It has all come right down to this. You made it by Christmas, you soldiered by New 12 months’s Eve and now you’ll be able to lastly discuss it – it’s playoff season within the Nationwide Soccer League.
We’ve stated farewell to the beneath .500 groups. There’s no extra speak of Kyler Murray and his relationship with heralded Marvin Harrison Jr. As a collective, have we ever been extra able to put the Cowboys within the bin? Nonetheless, now we have come to the tip of the Bengals’ tightrope journey into the knockout phases.
It’s all effectively and good saying they have been a permutation away from progressing into the playoffs however Zac Taylor’s sluggish begins have come again to chew this workforce once more.
Per week one loss to the New England Patriots is unforgivable and Joe Burrow’s stern manner all through the season was a becoming illustration of the AFC workforce.
This Cincinnati workforce jogs my memory of Rory McIlroy. A golfer ceaselessly in competition with one of the best of one of the best, has all of the instruments to win silverware however we’re continuously left with emotions of what if? However I nonetheless imagine McIlroy has one other main in him and I nonetheless imagine Joe Cool is “the man”.
With our fond farewells stated and accomplished, we transfer to the playoffs and there are some unbelievable matchups set to unfold right here in wildcard weekend.
Chargers (11-6) @ Texans (10-7)
Justin Herbert, possibly probably the most aesthetically pleasing thrower within the league, heads to Houston to do battle with CJ Stroud’s Texans.
Jim Harbough’s arrival in Los Angeles has modified the fortunes of this franchise, a workforce determined for some competency on the very high. I preferred Brandon Staley however he was ceaselessly chasing his personal tail on the podium, coherent and competent phrases to the media have been adopted by incoherent play and have been most noticeable with the defence, his space of experience.
Harbough has introduced with him a successful accountable mentality. He’s stamped his id on this workforce and elevated his quarterback’s confidence.
Justin Herbert has solely taken one sack in his final two video games, which has enabled him to ship the ball on a silver platter. Over 600 yards and 5 touchdowns in his final two video games, Herbert has developed an unbelievable rapport with rookie Ladd McConkey and even former first-round bust Quinten Johnston has seemed serviceable.
However this week they arrive up in opposition to a ferocious Texans D-Line complete is tied for fourth in sacks this season with 49 and has the second-highest strain price.
Herbert’s three interceptions have come beneath strain this yr, it’s one space to observe. Houston has saved working backs to beneath 4 yards a carry this season whereas the Chargers have allowed 4.6. Mixon is the inform working again and his return to health has come on the excellent time.
The Chargers’ defence has been wonderful this season however they’ll have their palms full with Nico Collins who has been carving defences open all season.
That is the story of two groups who’ve arrived on the playoffs trending in numerous instructions. The Texans really feel clunky whereas the Chargers are simply starting to motor.
My decide: Chargers
Steelers (10-7) @ Ravens (12-5)
MVP, MVP, MVP.
Now’s the time for Lamar Jackson to shake off his playoff woes and put Russell Wilson as soon as and for all within the bin. Mike Tomlin is probably the most underrated coach within the league. 12 months after yr he makes lemonade out of lemons and he’s accomplished it once more in 2024. However certainly that is the tip of the highway, proper?
It’s the third time these groups have confronted one another this yr, nevertheless, the Steelers arrive off the again of a four-game dropping streak, whereas Baltimore roll in with a four-game win streak.
The Ravens are cooking on either side of the ball, with their defence limiting groups to beneath 20 factors within the final 4 video games whereas their offence has scored 30+ in the identical span.
Of their most up-to-date matchup in week 16, Jackson threw for 3 TDs whereas Derrick Henry, the King, ran for 162 yards. Nonetheless, there’s a glimmer of hope for Pittsburgh. In week 11 the Steelers took the spoils in a low-scoring affair, limiting Henry and Jackson.
Throughout the season, Pittsburgh completed within the high 10 versus ball carriers, no imply feat when your schedule contains two matchups versus Lamar and Henry.
Zay Flowers, Baltimore’s main receiver is uncertain with a sprained knee placing extra onus on the Raven’s tight finish pairing. Mark Andrews and Isaiah Seemingly might be in for a bigger workload however control Rashod Bateman too.
Probably the most telling stat coming into this recreation is that the Steelers have scored 18 factors or much less of their final 4 video games and the Ravens have saved opposition to beneath 18 factors of their final 4 video games.
Russell Wilson and George Pickens as a duo appear to have forgotten methods to play soccer and a receiving core of Van Jefferson and Calvin Austin aren’t able to choosing up the slack.
My decide: Ravens
Broncos (10-7) @ Payments (13-4)
Okay Bo Nix, I see you. Sean Payton has obtained his quarterback and it’s turned this workforce round. The previous New Orleans HC has left final yr within the rearview mirror and has reinvigorated this franchise.
There are flashes from this Denver offense however this workforce is constructed on the Xs and Os and Peyton has schemed this offense to success. Cortland Sutton is experiencing a profession yr and Marvin Mimms lastly seems like a related piece.
Holding the Chiefs scoreless final weekend will likely be a spotlight for this workforce as they wanted the win to progress additional however they arrive up in opposition to a balanced and firing Buffalo workforce.
The MVP race is as tight because it’s ever been and that’s right down to Josh Allen’s unstoppable-esque season. Questions loomed over Sean McDermott’s workforce coming into the season however they’ve silenced each single doubter.
James Cook dinner has alleviated a lot from Allen’s shoulders this yr together with his 16 dashing TDs and beneath the watchful eye of Joe Brady, their large receivers have accomplished sufficient to drive them into the knockout phases.
The Broncos really feel like a possible banana pores and skin, however that’s simply the superstition speaking. Allen is supposed for better issues, he has work to complete.
My decide: Buffalo Payments
Packers (11-6) @ Eagles (14-3)
He’s again practising however Jalen Hurts continues to be within the concussion protocol. This leaves Philadelphia in an extremely precarious place. With all due respect to Kenny Picket and Tanner McKee, the Eagles merely can not afford to enter this recreation with out their franchise quarterback. They’re 10-0 when Hurts performs.
Matt LeFleur has as soon as once more introduced this workforce to the playoffs. With no clear large receiver on the books, this Inexperienced Bay workforce has morphed right into a working workforce with Josh Jacobs trying again to his very best.
Jordan Love has one of many highest ceilings within the league out of all these younger quarterbacks however we’ve quickly one too many video games, he’s obtained a low flooring too.
No workforce has thrown the ball lower than Philadelphia this yr. I ponder why? His title is Saquan Barkley and he’s rushed for 2005 yards this season. Wow, sorry Giants followers. However Inexperienced Bay has the fifth-best-rushing defence this yr, can they include Barkley’s MVP-worthy season? It is going to be a tall process.
Inexperienced Bay are tied third in interceptions this yr and if Hurts isn’t match to play, watch the Packers have a subject day. However Philadelphia has a full receiving trio this week, AJ Brown, Devonte Smith and Dallas Goedert are match to play. If one will get locked down, the opposite two feast.
Philadelphia Eagles’ Jordan Mailata. (Picture by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Photos)
The Eagles are heavy favourites however there’s all the time a recreation that shocks us in Wildcard weekend.
My decide: Packers.
Commanders (12-5) @ Buccaneers (10-7)
Boy, it certain is enjoyable watching Jayden Daniels play soccer. The No.2 general decide has delivered in spades this yr. Washington can lastly, lastly, really feel hopeful in regards to the future. His reference to Terry McLaurin has set league and franchise data, with No.17 scoring probably the most TDs in a single season for the Commanders.
However the Commanders aren’t the one ones setting data on this matchup. Baker Mayfield linked with Mike Evans as soon as once more to rack up the large receiver’s eleventh 1000 yards season, in a row.
Mayfield has scored 41 TDs with 16 interceptions, the previous Brown has cemented his place on this league as a top-tier quarterback.
His angle marries completely with this hard-nosed workforce and their willpower is finest personified by their performances after dropping Chris Godwin, who up till his nasty ankle damage, was trying like top-of-the-line large receivers within the league.
The Buccaneers solely secured their playoff spot final week, in order that they’ve needed to push proper up till the ultimate whistle they usually come into this matchup buzzing.
Jayden Daniels is inclined to being sacked and this Tampa D-Line is tied sixth for sacks over the course of the season. The dashing assault may even play an enormous function on this recreation. Bucky Irving has had an unbelievable season taking on from Rachaad White. Mayfield has proven his wheels too.
The Commanders have contained QBs to 4.2 yards a carry, the ninth-best within the league, nevertheless, solely two groups have been worse at containing working backs. Bucky Irving might be in retailer for a profession recreation.
My decide: Commanders
Vikings (14-3) @ Rams (10-7)
How can a 14-3 workforce be on the highway? The NFL is a bizarre league man.
Their week 18 matchup in opposition to the Lions noticed their division rival safe the bye, and mapped out the highway to success for opposition defences. Fortuitously for Minnesota, the Rams have been so-so at house in SoFi stadium this yr.
The Vikings have allowed over 24 factors of their final three video games and this quantity is flirting dangerously near L.A.’s bread and butter this season.
The Rams’ offence has accomplished simply sufficient to safe the wins since their shootout versus Buffalo and their offence is finest summed up by what feels just like the hardest-working working again within the league, Kyren Williams. Williams reached 1299 yards on 4.1 yards a carry. He’s eeked out a number of exhausting yards for this offence.
Matthew Stafford hasn’t set the world alight just lately however alternatively, he hasn’t been sacked within the final 4 video games both and his sheer willpower means we might be in retailer for a kind of monster Stafford video games.
Regardless of lacking six video games this season, Puka Nacua reached 990 yards and has performed himself into the dialog as one of many league’s finest.
A dialog that’s persistently dominated by the Vikings’ personal man, Justin Jefferson. He hasn’t been as prolific within the purple zone this yr as earlier seasons however he and Sam Darnold simply appear to get each other. Isn’t that good? The previous LSU wideout has 103 receptions 1533 yards and 10 TDs.
The Vikings DBs have saved opposition large receivers to the bottom ranking of the yr, however of their earlier matchup, the Rams schemed round this power by feeding large receiver three Demarcus Robinson who scored two touchdowns.
Cooper Kupp additionally bagged a TD in opposition to Minnesota. Whereas he’s been saved quiet during the last three weeks, the Vikings can’t afford to take their eyes off him for a minute,
Kevin O’Connell is among the favourites for Coach of the 12 months. He’s behind Sam Darnold’s renaissance yr. The previous Jet has lastly been put into knowledgeable setting and he’s flourished. You may’t assist however be delighted for Darnold, he’s earned it.
Nonetheless, final week’s blowout to Detroit has proven the best way for Defensive Rookie of the 12 months Jared Verse and his former faculty teammate Brandon Fiske. The Rams D-Line is younger however imply. Kobie Turner and Byron Younger set the muse and the 2 rookies have been firing because of this.
My head says Minnesota, however my coronary heart says L.A.
My decide: Rams
