Written by John Edward Betancourt  Well, ladies and gentlemen, the time has come at last. After months of hard work and sacrifice and highs and lows, a special weekend has arrived in the NFL, one that brings joy to fans of football everywhere. For Wild Card Weekend has arrived at last and with it comes several weeks of some of the hardest fought battles we will see this season, all in the name of getting an opportunity to play for the title of Super Bowl Champion. Which means we are going to be treated to some incredible games this weekend, complete with a few that should stun us if the playoffs follow the regular season’s formula and with that in mind, it’s time we dive in and take a look at what we can expect from round one of the NFL Playoffs. AFC Wild Card Matchup #1 |
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HOW THESE TEAMS REACHED THE PLAYOFFS
The playoff games that involve scrappy teams are often my favorite and that’s precisely why this game has my attention. Because both of these teams took their lumps on their way to the postseason. For while the Buffalo Bills showed the NFL world that they had improved on both offense and defense, they did suffer some tough losses as the season rolled on, only to bounce back and impress us once again with dynamic wins. And while they didn’t lock up the AFC East when given the opportunity, they did just enough to earn a playoff berth. If anything, their story really does mirror Houston’s as well, for they too had an up and down season full of surprising losses and stunning victories. But the Texans did one thing differently, they seized upon every big opportunity that came their way and for their efforts, they won the AFC South and the honor of hosting today’s matchup.
KEYS TO THE GAME
If the Buffalo Bills want to have a shot at winning this thing, they have to do two key things. For starters, they need Josh Allen and the offense to produce long, sustained drives that end with points in order to wear out that plucky Houston D, and speaking of defense, Buffalo’s simply needs to bring its A game. Because they’ve shown that when they play as a unit and at a high level, they’re unstoppable. As for the Texans, well they need to take this game seriously. They tend to overlook their opponents and play as though they just deserve the win and that’s brought them nothing but heartbreak in the past. So, if this team brings some serious heart to the field, and the defense can find a way to harass and frustrate Josh Allen, they’ve got a shot at winning this thing and advancing to the Divisional Round.
The playoff games that involve scrappy teams are often my favorite and that’s precisely why this game has my attention. Because both of these teams took their lumps on their way to the postseason. For while the Buffalo Bills showed the NFL world that they had improved on both offense and defense, they did suffer some tough losses as the season rolled on, only to bounce back and impress us once again with dynamic wins. And while they didn’t lock up the AFC East when given the opportunity, they did just enough to earn a playoff berth. If anything, their story really does mirror Houston’s as well, for they too had an up and down season full of surprising losses and stunning victories. But the Texans did one thing differently, they seized upon every big opportunity that came their way and for their efforts, they won the AFC South and the honor of hosting today’s matchup.
KEYS TO THE GAME
If the Buffalo Bills want to have a shot at winning this thing, they have to do two key things. For starters, they need Josh Allen and the offense to produce long, sustained drives that end with points in order to wear out that plucky Houston D, and speaking of defense, Buffalo’s simply needs to bring its A game. Because they’ve shown that when they play as a unit and at a high level, they’re unstoppable. As for the Texans, well they need to take this game seriously. They tend to overlook their opponents and play as though they just deserve the win and that’s brought them nothing but heartbreak in the past. So, if this team brings some serious heart to the field, and the defense can find a way to harass and frustrate Josh Allen, they’ve got a shot at winning this thing and advancing to the Divisional Round.
AFC Wild Card Matchup #2
Tennessee Titans at New England Patriots
Gillette Stadium – Foxboro, Massachusetts
Saturday, January 4, 2020 – 8:15 p.m. EST – CBS
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HOW THESE TEAMS REACHED THE PLAYOFFS
This is quite the fascinating matchup when all is said and done simply because both of these teams seem out of place in the playoffs. For the Tennessee Titans were a team that few thought had any playoff potential after losing four of their first six games. But a quarterbacking switch at Denver changed their path in 2019. For Ryan Tannehill did what Marcus Mariota could not and started to win games in impressive fashion and the decision to make the switch clearly paid off since the Titans are back in the tournament for the first time in ages. As for the Patriots, well they won the AFC East for the 11th straight year, but that’s their only real achievement on the field this year, and it is indeed a little strange to see this vaunted team playing in the Wild Card round for a change. But they really did have to fight to get here since they suffered some shocking losses in the regular season, including a season finale upset at Miami.
KEYS TO THE GAME
Make no mistake about it, the Tennessee Titans have a real shot at winning this game if they follow the formula that other teams did, this year when they faced and beat the Patriots. Which means the offense has to be relentless, and Tannehill must take advantage of every opportunity presented to him since the New England D has been notorious for making silly mistakes. As for the defense, well they just need to follow the Tom Brady Edict, which involves tight coverage of the receivers and an attacking pass rush that disrupts Brady’s timing and/or sacks/hits him and if they pull all of that off, they have the upset. As for New England, well, if they want to win, they need to buckle down and execute for a change. For this team was sloppy at best in the back half of the season. Which means the receivers need to catch the ball, Brady needs to keep a level head and the D has to play tight football. As to whether or not that can be accomplished has yet to be seen, simply because the Patriots are a team in decline, and there is a real chance, they could be one and done in the playoffs.
This is quite the fascinating matchup when all is said and done simply because both of these teams seem out of place in the playoffs. For the Tennessee Titans were a team that few thought had any playoff potential after losing four of their first six games. But a quarterbacking switch at Denver changed their path in 2019. For Ryan Tannehill did what Marcus Mariota could not and started to win games in impressive fashion and the decision to make the switch clearly paid off since the Titans are back in the tournament for the first time in ages. As for the Patriots, well they won the AFC East for the 11th straight year, but that’s their only real achievement on the field this year, and it is indeed a little strange to see this vaunted team playing in the Wild Card round for a change. But they really did have to fight to get here since they suffered some shocking losses in the regular season, including a season finale upset at Miami.
KEYS TO THE GAME
Make no mistake about it, the Tennessee Titans have a real shot at winning this game if they follow the formula that other teams did, this year when they faced and beat the Patriots. Which means the offense has to be relentless, and Tannehill must take advantage of every opportunity presented to him since the New England D has been notorious for making silly mistakes. As for the defense, well they just need to follow the Tom Brady Edict, which involves tight coverage of the receivers and an attacking pass rush that disrupts Brady’s timing and/or sacks/hits him and if they pull all of that off, they have the upset. As for New England, well, if they want to win, they need to buckle down and execute for a change. For this team was sloppy at best in the back half of the season. Which means the receivers need to catch the ball, Brady needs to keep a level head and the D has to play tight football. As to whether or not that can be accomplished has yet to be seen, simply because the Patriots are a team in decline, and there is a real chance, they could be one and done in the playoffs.
NFC Wild Card Matchup #1
Minnesota Vikings at New Orleans Saints
Mercedes-Benz Superdome – New Orleans, Louisiana
Sunday, January 5, 2020 – 1:05 p.m. EST – FOX
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HOW THESE TEAMS REACHED THE PLAYOFFS
You know, this is quite the interesting matchup since both of these teams had wildly contrasting paths to the NFL Playoffs. For the Minnesota Vikings really did have an up and down year, one that saw their prized free agent QB go from villain to hero to villain once again with his inconsistent play. But their strong defense bailed them out on occasion, and they did just enough to reach the playoffs. But on the other hand, the New Orleans Saints were a force to be reckoned with all season long, since they dominated opponent after opponent on their way to another NFC South Division Title and really, their only fault this season is being in the NFC since this ultra-competitive conference offered no room for error and sadly, a couple of key losses allowed for a 13-3 team to become the number three seed.
KEYS TO THE GAME
I hate to say it, but this really is New Orleans’ game to lose. Because they are a dynamic squad, one that knows how to win when a team pushes them and if the defense can continue to come up with big stops at the right time, and if they can confuse and frustrate Kirk Cousins and let Drew Brees be Drew Brees, they should advance to the Divisional Round no problem. But there is a path for the Vikings to win, provided of course a few key things happen. First and foremost, Cousins cannot get flustered in the slightest and needs to execute on every throwing down in order to find a rhythm against a Saints D that does like to offer up a little cushion. As for the defense, well they just need to control the damage that Brees is going to inflict, provided of course the offense puts up some points, and if they can make all of that happen, they have a shot at the upset. But more than likely, the Saints are going to win, simply because they are the better team.
You know, this is quite the interesting matchup since both of these teams had wildly contrasting paths to the NFL Playoffs. For the Minnesota Vikings really did have an up and down year, one that saw their prized free agent QB go from villain to hero to villain once again with his inconsistent play. But their strong defense bailed them out on occasion, and they did just enough to reach the playoffs. But on the other hand, the New Orleans Saints were a force to be reckoned with all season long, since they dominated opponent after opponent on their way to another NFC South Division Title and really, their only fault this season is being in the NFC since this ultra-competitive conference offered no room for error and sadly, a couple of key losses allowed for a 13-3 team to become the number three seed.
KEYS TO THE GAME
I hate to say it, but this really is New Orleans’ game to lose. Because they are a dynamic squad, one that knows how to win when a team pushes them and if the defense can continue to come up with big stops at the right time, and if they can confuse and frustrate Kirk Cousins and let Drew Brees be Drew Brees, they should advance to the Divisional Round no problem. But there is a path for the Vikings to win, provided of course a few key things happen. First and foremost, Cousins cannot get flustered in the slightest and needs to execute on every throwing down in order to find a rhythm against a Saints D that does like to offer up a little cushion. As for the defense, well they just need to control the damage that Brees is going to inflict, provided of course the offense puts up some points, and if they can make all of that happen, they have a shot at the upset. But more than likely, the Saints are going to win, simply because they are the better team.
NFC Wild Card Matchup #2
Seattle Seahawks at Philadelphia Eagles
Lincoln Financial Field – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Sunday, January 5, 2020 – 4:40 p.m. EST – NBC
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HOW THESE TEAMS REACHED THE PLAYOFFS
This game is another one that features some wildly dynamic teams thanks to the crazy year that the NFC went through. Because the Seattle Seahawks are a solid team and they won some big games in 2019. But a couple of late season surprises and a thrilling/heartbreaking season finale dropped the ‘Hawks to the number five playoff seed and well, they’re facing a Philadelphia squad that no one thought would be in the postseason all that long ago. After all, they were 5-4 in Week 10 before suffering a three-game losing streak that should have ended their season. But thanks to the failures of the Dallas Cowboys, this team realized they had a shot at the playoffs and took control of their own destiny and for their efforts, they locked up the division and a home game in the postseason.
KEYS TO THE GAME
I think we can all agree upon the fact that more than likely, Philly is going to lose this game. I mean, they’re a good team, but the Seahawks are simply great. So, if Seattle lets their quarterback do his thing by land and by air, and the defense does a fine job of containing Carson Wentz, then they will likely be on their way to the Divisional Round. But… Philadelphia has been known to surprise teams on a whim and if they go aggressive on both offense and defense, they have a shot at winning this thing. Because Seattle has struggled in facing teams that outright attack them and for proof, look no further than the Arizona game since the Cardinals were relentless on their way to the upset. Either way, this one could be the surprise game of the weekend, and its outcome is riding on the mindset of the Philadelphia Eagles.
This game is another one that features some wildly dynamic teams thanks to the crazy year that the NFC went through. Because the Seattle Seahawks are a solid team and they won some big games in 2019. But a couple of late season surprises and a thrilling/heartbreaking season finale dropped the ‘Hawks to the number five playoff seed and well, they’re facing a Philadelphia squad that no one thought would be in the postseason all that long ago. After all, they were 5-4 in Week 10 before suffering a three-game losing streak that should have ended their season. But thanks to the failures of the Dallas Cowboys, this team realized they had a shot at the playoffs and took control of their own destiny and for their efforts, they locked up the division and a home game in the postseason.
KEYS TO THE GAME
I think we can all agree upon the fact that more than likely, Philly is going to lose this game. I mean, they’re a good team, but the Seahawks are simply great. So, if Seattle lets their quarterback do his thing by land and by air, and the defense does a fine job of containing Carson Wentz, then they will likely be on their way to the Divisional Round. But… Philadelphia has been known to surprise teams on a whim and if they go aggressive on both offense and defense, they have a shot at winning this thing. Because Seattle has struggled in facing teams that outright attack them and for proof, look no further than the Arizona game since the Cardinals were relentless on their way to the upset. Either way, this one could be the surprise game of the weekend, and its outcome is riding on the mindset of the Philadelphia Eagles.
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