Friday 8 January 2016

NFL Wild Card Week Predictions

AFC

Kansas City @ Houston Texans -

Houston is a pass-rushing force with JJ Watt and Whitney Mercilus. They also possess one of the best wide receivers in the league in DeAndre Hopkins. Those players will be relied on to achieve a victory for the Texans. Hoyer is a question mark at the QB positions and the running game is not convincing. They'll need someone to have a special outing to beat the KC defense.

Kansas City has pushed on later in the season to be one of the under-the-radar Super Bowl picks. Alex Smith is always solid-not-spectacular at the QB position and his weapons of Maclin and Kelce have been a revelation. They haven't missed a beat at RB which Charles injured. KC's defense is also very well rounded, Peters is a strong candidate for DROY, Houston is a pass rushing nightmare and Poe is one of the most stout Nose Tackles in the league. They will look to rely on their smash-mouthed running game and getting the ball out of Smith's hands quickly to get the victory.

My Pick: Kansas City Chiefs

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals are one of the most well-rounded teams in the league. Their defense is strong from top to bottom with strong playmakers on all levels. Atkins, Rey, Burfict and Kirkpatrick all had strong seasons among others and they will be relied on to contain and explosive Pittsburgh offense. The question mark for the Bengals will again come on offense. Their offensive line is strong and their running game as a good one-two punch with Hill and Bernard. But Dalton is injured so AJ McCarron will have to come in and beat one of the more consistent playoff performers in NFL history, it will be no easy task.

Pittsburgh sneak into the playoffs on the back of an explosive season on offense. The Roethlisberger-Brown combination is probably the most explosive in the league and any team will struggle to contain it. Even if they do, they'll have other weapons like Bryant and the underrated Wheaton. Pittsburgh;s issue will be on defense where I believe they have below-par personnel, particularly in the secondary. Antwon Blake will likely be targeted by the Bengals and if he's isolated with AJ Green then that's a no-win situation for the Steelers. The Steelers do still have some explosive guys on their 'D' though, Shazier is my personal favourite.

My Pick: Pittsburgh Steelers

NFC

Green Bay Packers  @ Washington Redskins

Washington has probably been the most surprising team in the league for me. Like it or not, Cousins has been fantastic for them this season. He doesn't have elite tools but he seems to be performing, especially in clutch situations. The Redskins offensive line deserve a lot of credit for the offensive performance this season while they haven't been spectacular they've been solid enough, Trent Williams is truly elite. The Redskins also have solid-not-spectacular personnel on the defense. They are one of those teams that do not have a lot of 'star power' but will give every team in the league a game.

The Green Bay Packers have been a massive disappointment this season. Rodgers has not been protected all season and the loss of wide receiver Jordy Nelson has affected the entire receiving corps. Cobb doesn't look like an effective weapon at WR1. Rodgers (the tight end) is an underrated weapon and the Redskins would be wise to game plan for him as he's had breakout games this season. On defense the Packers are decent, they still have some really good players, Clay Matthews is always dangerous and I've been a fan of Datone Jones since his college days. They also have a pair of nice young safeties.

My Pick: Washington Redskins

Seattle Seahawks @ Minnesota Vikings

The Seahawks have been a revelation in a latter half of the season. Russell Wilson has calmed down in the pocket and, as a result, has had some mammoth performances. Watch out for Doug Baldwin, he's had a very good season and can still be classified as under-the-radar. Lynch will look to come back into the team in the post-season and reclaim his 'beast mode' season. What more is there to say about the Seattle defense other than "elite"? I mean they are elite from top to bottom at all positions. The top scoring defense in the NFL once again. Surprise? Nah. Update: Lynch is ruled out of the game. While this makes it a closer affair, I'm sticking with me Seahawks pick.

Mike Zimmer has transformed the Vikings from perennially mediocre to a legitimate contender and a solid franchise. Bridgewater has come on leaps and bounds but you still have to be concerned about how much he is getting hit, Kalil ain't doing him no favours out there! He's also not the most athletic guy, but let him rely on the run game and he'll complete enough passes for you to move down the field efficiently. Diggs has been a surprise rookie. Watch for the Vikings to rely on their All-Pro back AP, it usually works. On defense, Zimmer has solidified a once leaky unit. They are solid from top to bottom with their MVP being Linval Joseph who's been nothing short of a revelation. They'll rely on Joseph to stop Lynch.

My Pick: Seattle Seahawks


I very rarely go four for four so I wouldn't bet on my predictions if I were you! Once thing that I am certain of though is that this is going to be an exciting week of Wild Card games. The elite teams in the NFL are on show and I would bet one of the winners is bound to go to the Super Bowl.


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