2017 NFL Playoffs Wild Card Preview
AFC Playoffs
Oakland Raiders at Houston Texans
This game kicks off wild card weekend, which is not going to be fun to watch. On one side, we have the Houston Texans, who are by far the worst team in the playoffs. I quite honestly wish the Titans or Colts would have been in their spot. It will be just another showcase of why Brock Osweiler is overpaid and not good. On the other side, there is a very good Oakland team, which just got hit by a freight train, losing their star and leader, franchise-saving QB, Derek Carr. The Raiders were on the cusp of earning the #1 or #2 seed, to dropping to #5 seed, losing their QB, and now playing on the road. I believe it's just bad luck for Oakland, but if Carr can comeback full strength, I believe Oakland will be a playoff team for years to come.
As for the outcome of the game, in my opinion, it's a toss-up. Oakland has a lot of offensive weapons, but now nobody to get the ball to the likes of Crabtree and Amari Cooper. I still think they can power through with their defense and Houston's lack of offense to win this game. As long as Connor Cook plays mistake free or not as bad as Brock Osweiler, Oakland has a good chance to take this one on the road. Oakland wins 20-13.
Miami Dolphins at Pittsburgh Steelers
After starting down 20-0, Miami made a small comeback and showed some life vs New England, but eventually losing handily. With Tannehill out, the Dolphins stand no chance to beat the Steelers. Even with Tannehill playing, the Dolphins chances were slim. With Le'Veon Bell back and playing like an MVP candidate, the Steelers should be able to march right through the Dolphins. I'll take the Steelers 27-17.
As for the top two seeds, #1 New England Patriots and #2 Kansas City Chiefs, both are deserving of their seeds and should beat their upcoming foes and then face each other in the AFC Championship. I could see Pittsburgh beating the Chiefs, but it's hard to beat KC at Arrowhead Stadium. Either way, the AFC Championship will be a great showdown.
The Patriots have by far, the easiest route to the AFC Championship. The following graphic (courtesy of Bleacher Report) shows the Patriots potential QB match up for next round, barring the Dolphins beating the Steelers in Pittsburgh, without Tannehill, and then Tannehill coming back from injury to play against New England. As I predicted in the beginning of the year, I think the Patriots will be going back to the Super Bowl after they captured the #1 seed after making the mistake last year of not capturing home field advantage, resulting in losing to the Broncos in Denver. It also doesn't hurt that Tom Brady could be the MVP and LeGarrette Blount had arguably the best season in his career, totaling 18 rushing TDs and over 1100 yards.
NFC Playoffs
Detroit Lions at Seattle Seahawks
This game would have been epic had it happened a couple of months ago when both teams were playing lights out. Meanwhile, Detroit, who controlled the NFC North, lost their last 3 games of the season and ended up losing the division crown. To add insult to injury, Detroit has to travel to Seattle, where Seattle is 7-1 at home. Those circumstances do not seem favorable. Fortunately, the Seahawks aren't doing much better. Seattle went 3-3 over the last 6 weeks, with a pounding from Green Bay, a blunder against Tampa Bay, their only home loss against Arizona, and just sneaking by the pitiful 49ers. But unlike Detroit, the playoffs are familiar to the Seahawks. I expect their defense to sack Matthew Stafford multiple times, causing him to rush throws and throw interceptions. Not saying this will be a blowout, but Seattle should win handily 24-13.
New York Giants at Green Bay Packers
This is by far the best game in the first round of the 2017 NFL Playoffs. Both teams are good enough to go to the Super Bowl. Green Bay and Aaron Rodgers have been playing lights out since Rodgers said they could run the table. The Giants swept the #1 seed Dallas Cowboys in the regular season and denied Washington's playoff hopes in a seemingly meaningless game to New York. Like in Manning's other 2 Super Bowl championship years, they are a wild card team that is coming in hot. New York's defense has been playing great and their offense is explosive. Green Bay has one of the weakest and most beat up secondaries in the NFL. I expect Eli, OBJ and Sterling Shepard to have big games vs the Packers defense. The only concerning thing for the Giants is Eli's costly turnovers. This game could turn into a shootout like last year's Arizona-Green Bay playoff game. Rodgers has also been playing like the MVP of the league during the win streak. He ended up leading the NFL in passing touchdowns and has been carving up defenses. Being a Vikings fan, I don't want to see Green Bay win, but at home, in the playoffs, with Aaron Rodgers playing like he is, I can't see New York beating Green Bay. I like Green Bay over New York 30-23.
For me, it's hard to judge Atlanta. They started off hot (4-1), then lost a couple, and then got hot again at the end of the season, beating bad teams. Matt Ryan might be the front runner for MVP and Vic Beasley led the NFL in sacks. It seems probable that Dan Quinn will get to host his former team in the next round of the playoffs and possibly avenge their prior loss that ended with a controversial no-call defensive pass interference (Pass Interference?) (Dan Quinn's Reaction). I'm finding it really hard to believe Atlanta will get over the hump and into the NFC Championship, but I'm not very confident that Seattle is that much better than Atlanta, especially with Russell Wilson not playing great and missing 1 of the members of L.O.B. in Earl Thomas. Maybe Matty Ice will have a statement game, proving to everybody he is the MVP of the league this season by beating the infamous Seattle defense that has been their foundation for the past 5 years. And with Seattle's "luck" at the end of games, I'm sure this game will come down to made...or missed field goal (cough cough Blair Walsh). Since Seattle hasn't beat Detroit yet, I'll wait until next week to predict the winner.
And finally we get to the Cowboys, the #1 seed. What a turn around for a franchise. Last year they were in the bottom of the cellar, now they are on top being led by 2 rookies and an amazing offensive line. They are the most superior team in the NFC and it's not even close. Their game plan is good and their defense does enough to win games. Now, I'm not saying they can't be beaten, but they have a good recipe for success. My biggest concern for the Cowboys is: EXPERIENCE. Come their first game and they might be playing one of the most experienced playoff QB's in the league in either Rodgers or Eli Manning. Either are inevitable, barring a miraculous Detroit victory in Seattle. I wouldn't be surprised if next week they are playing the Packers and are considered the underdog. The Cowboys will show their true colors in their first game. They'll either be a 1 and done like a Kentucky basketball freshman or they will go all the way to the Super Bowl.
Divisional Round
AFC
#1. New England Patriots vs #5. Oakland Raiders
#2. Kansas City Chiefs vs #3. Pittsburgh Steelers
NFC
#1. Dallas Cowboys vs #4. Green Bay Packers
#2. Atlanta Falcons vs #3. Seattle Seahawks
NFC Championship
Seattle Seahawks vs Green Bay Packers
AFC Championship
New England Patriots vs Kansas City Chiefs
SUPER BOWL
New England Patriots vs Green Bay Packers
Super Bowl Champions
New England Patriots
