To put it out there, here is my prediction of the full playoffs. But here I will only cover the wild card games, providing additional context without the scores. There are some interesting picks that certainly do not go with the consensus, and I plan to explore that here.
#4 Houston Texans VS #5 Cleveland Browns
Against a young high powered offense, Myles Garrett and the elite Browns defense should make CJ Stroud look like the rookie he was supposed to look like this year. Joe Flacco will not have to be amazing here, but he cannot throw too many interceptions.
Browns win.
#4 Tampa Bay Buccaneers VS #5 Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles are absolutely reeling. They have lost 5 of their last 6 regular season games. They have a couple of concerning injuries to Jalen Hurts and AJ Brown, and their defense looks to have completely regressed to one of the worst in the league. Their play calling is uninspiring, relying on their front-loaded talent. It got them to 10-1. It will not get them past the wildcard round. The Buccaneers offense will absolutely wipe the floor with the Eagles terrible secondary.
Bucs win.
#3 Kansas City Chiefs VS #6 Miami Dolphins
This is an interesting game, with it being in a likely snow storm. Anything can go here, but despite the Dolphins 1-5 record against playoff teams I believe they can pull off the most surprising of upsets. This will finally be the year Patrick Mahomes is stopped in the playoffs, maybe Jalen Ramsey gets an interception or two.
Dolphins win.
#3 Detroit Lions VS #6 Los Angeles Rams
In my opinion the most interesting game of super wild card weekend. I look forward to seeing Matthew Stafford and Jared Goff play against their former teams. Despite the Lions impressive season, they really did not have the hardest schedule. Unfortunately for hopeful Lions fans I see an upset in a high scoring game. I do hope to see the Lions overcome all their past woes and maybe even make it to the conference championship. But I think the Rams have everything it takes to beat them, the experience of Super Bowl Champions and the flourishing youth that lifted them here.
Rams win.
#2 Buffalo Bills VS #7 Pittsburgh Steelers
The Buffalo Bills should win pretty comfortably, especially facing a defense without the contender for the DPOY in TJ WATT. The stout Bills defense is going up against Mason Rudolph, the backup prior to the season. I do say the Bills should win easily, but they tend to play down to their competition and the Mike Tomlin and the Steelers love to be the underdog. Still,
Bills win.
#2 Dallas Cowboys VS #7 Green Bay Packers
Jordan Love has had quite the emergence in his first full year as the starter. Leading your team into the playoffs in your first season starting is no easy feat. The Packers are showing great promise for the future. But still, Dak Prescott and Micah Parsons will make quick work of them on both ends. Barring a 5 interception game from Dak, all signs clearly point to the more star powered team in the Cowboys.
Cowboys win.