The wild card round of the NFL playoffs begin on Saturday (two games) and continue Sunday (three games) and the Monday night game will be in Tampa Bay between the Buccaneers and Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles topped the Buccaneers in Tampa Bay, 25-11 back in September when they got off to a 5-0 start.
On Saturday, the Cleveland Browns take on the Houston Texans in Houston and the "prime time" evening game will be in Kansas City between the Chiefs and the Miami Dolphins. Both of these game are re-matches between the teams. The Browns beat the Texans, 36-22 three weeks ago while the Chiefs won a tight one (21-14) over in Germany back in early November.
The three Sunday games feature the Buffalo Bills hosting the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first game. The Dallas Cowboys host the Green Bay Packers and in Sunday night in Detroit, the Lions host the Los Angeles Rams, winners of four straight games and seven of eight heading into the playoffs. None of these teams faced each other this past season.
Here's a capsule style breakdown of the six playoff games and the Heftyinfo picks follow up.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 13
Cleveland Browns (11-6) at Houston Texans (10-7) - The Browns already beat the Texans, but that was without C.J. Stroud at quarterback. Browns QB Joe Flacco has been riding high since coming on the scene late in the regular season. Browns should win again in a much closer game this time.
Miami Dolphins (11-6) at Kansas City Chiefs (11-6) - The weather could be a big factor in K.C. on Saturday night as it could be well below zero with the wind chill factor. Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa has a history of not playing well in very cold weather. Meanwhile, the Chiefs are coming off a so-so season (by their standards) and have a point to prove to both themselves and all the naysayers who claim they are done.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 14
Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7) at Buffalo Bills (11-6) - The Bills have been on a big time roll since they dropped to a 6-6 record back in early December. Can the Steelers continue their run with Mason Rudolph at quarterback? The key to this game will be which team takes care of the football better, but the Bills should move on to the divisional round. (Note - As of January 13, the game was moved from Sunday to Monday afternoon because of severe winter weather)
Green Bay Packers (9-8) at Dallas Cowboys (12-5) - The Cowboys have been unbeatable at home and that should remain the same this weekend against the Packers. But Green Bay has been playing well, especially on offense as QB Jordan Love finally figured things out in the second half of the season. But take the Cowboys and their high powered offense in this game.
Los Angeles Rams (10-7) at Detroit Lions (12-5) - This could be the most interesting game this weekend in Detroit as both quarterbacks face their former teams in a high leverage situation. Rams QB Matthew Stafford (who has a Super Bowl ring) returns to try and take out his former team in the playoffs. Meanwhile, Detroit QB Jared Goff wants to prove the doubters wrong as the Lions look to win their first playoff game since the 1991 season playoffs.
MONDAY NIGHT GAME
Philadelphia Eagles (11-6) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-8) - Someone has to win this game . . . The Eagles have been their own worst enemies in recent weeks, dropping five of the final six games after a torrid 10-1 start this season. The Bucs held off the New Orleans Saints to win the NFC South division and are looking to prove there is indeed life after Tom Brady for their team. Can QB Baker Mayfield and company deliver against the struggling Eagles? Look for this one to possibly go down to the wire.
The Heftyinfo picks for the Wild Card playoff games . . . . . . . (Home teams are listed in bold)
Cleveland over Houston
Kansas City over Miami
Buffalo over Pittsburgh
Dallas over Green Bay
Detroit over L.A. Rams
Philadelphia over Tampa Bay
Last Week's Record - 12-4
FINAL SEASON RECORD - 178-94
Lock of the Week Record - 14-4
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