The NFL regular season is now officially over which means the road to the Super Bowl has now officially begun.
Saturday Matchups: AFC Wild Card Game
Tennessee Titans @ Kansas City Chiefs – 4:35 pm on ESPN
This should be a tight game from start to finish. The advantage has to go to the Chiefs as they are playing at home and are riding a 4 game winning streak into the playoffs. They might have gotten hot at just the right time. The key to this game will be if the Chiefs can get Offensive Rookie of the Year, Kareem Hunt involved early and often. The Chiefs started as one of the hottest teams in the league thanks to Hunt and suddenly started to struggle halfway through the season when they did not feature Kareem Hunt. This will be a tough task as the Titans sport the league’s number 4 ranked run defense allowing 88.8 yards per game. As for the Titans, look for Mariota to try and lead them in this game against a weak Chiefs defense.
My Prediction: Chiefs 24- Titans 23 – Chiefs do enough to barely sneak by the Titans.
NFC Wildcard Game – Atlanta Falcons @ L.A Rams – 8:15 pm on NBC
This is one of the best games this weekend along with the Saints vs Panthers. The defending NFC Champions look to make a run towards a second Super Bowl appearance. I expect a lot of scoring in this contest as we have two top ten offenses squaring up. Ultimately I believe the Rams will have to much firepower for the Falcons. The only concern I have is if Jared Goff can handle the pressure of his first playoff game at such a young age. Matt Ryan has proven he can get the job done in the Playoffs and if Goff struggles, the Falcons can run away early with this one. Ultimately, I believe Head Coach of the Year Candidate, Sean McVay will draw up a perfect offensive gameplan for the top scoring offense in the league and the Rams win a shootout. No back to back Super Bowl appearances for the Falcons this year.
My Prediction: Falcons 35- Rams 42
Sunday Matchups: AFC Wild Card Game
Buffalo Bills @ Jacksonville Jaguars -1:05 pm on CBS
This game all hinges on the availability of star running back LeSean McCoy. If McCoy is unable to suit up the Jaguars will win this one easily and dominate the game with their defense. Now if McCoy is able to suit up and play the entire game I believe the Bills can upset the Jaguars. The Jaguars have arguably one of the best defenses in the NFL, but the Bills defense has been very good all season as well. In a battle defenses, I believe the Bills can force Blake Bortles into multiple turnovers and lean on McCoy to carry them past the Jaguars and pull off an upset.
My Prediction: Bills 17 – Jaguars 13
NFC Wild Card Game – Carolina Panthers @ New Orleans Saints – 4:40 pm on FOX
This game should be fun, I believe this matchup will be the best game this weekend. Drew Brees is making one last run at another championship ring. Brees looks to lead his Saints past the Panthers for a third time this season. The rival teams have already met twice this season as they are both in the NFC South division and the Saints have won both contests by 10 points or more. I expect the Saints to handle business and I just think the Saints will be too much for the Panthers down the stretch. Unless Cam Newton saved his best Superman game for Sunday, the Saints should win this one. The Saints will ride their two-headed monster backfield Ingram and Kamara to victory.
My Prediction: Panthers 24 – Saints 31
