AFC Wild Card
(5) Buffalo Bills at (4) Houston Texans: It’ll feel like 1993 all over again! That was the last time we saw these two cities meet in a Wild Card game. It was an epic comeback which saw the Bills erase a 32-point lead for the win. The Buffalo Bills at one time had a playoff drought. Now, they’re back in the playoffs for the second time in three seasons. They really snuck up on people with how good they’ve been this year. For the fourth time in five seasons, the Houston Texans are champions of the AFC South. I still don’t trust them because I never know which group will show up for Bill O’Brien. These two will kick off Wild Card weekend on Saturday afternoon.
(6) Tennessee Titans at (3) New England Patriots: Mike Vrabel and his Tennessee Titans have clinched the final spot in the AFC Playoffs. Welcome to the tourney again! I like how this team is built because they’re able to win in a variety of ways. That defense is strong, they run the football and Ryan Tannehill can make things happen under center at quarterback. For the first time since the 2009 season, the New England Patriots are playing in the Wild Card round. This will be only the fourth time the Patriots have played in the first round under Bill Belichick. They didn’t end the season the way they wanted, but January is here.
First Round Byes: (1) Baltimore Ravens, (2) Kansas City Chiefs
NFC Wild Card
(5) Seattle Seahawks at (4) Philadelphia Eagles: Things didn’t end well for the Seattle Seahawks, but they’re here playing postseason football once again. With the loss to the San Francisco 49ers in week 17, they dropped to the five seed in the NFC Playoffs. I knew they would make it, just was unsure of what capacity they’d be here in. You can’t count out these Eagles. Just when you think they’re done; they fight until the job is done. They won out to win the NFC East for the first time since 2017, the same year they also won the Super Bowl. South Philadelphia will be rocking on Sunday afternoon.
(6) Minnesota Vikings at (3) New Orleans Saints: Do you believe in miracles? When these two-last met in the playoffs, they gave us a game to remember. Stefon Diggs took a pass to the house for 61 yards in a play that became known as the “Minneapolis Miracle”. The Vikings are back in the playoffs for the first time since then. Kirk Cousins put together a good season, but can he play well when it matters the most for the Vikings? They’re paying him all this money, now deliver. 13 wins and you’re a three seed? That’s the position the Saints are in. That just shows you how stacked the NFC has been. These two will collide early Sunday afternoon in the Superdome.
First Round Byes: (1) San Francisco 49ers, (2) Green Bay Packers
