Playoff time in the NFL is upon us and I, for one, can not wait.
Much like FIFA and the World Cup, the National Football League’s off-field goings-on can make you cringe and question frequently, however the product that is presented at this time of the year is highly entertaining, engaging and presented brilliantly.
And even though my beloved, yet highly infuriating New York Jets have missed the playoffs … again … (sighs) … I will be there with bells on from the first game tomorrow until the clock runs out at the end of the Super Bowl.
So here’s my predictions for week one of the NFL playoffs, more commonly known as Wildcard Weekend:
SUNDAY 15 JANUARY
10.30am – NFC – Seattle Seahawks (7) at San Francisco 49ers (2)
The 49ers should have too many weapons in this one. The cliche is “defence wins championships” and San Francisco has an elite defensive unit. Throw in offensive talents like Deebo Samuel, George Kittle and Christian McCaffrey, to name but three, and a head coach who appears to have learned some pretty harsh playoff lessons throughout his coaching career and everything points to the home side. However this Seattle team is double-tough so it aint gonna be a walk in the park for San Fran by any stretch.
Prediction: 49ers by 10 points but the Seahawks will keep it spicy right the way through
2.15pm – AFC – Los Angeles Chargers (5) at Jacksonville Jaguars (4)
Toughest game to pick for the whole weekend for me. While all the focus will be on two great young quarterbacks in Justin Herbert and Trevor Lawrence, both in their first NFL playoff appearance, this is all about coaching and Jags coach Doug Petersen is simply a way better NFL coach than his Chargers opposite Brandon Staley, who could find himself without a job if they lose this game. The Jags will be solid and methodical; the Chargers brash and bold and I like solid and methodical … but only just.
Prediction: Jaguars by 5 points
MONDAY 16 JANUARY
7am – AFC – Miami Dolphins (7) at Buffalo Bills (2)
Bills at home where they’ve only lost once this season, boosted by news of Damar Hamlin’s release from hospital and welcoming a Miami team starting a third-string rookie at quarterback; it’s really easy to see this game being done and dusted by halftime.
Prediction: Bills by 21 points and that feels conservative
10.30am – NFC – New York Giants (6) at Minnesota Vikings (3)
Two teams with first year coaches who have made a huge impact on their teams; a massive impact in the case of Giants coach Brian Doball. This one initially stood out as a potential upset but Vikings have shown more resilience than normal this season so, against my better judgement and ignoring historically poor performances in games of significance by quarterback Kirk Cousins, the Vikings should be the more complete team of the two.
Prediction: Vikings by 8 points but this could also easily ended up Giant by six or being an atrocious game that has to go to overtime due to both sides inability to handle the moment
2.15pm – AFC – Baltimore Ravens (6) at Cincinnati Bengals (3)
The Bengals have shown so much poise in the second half of the season as they powered their way into the postseason and while the Ravens defence will go full speed from first snap to last, it’s hard to imagine them negating the Bengals offence, lead by Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase, for an entire game in Cincinnati. The Ravens might get back-up Tyler Huntley back to start at quarterback (it was possible but not confirmed at the time of writing this) but he’s battling an injury in his throwing shoulder so that’s a pretty big might.
Prediction: Bengals by 14 points though as I type this I wonder if , like the Buffalo prediction, that’s being overly conservative
TUESDAY 17 JANUARY
2.15pm – NFC – Dallas Cowboys (5) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4)
Real simple for me – if it’s close heading into the final quarter, the Buccaneers win because that’s what Tom Brady does and the Cowboys don’t. Neither of these teams push my NFL-loving-button so I wish the officials all the best for the game.
Prediction: The less of two evils, the Buccaneers by 3 points courtesy of yet-another Tom Brady game-winning fourth-quarter drive
(Originally posted on http://www.TodayFM.co.nz on Saturday 14 January 2023 … I just forgot to put it up here at the same time)
Nigel Yalden Sports 