Alright, let’s do this. I was 5-1 in my predictions of the wild-card games, and the one I got wrong was one about which I wrote, “this one is the most difficult to predict.” Looking back, I should have followed my own logic and predicted an Eagles loss. But I didn’t, and there’s not much I can do about that now is there?
Texans @ Ravens
Once again, I’m not indifferent here. I hate the Texans and want them to lose. Will they? I’m less convinced than most, but, yeah, I think they will. The Texans played well against the Browns, but they were helped by Joe Flacco having a nightmare game and the Browns’ defense declining to show up. Neither of those conditions will obtain in Baltimore. Lamar Jackson is playing for his reputation, and the Ravens’ defense has been elite all year. This may end up being the best game of the four. Winner: Ravens.
Bucs @ Lions
The spread on this game is Lions -6.5. I think that’s ridiculous. Nevertheless, I think the Lions will grind out a win — perhaps after a shock start in which the Buccs take the lead. Winner: Lions.
Packers@ 49ers
The Packers are good. They were always going to beat the Cowboys, and I suspect they would beat quite a few other teams in this playoff pool, too. But they’re not going to beat the 49ers. The 49ers are the best team in football this year, and, at the very least, they’re going to make the NFC Championship Game. Winner: 49ers.
Chiefs @ Bills
It’s almost impossible to tell. The last time these two teams met in the divisional round, it produced the single best game of football I’ve ever watched. That one finished 42-36, and the result quite literally came down to which team happened to have the ball last. This time, I think the Bills will edge it. They’re hot, the Chiefs are less good than usual, the Bills have revenge on their minds, and it’s in Buffalo. Winner: Bills.