Playoff Predictions: Wild Card Weekend 2018

The playoffs are finally here. Anything can happen in the NFL’s single elimination format. The eight teams that will play this weekend are a mere 4 wins away from a Super Bowl Championship. But a difficult road lies ahead. A win this weekend would earn each of these teams a road game against one of the top 4 teams in the NFL. Still, each of these teams have hope. Anything can happen in a single game of football. String four lucky games together, and you will be a Super Bowl Champion.

Tennessee Titans (9-7) @ Kansas City Chiefs (10-6)

Saturday, 4:35 PM ET (Current Line, Chiefs -8.5)

Our Wild Card Weekend kicks off with the Chiefs hosting the Titans at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs come into this game riding a four game winning streak. Kansas City certainly have the potential to make a playoff run, but they have been terribly inconsistent all season. At the beginning of the year, Kansas City seemed like a legitimate Super Bowl contender,  winning their first five games including an absolute thumping of New England in Week 1. However, things quickly took a turn for the worse, as they struggled to stay atop a struggling AFC West.

The Titans are in a very different position than the Chiefs. Tennessee has not shown that they can be a dominant team at all this season. Outside of the AFC South, the Titans’ did not win any games by more than 6 points. You could definitely make a case that their 21-point victory in Jacksonville was impressive, but that was in Week 2. I could also point you to a game in Week 1 where they lost to the Raiders by 10. For that reason, I’m more interested in what the Titans have done recently, than their games from over 3 months ago. Either way, whether or not you believe the Titans are deserving of a playoff spot, they are here. A win would give the Titans their first playoff victory since 2003. Let’s see if Mariota and the rest of the team can perform in one of the most hostile environments in the league.

Prediction: The Chiefs get out to a big early lead, as the offense scores on their first four possessions of the game. At halftime, Kansas City leads 20-6. However, it all begins to fall apart, as Mariota leads Tennessee on the comeback trail. With 1:30 left in the game, Succop has a chance to tie the game on a 46 yard field goal, but he misses. The Chiefs escape, 26-23.

Atlanta Falcons (10-6) @ Los Angeles Rams (11-5)

Saturday, 8:15 PM ET (Current Line, Rams -6.5)

For the first time in almost 40 years, the city of Los Angeles will host a playoff game. Their first test: The reigning NFC champions. This game features the top scoring offenses from the last two seasons, so expect a lot of points. While the Falcons are not nearly as good as they were a season ago, they still have the ability to score in a hurry. Ryan has the ability to play at an elite level, and he has talented weapons around him, in the forms of Jones, Sanu, Freeman, and Coleman. However, if the Falcons hope to keep this game close, they will have to rely on their defense to contain the explosive offense of the Rams. Gurley and Goff found their stride this season, and Cupp, Woods, and Watkins have proven to be a top wide receiver trio. Both defenses will get all they can handle in this one, which unit will step up?

Prediction: Gurley and Goff put on impressive playoff debuts, as they combine for five touchdowns. The Falcons fail to reduce the deficit to single digits in the second half, as the Rams win easily, 38-24

Buffalo Bills (9-7) @ Jacksonville Jaguars (10-6)

Sunday, 1:05 PM ET (Current Line, Jaguars -8.5)

While this has the billing to be the worst game of the weekend, I also expect this game to get the most buzz. The Jaguars have not won a playoff game in 11 years, and the Bills have not won one in 23 years. One fanbase will leave this game with a satisfaction that they have not felt in over a decade. The other will continue to wallow in a state of seemingly perpetual misery.

The Jaguars are expected to lean heavily on their great defense, while the Bills will do their best to maximize the abilities of LeSean McCoy.

If the Bills can contain Bortles (not an unreasonably difficult task), they should at least be able to stay within striking distance of the Jaguars. One big play could determine the outcome of this game, as I expect this one to be a classic defensive struggle.

Prediction: As expected this game is all defense (or lack of offense), as both teams fail to find the end zone in the first half. At halftime, Jacksonville leads 6-3. With 8 minutes left in the fourth quarter, McCoy scores a touchdown on a 70 yard screen pass to give the Bills their first lead of the game. The Bills defense holds the rest of the way, as Buffalo wins a tight game, 10-9.

Carolina Panthers (11-5) @ New Orleans Saints (11-5)

Sunday, 4:40 PM ET (Current Line, Saints -6.5)

In both regular season matchups between these two teams, the Saints won easily. This is the best New Orleans has looked in years, as both their defense and offense are playing well. The running game is playing at an incredible level, and the passing game is still in the top tier. With so many ways to score, the Panthers will have their hands full trying to contain this multifaceted attack.

For Carolina, Newton may have to rediscover his MVP form if the Panthers hope to win this one. With limited talent around him, and a defense that is only above average, Newton may be forced to create offense on his own (well, maybe with a little help from McCaffrey as well). However, you never know what will happen in the playoffs. Will the big stage bring out Super Cam, or are we in for another dominant New Orleans performance?

Prediction: This game is back and forth from the beginning. Kamara rushes for over 100 yards and two scores, but Newton matches the Saints offense with three touchdowns and over 300 yards of passing for himself. With the game tied late, Brees leads the Saints down the field for a touchdown with 3 minutes left in the fourth quarter. Carolina’s ensuing possession ends in a Newton interception, sealing the game, 31-24.