2020 NFL Wild Card Weekend Predictions

2020 NFL Wild Card

Wild Card weekend is right around the corner.  About half of these teams we become accustomed to seeing play this weekend…and we have the Patriots.  Way to mix things up Bill!

Aside from the Vikings/Saints game, all spreads are 5 or under.  Should be some competitive games.  So, who are you picking?  Here are my picks.

Bills at Texans

 

 

This game features two 10-6 teams, and aside from the Buffalo defense, a whole lot of mediocrity.  Houston’s offense was 14th in the NFL in scoring, with Buffalo’s offense 23rd.  Houston’s defense was a surprising 19th in the NFL in scoring, where Buffalo’s was 2nd.  On paper, that is the only advantage in the game.  I don’t see the Josh Allen and the Bills scoring more than 20 points, so it will come down to Buffalo’s ability to contain the potential explosiveness of the Texan’s offense.  They are loaded with weapons, led by QB Deshaun Watson and WR DeAndre Hopkins.  Despite being 14th in the NFL in scoring, they scored 24+ points 10 times this season.  The capability is there.  With Buffalo’s youth and inability to score, coupled by Houston’s Playoff experience, I will take the Texans to win.

Titans at Patriots

 

 

As noted in my Playoff Preview, the Titans have a sneaky good offense.  Ryan Tannehill led the NFL in Passer Rating, and Derrick Henry led the NFL in rushing yards.  This offense can score, and they were one of the hottest teams in the NFL the 2nd half of the season (won 7 of last 10).  But this is the Patriots, and you have to assume they (specifically Bill Belichick) are not happy about playing this weekend.  Tom Brady had a “down year”, but their defense was the best in the NFL all season, in both points and yards per game.  I can’t see a scenario where Brady and Belichick lose a Wild Card game.  Hey, it’s been a decade since that has happened.  And not this year.  I will take the Patriots to win (big).

Vikings at Saints

 

 

In theory, this should be an evenly matched game.  Minnesota’s offense scored 25 points per game, while the New Orleans’s defense gave up 21 per game.  The Saints offense scored 29 per game, the Vikings defense gave up 19 per game.  Do the math, this should be a very close game, right?  Both defenses are comparable (in points per game at least), and both offenses are loaded with weapons.  Saints – Alvin Kamara, Michael Thomas, Jared Cook; Vikings – Dalvin Cook, Stefon Diggs, Adam Thielen.  So what will this game come down to?  Drew Brees and Kirk Cousins of course.  Advantage, Brees.  Until Cousins can prove he can win big games, too hard to trust him.  I will take the Saints to win, for that reason and that reason only.

Seahawks at Eagles

 

 

One month ago, this would have been an easy game to pick.  Hell, one month ago the Eagles were barely in contention for a Playoff spot.  But they ripped off 4 consecutive wins to take the NFC East from Dallas (which we all enjoyed), coming into the Playoffs with a lot of momentum.  Seattle is a hard team to figure out…they are capable of beating Playoff teams 3 consecutive weeks (49ers, Eagles, Vikings), and equally capable of struggling against the likes of Cincinnati, Cleveland, and (losing to) Arizona.  Which Seahawks team will show up is the question.  They matchup quite evenly (Seattle 9th offense, 23rd defense; Eagles 12th offense, 15th defense), so like it goes in so many Playoff games, it all comes down to the QB.  Carson Wentz has been very good in the regular season, but has gotten injured before the Playoffs the last 2 seasons.  He is very capable of winning a big game, but he is unproven in the Playoffs.  Russell Wilson on the other hand, is proven, and is a proven winner.  I think that is the difference.  This should be the most competitive game of the weekend, and I will take the Seahawks to win.

Damn, I just realized I took the easy route and picked all the favorites.  I should have known better!  I will do better next weekend, I am sure of it.

Now, tell me what you think!!!

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