The 2025 NFL season was full of
surprises and I suspect the playoffs will be more of the same. This is a
situation where the saying, “anything can happen in the playoffs,” applies and
I think 10 of the 14 teams have a legitimate shot at winning it all. The first
step in doing so for twelve of those teams comes this weekend in the Wildcard
round. Which teams will survive and play in the next round? Here’s what I
think:
Los Angeles Rams vs. Carolina
Panthers
Saturday 4:30PM on Fox
By virtue of winning their division
the Panthers get a home playoff game, coming in as the 4 seed in the AFC. In
most years the 4-5 matchup is unpredictable, but I don’t think that will be the
case in this game. Yes, I know that the Panthers beat the Rams back in November,
but this is one time when I don’t think you can apply much from that previous
game. The Rams come in ranked #1 in points per game and yards per game. On
defense the Rams are 7th in total number of sacks by the defense and
5th in turnover differential. Unlike their previous game, I think
there is just too much for the Panther to overcome. The Rams move on:
Rams 35 Panthers 14
Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears
Saturday 8:00PM on Prime
I grew up watching the Bears,
suffering through several bad years. So, I thoroughly enjoyed watching them win
the NFC North this season. I especially enjoyed the come from behind overtime
win against the Packers. Unfortunately, (and it pains me to say it) I think the
fun ends this weekend. I think that both offenses put on a show this weekend.
Can the Bears force any turnovers? They will need to do so if they are going to
win. While statistically the Bears are better on paper, I fear the Packers will
be better this weekend.
Packers 31 Bears 28
Buffalo Bills vs. Jacksonville
Jaguars
Sunday 1:00PM on CBS
The Jaguars might be the best team
in the league right now even though it seems as if nobody is talking about
them. The fact that they went into the last week of the season with a chance of
earning the #1 seed was just plain shocking. But this week they face Josh Allen
and the Bills, who go into this year’s playoffs without having to face their
number one stumbling block. While the Bills seem to have a slight statistical
edge going into this game, I think they are a very good two-man team with both
of those men being on offense. They will face a Jaguars team which has just
enough firepower to stand toe to toe with the Bills, perhaps even pulling off
the win.
Jaguars 35 Bills 28
San Francisco 49ers vs.
Philadelphia Eagles
Sunday 4:30PM on Fox
The defending champions take the
field at home against one of the best offenses in the league. The Eagles bring
an offense that is best described as inconsistent, often playing one good half
of a game and then sleepwalking during the other. Here in Philly this has
caused quite a bit of concern, leaving everyone scratching their heads and
wondering what is wrong. On the other side of the ball, the Niners bring a
defense which has also been inconsistent. I think the Eagles’ offense will do
enough to give them a chance, but it will be their defense that wins this game.
Eagles 21 49ers 13
Los Angeles Chargers vs. New
England Patriots
Sunday 8:00PM on NBC
If you had told me at the start of
the season that the Patriots would win the AFC East, I would have asked how
many games is Josh Allen going to miss. The Patriots have proven to be a
legitimate contender and they come into this one equally matched with a good
Chargers team. This might be the best match up of the weekend, worthy of its
primetime slot. I think the key to this game will be the Chargers defensive
line. Can they put pressure on Drake Maye and how will he respond? I think Maye
will be just fine, leading his team to a home win.
Patriots 13 Chargers 9
Houston Texans vs. Pittsburgh
Steelers
Monday 8:15PM on ESPN
The Steelers get D. K. Metcalf back
this weekend and I think we will see a different team than the one that played
in the last two games of the season and against the Texans’ defense, the
Steelers will need Metcalf, Warren and Rodgers to have a big game. This is a
tough one to pick: another 4-5 match up where the teams seem evenly matched.
When I first looked at this game, I picked the Steelers but as we are getting
closer to game time, I find myself starting to have doubts. For now, I am
sticking with my original thoughts.
Steelers 10 Texans 7
This should really be a fun
weekend. Hopefully, my Bears surprise me and move forward along with the
Eagles. What are your thoughts?
No comments:
Post a Comment