. Seattle has QB Russell Wilson who is undoubtedly one of the most clutch players in the league and with him, no lead is safe. These two faced off in Seattle in Week 3, and the Seahawks were in control for most of the day. The jumped out to a 17-3 lead and finished with a 24-13 victory as Wilson compiled 192 yards and two touchdowns, while QB Dak Prescott threw two interceptions in the loss for the Cowboys. RB Ezekiel Elliot may end up being the difference. In their previous battle, he had 127 yards on 16 carries.
Blake Stoll: Cowboys.
Caleb Henderson: Seahawks.
Charles Post: Cowboys.
Chinedum Wejinya: Cowboys.
Greg Schwochow: Cowboys.
Max Heningburg: Cowboys.
Tyler Taylor: Cowboys.
Raven Martin: Cowboys.
No. 6 Philadelphia Eagles (9-7) @ No. 3 Chicago Bears (12-4): The Eagles are battle tested. We all know that. And they showed us last year that they can make a run in the playoffs despite QB Carson Wentz being out. Rinse and repeat? Not so fast. The Bears have one of the two best defenses in the league and will be trying to feast on QB Nick Foles all night. While Foles has been outstanding in the postseason, QB Mitchell Trubisky is making his playoff debut. If this game was in Philadelphia, there would be no doubt who we'd be picking, but Chicago is a tough place to play, and if Trubisky takes care of the ball, they should be able to win. RB Jordan Howard, who has 935 yards and nine scores, and TE Zach Ertz, with 1,163 yards, are a couple of x-factors that must come through for their team to advance.
Blake Stoll: Eagles.
Caleb Henderson: Eagles.
Charles Post: Bears.
Chinedum Wejinya: Eagles.
Greg Schwochow: Bears.
Max Heningburg: Bears.
Tyler Taylor: Bears.
Raven Martin: Eagles.
Photo Credit: Gambling Sites.
