Wild Card Weekend Predictions

By Jacob Sanders

Playoffs are upon us. For some people, the playoffs mean that every matchup is good and every game should be good. On the contrary, I have seemed to view that sentiment as not true at all. I found last year’s Wild Card Weekend to be very boring. However, this year, ALL four matchups are interesting and exciting in their own ways. The best part, is none of them are really all that predictable and that’s what makes writing predictions so fun. So, let’s get right to it!

As per usual when I do playoff previews and predictions, I will give a case for each team to win and then make my prediction.

Houston Texans vs Indianapolis Colts

A case for the Texans:

There’s a lot to like about this Texans team. The Watson-Hopkins connection is one of the best in the NFL today. The combo of J.J. Watt and Jadaveon Clowney is never talked about enough and the kind of pressure the duo creates on offensive lines. If the Texans do want to win, they must get to Andrew Luck who has been a dark horse MVP candidate and will surely win Comeback Player of the Year because of how easily he has been dissecting defenses when he has time. However, if the Texans truly want to win this game, they better be thinking about keeping the Colts offense off the field. Read: Lamar Miller needs to have a big day. If the Texans defense can stop the Andrew Luck and Co. in the middle of the field and the offense can follow up by maintaining long drives, the Colts won’t have a chance to keep up.

But when you really think about it…

A case for the Colts:

The Colts offensive line has played so well that I’m not quite sure even the Clowney-Watt duo will be able to maintain enough consistent pressure on Luck. Eric Ebron has had a phenomenal comeback season after being “left for dead” as a bust draft pick and has become a trust target of Luck’s. Also, the Colts can stretch the field with Hilton and create space in the middle of the field requiring the Texans to play less men in the defensive box. Thus, Marlon Mack should have some chances to give some easy 3rd and manageables. As for that Colts D, it’s been pretty bend but don’t break this season. What’s been great for them though, is rookie Darius Leonard being an immediate contributor in his first season by taking control of the middle of the field and earning All-Pro honors. The Colts need to maintain what they’ve been doing since October (they’re 9-1 since then) and they’ll probably see the same result they’ve been seeing for a while now.

Final Judgement:

Give me the Colts in this matchup. They’ve been hot for months and haven’t stopped marching forward. In fact, the last time these two teams met up in Houston, Indianapolis pulled out the win. The result should be the same again.

Colts 27 Texans 21

Dallas Cowboys vs Seattle Seahawks

A case for the Seahawks:

The Seahawks have been playing hard-nose football. Chris Carson has become a feature RB in the backfield of the offense while Russell Wilson has continued his great career by having another season full of wow plays. The Seahawks defense has been better than advertised this entire season as well. They play with heart and come up in the clutch when it's been necessary to. They'll need to continue to play with heart and get some stops against this Dallas offense that loves to play ball-control offense with Zeke Elliot at the helm. If they can do that, then they'll be the ones controlling the tempo with the 1-2 punch of Wilson and Carson. For this Seattle Seahawks team, their winning formula is simple. Play defense. Run the ball. Throw in some Russell Wilson plays. Boom. Victory.

In similar fashion though…

A case for the Cowboys:

The Cowboys have done the same thing but with more running. Ezekiel is having another sensational season and is, again, leading the league in rushing yards per game. Dak Prescott has also steadily improved ever since the Cowboys attained Amari Cooper from the receivers. Who knew it would be nice to have a No. 1 receiver, eh? The Cowboys defense is nothing to sneeze at either. Their linebacker group is arguably one of the best in the NFL and can command the center of the field like no other. They force you to make difficult throws and give up very little. Overall, the Dallas D will suffocate you if you can’t challenge them. As before, a simple formula. Play defense. Run the ball. Throw a few passes to Amari Cooper. Boom. Victory.

Final Judgement:

I’m all in on this Dallas team. They are the type of team built for January football. Play suffocating defense and pound the rock. It’s a tried and true strategy that doesn’t fail often in the playoffs. While the Seahawks have the same strategy with a better QB, I’m taking the better defense. You know, the defense who annihilated the Saints offense in primetime. Or did you forget about that already?

Cowboys 20 Seahawks 17

Baltimore Ravens vs LA Chargers

A case for the Chargers:

The Chargers have an advantage that no other team has had when facing the Ravens. They now know what it’s like to play against Lamar Jackson. Better yet, they have film of their own mistakes playing against a Lamar Jackson led offense. Will Baltimore throw the same things at LA? Probably not. But now that the Chargers have the experience, they’ll be better prepared to limit Baltimore’s run-heavy offense. Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram are some of the fastest players in the NFL and should be able to contain the run game a little bit better than last time with the knowledge they now have. Also, Philip Rivers isn’t going to be throwing an interception on the first pass either. While the Chargers will still struggle a bit against the Baltimore defense, if they can eliminate the penalties they commited, and contain the pass rush for just a second longer, Philip Rivers should be able to slice up the Baltimore secondary with Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, and Travis Benjamin.

Sounds simple but…

A case for the Ravens:

There’s nothing simple about this Ravens team. They are playing an entirely different game of football than the rest of the NFL. Averaging nearly 220 rush yards per game, it’s near impossible to predict where the ball is going to go because Lamar Jackson’s speed must be respected. In addition, both Gus Edwards and Kenneth Dixon are two completely different RBs to prepare that Baltimore can take advantage of in their playcalling. An important thing Baltimore will need to establish is the passing game. Jackson will need to find open holes in the middle of the field again on 3rd and manageables if the Ravens wish to move the ball efficiently. As for the defense, they must have a repeat performance of what they did two weeks ago. Pressure Philip Rivers and limit the amount of passes he can complete. Stopping Melvin Gordon will also be a must as well. If either player is able to succeed and play well, Baltimore’s D will have their hands full all day.

Final Judgement:

Of all four games this weekend, this matchup is probably the best but also the hardest one to predict. Both of these teams carry a dark horse attitude but only can come out victorious. That team will be the one with the better quarterback which is the Chargers. It’s not often a 12-4 team is traveling on the road during Wild Card weekend yet here we are and while being on the road sounds tough in theory, this team is 7-1 on the road so far. Also, it’s not often a great team can be beaten two times in a row by another team.

Chargers 24 Ravens 20

Chicago Bears vs Philadelphia Eagles

A case for the Bears:

If you haven’t noticed, the Monsters of the Midway are back. The Bears defense at times seems impenetrable and their defensive line constantly wins at the point of attack. Not to mention the fact that this Bears defense has the most interceptions in the League with 27. The closest to them is the Rams with 18. Wow. On the other side of the ball, Mitchell Trubisky and Co. just need to continue what they’ve been doing for most of the season. Play mistake-free football and score off of short field positions given to them by the defense. Important note: If both Jordan Howard and Tarik Cohen have great days, then everything else becomes easier. Look for them to be involved early and often. As long as the Bears can control the clock, they should have nothing to worry about.

Speaking of nothing to worry about…

A case for the Eagles:

A few people have some concerns that the Eagles are going to repeat last year’s feat. Nick Foles comes in and lights up opposing defenses. The Eagles defense tights up. Suddenly their the talk of the NFL as dark horse Super Bowl contenders. Well, before shipping them off to the Super Bowl they need to take down a defense that’s No. 1 in points allowed (17.7). Foles has done well spreading the ball to Ertz, Agholor, Jeffrey, and Tate. If they can maintain that, they might have a chance at beating this Bears defense. However, for that to happen, the Eagles need to get something out of their running game. Anything. It’s been inconsistent at best for the last four games averaging 2.4 ypr, then 3.7, then 2.6, and then 3.8. If that pattern follows, the running game won’t have a good day. That can’t happen. Enough about the offense though, what about the defense? Contain Mitch Trubisky. Trubisky has been at his best when extending the play and throwing outside the pocket. If the Eagles can win the trench war, they’ve got a shot. If not, it might be a long day for that Eagles defense.

Final Judgement:
The thought that the Eagles could make another Super Bowl run is almost cinematic. But, that's probably all it is. I'm not picking against arguably the best defense in the NFL, especially when that defense is at home. Bears win it.

Bears 24 Eagles 14