The NFL playoffs are finally here. After another action-packed season, the NFL Wild Card Weekend takes places this Saturday and Sunday.
Saturday, Jan. 4
Houston Texans vs. Buffalo Bills
4:35 p.m. ET
- TV: ESPN
- Stream: Watch with 5-Day Free Trial of DIRECTV STREAM
Tennessee Titans vs. New England Patriots
8:15 p.m. ET
- TV: CBS
- Stream: Watch with 5-Day Free Trial of DIRECTV STREAM
Sunday, Jan. 5
New Orleans Saints vs. Minnesota Vikings
1:05 p.m. ET
- TV: FOX
- Stream: Watch with 5-Day Free Trial of DIRECTV STREAM
Seattle Seahawks vs. Philadelphia Eagles
4:40 p.m. ET
- TV: NBC
- Stream: Watch with 5-Day Free Trial of DIRECTV STREAM
In the Texans vs. Bills match up, one slight edge over the other team can make all the difference. The Bills have been relying on their defense all season. But as evidenced by their game against the Patriots, the Bills will need to restrategize if they are going to stop the Texans’ Deshaun Watson. On the other hand, the Texans are betting on receiver Will Fuller’s presence on the field as their offense-first strategy is peak when he is playing. Fuller is expected to return to the field this week after having suffered a groin injury.
The Titans vs. Patriots matchup is an even one, according to NFL.com. Ryan Tannehill’s ability to throw on the run is a challenge for the Patriots — a team that has struggled with mobile quarterbacks in the past. Plus, Derrick Henry’s dogged excellence keeps the Titans on the field, setting them up for explosive plays. The Patriots’ offensive line has shown improvement over the last few weeks, although Tom Brady’s elbow issue and accuracy remain questionable.
For the Vikings to come out with a W against the Saints, they’ll need wideout Adam Thielen and running back Dalvin Cook to play at their very best. The Saints have lost some power with starters Marcus Davenport and Sheldon Rankins gone. The Saints enter this postseason at 13-3, and although the Vikings lost to the Packers on Dec. 23, they still played well in their first 14 games.
The Seahawks and the Eagles are coming in with heavily flawed teams, FiveThirtyEight reports. For one, the Eagles injury report is among the league’s longest, they only got their 9-7 record by beating four straight nonplayoff teams down the stretch of the regular season. If they were in another division, the Eagles wouldn’t even be this close to finishing first. On the other hand, Seattle stumbled to a 1-3 start and built its season-long record through close calls.
Photo credit: NFL
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