NFL Playoffs
The NFL Playoffs have arrived, and many are eagerly waiting to see if their picks will triumph over the competition. It has been a wild NFL regular season that ended with one of the best games of the year. Here is what to expect from the Playoffs this season:
Who: Raiders @ Bengals
When: Saturday at 3:30 Central
Where to Watch: NBC
The Pick: Bengals
The Raiders have been through a lot this season, with a midseason coaching change and multiple players being released due to behavior. This has been a Cinderella season for the Raiders, but it unfortunately will end against the Bengals. The Bengals have one of the best young cores on the offensive side of the ball, with Quarterback Joe Burrow, and three young receivers in Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Tyler Boyd. Both the defense and offensive lines have improved. The Bengals will win the first game of Super Wild Card Weekend.
Photo courtesy of foxsports.comWho: Patriots @ Bills
When: Saturday at 7:15 Central
Where to Watch: CBS
The Pick: The Bills
The Buffalo Bills and the New England Patriots have been rivals in the AFC East for a long time, but now they meet in the playoffs. Since they are division opponents they have played twice, splitting the series 1-1. The Pats picked up the first win, with Quarterback Mac Jones only throwing three times. They ran the ball with ease, but the Bills forced them to throw in the second game of the series. The Bills picked up their victory in New England. The Bills are going to force a young Mac Jones to be the best player on the field with a lackluster receiving core. This is the reason that the Bills will pick up the win.
Photo courtesy of stubhub.com
Who: Eagles @ Buccaneers
When: Sunday at 12:00 Central
Where to Watch: Fox
The Pick: Buccaneers
The Eagles are one of the best risers this season. They were projected to finish near the bottom of the NFC but now they have snuck into the playoffs under first year coach Nick Sirianni and Quarterback Jalen Hurts. This team is full of disappointing first round picks like WR Jalen Reagor and Offensive Tackle Andre Dillard, but somehow Sirianni pulled the team to the playoffs. Unfortunately, they must face the defending Super Bowl Champion, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs are led by Tom Brady, who is arguably the greatest quarterback of all time. The Bucs have a dominate defense and offense, so the Bucs are going to take the one.
Photo Courtesy of 49ersticketoffice.com
Who: 49ers @ Cowboys
When: Sunday at 3:30 Central
Where to Watch: CBS
The Pick: Cowboys
The 49ers snuck in after a week 18 win over the LA Rams in overtime, with their playoff hopes all riding on that win. The Niners are led by Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and Tight End George Kittle. They have been one of the more dominate duos in the NFL since Jimmy G arrived in San Francisco. Their opponent is the Dallas Cowboys, a team led by Quarterback Dak Prescott and WR Amari Cooper. They have one of the most dominate offenses in the NFL this season, however their defense is questionable. Can Trevon Diggs be a true number 1 corner? Can Micah Parsons get good pressure on Jimmy G? I think this will be the best game of the wild card weekend. It may be a bit of a defensive slugfest at the beginning, but this will ultimately be a close game. The Cowboys are my pick, but I would not be surprised if the Niners secure the win.
Photo Courtesy of vividseats.com
Who: Steelers @ Chiefs
When: Sunday at 7:15 Central
Where to Watch: NBC
The Pick: Chiefs
The Steelers snuck in after one of the wildest endings in NFL history between the Chargers and Raiders. If the two teams had tied, they would both be in, and the Steelers would be out. As time was expiring, the Chargers bizarrely took a timeout and that upset the Raiders, causing them to kick a field goal to eliminate the Chargers. So, to be honest, I believe the Steelers should not be in the competition, but they are led by veteran Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in, potentially, his last trip to the playoffs. To be quite honest, I believe they stand no chance. The former MVP Patrick Mahomes has finally come alive late in the year and is making opposing teams look silly. The Steelers will indeed fall to that same fate.
Who: Cardinals @ Rams
When: Monday at 7:15 Central
Where to Watch: ESPN/ABC
The Pick: Rams
The Arizona Cardinals started the season amazingly, being the number one seed in the NFC for an extended period before multiple injuries to stars like Kyler Murray, Deandre Hopkins, and JJ Watt derailed their amazing season the middle of the playoff picture. The Rams, however, have been amazing all year. They are led by Quarterback Matthew Stafford who was acquired in the offseason in a trade with the Detroit Lions. He has not disappointed fans in his first season with the Rams, therefore I believe that he will lead them to a victory. He has one of the most dominant defenses in the NFL with Aaron Donald, Von Miller, Jalen Ramsey and returning safety Eric Weddle.
