NFL: A Super Wildcard Weekend Predictions
Outside of Sunday night’s abomination, Week 17 did not disappoint NFL fans. The ever-changing playoff picture is finally locked into place, and the two-day period dubbed “Super Wildcard Weekend” is set to begin. Three games Saturday, three more Sunday; let’s get to predicting.
Indianapolis (11-5) at Buffalo (13-3), Saturday, 1:05pm
Prediction: 23-20, Buffalo
After Jonathan Taylor’s 253-yard explosion on Sunday, I came THIS close to flipping my pick to the Colts. Then I remembered what had just taken place in Buffalo. With the AFC’s #2 seed on the line, the Bills dropped an astonishing 56 points on a team that needed to win to make the playoffs! Allow me to rephrase: The Bills faced maybe the hungriest team in the league and put up nearly 60 points. While rushing offense does matter a lot more in the postseason, Buffalo has dominated in harsh New York weather all year without a strong ground game. I’ll take my chances on Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs over the Colts 20th ranked pass defense.
LA Rams (10-6) at Seattle (12-4), Saturday 4:40p
Prediction: 19-14, Seattle
With their playoff hopes hanging in the balance, John Wolford’s Rams pulled out an inspired win over the Kyler Murray/Chris Streveler-led Cardinals. They’ll be rewarded with a playoff game against another division rival. Although Seattle has been far from the dominant unit we watched over the first part of the season, they may be an even tougher out thanks to their incredible defensive improvement. Spearheaded by offseason acquisition Jamal Adams, Seattle’s much-maligned defense has allowed just 14.0 PPG over the last six contests. With Jared Goff’s status uncertain, Seattle will likely be able to pull out a victory without lighting up the scoreboard.
Tampa Bay (11-5) at Washington (7-9), Saturday 8:15pm
Prediction: 24-13, Tampa Bay
Two things of note:
1. The WFT is the third team in NFL history (16 game seasons) to qualify for the playoffs despite having a losing record. The first two (‘11 Seahawks, ‘14 Panthers) both WON a playoff game.
2. Boasting a dominant defensive line and a game-managed offense with a strong run game, the Washington Football team is exactly the type of team that Tom Brady is known to struggle with.
Both of those things being said, I have learned several times over to never bet against Thomas Edward Patrick Brady Jr. His season touchdown total exceeds his age (he’s 43!) and the Bucs continue to look more dominant every week they’re together. On the other hand, the WFT couldn’t put away a team that was openly tanking. I’ll roll with TB.
Baltimore (11-5) at Tennessee (11-5), Sunday 1:05pm
Prediction: 31-24, Baltimore
In a rematch of last year’s divisional round, Lamar Jackson is tasked with getting his first playoff victory as an NFL quarterback. There are no more excuses for the 2019 NFL MVP. The Titans defense is bad. There is no other way to put it. They allow over 27 PPG and nearly 280 passing YPG. They also give up 121 YPG on the ground. The Ravens, fresh off of a 400-yard rushing performance, must take advantage. Play ball control, and do not let Derrick Henry have it as easy as he did last year (Warning: easier said than done). With the aforementioned Henry looking even better than he did at this point last year, we may be looking at a game similar to Baltimore’s MNF rushing duel with Cleveland. Sign me up.
Chicago (8-8) at New Orleans (12-4), Sunday 4:40pm
Prediction: 27-10, New Orleans
Even after getting mistreated in a “win and in” game, the Bears still qualified for the postseason by virtue of a Cardinals loss. Their stay isn’t set to last long. Mitch Trubisky put up one of his more impressive performances of the season on Sunday… and Chicago scored just 16. Bears coaches seemed afraid to let the fourth-year man throw a ball further than five yards. Chicago’s offense is fully reliant on second-year tailback David Montgomery, but he isn’t a reliable option against a Saints defense that has allowed just two 100-yard rushers since November of 2017. The Saints annual playoff meltdown will come soon, but it definitely won’t be this week.
Cleveland (11-5) at Pittsburgh (12-4), Sunday 8:15pm
Prediction: 23-16, Pittsburgh
There is nothing that can convince me that the Steelers did not try and lose last week’s game. I truly believe they benched some of their starters to ensure that they faced Cleveland in the first round. Remember, Pittsburgh could’ve gone for the two seed if they wanted to. I badly wanted to pick the Browns in this one, but coming off two games where they lost to the Jets and then were nearly knocked off by the Steelers reserves, how can I envision them beating the Steelers starters? Baker Mayfield is too random from week-to-week, and even though the Browns elite RB duo will get theirs, it ultimately won’t be enough. Also, I’m sure Pittsburgh would love to avoid getting bounced first round after starting 11-0. Cue the TikTok memes.
Writer
-By: Micah Jimoh