The NFL Super Wild Card Weekend is upon us, and football fans across the nation are gearing up for an action-packed series of games that will set the stage for the playoffs. With an expanded field of teams and exciting matchups, this weekend promises to be a thrilling spectacle. As we eagerly await the kickoff, let's delve into some predictions and insights for what's in store during this high-stakes playoff extravaganza.
NFL Super Wild Card Weekend – Predictions
Saturday
What a year for the Houston Texans. DeMeco Ryans and CJ Stroud have become the first rookie head coach - rookie QB duo to make the playoffs since 2012 (Chuck Pagano & Andrew Luck). Coming off of a Division title, the Texans host the gnarly Cleveland Browns. The Browns lost QB DeShaun Watson for the season in Week 7 but haven't looked back. Cleveland boasts one of the best defenses in the NFL along with a scorching hot QB in Joe Flacco.
This game will be a welcome to the NFL / NFL Playoffs game for CJ Stroud. The Browns defense is that tough, this is a Super Bowl defense. Look for Myles Garrett to have a big game recording multiple sacks, and Flacco to toss multiple TD's.
Prediction - Browns: 28 Texans: 14
Quite a lot of storylines in this matchup. Tyreek's first game back in KC, 0 degree weather with -30 wind chill, how will Miami hold up in the record-low cold, will Kansas City's offense show up? What an interesting game this will be. I am very fascinated to see how everyone including the fans, will react to the freezing cold weather.
At the end of the day, a Miami team in the cold weather is not ideal. The Dolphins have lost their last 10 games when the temperature drops below freezing. I understand the Chiefs haven't had their best season, but it's the postseason, they could flip the switch easily. Don't sleep on the Chiefs.
Prediction: Chiefs: 19 Dolphins: 13
Sunday
Of course, the Pittsburgh Steelers somehow find a way to sneak into the playoffs yet again. TJ Watt is out for the game with a sprained MCL, the Steelers are 0-10 without TJ Watt. One intriguing storyline is the weather. Buffalo is expected to have 65 MPH wind gusts along with a potential foot of snow. It is hard to believe the Steelers with a back-up QB will be able to upset a hot Bills team that has won 5 straight heading into the playoffs. The Buffalo Bills will win the Super Bowl this year, yes you read that correctly.
Prediction: Bills: 24 Steelers: 10
Jordan Love has completely surpassed expectations in his first year as the Packers starting QB. He has the Packers in the playoffs (something Favre and Rodgers didn't do) and has tossed 32 TD's compared to 11 INT's. Hats off to Love and the Packers offensive coaching staff, youngest team in the league and they're in the playoffs. But, that defense is shaky and that will be their downfall. They won't be able to stop the Cowboys at home, Dallas will roll.
Prediction - Cowboys: 38 Packers: 21
The day has finally arrived, the Detroit Lions are hosting a playoff game for the first time in 30 years. The Lions also haven't won a playoff game since the 1991 season, the longest draught in the NFL right now. Ironically, it is Matthew Stafford and the Rams who come into town. The Lions traded long-time QB Matthew Stafford to Los Angeles in 2021 for Rams QB Jared Goff. It is also the first time Stafford comes back to Detroit since the trade. Now the two face off in the playoffs with a lot to prove (Goff definitely has more to prove).
The Rams have won 7 of their last 8 games and are hot at the right time. Detroit has been shaky over the second half of the season but remained a top team. Goff and the Lions will have a last minute drive with a chance to win, but get stuffed by Aaron Donald and co. Stafford will have a chip on his shoulder and the Rams experience will prove dividends against the Lions.
Prediction – Rams: 32 Lions: 28
Monday
#5 Philadelphia Eagles (11-6) @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-8) – 8:15PM EST.
I love the new Super Wild Card Weekend schedule created by the NFL. Having a Monday night game is clutch. This will be an interesting one as the Philadelphia Eagles roll into Tampa, Florida with a lot of pressure and a lot to prove. The Eagles were in the Super Bowl last year, started this year 10-1, but have now lost 5 of their last 6 games. The team looks lost on both sides of the football, star QB Jalen Hurts badly dislocated his middle finger on his throwing hand and hasn't thrown a football in practice all week.
As with the Buccaneers, they are very capable of winning this game. You simply never know what Baker Mayfield you are going to get. Many people are picking Tampa Bay here, but I don't think this Philadelphia team folds that quickly.
Prediction – Eagles: 33 Buccaneers: 24
Check out our Divisional Round predictions next week!
And it's the LIONS FTW!!! Woo hoo!!!