NFL Playoffs Predictions for Wild Card Round
The NFL Wild Card playoffs begin Saturday with two AFC matchups before the two NFC clashes on Sunday. The spreads are all under double-digits and each game should be competitive. After finally separating the contenders from the pretends, here's how the Wild Card round could go down:
4. Bills Beat Texans 20-17
The Bills and Texans enter with identical 10-6 records. Neither team is near the top of the league in scoring and this should be a game determined by the defenses. The Bills have looked great when getting national attention and will upset a Texans team that always seems to struggle when reaching the postseason. Josh Allen will finally have his coming out party and Bill O'Brien will come up short again, despite Deshaun Watson's greatness.
3. Patriots Down Titans 34-20
The Patriots lost to the Dolphins in Week 17 and are back in the Wild Card round for the first time since 2009. The Titans look dangerous with Ryan Tannehill at quarterback, but are still taking on a Patriots team that won the Super Bowl a year ago. Brady and Belichick always find a way to win in these scenarios, and the Miami loss should serve as a wake-up call. The evil empire takes care of business at home.
2. Saints Get Minneapolis Miracle Revenge, 27-21
The Saints are seeking revenge after the Minneapolis Miracle a few years back. Drew Brees led the team to a 13-3 record and just missed out on a first-round bye. The Vikings blew a chance to win the NFC North and look to be a tier below the three 13-3 NFC teams. Only scoring 10 in a must-win game against the Packers was a terrible sign for things to come, and heading to the Superdome in the Wild Card round won't be kind to Minnesota.
1. Seahawks Put NFC East Champ Eagles Out of Misery, 30-13
The Seahawks missed a first-round bye by a yard and now have to go on the road. Life in the NFL isn't fair. Seattle already has a win in Philadelphia this season in a 17-9 game. The Eagles won the division by default and don't stand a chance against a Seahawks team that could easily be one of the top two seeds in the NFC. Despite Carson Wentz's impressive play down the stretch, injuries will catch up to Philly in the Wild Card round.