Photo Credit: Ann Heisenfelt/Associated Press
We survived another regular season in the NFL and are in store for a great playoff season starting with Wildcard Weekend. Here is a preview of this weekend’s games.
Chiefs vs. Texans
At the beginning of the season, nobody had either of these two teams making the playoffs. The Kansas City Chiefs started the season 1-5 and easily could have just folded this season and went for a high draft pick, especially when their best player Jamaal Charles was injured early in the season. Instead this team went on a ten game winning steak and never lost another game; earning themselves a playoff spot. Alex Smith is still not putting up gaudy stats, but he does not need to. Not to discredit Smith who threw for a career-high 3,486 yards, but this team is sticking to its identity of running the ball first and not turning the ball over often. Their defense led by cancer survivor Eric Berry has also helped this team earn their playoff spot.
The Houston Texans were a mess when the season started, but lucky for them they play in the AFC South. The Texans went through Ryan Mallet, Brian Hoyer, TJ Yates, and Brandon Weeden this season and while they still do not have what looks like a permanent solution at the quarterback position, it will be Hoyer under center in the playoffs. Hoyer’s first past this season came against the Chiefs and it was intercepted by rookie cornerback Marcus Peters so I would imagine he is looking for some revenge. The Texans defense has really improved this season now this it is no longer a one-trick pony. The team brought in Vince Wilfork to bolster the line and look like they will have a healthy Jadeveon Clowney for the playoffs who is considered day to day. If Clowney is unable to go, his replacement Whitney Mercilus is certainly more than capable of starting opposite of JJ Watt.
Steelers vs. Bengals
This should be the most intense game as both of these teams have already admitted to not liking one another. Both teams have already been warned about any extracurricular activities during the game. The Steelers have been one of the teams hit the hardest by injuries this season. The team lost starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger for part of the season, starting running back Le’Veon Bell for the season, and backup running back DeAngelo Williams will be unable to go this weekend. Bell’s season ended in a game against the Bengals after a big hit by Vontaze Burfict that many Steelers’ players thought was a dirty hit. The Steelers’ offense has managed to get it done, probably because Roethlisberger has the best receiver in Antonio Brown to throw to. It should be quite a task for the Bengals to cover Brown leaving Martavis Bryant likely to be heavily involved in the game.
The Bengals have their own injury problems, having ruled out Andy Dalton this weekend. Dalton had torn ligaments in his thumb and had the cast removed earlier this week, however, the team has decided to stick with AJ McCarron. McCarron made his first NFL start during the Bengals game against the 49ers in week 15 where he earned his first career win as a starter. The Bengals have made the playoffs every year since 2011, but have nothing to show for it. Cincinnati is one of the most talented teams in the league, but seem to forget that when it becomes January. The team owns the longest playoff drought in the league, their last win in the playoffs coming in 1991. If the team cannot get it done this weekend, it may be time for some major changes in Cincinnati.
Seahawks vs. Vikings
It is going to be below zero in Minnesota at game time and a real test for both teams to see who wants it more. The first time these teams met, Seattle won easily 38-7 just last month. The Seahawks have been rolling the past few weeks behind Russell Wilson and the infamous “Legion of Boom”. The team will need Wilson to have another great game as it was just announced that running back Marshawn Lynch did not feel ready to play this weekend. Lynch is recovering from an abdominal injury that has kept him sidelined since week eleven. Seattle will miss him, however, having won eight of their last ten games has to instill immense confidence in this team that was one play away from winning a second championship last year.
No one expected the Vikings to be in the conversation for the playoffs this season which is what makes them so dangerous. This team is playing with house money and does not have the pressure on their shoulders like other teams, including Seattle. After beating the Green Bay Packers for the NFC North title, this team does not think their journey ends here. The Vikings have one of the best, if not the best, running back in the league in Adrian Peterson. Despite sitting out all of last season, Peterson is ready to lead his team to a Super Bowl title. He has been so good for this team and the confidence of quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. Bridgewater did not have to put up gaudy numbers to keep his team in games; he just needs to protect the ball and let Peterson do his thing.
Packers vs. Redskins
Behind the arm of Aaron Rodgers, the Green Bay Packers are Super Bowl favorites every season. Unfortunately, this Packers team has not looked very good recently. The team is without Rodgers’ favorite target Jordy Nelson and Green Bay led the league in dropped passes this season. The offensive line has not been able to give Rodgers much time to throw and he has been taking a lot of hits. This team has also had problems getting the running game going consistently which resulted in the benching of Eddie Lacy during week thirteen. Hopefully this offensive line has figured something out because they are at their best when Rodgers feels confident in the pocket and can throw the ball down the field whenever he wants.
Someone had to win the NFC East right? At certain points of this season that is what it looked like, however, after an impressive win in Philadelphia, the Washington Redskins are where they deserve to be. Quarterback Kirk Cousins has officially won the job of starting quarterback and he is running with it. The Redskins will need Cousins to play at his best as the Packers aggressive defense will do all it can to keep him off balanced. Luckily for Washington if Cousins does get rattled, the Packers have had difficulty cashing in on turnovers in recent weeks. Finally healthy, tight end Jordan Reed will keep the Packers defensive backs busy as he has finally lived up to potential.
