The NFL postseason is finally here, and this weekend’s four wild-card matchups are intriguing — even if your favorite team is sitting out the playoffs this season.
The Buffalo Bills aim for their first playoff win since the 1995 season when they visit the Houston Texans on Saturday afternoon. Houston will benefit from the return of pass-rusher J.J. Watt, who has been out since Week 8 with a torn pectoral muscle.
On Saturday evening, the Tennessee Titans play at the New England Patriots as Titans coach Mike Vrabel matches wits with his former coach, New England’s Bill Belichick. Tennessee is likely to pressure Pats quarterback Tom Brady, while New England is dealing with injuries to wide receiver Julian Edelman and others.
The Minnesota Vikings play at the New Orleans Saints on Sunday afternoon, as Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins prepares to make just his second playoff start. Finally, the Seattle Seahawks travel to play the injury-riddled Philadelphia Eagles on late Sunday afternoon in what might be the weekend’s most competitive game.
Without further ado, here are your NFL playoff game previews for Saturday, Jan. 4 and Sunday, Jan. 5:
Buffalo Bills at Houston Texans
TV: 4:35 p.m. ET Saturday, ESPN/ABC
Records: Bills 10-6, Texans 10-6
Line: Texans by 2½
Satellite radio: Bills feed on Sirius 82 (streaming 803), Texans feed on Sirius 83 (streaming 812)
Bills’ keys: Disruptive defensive tackles Ed Oliver, a rookie, and Jordan Phillips have to shut down the run and pressure the quarterback. Houston will be without its speedy No. 2 wide receiver, Will Fuller, which means Buffalo can roll coverage to help CB Tre’Davious White lock down WR DeAndre Hopkins. On offense, Bills QB Josh Allen has to use his dual-threat abilities to beat the defense with his legs and find WRs John Brown and Cole Beasley through the air.
Texans’ keys: Protect QB Deshaun Watson, who was sacked 44 times in the regular season. LT Laremy Tunsil sat out Week 17 and will have to be ready to take the best from the Bills’ pass rush. What also helps keep Watson upright is the production of RB Carlos Hyde, who had his first 1,000-yard season. DE J.J. Watt is expected to return from a torn pectoral injury and needs to bolster the anemic pass rush.
Who wins? Buffalo’s opportunistic defense can shut down the run and suppress the passing game. Bills 19, Texans 13
— Mark Lane
Tennessee Titans at New England Patriots
TV: 8:15 p.m. ET Saturday, CBS
Records: Titans 9-7, Patriots 12-4
Line: Patriots by 4½
Satellite radio: Titans feed on Sirius 82 (streaming 830), Patriots feed on Sirius 83 (streaming 820)
Titans’ keys: They’ll need QB Ryan Tannehill to attack Patriots CB Stephon Gilmore, who looked like the NFL’s best cornerback until Week 17. RB Derrick Henry should find success between the tackles against the Patriots’ spotty run defense. The Titans would do well to make sure they set up LB Harold Landry to generate pressure – he’s had a few quiet weeks despite finishing the season with nine sacks.
Patriots’ keys: They need to feed WR Julian Edelman and RB James White in the passing game. They’ve gone away from the two skill players in recent weeks, whether to try to get others involved or to save the health of the trusty tandem. Once they’re involved, the Patriots can establish a balanced offense with RB Sony Michel and the ground game.
Who wins? Strong defensive play should keep this game close, but the Patriots aren’t likely to stumble again after Week 17. Patriots 24, Titans 21
— Henry McKenna
Minnesota Vikings at New Orleans Saints
TV: 1:05 p.m. ET Sunday, Fox
Records: Vikings 10-6, Saints 13-3
Line: Saints by 7½
Satellite radio: Vikings feed on Sirius 82 (streaming 819), Saints feed on Sirius 83 (streaming 821)
Vikings’ keys: Keeping QB Kirk Cousins clean and giving him opportunities to target WRs Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs is paramount, but expect the Vikings to stubbornly try to establish the run even though the Saints haven’t allowed a 100-yard rusher in the last 41 games.
Saints’ keys: The offensive line will determine to what degree the Saints can control the flow of the game and give QB Drew Brees time to carve up a vulnerable Minnesota secondary. Considering the success TE Jared Cook and do-it-all QB Taysom Hill have had this season (16 touchdowns between them), that might be too much for the Vikings to handle.
Who wins? The Saints are a complete team; the Vikings have struggled against good opponents. Saints 28, Vikings 20
— John Sigler
Seattle Seahawks at Philadelphia Eagles
TV: 4:40 p.m. ET Sunday, NBC
Records: Seahawks 11-5, Eagles 9-7
Line: Seahawks by 1½
Satellite radio: Seahawks feed on Sirius 82 (streaming 828), Eagles feed on Sirius 83 (streaming 825)
Seahawks’ keys: RB Marshawn Lynch arrived in Week 17 and offers a different dimension, even after going almost a year without carrying the ball. QB Russell Wilson will test the Eagles’ vulnerable secondary deep with WRs Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf. The Seahawks must get solid efforts from DE Jadeveon Clowney and ILB Bobby Wagner.
Eagles’ keys: They must continue to do what has worked over the past four games – getting RBs Miles Sanders and Boston Scott on the perimeter and allowing TE Dallas Goedert to control the middle of the field. Coach Doug Pederson has to get QB Carson Wentz, in his first postseason game, started off early with a few easy throws.
Who wins? Wentz was counted out as a franchise quarterback after he fumbled and threw two costly interceptions in the November loss to the Seahawks. But he has been much better since then. Eagles 24, Seahawks 17
— Glenn Erby
Lines by BetMGM.com
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