The race to New Orleans and Super Bowl 59 starts this weekend with the Wildcard games. The Kansas City Chiefs are the No1 seed and have the bye and home field advantage throughout the playoffs.
Embed from Getty ImagesFirst up sees the Los Angeles Chargers (11-6) travel to NRG Stadium to face the AFC South Champion Houston Texans (10-7) on Saturday (9:30pm KO).
Texans QB C J Stroud has had a good season, but not an outstanding one. He is ranked 17th in touchdowns (20), 15th in yards thrown (3,727) and 12th in completions (336).
Embed from Getty ImagesChargers QB Justin Herbert, on the other hand, has been in excellent form this season. He is ranked 12th in touchdowns (23), 9th in yards thrown (3870) and 13th in completions (332).
One of the biggest reasons for the Chargers success this season has been their defense. The group is top in pts allowed per game (17.7), where as the Texans have allowed 21.9 ppg. On the offensive side of the ball, The Chargers average 23.6 ppg, with the Texans only scoring an average 21.9. So this should be quite a tight game.
Embed from Getty ImagesIn the early hours of Sunday morning, the 6th seed Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7) face for a third time this season the 3rd seed and AFC North Champion Baltimore Ravens (12-5). Both sides have won once this season, Steelers winning 18-16 at home in week 11, with the Ravens winning the week 16 clash 34-17, also at home.
Reigning MVP Lamar Jackson has had a MVP season and is rightly favourite for the award again. His season stats are 316-474 for 4,172 yards, 41 touchdowns and only four interceptions. He has also rushed for 915 yards from 139 carries with 4 touchdowns.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Ravens also have RB Derrick Henry, who, in his first season at Baltimore, has rushed for 1,921 yards from 325 carries and 16 touchdowns. So the Steelers Defense will need to stop that running power. They have allowed an average 98.7 yards per game on the ground, with an average of 228 yards through the air, and an average of 20.4 points per game allowed.
This game will come down to if the Steelers defense can stop the Ravens offense who score an average 30.5 points per game, when the Steelers only score an average 22.4 ppg.
The final game on the AFC side is Sunday evening at 6pm. The Denver Broncos (10-7) travel to Highmark Stadium to face the No 2 seed and AFC East Champion Buffalo Bills (13-4).
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Broncos rookie QB Bo Nix, drafted 12th overall in last year’s draft, has had an amazing season, putting him in contention for the Offensive Rookie of the Year award. His stats are 376-567 for 3,775 yards, with 29 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. His opposite number, Josh Allen has 307-483 for 3,731 yards, with 28 touchdowns and six interceptions.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Broncos last game saw them defeat the Kansas City Chiefs 38-0, however it was against the Chiefs second and third string players. The bills lost themselves to the New England Patriots 23-16, but again the Bills rested most of their starters.
The Denver defense has been superb this season as well, only allowing 18.3 ppg, whereas the Bills defense have allowed 21.6. However, the Bills offense have averaged a huge 30.9 ppg and the Broncos have scored an average 25.0.
Predictions – I think all three games will be tighter than people think. But I have the Chargers, Ravens and Bills progressing to the Divisional Round. If that is the case, then the Chargers will travel to Arrow Head to face the Chiefs and the Ravens will go to Buffalo.