Wow. I predicted all 6 Wildcard games correctly. I have no delusions though. I did not predict the absolute shellackings that Buffalo and Los Angeles handed out. Buffalo is, perhaps, the only team that really showed signs of what is to come. Kansas City and Tampa Bay played subpar opponents but the Chiefs showed their might and Tampa Bay did not. The 49ers' defense was phenomenal, but I don't think their offense showed it can play with Green Bay. The Rams are still a bit of a mystery. They did some things well, but the Cardinals aren't the same team from 6 weeks ago. The Bengals are a young team on the rise, but they didn't impress against the Raiders. No team this week really did something to set themselves apart from the pack. This mystery, though, makes the NFL fun.
Titans/Bengals
Saturday at 4:30 on CBS
Odds: Titans -3.5
It seems like the Titans should be the obvious choice, but it all comes down to Derrick Henry. This is a lame way to analyze this game, but if Henry is healthy, the Titans win this game. If Derrick Henry doesn't have an impact on the game, suddenly the ascendent Bengals will surpass the Titans. I don't believe in Ryan Tannehill. While I think his story is awesome, I just have to see him win a big game before I'm sold. While I want the Titans to win, I feel like the Bengals may upset them. To conclude: Healthy Derrick Henry= Titans Win; Less than healthy Derrick Henry=Bengals.
Packers/49ers
Saturday at 8:15 on Fox
Odds: Packers -6
The 49ers' defense is great and Super Bowl-worthy; however, they have a couple of significant injuries, and Garoppolo and the offense won't be able to muster enough to keep up. Aaron Rodgers and the Packers get the win. They are just better than San Fransisco.
Buccaneers/Rams
Sunday at 3:00 on NBC
Odds: Buccaneers -3
This game is so hard to pick! The Buccaneers look older and a little beat down this year. While we should be focused on the upside of this game, two Super Bowl favorites battling it out, the storylines will surround questions like "Is Brady finally going to fall?" or "Can Stafford prove he is not a choker?" I want to focus on the positive. This comes down to Brady and the Buccaneers' quest to repeat versus Stafford and McVay setting out to prove their worth as top-tiers of their positions. This game really comes down to defense. If the Rams' defense lives up to the hype, they will win this game. I feel like a fool saying the Rams will win because going against Brady in favor of Stafford seems ludicrous, but I think that is the way to go.
Chiefs/Bills
Sunday at 6:30 on CBS
Odds: Chiefs -2.5
Oh boy, another tough one. I think the Bills looked impressive against a better team than the Chiefs looked impressive against. The Chiefs keep pulling rabbits out of the hat but I'm thinking they may not be able to this week. The Bills will finally prove they are a legitimate contender. This is really the AFC Championship game because whoever wins is going to defeat either the Bengals or Titans. Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs' offense will still score, but I don't think their defense can stop Josh Allen and the Bills at all. Either way, this will most likely be the most fun game of the weekend.