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| (photo credit: webpartners.com) |
The first matchup of Wild Card weekend features the 12-4 Oakland Raiders and the 9-7 Houston Texans. The Texans won the AFC South for a second consecutive season and therefore will host the Raiders at Houston's NRG Stadium this Saturday at 3:35 p.m. CST. The Texans hope this years matchup goes a lot better than last year's 30-0 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Even though this is Oakland's first postseason berth since losing Super Bowl XXXVII to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 48-21, this AFC Wild Card game between the Raiders and Texans is arguably the least desirable game of Wild Card weekend. Both teams head into the playoffs with question marks at the quarterback position.
For the Texans, Brock Osweiler will get the nod to start after being benched at the end of the regular season in favor of Tom Savage who suffered a concussion in week 17. Savage could backup Osweiler on Saturday if he manages to clear the NFL's concussion protocol, and could replace him if the former Bronco continues to struggle. On the season, Osweiler completed 59% passes for 2,957 yards with 15 touchdowns and 16 interceptions. If he struggles to make plays, look for head coach Bill O'Brien to go with Savage if he's available.
As far as the Raiders are concerned, backup quarterback Matt McGloin would've gotten the start if he hadn't hurt his non-throwing shoulder in a week 17 loss to the Denver Broncos. Instead, the Raiders will start their third-string quarterback, rookie Connor Cook, who'll make his first career start. Cook will be the first NFL quarterback of the modern era to receive his first start in a playoff game.
Oakland's 're-emergence as an AFC powerhouse had been one of the NFL's best stories of the season until their franchise quarterback Derek Carr fractured his fibula in week 16. Despite the loss of their star quarterback, the Raiders still have a lot of talent on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball. The Raiders will need all the help they can get on offense when they take on the league's best defense in the Houston Texans.
The last time these two teams met was in Mexico City in week 11 with the Raiders winning 27-20.
Steelers vs Dolphins
The Pittsburgh Steelers (11-5), winners of the AFC North, will host the Miami Dolphins (10-6) on Sunday at Heinz Field. Kickoff is at 1:05 p.m. EST.
The Steelers and Dolphins met back in October, and Miami took advantage of Pittsburgh's inability to stop the run in route to a 30-15 victory. During that game, Ben Roethlisberger injured his knee in the first half and was forced to play hurt in second half causing the Steelers offense to struggle mildly in one of their worst performances of the season. In that game, Dolphins running back Jay Ajayi rushed for 202 yards against a Pittsburgh defense that looked incapable of stopping the run.
The Steelers defense didn't do anything in Week 17 to help ease the fears of their fans when they allowed Isaiah Crowell of Cleveland Browns to rush for 152 yards on 19 carries. The Browns, who finished the season 1-15, rushed for 231 yards as a team in Week 17 against Pittsburgh.
The Steelers defensive line should get some much needed help against Miami with the return of their starting defensive end Stephon Tuitt, who has missed the last two games with a sprained knee. Despite the Steelers struggles on defense, their offense for the first time in a playoff game, will have Roethlisberger, Le'Von Bell and Antonio Brown playing together.
The Dolphins on the other hand, will be without their starting quarterback, Ryan Tannehill, who's still recovering from a sprained MCL. Backup quarterback Matt Moore will get the start for a Miami team that has won nine out of their last eleven games.
Seahawks vs Lions
The first NFC matchup of Wild Card weekend features the Seattle Seahawks (10-5-1) and the the Detroit Lions (9-7). The Seahawks, who'll be looking to advance past the NFC Wild Card round for the fifth consecutive year, will host the Lions at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, WA.
Both the Lions and Seahawks enter the postseason at a time when both teams are not playing their best football of the season. For the last seven weeks the Seahawks have alternated wins and losses. Their offense has been inconsistent at best (they've had more success at home than on the road), while their notorious defense hasn't been the same since they lost safety Earl Thomas to a broken leg.
The Lions ended the regular season by losing three in a row, and just missed out on winning the NFC North, losing their last game of the season to the Green Bay Packers 31-24, and watching Green Bay win the division. The Lions offense, which has been explosive at times during the regular season, has struggled ever since Matthew Stafford injured his finger on his throwing hand. Which many feel is the reason for the Lions struggles to end the season.
Even though both teams have struggled to find consistency of late, the Seahawks have the added bonus of playing at home, where they are 7-1 on the season. But the Lions have a quarterback in Matthew Stafford who has led his team from come from behind victories all season. Making this game one of the "must watch" games of the weekend.
The Seahawks have a pretty good quarterback themselves. Russell Wilson is only one year removed from leading the league in passer rating, and even though this has been a rough year for Wilson and the Seahawks offense, don't be surprised if they put it all together for at least one playoff game.
Packers vs Giants
Eli Manning will be traveling to Lambeau Field for the third time in his playoff career. He is 2-0 in his trip to the frozen tundra in the playoffs.
He will be going up against an Aaron Rodgers who has been on the hottest streak in his career. Rodgers hasn't thrown an interception in the Packers' seven game win streak.
The Packers defense will have the biggest problem in containing Odell Beckham, Jr. If the Packers can't stop him, they'll have a harder time winning.
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