NFL WILD CARD WEEKEND
SATURDAY:
(5)Chargers at (4)Texans, 4:30
The first game of wild card weekend will take place in Houston, Texas. Despite being a lower seed than the Texans, the Chargers ended their regular season with an 11-6 record, better than the Texans’ 10-7 division winning record. Los Angeles had a rough start to their season, but recently they’ve been dominating teams, with three straight wins heading into the playoffs. The Texans, on the other hand, have been regressing poorly. Quarterback CJ Stroud has been showing an obvious Sophomore slump and all three starting wide receivers (Nico Collins, Stefon Diggs, Tank Dell) are out with injuries. Regardless, on any given day Houston could show up big time and knock the Chargers out at home.
ARNAV’S PREDICTION: 35-21 CHARGERS
ESPEN’S PREDICTION: 21-20 CHARGERS
(6)Steelers at (3)Ravens, 8:00
Saturday’s games will end with an Amazon Prime Exclusive AFC North rivalry game. After starting 10-3, Pittsburgh struggled through the backstretch of the season, ending with 4 losses and choking the division. Baltimore on the contrary closed the season out with 4 straight wins, including a 34-17 victory against the Steelers to even the season record against Pittsburgh 1-1.
ARNAV’S PREDICTION: 21-17 STEELERS [ARNAV’S UPSET OF THE WEEK]
ESPEN’S PREDICTION: 24-21 RAVENS
SUNDAY:
(7)Broncos at (2) Bills, 1:00
Sunday’s games will kick off in Orchard Park, New York. Rookie of the Year Candidate and Broncos quarterback Bo Nix will battle Most Valuable Player candidate and Bills Quarterback Josh Allen. Both of these teams were the only two to defeat the 1 seed and reigning back-to-back Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs, however Denver’s win came on week 18 against the Chiefs backups whereas the Bills won 30-21 against all of their starters. Nonetheless both of these teams have explosive offenses and several defensive stars which can make this a fun one.
ARNAV’S PREDICTION: 42-17 BILLS
ESPEN’S PREDICTION: 35-17 BILLS
(7)Packers at (2) Eagles, 4:30
Questions have risen over the health of opposing quarterbacks Jalen Hurts and Jordan Love, however both are expected to play. Superstar running backs Saquon Barkley and Josh Jacobs face off in a battle of electric offenses. Barkley ran for over 2,000 yards, and Jacobs ran for 15 touchdowns this season. If there is a team that can shut down the Packers, it will be the Eagles, who allow a league low 278.4 yards per game. The Packers will be without wide receiver Christian Watson, who suffered a season ending knee injury last week against the Bears.
ARNAV’S PREDICTION: 24-20 EAGLES
ESPEN’S PREDICTION: 31-24 EAGLES [ESPEN’S GAME OF THE WEEK]
(6)Commanders at (3) Buccaneers, 8:00
Despite being the better seed, the Buccaneers (10-7), have a worse record than the Commanders (12-5). If there is anything that we have learned about Jayden Daniels, it’s that he can win late in games. This will be crucial entering the playoffs for the Commanders, who are one of football’s hottest teams. The Buccaneers enter the playoff hot themselves, winning five out of their last six. The Buccaneers are led by quarterback Baker Mayfield, who is third in the league in passing yards (4,500), and second in passing touchdowns (41).
ARNAV’S PREDICTION: 27-21 COMMANDERS
ESPEN’S PREDICTION: 27-17 COMMANDERS [ESPEN’S UPSET OF THE WEEK]
MONDAY:
(5)Vikings at (4)Rams, 8:00
The Vikings and Rams should provide a very interesting matchup for the first round of the playoffs. The Rams are the most recent super bowl winners not named the Chiefs, and the Vikings have been one of the biggest surprise teams of 2024, cruising to a 14-3 record led by surprise quarterback Sam Darnold. At times, the Rams can look like one of the most electric offenses in the league. Earlier this season, the Rams defeated the Vikings 30-20, where Mathew Stafford threw for four touchdowns.
ARNAV’S PREDICTION: 34-31 RAMS [ARNAV’S GAME OF THE WEEK]
ESPEN’S PREDICTION: 31-14 VIKINGS
