The NFL playoffs have formally arrived, and Wild Card weekend kicks off on Saturday, January 11.
Followers shall be handled to 6 “win or go house” video games over the course of the weekend, together with the Minnesota Vikings taking up the Los Angeles Rams on Monday night time. It’s positive to be an thrilling weekend of playoff soccer, so with out additional ado, listed here are my predictions for a way these video games will end up.
Frey’s Decide: Chargers -3
Jim Harbaugh has introduced loads of physicality to the Los Angeles Chargers this season because the staff completed 2024 with the very best scoring protection within the NFL, and JK Dobbins has been an awesome addition to their backfield.
In the meantime, Houston is limping into the playoffs having gone 4-5 of their remaining 9 video games following a 6-2 begin. The lack of Tank Dell has confirmed to be an issue on offense, and Joe Mixon has come again all the way down to earth after a scorching begin to the season. The Chargers win this sport comfortably as street favorites.
Frey’s Decide: Ravens -9.5
It was only a couple weeks in the past when the Ravens offense completely torched Pittsburgh. Derrick Henry totaled 189 yards on 26 touches, and Lamar Jackson put collectively three passing TDs.
In fact, Pittsburgh gained the primary matchup between these two groups, however they’ve appeared like a drastically completely different staff since then. The Steelers misplaced 4 consecutive video games to complete the common season, they usually haven’t totaled 200+ web passing yards up to now 5 weeks. Baltimore ought to maintain enterprise and transfer on to the Divisional.
Frey’s Decide: Payments -8.5
This looks like a basic state of affairs the place the second will get to a younger quarterback. It is going to be Bo Nix’s first style of the playoffs, and it is available in Buffalo, which is tough sufficient to play in a standard state of affairs, not to mention with possibilities of snow within the forecast.
It has been a really spectacular rookie season for Nix, however Josh Allen goes to have a chip on his shoulder for this one. I’d count on a reasonably ugly sport right here for Denver. Frey’s Decide: Packers +4.5
It’s a rematch of Week 1 between the Eagles and Packers, and whereas the Eagles gained that matchup, now we have to keep in mind that it was performed in Brazil on a Friday night time — probably the most out of the strange circumstances we’ve seen for an NFL sport.
In fact, Philadelphia now has homefield benefit, and the Packers are coming off back-to-back losses in opposition to divisional opponents. Jalen Hurts is out of concussion protocol, however he has remained a restricted participant in observe up to now, and we don’t know the way near 100% he shall be. The Packers can at the very least maintain this sport shut if not outright win it.
Frey’s Decide: Buccaneers -3
Baker Mayfield is getting nearer to solidifying himself as a high 10 quarterback on this league. He was incredible all season lengthy, and consequently, the Buccaneers have gained the NFC South for the fourth consecutive season. It appears to be like like they nailed the center of their 2024 draft class with picks of Tykee Smith, Jalen McMillan, and Bucky Irving.
Washington has an enormous activity on its palms, and maybe Jayden Daniels, who has put collectively an impressive rookie season, is up for the problem. Nonetheless, I’m taking the Buccaneers to advance.
Frey’s Decide: Vikings -1
Wild Card weekend concludes with a Week 8 rematch between the Rams and Vikings. In fact, the Vikings are coming off an ugly Sunday Night Football game in opposition to the Detroit Lions. Sam Darnold was horrendous, and Minnesota merely couldn’t end off drives within the purple zone.
Nonetheless, the Rams haven’t been notably dominant on their option to the playoffs. Their offense has scored 20+ factors in simply one in every of their remaining 4 video games, and it got here in a Week 18 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. They’ve closely relied on their protection to win video games down the stretch, and Minnesota’s protection merely is healthier than LA’s at this level. The Vikings take this one on the street.
Editor’s Word: Odds discovered by way of ESPN. Statistics discovered by way of Pro Football Reference.
Los Angeles Chargers at Houston Texans
Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens
Denver Broncos at Buffalo Payments
Inexperienced Bay Packers at Philadelphia Eagles
Washington Commanders at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Minnesota Vikings at Los Angeles Rams
