The NFL Roundup: Wild Card Weekend - Day Two

Win or go home. I mentioned it in yesterday's Wild Card Weekend article because it's a mantra in the NFL that we hear week in and week out and it never truly takes on a stronger meaning until the playoffs arrive, because that's when perfect football truly matters. Play your game, the season continues, and anything less means you have lost your only shot a championship. That mantra gives the second day of Wild Card Weekend an intense and somber feel because two teams have already been sent on their merry way, and those that remain know what's at stake. That means today's slate of games will be nothing short of spectacular and here is who we think will advance to the Divisional Round as Wild Card Weekend comes to a close. 

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NFC WILD CARD MATCHUP #1
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS

Scotty's Take
Putting together a makeshift offense over the past month, the Seahawks have been flying to victory and Russell Wilson has proven that one player does not make the team when it is just that, a team.  Minnesota has played their hearts out this season and I am happy to see them make the playoffs.  The play of Teddy Bridgewater has been nothing short of great this year and with Adrian Peterson lining up behind him, it makes many defenses shudder.  This is the battle of two teams pretty much in the same boat, massive running games, mobile quarterbacks and receivers that fly down the field.  This game will actually come down to who can stop the running game first and no offense meant towards the Vikings D, but they seem to have a difficult time in doing this.
WINNER - Seattle

John's Take
It's rare that you get a set of evenly matched teams in the NFL, but that's exactly what we are looking at today with this game. The Vikings and Seahawks are both teams with top tier running games and scrambling quarterbacks complimented by stout defenses. It means that we can expect a game that starts out slow as both squads test one another's weaknesses and try to wear the other team down. Seattle of course has plenty of playoff experience which may work to their advantage, but I think the X factor in this game if you will...is Minnesota's fearlessness. It doesn't matter who they face and how good their opponent is, they approach every game with a chip on their shoulder and take every opportunity they can sucker punch their foe right in the mouth. It's that kind of mentality that will serve them well today and I get the feeling Minnesota will discover Seattle's weaknesses first and exploit it enough to get the win.
WINNER - Minnesota

NFC WILD CARD MATCHUP #2
GREEN BAY PACKERS AT WASHINGTON REDSKINS

Scotty's Take
Gosh, I really like the Packers and have always liked watching how hard they fight on the field over the years.  But there is something missing from this team which has been seen all season long.  The offense is not the caliber that they have been in the past four years and that is just from losing one receiver.  Aaron Rodgers will have a rough day if his line does not hold up against the stingy defense of the Redskins, and if his receivers do not get quick separation off the line, it is going to be a long day.  I have a hard time in understanding how the Redskins are underdogs at home for this game.  Have you watched one of their home games this season, they play like gods out there.  Kirk Cousins has been one of the top quarterbacks this season and his numbers at home rival the best quarterbacks in the game.  Now I know that it is the playoffs and different teams come out to play most of the time, but I dont see that happening during this one.  The Redskins have been able to plow their way through the opposition and now the league has to look out for a team that might be looking to pick up where they left off in the 80's, a powerhouse.
WINNER - Washington

John's Take
When Washington and Green Bay take the field today, we are looking at a tale of two vastly different teams. One of these squads is in decline, and their sub par play has cost them several games and there is doubt creeping into their minds. The other team firmly believes that they are unstoppable and it doesn't matter what the odds are, they can win and win big. Normally it would be easy to say that Washington is the team in decline and the Packers are the team full of swagger...but today is clearly opposite day because the Packers seem like a team that is confused and lost on the field and the Redskins have been absolutely magnificent down the stretch and I fully expect that Washington's attitude and flawless execution on the field is going to serve them well today and I think it won't take them long to rattle Green Bay and force costly mistakes out of them on their way to to the Divisional Round.
WINNER - Washington