Wild Card Writing

It’s a sad day, my friends. The 2019 NFL regular season has already reached an end.

Only a few weeks remain, and while the Baltimore Ravens are still alive in the postseason, the months without NFL football games are drawing closer.

Even though the season is over, the Chicken Box rolls on. This week, we’ll be taking a look at some Wild Card Weekend storylines (along with predictions). Let’s get into it.

JJ Watt is back, boys!

Despite playing in just seven games this season, J.J. Watt still leads the Houston Texans in pressures. That means, even returning from a torn pec, his snaps against the Buffalo Bills will provide a big boost to a struggling Houston pass rush. 

His snaps will likely be limited-but-not-minimal. The Texans will need to ensure that he doesn’t re-aggravate the injury, while also putting their best players on the field in a one-game elimination.

I’d expect him to make some noise in his return, making Josh Allen‘s life difficult in the pocket, but the Bills could easily edge this one out due to their own stifling defense.

Terrific Tom Tangles with Tennessee

For years, the majority of the NFL has predicted (hoped for) the downfall of Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. This year, perhaps they’ll get their wish.

The Patriots, under Tom Brady and Bill Belichick, have never made the Super Bowl without a first-round bye. In the 2019 NFL Playoffs, they’re a Wild Card contender, facing the suddenly-hot Tennessee Titans.

Playoff football means a smashmouth run game and a good defense. The Titans have at least one of those things, in the NFL’s leading rusher, Derrick Henry. Henry had 211 yards against the Texans last week (25th ranked RuDef), but faces a much tougher opponent this week, as the Patriots have the 6th-ranked run defense in the league. NFL rushing leaders are 2-3 in games when facing the No. 1 scoring defense, but luckily the Titans have a shining Ryan Tannehill (I still chuckle writing that) and rookie standout A.J. Brown (11 games started, 52 receptions, 1,051 yards, eight touchdowns) to challenge the… No. 2 ranked pass defense.

The game is in Foxborough, and I really want to predict a Titans victory, but we’ve all bet against the Patriots too many times. Look for Tommy Boy to make it out of Wild Card Weekend alive.  

Can Cousins out-duel Brees?

Short answer, probably not. The Minnesota Vikings lost their last two games, giving the impression that they were limping into the postseason as opposed to belonging there. 

The New Orleans Saints have been on fire offensively, averaging 40 points per game over the last four games. Drew Brees is an instant lock for the Hall of Fame upon retirement, and he has one of the best weapons in the game catching passes from him in Michael Thomas.

The Vikings haven’t had Dalvin Cook for their last two games, which has made the run game suffer, which in turn has made the passing game suffer. Cook figures to be back against the Saints, and it’ll be important for them to control the ball through the run game.

‘Keep the ball away from Drew Brees’ should be their mantra.

The Vikings have the 15th-ranked pass defense heading into the playoffs, so that mantra is the single most important thing for them to remember.

Not that it will work. Expect Brees and Co. to win comfortably.

Eagles Defense vs. Seahawks Offense

The Seattle Seahawks like to run between the tackles and take shots downfield.

The Philadelphia Eagles like to stop runs between the tackles and defend downfield.

The NFL is a matchup-based league, and if you’re going to limp into the postseason, the best thing for you is an opponent that you match up well against. The Eagles drew the right straw in this case.

While they have the 19th-ranked passing defense in the league, if you look deeper (pun intended) they’ve been above-average when defending downfield. Granted, it’s easier for cornerbacks to defend downfield passes, as they have more time to get into position and track the ball. So Russell Wilson should beware when trying to complete a Tyler Lockett long one.

As for Marshawn Lynch, he should find tough sledding against the 3rd-ranked run defense. A bully between the tackles, the Eagles defensive line will have to be at its best to stop one of the biggest personalities in the league. If they allow a Beastquake, expect them to lose the game.

Reminder Time

The Baltimore Ravens will face the lowest remaining seed from Wild Card Weekend. 

That means they have no chance to face the New England Patriots in the Divisional Round. If Tennessee wins, they would travel to Baltimore by default, being the 6th seed. If the Patriots stay alive, then Baltimore would face the winner of Buffalo vs. Houston. Both AFC games are today, so we’ll know before the clock strikes midnight.

Ideally, the Ravens would face either Buffalo or Houston, as they’ve beaten both of them before. They would then rely on New England figuring it out and beating the Chiefs, setting up a New England at Baltimore AFC Championship Game.

That’s likely the easiest route to a Super Bowl for Baltimore. 

In Closing

That’s it for me, folks, and just in time for Wild Card Weekend. For the Ravens fans, enjoy the stress-free football!