Buffalo Bills/Houston Texans: I was hoping these teams wouldn't play each other in the Wild Card round because I'd like to see them both win, even if the fact that they're playing each other means one of them will win at some point this coming Saturday. Houston had a light schedule although their division was competitive, and they picked up wins versus Tennessee, Kansas City and New England, and only lost to New Orleans by two (they played their backups in their second game versus Tennessee). They played in a competitive division meaning it was tough to come out on top, although at times during the year they were adventitiously outclassed, notably 41-7 and 38-24 losses to Baltimore and Denver. The Bills had a light schedule too and played many of the worst teams in the league, but they also beat Tennessee, Dallas, Pittsburgh and Denver, and challenged New England (twice) and Baltimore for wins late in three stunning fourth quarters. I think if Buffalo's defence plays as well as they did during the regular season, and their offence scores more regularly than it did this year, they'll be playing again in the Divisional Round for sure, but Houston's playing at home and they're due for a breakthrough playoff run, which it looked like they'd make at times this year when they played their best. But Buffalo's defence did let in the fewest points in the league next to New England, even if they did play several of the NFL's worst teams. They came close to beating Baltimore. Picking the Bills by 3.
Tennessee Titans/New England Patriots: based on how well New England played this year, I'd say Tennessee has a shot at winning this game. Against any other team I'd say they have a great shot, but that's crazy talk versus New England at home in the playoffs. Like Buffalo, New England's defensive stats are somewhat misleading inasmuch as they played many of the worst teams in the NFL this season, but that doesn't mean they let up when they played them, or played any worse than was to be expected. They did lose to Miami in Week 17 but the Dolphins are the only team in the AFC East who beats the Patriots from time to time, and even though Miami looked like they were the worst team ever in Week 1, they did improve as the season went on, and finished with 5 hard fought wins. When New England faced stiff competition this year they generally kept it close, holding off Buffalo twice as mentioned previously, defeating Dallas, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh, while falling to Kansas City, Houston, and Baltimore. I doubt the Titans will let up in this game, but I actually got to watch the end of the Patriots/Texans game, and Houston was up by a bunch in the fourth. And they let up. They let up with around 9 minutes to play and lo and behold New England was kicking onside for the potential win with under a minute left, never let up on Tom Brady. If there's 10 seconds left and you're winning by 14, don't let up on Tom Brady. If you're winning 35 to 3 in the fourth quarter, don't let up on Tom Brady. If the Titans let up for a fraction of a second, rack up another postseason home victory for the Patriots. I'm hoping Tennessee shows up to challenge. But am picking Tom Brady and New England.
Minnesota Vikings/New Orleans Saints: another game where I'd like to see both teams win. It bugs me that Minnesota's never won the Super Bowl and I'm hoping they win one day soon. Unless the Broncos make the playoffs that year. But I freakin' love Drew Brees and he's one of the best ever and I'd love to see him win the Super Bowl one more time. Both teams seem to be cursed, the entire NFC South seems to be cursed come to think of it, but look at how the Saints were knocked out of the playoffs in the last two years: the Vikings fluked a win with less than a minute left on an incredibly improbable touchdown play two years ago, and last year the Rams took advantage of a botched pass interference call that forced New Orleans to kick a field goal, instead of keeping the drive alive for another touchdown. Bad luck for the Saints. Minnesota hasn't fared much better. The cooler story is Kirk Cousins shows up and outguns Drew Brees to pick up an improbable playoff victory, and I won't be upset if he pulls it off. The Broncos were crushing the Vikings in Week 11 and Minnesota stormed back in the second half for the win. Note: Drew Lock wasn't playing. They lost twice to Green Bay, and Seattle and Kansas City as well, but three of those games were close, and Minnesota gave 'er till the bitter end. The Saints beat Houston, Tennessee, Seattle, and the LA Rams, and only lost by a last second field goal to San Francisco (48 to 46), after taking the lead late in the fourth. New Orleans may be cursed. But I still think they can take Minnesota. Hoping it's a close game. Picking the Saints by 17.
Seattle Seahawks/Philadelphia Eagles: Seattle may find themselves in a bit of a predicament this Sunday. They're certainly the better team and seem like a strong Super Bowl contender, but in 2010 New Orleans had the much better team, yet was forced to play on the road against the 7 and 9 Seahawks, and they did not win that game, falling to Seattle 41-36. However, the last time Baltimore won the Super Bowl, they lost their last four games of the season, if I remember correctly, and didn't seem like they'd compete for the Super Bowl, and Seattle lost three of their last four in 2019, although they were inches away from defeating San Francisco in Week 17's dying seconds. Nevertheless, the two top teams competing in the playoffs this year are San Francisco and Baltimore and would seem destined to face each other again, if there weren't so many other strong teams contending. I don't know if any of that improves the Eagles's chances of winning this Sunday, but they won their last four games of the season, and only lost to Seattle by 8 in Week 12. I think it'd be crazy to pick Philadelphia, but they could show up for one more big game, and stranger things have happened, although not for many a year. Being boring and picking Seattle. But won't be surprised if the Eagles come out on top. Neither team seems to go away when you take the lead. And they've never played each other before in the playoffs. When the 7 and 9 Seahawks beat the Saints it was their first playoff meeting too. I don't know what that means. Just sharing stats that seem appropriate.
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