NFL WILD CARD PREDICTIONS from the Guys who almost always get it right, unless they don’t. But that doesn’t happen often. So, take these picks to the bank. Guys on the Sideline breaking down the best week of football.
Buffalo Bills at Houston Texans
Vegas Line: Houston minus 2.5
Chris: Jeff, you’ve convinced me on the Buffalo Bills, and so help me, you’d better be right! I’ve got them upsetting Houston in this one. I think their defense will show up in this game and it will unfold much like their tilt with the Cowboys back in November did.
Jeff: Ah, Chris, while I’d like to think Buffalo pulls off the upset here, I’m not sure if they can with the ‘rested’ J.J. WAAAAAT back in the lineup. Houston seems due. But what the hell, let’s go Buffalo making this a Guys on the Sideline lock pick. Take it to the bank. The Buffalo Bills will advance to the next round of the playoffs. That’s bold.
Tennessee Titans at New England Patriots
Vegas Line: New England minus 4.5
Chris: The Pats will stay their execution for one more week here, but only narrowly. After a loss to Miami, they will be looking for redemption, but they’ll empty the tank and lose next week to the Chiefs.
Jeff: Of all the Wild Card games this weekend, this one is the most difficult to predict by far. On one hand, I really like that New England has their backs against the wall. I think Brady and Belichick perform best in scenarios like when they were down three touchdowns late in the Super Bowl. I think the fact that it is widely believed the great Patriots dynasty is over makes it likely that the Pats have one last stand here. With that said, I like what the Titans have done as of late and I think they’ve got a legit shot at a major upset here. But, in the playoffs, I almost always side with experience. Tannehill will be playing his first playoff game up in the cold against a juggernaut defense in the Patriots. I think that the Patriots will eek out a final victory and then I agree with you Chris that they’ll get bounced in the next round. Pats by 6.
Minnesota Vikings at New Orleans Saints
Vegas Line: New Orleans minus 7.5
Chris:
Whoooo Dat?! Saints all the way in this one. Cousins will prove that he’s not the kind of quarterback who can take a team the distance. Look for several Taysom Hill sightings and a classic performance from Brees.
Jeff:
Yeah, the NFC picks are a lot easier here. I like New Orleans big in this one as well. Sean Payton will be all in and Drew Brees will indeed deliver a classic performance. I agree with you on Taysom Hill, who I think scores two times for ‘Who Dat’ Nation. Minnesota is a decent opponent; I just like the Saints all the way to the Super Bowl. Saints by two touchdowns.
Seattle Seahawks at Philadelphia Eagles
Vegas Line: Seattle minus 1.5
Chris: I think we’re in store for some Russell Wilson wizardry in this one. Expect a tough, ugly game in cold conditions, with the Seahawks eking out just that extra play or two to send the Eagles packing (or flying?)
Jeff: Yeah, I’m with you on the Russell Wilson thought here, but I disagree that the game will be close. While I think it might be an ugly game, I think the Seahawks handle this one from the opening kick. Look for total domination on both sides of the ball from Pete Carroll’s squad.
Stay tuned for Episode 42, where we’ll react to these games and bask in the fact that we are almost always right. Because we have the best seat – sitting comfortably on the sidelines.