NFL Wildcard Round Preview

No matter what happens during this weekend's NFL playoffs, it will not be nearly as disappointing as the New Year's Eve college football playoff games. Two blowouts to go along with blowouts the next day in the most well known bowl games made for the most depressing two day stretch since that horrible Alabama-LSU championship. Now, all we have to look forward to is a Clemson versus Alabama championship game and sure, there is some intrigue with Alabama's defense trying to play against a non-pro style offense (something they've struggled with in the past) but ultimately, when only Nick Saban or Dabo Swinney can win the trophy, there are no winners.

On to my Wildcard Picks...

Houston 23 - Kansas City 17 in Overtime

AP Photo/David J. Phillip
Not enough people have talked about how J.J. Watt is having an even better season than his DPOTY-worthy 2014.

Plenty of talking heads are referencing the Chiefs 27-20 week one victory over the Texans when that score seriously does not indicate anything that will happen in this game when so many variables have been altered.

1. Houston QB Brian Hoyer was injured and replaced by now-Ravens QB Ryan Mallett.
2. KC Pro Bowl RB Jamaal Charles tore his ACL in October and Andy Reid now runs a timeshare between Charcandrick West and Spencer Ware.
3. Houston Pro Bowl LT Duane Brown tore his quadriceps and will miss the rest of the postseason.

Basically, everything is different now and I expect Kansas City to blow it early because not every road team can win in the first round and Andy Reid is still their tease of a head coach. 

Pittsburgh 27 - Cincinnati 17

Aaron Doster - USA TODAY Sports
Big Ben will be heavily relied upon if RB DeAngelo Williams is inactive.

The Bengals may have won the AFC North battle over Pittsburgh but, they will not be winning any wars with A.J. McCarron starting at Quarterback while Andy Dalton heals his pesky thumb. In my opinion, the Bengals have the best overall defense in the NFL right now thanks to some injuries to other teams and the slow deterioration of the Denver Broncos. They could win this game if Ben Roethlisberger plays anything like he has in the Steelers' final two regular season games (which was shockingly poorly) and if they can cover the un-coverable wideout Antonio Brown. Cincinnati's rushing attack is dull at times but, seems consistent while Pittsburgh is a total mess (for the second year in a row! remember Josh Harris?). If Fitzgerald Toussaint is about to get his first start as an NFL Running Back, that should totally eliminate a big chunk of Pittsburgh's game-plan. Mike Tomlin has also had some suspect decisions that have cost Pittsburgh over the season but, when it comes to postseason football, nobody blows it more consistently than the Marvin Lewis-led Bengals.

Seattle 28 - Minnesota 20

Brace Hemmelgarn, USA TODAY Sports
Harrison Smith is an underrated key to Minnesota's success this season.

Seattle just destroyed Minnesota 38-7 where Minnesota's only touchdown came on a Cordarrelle Patterson return LAST MONTH. The Vikings defense is much healthier than it was five weeks ago but, it will take a lot more than some extra bodies to overcome a 31-point difference. Not helping Minnesota's cause is the return of Seahawks RB Marshawn Lynch. Seattle did just lose to St.Louis two weeks ago but, divisional rivalries are a totally different story than must-win playoff games against an inexperienced Quarterback in his first playoff game against the #1 scoring defense in the NFL.

Green Bay 20 - Washington 17

AP Photo/Brian Blanco
Start spreading the news, Bashaud Breeland is the most underrated Cornerback in the NFL.

Between Washington's run game, Green Bay's passing game and the facts that Washington won a horrible division while Green Bay went 4-6 over the final ten, this game should be unwatchable. Luckily, this game will probably be close and Mike McCarthy is calling plays for the Packers again so, anything is possible with this one. I'll take the Packers because they've been here before and if Cornerback Sam Shields can clear concussion protocol, the defense will contain the smoking hot Washington passing attack. 

So, enjoy the Wildcard round and don't blame me for picking against your team and that result becoming true.