It's the beginning of the National Football League's postseason this coming weekend, I'm going to give some hot takes on the slate of games and preview them all for you.
The Games
5Buffalo Bills (10-6) @ 4Houston Texans (10-6), Saturday, January 4, 2020, 3:35 PM CST
This is a great matchup for the opening round. The Bills made New England earn their AFC East crown this year and pushed them down to the wire to earn it this year. The Bills locked up their playoff spot before the last week and there is a good reason for that. The Bills have a great team lead by a great defence that has led their team to a 10-6 record and a second playoff appearance in three years. This team also has a quarterback in Josh Allen that can move the ball with his legs if he needs too. The offence can put up enough points to win a game when their defence is on.
The Texans have a high powered offence lead by young-gun quarterback Deshaun Watson. Match that with superstar wideout DeAndre Hopkins and that is scary by itself. The Texans could be getting J.J. Watt back soon too on the other side of the ball. This team could make some noise. They are the 4, and in my mind, the four is a bit of an unknown in the NFL playoffs, being the worst of the division winners. They can go either way in this year's bid for the Lombardi.
I think Houston has the edge being at home, but defence travels. It'll be close but I have Houston moving on to the divisional round.
6Tennessee Titans (9-7) @ 3New England Patriots, Saturday (12-4), January 4, 2020, 7:15 PM CST
This matchup has the potential to become an instant classic. You have an underdog Titans team that is coming into New England to face a Patriots team that is facing some adversity coming into the 2020 Postseason. New England hasn't played on Wildcard Weekend since 2009. It has been over a decade since the Pats have had to play in the NFL Playoff's first round. This isn't uncharted territory for this team, but it is very unfamiliar for them. This team is not accustomed to not having the bye this week, but they're going to have to if they want to pass the Titans.
This Titans team has gotten hot down the stretch. After the Titans decided to replace the number two overall pick in 2015, Marcus Mariota, with Ryan Tannehill, who was acquired in the offseason from Miami. Tannehill has been moving the ball and adding a spark to the Titans offence that has them in the playoffs and ready for what can be a decent run. Match Tannehill with Derek Henry in the backfield, who is always a threat to take the ball to the house.
This will be an instant classic. The hot take here may be the one that wouldn't have been hot earlier this year. I think the Pats will win this game. Yes the team that I think is done their dynasty run will win. Bill will get his team ready, and they will win, but close.
6Minnesota Vikings (10-6) @ 3New Orleans Saints (13-3), Sunday, January 5, 2020, 12:05 PM CST
This is a more straight-forward match up in my opinion. The Viks claimed the last wildcard spot in the NFC, and hit some bumps along the way. They have a top-half quarterback in Kirk Cousins. There should be some asterisks placed next to that name. Kirk Cousins has had a habit of not showing up to play in the big games. If this isn't a big game, then I don't know why he would be playing professional football. This is the playoffs, he needs to show up this time, or the Viks can wave goodbye to their shot at the Lombardi.
The Saints were unlucky in a year in which three different teams could have been the NFC's number one seed, they were the odd ones out with having to play on wildcard weekend. This team is one of the best in the league and has a legitimate shot at winning Super Bowl LIV. Drew Brees is playing inspired football, and this team is hot. They'll be feared in this year's quest for the Lombardi.
This one is easy for me, New Orleans moves on to face one of the teams that stole their first-round bye.
5Seattle Seahawks (11-5) @ 4Philadelphia Eagles (9-7), Sunday, January 5, 2020, 3:40 PM CST
The Eagle found their way into the playoffs by beating a very lacklustre Dallas team in week 16. This team is really banged up, but they are playing at home. This reminds me of the 2010 edition of the Seattle Seahawks, in which they limped into the playoffs in a terrible division and beat a much better team that was forced to come into their house to play. This team could pull off the upset.
Seattle is good on the road this year. They posted a 7-1 record away from Century Link Field this year, so going on the road should not be a problem for them. This team has lost some questionable games down the stretch (Arizona at home in week 16), but they should be better than that. Pete Carroll will have his team ready to play on the road and defeat and an inferior opponent.
Seattle is clearly the better team, but each team is trending in the opposite direction. I think Seattle will hang on, but they should be concerned about moving forward.
Players To Watch
BUF @ HOU: Watch out for Deshaun Watson. He's the one who needs to lead his team to take them deep. He will be the X-factor in this game.
TEN @ NE: Another Quarterback here, Tom Brady. Is he going to be the vintage Tom that we're used to or the one that has played this season? That'll decide this game in my mind.
MIN @ NO: I'm going to go with Kirk Cousins here. He needs to play well for Minnesota to win, but I'm not sure it'll be enough. The second player I'm going to name for this one is Drew Brees. He is going to light it up, watch him.
SEA @ PHI: Dallas Goedert. Goedert is a great Tight End for the Eagles this year. He'll be relied upon for the Eagles in their pass game and will be a major feature for them if they win.
Upset Alert
I'm going to say the Eagles are on upset alert, but Seattle does have the better record, but Philly is the higher seed, and that's what makes me call it an upset if the 'Hawks win.
New England is on upset alert after losing to Miami last week. This team isn't as strong as it used to be, and they're not used to playing Wildcard Weekend. They need to watch out.
The Texans are on upset alert as they face a really good Buffalo team with the same record as them. They could easily lose this game in my mind.
La Cheeserie, Littles
Fight On, Sleepers
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