NFL Wild Card Weekend game predictions

Ah, Wild Card weekend. The most anticipated weekend of the year for football fans. Below I try to sift through the wildness to give my thoughts on the four exciting games to come today and tomorrow. Enjoy!

(6) Indianapolis Colts at (3) Houston Texans, Saturday, 4:35 p.m.

One of the more intruging match-ups of Wild Card weekend features two divisional opponents that are very familiar with one another. The teams split the regular season series, with the Texans prevailing on a game-winning field goal, 37-34, in week four, and the Colts besting the Texans in Houston in week-14, 27-24.

The focal point of this game will be in the trenches. Houston sits at 14th in the league in total sacks recorded with 43 in the regular season, while the Colts sit atop the league in sacks allowed, with only 18 sacks given up. On the flip side, The Colts took down the opposing team’s quarterback 38 times, which was good for 19th in the league, and Houston’s offensive line was ABYSMAL, as DeShaun Watson was sacked 62 times in the regular season, which ranked as the highest in the league.

DeAndre Hopkins will obviously play a large role in the Texans offense, as the veteran wideout finished top-five in the league in receptions (115), yards (1,572) and touchdowns (11). Hopkins hauled in 14 receptions for 205 yards and two touchdowns against the Colts this season, and I would expect Watson to throw his way early and often, somewhere between 10-15 targets for the game.

For the Colts, T.Y. Hilton and Eric Ebron are the obvious favorite targets for Andrew Luck. Containing Hilton has been a problem for Houston in their two previous contests, as Luck’s favorite weapon has posted two of his five 100-yard performances against the Texans. Hauling in 13 passes for 312 yards combined in two games. Eric Ebron is Luck’s go-to red zone target, as he caught 13 touchdown passes this season. Both those guys will have a target on their back from the Texans secondary, which means someone in the Colts WR room has to step up big to pull out the victory in enemy territory. That wide receiver could very well be Dontrelle Inman. In his last two games against the Giants and the Titans, Inman caught nine passes for 123 yards and two touchdowns. He also didn’t play in the two previous matchups in the regular season, so he serves as a possible X-factor tonight.

Prediction: 

Both teams have made a habit of winning ugly games this season, and ugly is exactly what this game will be. The Colts will send pressure all game, making Watson’s life hell in the pocket. The Texans will need a big game from Lamar Miller to alleviate the pressure from Watson, but with only 82-yards on the ground combined for Miller in two games against the Colts it will be tough running all afternoon. Luck will be able to find his weapons late in the fourth for a go-ahead touchdown drive, and the Colts defense will stand tall on Houston’s-would-be game winning drive, sending Indianapolis to the divisional round.

Colts 21 Texans 17

 

 

(5) Seattle Seahawks at (4) Dallas Cowboys, Saturday 8:15 p.m.

These two teams met way back in week three, with the Seahawks prevailing at home, 24-13. Ezekiel Elliot and Chris Carson both ran for over 100-yards but the difference in the game was quarterback play. Dak Prescott threw two-interceptions while Russell Wilson kept it clean with zero turnovers.

This game is a tough one to call because both of these teams play a similar style. Both squads have a defense that is in the top half of the league in total defense, both have a linebacker in the top five for tackles (Bobby Wagner for Seattle and Leighton Vader-Esch for Dallas), both have a 1,000 yard rusher in Elliot and Carson, and both teams have a quarterback that you would label as a game-manager rather than a gunslinger.

The run-game will decide that outcome in this one, as we’ll see two giants face off. Seattle led the league in rushing yards per game in the regular season (160), while the Dallas defense sits in the top five in rushing yards allowed per game (94.6). Something will have to give.

Similar to the Colts vs. Texans game, protecting the quarterback will again be a theme in this one. Both Wilson and Prescott have been sacked north of 50 times this season, and both squads boast formidable pass rushers in Frank Clark and Jarran Reed for Seattle and Demarcus Lawrence, Randy Gregory and Tyrone Crawford for Dallas.

Prediction: 

Both teams will run the ball effectively and both defenses will bend but not break. The teams will trade field goals in a low scoring affair that will come down to which quarterback can lead their squad down field late in the game for a game-winning score. I think Dallas is the more talented team, but in a Wild Card scenario with the game on the line, I’m taking the better and more experienced quarterback.

Seahawks 16 Cowboys 13 

(5) Los Angeles Chargers at (4) Baltimore Ravens, Sunday 1:05 p.m.

The third matchup of wild card weekend that features two teams that faced off in the regular season is an intriguing one. The Ravens traveled to Los Angeles in week 16 for a must win primetime game, and came out on top, 22-10.

The biggest X-factor in this game will be Lamar Jackson. The rookie QB has won six-of-seven starts this year while also running for 695-yards. His ability to run has made the Baltimore offense one of the most dynamic in the NFL, and also one of the toughest to stop. They averaged 152-yards per game on the ground, which was good for second best in the league in the regular season.

The Chargers enter the playoffs at 12-4 and also boast one of the deepest and most star-studded rosters in the NFL. On the defensive side, Joey Bosa, Melvin Ingram, Derwin James and Desmond King will need to anchor this Chargers defense that had troubles in the last matchup with the Ravens. On the other side, the Ravens statistically have the best defense in the NFL, as they are one of three teams to allow less than 300-yards per game in the regular season.

Another interesting storyline to watch out for is the reinsertion to the lineup for tight end Hunter Henry, who has been sidelined with an ACL injury for the Chargers since May. It’s hard to imagine Henry being too effective in his first game action all season, but we’ve seen crazier things happen.

In week 16, Philip Rivers had his worst game of the season, only throwing for 181-yards and a pair of interceptions. However, the Chargers were marching down the field late in the fourth quarter, down 16-10, when the Ravens stripped the ball from Antonio Gates and took it back to the house for six.

Prediction: 

I think we will see a similar game to what we saw just 15 days ago. The Ravens and Jackson will try to control the time of possession, but the Los Angeles defense will be better prepared to stop Gus Edwards and Jackson on the ground this time around. Rivers will lean on Keenan Allen and Mike Williams heavily throughout the game. If the offensive line can keep Rivers clean and away from Matthew Judon, Terrell Suggs and co. then the Chargers offense is in much better shape. With the score tied late, Rivers will lead a go-ahead scoring drive, and Lamar Jackson won’t have enough in his arsenal to lead his team on a game-tying drive.

Chargers 20 Ravens 13

 

(6) Philadelphia Eagles at (3) Chicago Bears, Sunday 4:40 p.m.

This game features two of the more surprising storylines of the 2018 season: Nick Foles once again taking the reigns of the Eagles for a miraculous late season push, and the Chicago Bears being one of the most dominant teams in the NFL.

The Bears have been comfortable at Solider Field, as they went an almost perfect 7-1 at home in the regular season. Their defense is legit and scary. They allowed the fewest amount of points in the league, and had the most takeaways (36) in the regular season. The Bears use a trio upfront of Khalil Mack, Akiem Hicks and Roquan Smith to put the fear of God into any opposing quarterback, and they roll out a ballhawking secondary which is led by second-year safety Eddie Jackson and his six interceptions.

After taking over QB1 in week 15 for injured Carson Wentz, Foles has won three must-win games while posting 962-yards through the air to go with six touchdowns and three interceptions. Those are great numbers considering the circumstances, but he didn’t have to play a defense that he’ll see in Chicago on Sunday. For the Bears, Tribusky has had a very solid year, throwing for over 3,000 yards to go with 24 TD’s and 12 INT’s. The good thing for Tribusky is that he doesn’t have to do much to win because of the talent level of his defense.

Another interesting matchup to watch out for is Alshon Jeffery versus the Bears secondary. Jeffery and Foles have always had a connection, which showed in the last three games of this season, as Jeffery hauled in 16 catches for 301 yards and one touchdown. Foles will be looking for his big wide receiver all afternoon. For the Bears, Tarik Cohen could play a large role in the game. The second year do-it-all-weapon for Chicago has 1,169 total yards from scrimmage this year to go with seven total touchdowns. Cohen can be dynamic out of the backfield as a pass catcher and on special teams returning punts.

Prediction: 

The Monsters of the Midway pt. 2 will play their game in Chicago. Khalil Mack will show why he is worth the $141 million contract and will harass Foles all night. The constant pressure will have Foles forcing throws, which is exactly what the Chicago DB’s want to see. Tribusky will make enough plays to keep them ahead and the backfield duo of Jordan Howard and Tarik Cohen will control the game.

Bears 24 Eagles 10 

 

 

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