RADIO
The NFL playoffs are here! After a grueling 17-game regular season, 14 teams remain to play for the coveted Lombardi Trophy.
With the top two teams from each conference on byes, that means we have a six-game slate this weekend. There’s a little bit of everything from massive favorites to home dogs, so let’s get into the nitty-gritty to discuss and rank each contest.
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1.) Los Angeles Rams (+1.5) vs. Minnesota Vikings
Arguably the game of the week has the first 14-win Wild Card team taking on the NFC West champs. This is an interesting matchup for the Vikings as the Rams already defeated Minnesota 30-20 earlier this year.
Demarcus Robinson x2! Another TD for the veteran WR#MINvsLAR on Prime Video
Also streaming on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/WnqsIzGuxF— NFL (@NFL) October 25, 2024
Sean McVay and the Rams offense had an answer to Brian Flores’ aggressive defense that week. The Rams offense is a bit hamstrung by a lack of overall speed, but they have the personnel to beat Minnesota’s defense again.
Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold enjoyed an out-of-nowhere breakout season and threw 35 touchdown passes. However, he struggled mightily in the biggest game of his career last Sunday night against the Detroit Lions. The Lions blitzed Darnold on over half of his dropbacks and played the most Cover 0 in any NFL game this year. It looks like they cracked the code on slowing down Darnold and the Vikings offense.
Minnesota and its quarterback will need to work fast to find a solution because there’s little reason for the Rams to deviate from a Lions defensive game plan that worked so well. This should be one of the best games of the weekend.
2.) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-3) vs. Washington Commanders
What a game we have here. These offenses have been on fire this year as both teams rank in the top seven in offensive DVOA, per FTN Fantasy.
Mayfield to McMillan for the 32-yard TD!
📺: #WASvsTB on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/d8ESrlMXNF— NFL (@NFL) September 8, 2024
Jayden Daniels TO Terry McLaurin!!!
WHAT A THROW. WHAT A CATCH. HOLY MOLY. pic.twitter.com/ZrUkjwZDCJ
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 24, 2024
Their defenses, however, are a different story. Both units have struggled during the year and allowed close to 400 points during the regular season. This game has the highest projected total of the weekend, and it’s easy to see why.
With Baker Mayfield and Jayden Daniels combining for a ridiculous 76 touchdowns this year, we should see plenty of action in this one.
3.) Houston Texans (+2.5) vs. Los Angeles Chargers
These two teams feel like they’ve been on different trajectories the last few weeks. Houston stumbled its way toward an AFC South title while the Los Angeles Chargers have won three straight games to clinch a Wild Card berth and roll into the playoffs with plenty of momentum.
This is one of the most ridiculous TD throws I’ve seen…moving to his left! pic.twitter.com/pxy13AGm6r
— Chase Daniel (@ChaseDaniel) December 20, 2024
Houston is hoping the addition of receiver Diontae Johnson can spark a passing game that’s struggled for the majority of the season. It will also need quarterback C.J. Stroud to play better as he’s been going through a sophomore slump.
Los Angeles made the playoffs in its first season under Jim Harbaugh and is looking for its first playoff win since 2018. This is a tough game to call, but we should see the winner prevail in a low-scoring, defensive contest.
4.) Philadelphia Eagles (-4.5) vs. Green Bay Packers
Green Bay made the playoffs as the seventh seed in the NFC and made the postseason for a second straight year. The road isn’t easy for it as it takes on a Philadelphia Eagles team that boasts a strong rushing attack led by star running back Saquon Barkley.
SAQUON BARKLEY 65-YARD TOUCHDOWN.
📺: #PHIvsNO on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/830L0j9R8o— NFL (@NFL) September 22, 2024
The Packers will be without speedy wide receiver Christian Watson and that could prove to be an issue in this matchup. The Packers offense has been sorely lacking a go-to receiver in clutch moments, and while Watson hasn’t been that guy, the vertical element to his game helped open up the field for other players.
Philadelphia may have an issue of its own with starting quarterback Jalen Hurts reportedly still in concussion protocol. It remains to be seen if he plays, but it would be a huge blow to Philadelphia’s chances if he can’t go.
Either way, expect the Eagles to rely on Barkley and their ground game to get the victory here. If Green Bay can find a way to slow down Barkley, it will have a good chance to pull off an upset.
5.) Buffalo Bills (-8.5) vs. Denver Broncos
Denver locked up its first playoff appearance since 2015 with a 38-0 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 18. It was rewarded with a date against Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills.
Josh Allen connects with Keon Coleman for another Bills touchdown! #Bills | #BillsMafia | #GoBills | #NYJvsBUF | #BuiltInBuffalo pic.twitter.com/DXNVHliZa1
— Built in Buffalo (@BuiltInBuffalo_) December 29, 2024
This is one of the biggest point spreads of the weekend, and it’s understandable as Denver only won two games against opponents with a winning record all year. One of those games was the aforementioned win over the Chiefs. However, that was a contest where Kansas City rested its starters.
Denver’s defense has played well all season as it ranks seventh in total yards allowed per game and fourth in defensive DVOA. However, Allen is a different beast, and he’s been playing at an MVP level this year.
Bo Nix had a fine rookie season, but he’s been considerably better when playing with a lead. That could be an issue in this contest as Sean McDermott and the Bills defense could give Nix issues if Buffalo gets an early lead.
6.) Baltimore Ravens (-9.5) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Baltimore locked up its second straight AFC North title this weekend and enters the playoffs riding a four-game winning streak. It's been a completely different story for the Steelers. After a 10-3 start, Pittsburgh enters the postseason on a four-game losing streak.
Russell Wilson FUMBLES IN THE RED ZONE AND THE RAVENS RECOVER‼️
(via @Ravens) pic.twitter.com/sfnTLBHHXn
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) December 21, 2024
Pittsburgh got off to a hot start, but after overachieving in the early stages of the season, it has come crashing back to earth in the home stretch. This game has the largest point spread of the weekend and reached double digits in some spots.
The Steelers did defeat Baltimore 18-16 in their first matchup this year, but the Ravens won 34-17 in the rematch a few weeks ago. We could be in for more of the same this weekend. Baltimore looks like the better team and should pick up the victory here. That would mean another winless postseason for a Steelers franchise that hasn’t won a playoff game since 2016.
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