OPINION BY TRISTAN SASSE
One word sums up the 2017 NFL regular season: unpredictable. With the playoffs beginning this weekend, many teams ended lengthy postseason droughts. In a field with many unfamiliar postseason teams, anything can happen.
Additionally, only four teams in the postseason this year made the playoffs last season (Patriots, Steelers, Chiefs, and Falcons). Three franchises (Jaguars, Bills, and Titans) halted extended playoff droughts in the AFC. Meanwhile, five of the six teams in the NFC missed the playoffs in 2016, and the Rams hadn’t qualified for the postseason in 13 years.
Starting in the AFC, here’s how the bracket looks.
No. 3 Jacksonville Jaguars vs. No. 6 Buffalo Bills – Sunday, January 7, at 12:00 PM on CBS
For the first time since 2007, the Jaguars are in the playoffs. More impressively, for the first time since 1999, the Bills made the postseason. With that being said, while Jacksonville went 4-12 a season ago, their postseason appearance is far from a fluke. The Jaguars were one of only three teams (Patriots and Eagles) to rank in the top five in scoring and defense. Meanwhile, for the Bills, LeSean McCoy is a game-time decision for Sunday’s game with an ankle sprain. Whether the Pro Bowl running back plays or not, this game could get out of hand in a hurry if Buffalo gets off to a slow start. Whoever wins will travel to Pittsburgh to face the Steelers. Jacksonville posted a 4-4 road record during the regular season, while Buffalo was 3-5 away from home.
Bottom Line: Both teams ended extended playoff droughts, but the Jaguars will prove to be more deserving. Leonard Fournette will take advantage of the Bills’ inability to stop the run.
Prediction: Jaguars 27 Bills 17
Winner will play No. 2 Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, January 14 at 12:05 PM (on CBS).
No. 2 Pittsburgh Steelers: The Steelers have been on a roll since week six. In the first five weeks, the Steelers had a close win over the Cleveland Browns, were defeated by the Bears, and were defeated handily by the Jaguars. After starting 3-2, Pittsburgh has won 10 of their final 11 games and was one play away from winning all 11. The only loss for the Steelers during that stretch came in week 15 against New England. A late controversial call ultimately cost the Steelers the game. If they get another chance at New England, it wouldn’t happen until the AFC Championship game but would be played in Foxborough.
No. 4 Kansas City Chiefs vs. No. 5 Tennessee Titans – Saturday, January 6, at 3:35 PM on ESPN/ABC
The Chiefs haven’t won a home playoff game since the 1994 Wild Card Round against Pittsburgh. Luckily, they’ll get a chance to end that streak on Saturday. Kansas City has also only won one of their last 11 postseason games. Their last win was a 30-0 thumping over the Houston Texans two years ago. On the other side, the Titans are making their first postseason appearance since 2008. Additionally, Tennessee has struggled in recent weeks. The Titans have put up the second-fewest points out of any playoff teams and also have the second worst point differential out of the field (the Bills are last in both categories). After starting 8-4, Tennessee dropped three of their last four games. The Titans have a chance on Saturday, but which team will show up – the one that beat the Jaguars by three touchdowns or the one that gave up 57 points to the Texans. The Chiefs are statistically far better than the Titans, but neither team has a memorable postseason history. Whoever wins will face New England in Foxborough. New England gave up a season-high 42 points at home against Kansas City in a week one defeat.
Bottom Line: Tennessee defeated Kansas City at Arrowhead last season. Both teams are far different from a season ago and the Chiefs will be out for revenge. These teams are spiraling in different directions and it will show on Saturday.
Prediction: Chiefs 24 Titans 21
Winner will play No.1 New England Patriots on Saturday, January 13 at 7:15 PM (on CBS).
No. 1 New England Patriots: The Patriots are a far different team from the beginning of the year. After starting 2-2, New England finished the regular season winning 11 of their final 12 games. The reigning Super Bowl champions may very well again be the favorite to hoist the Lombardi trophy at the end of the season. As long as Tom Brady is under center, it is impossible to count the Patriots out. New England has also won the last nine AFC East division titles.
Going to the other side of the bracket, in the NFC, most of the teams remaining have experienced the postseason in recent years.
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No. 3 Los Angeles Rams vs. No. 6 Atlanta Falcons – Saturday, January 6, at 7:15 PM on NBC
For the first time in 13 years, the Rams are in the postseason. Like many other teams in the playoffs this year, Los Angeles proved their case all year long. The Rams led the NFL in points per game, averaging nearly 30 ppg. In four games, they scored over 40. Additionally, MVP candidate Todd Gurley was also a week away from clinching the rushing title before not playing last Sunday. Gurley leads the NFL with 19 total touchdowns and has over 2,000 yards from scrimmage. As long as he has a good game, the Rams will be hard to stop. For the Falcons, Atlanta was only one of eight teams to give up an average of fewer than 20 points per game. Their defense won’t stop Gurley on Saturday, but they’re capable of slowing him down. Atlanta will need to rely heavily on their offense like they did during their run to the Super Bowl last season. With reigning MVP Matt Ryan, All-Pro wide receiver Julio Jones, and a dual threat in the backfield (Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman), this game could turn into a shootout.
Bottom Line: This game is a toss-up. The Rams are 7-1 on the road this season, but this game will be in LA (where the Rams have struggled, posting a 4-4 record). Additionally, Atlanta has postseason experience, which will help the reigning NFC champions survive the opening weekend. The Falcons are also 9-3 in the conference this season.
Prediction: Falcons 28 Rams 27
Winner will play No. 2 Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, January 14 at 3:40 PM (on Fox). The Vikings defeated both teams in the regular season.
No 2. Minnesota Vikings: The Vikings, like many of the other teams with first-round byes, had early season struggles. Minnesota started 2-2 and won 10 of their final 11 games. At one point during that stretch, the Vikings had an eight-game winning streak. During that same stretch, the Vikings defeated the Rams 24-7 and the Falcons 14-9. Minnesota allowed 10 points or less, six times this season. The Vikings were 6-0 in those games, including 2-0 against their potential next round matchup (Rams or Falcons). In the regular season, Minnesota gave up a league-best 252 points (less than 16 ppg).
No. 4 New Orleans Saints vs. No. 5 Carolina Panthers – Sunday, January 7, at 3:40 PM on Fox
The Saints and Panthers will be the only divisional matchup in the Wild Card Round. In the regular season, the Saints won both contests (each by double figures). New Orleans held Cam Newton in check in both contests. Newton failed to throw for over 200 yards in either game, and he threw three interceptions in the first matchup. Even though Newton is also the Panthers leading rusher, he will need to rely more on his arm to give his team a chance on Sunday. Also, the Saints have the fourth highest scoring offense in the NFL and are 7-1 at home this season. Everything seems to be favoring the Saints, but beating a team three times in a season is never easy.
Bottom Line: The Saints are tough to beat at home and after beating the Panthers twice this season, the NFC South champions will have all the momentum entering this game. This will be the closest contest between the two teams this year though.
Prediction: Saints 31 Panthers 27
Winner will play No. 1 Philadelphia Eagles on Saturday, January 13 at 3:35 PM (on NBC). The Eagles defeated the Panthers earlier this season and have yet to play the Saints.
No. 1 Philadelphia Eagles: The Eagles finished 13-3 and get home field advantage throughout the playoffs. During a 13 week stretch, Philadelphia went 12-1. In the regular season, the Eagles went 7-1 at home and 5-1 in the division. The only home and division loss came in week 17, in a meaningless game against the Cowboys. Additionally, the Eagles haven’t struggled since losing MVP candidate Carson Wentz late in the season to a torn ACL. His backup, Nick Foles, threw for five touchdowns and over 400 yards combined in the two weeks he started. If the Eagles are going to make a Super Bowl run, it will depend on Foles as well as the Eagles’ ground game.
Ultimately, the NFC is far more evenly matched than the AFC. Don’t be surprised if a team playing in wild-card weekend makes a Super Bowl run. In the AFC, the Patriots or Steelers are once again the favorites to be playing for a Super Bowl ring. Since 2001, the Patriots and Steelers have combined for 10 AFC championships.