The matchups for wild-card weekend aren't all that exciting, but if they can be half as thrilling as Week 17 was, well, then we're in store for some good football.
In the AFC, the Titans and Bills _ two teams that at times this season looked nothing like playoff teams _ will have a hard time pulling off road upsets. It will be tough for the Panthers and Falcons in the NFC, too, but they have a stronger chance of achieving the feat.
Favorites went 10-6 against the spread (ATS) in Week 17, continuing a strong second-half push to finish with the overall season lead at 123-113-14. All four home teams are favored this week, with no spread under six points.
Look for all four home teams to advance, but will they all cover?
Some story lines for the playoffs:
Will the Vikings become the first team to play a Super Bowl in their home stadium?
Will the Eagles, the NFC's No. 1 seed, make it to the Super Bowl without Carson Wentz?
Can the Falcons make it back to the Super Bowl?
Steelers-Patriots, Part II. Can we just fast forward to that matchup?
If all four home teams advance this week, that will set up three rematches in the divisional round: Chiefs at Patriots, Jaguars at Steelers, Saints at Eagles and Rams at Vikings.
