No need for a fancy introduction. After a long hiatus from predicting the future, it is time for us to return and predict the outcome for the NFL Wild Card Weekend. I'll keep these previews short and sweet so that everyone can jump right into enjoying the games ahead of us.
Game 1 Saturday afternoon @ 4:35 PM ET. A tradition unlike any other. The Texans (a Saturday afternoon favorite), hosting the Colts of Indianapolis. These teams met twice earlier this year which makes this third meeting the rubber match. Both teams are 1-1 against each other. Indy lost in a controversial OT, failed 4th down play call that basically set up the Texans for a winning play immediately after. But what is in the past is in the past. This game is the future. The team that will win this game is the team that can put more pressure on the opposing team's quarterback. The Texans were alone at the top with 62 surrendered sacks this season and the Colts were on the other side of the spectrum with only 18 allowed. It's possible that the Texans can get their offensive line troubles together for one game, but I think because of how much play action they run and how long Deshaun Watson holds on to the ball, him getting hit and sacked is nearly a certainty this game. This game will be ugly and I think because of the Colts' pass rush, they will pull this one out in the end.
Game 2, Saturday Night @ 8:15 PM ET. This game could be the best game of the weekend in my opinion. The Seahawks fly to Dallas and battle with the Cowboys in Jerry Dome. These two teams played inconsistently throughout the season, yet still had some games where they looked like they could compete with the best teams in the league. The Cowboys had their coming out party against the Saints on Thursday night and the Seahawks did their best work against Mahomes and the Chiefs on Monday night. Both teams showed off on nationally televised games so most people will have these memories ingrained when they play again on Saturday night. However, instead of looking at their best wins, we need to look at their worst losses in order to truly evaluate them. The Cowboys lost 0-30 a few weeks ago to the Colts and the Seahawks dropped an embarrassing game to the 49ers just before the season ended. In the Cowboys loss, the Colts forced Dak Prescott to beat them and he just couldn't do it. In the Seahawks loss, the 49ers were just more motivated to win that game. Plus they had played the 49ers two weeks before so they were prepared for them. When it comes down to it, I think Seattle will take the same approach to beating the Cowboys as the Colts did. They will shut down the run game and force Prescott to make plays and win the game for the Cowboys. If Dak can do it, then the Cowboys will win. If not, then they can't win this game, even at home. I predict the Seahawks will win this one simply because the Seahawks have a better quarterback, as well as I believe that they will have a better gameplan.
Game 3, Sunday afternoon @ 1:05 PM ET. The Chargers, after having an incredibly successful season, find themselves heading to Baltimore for Wild Card Weekend to face Lamar Jackson and the Ravens. Going into this game, you will probably hear two specific takes. The first, is that the Chargers' defense is not built to beat the Ravens since they are a run first team and not a pass first team. The next one, is that the Chargers just lost two weeks ago so what can they do differently. Well, there are a few things. The primary thing they understand now, is that Lamar Jackson is no elite passer. If they can take away the run then the Chargers can win this game easily. I know that is easier said than done, but this game, will come down to whether the Chargers's defense can prevent Lamar Jackson from escaping the pocket and keeping plays alive. The weather will also be a major factor in this game, but I do not think the Chargers travelling east will impact them as much as many writers and analysts say it will. The Chargers were 7-1 on the road this season including 4-0 on games in which they had to travel east to play. The Chargers saw Lamar Jackson two weeks ago and i think they will make all the proper adjustments to shut down the Ravens offense. The Chargers offense will play well like usual and ultimately I do not think the Chargers will lose this game like they did two weeks ago.
Game 4, Sunday Evening @ 4:40 PM ET. The Wild Card Weekend concludes Sunday as the Eagles and Nick Foles travel to take on the Bears in the Windy City in a battle of classic NFL franchises. I would break down the Eagles seriously, but I have a feeling Nick Foles will use his magic to win this game and continue his magical run of never losing a game that matters ever. On the Bears' side of the ball, I think their defense will play well throughout the game, but it may take a quarter or two for Mitch Trubisky to get going offensively. I think he can get in a rhythm, but Jordan Howard and Tarik Cohen will need to carry the majority of the offensive load in order for the Bears win this game. I'd like to see the Bears win in the end just because I like their roster from top to bottom more than the Eagles. Plus it's always fun seeing Soldier Field in the playoffs. However, I think the power of Nick Foles is too much, and the Eagles will win this game.
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