It’s playoff time in American football’s NFL, with a six-game round of wildcard matches for the first time.
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That’s two games more than normal, the upshot being that there’s more on the line for more teams this weekend, but also that the number two seed in each division — the Bills (13-3) and the Saints (12-4) — will not get a bye.
With coronavirus restrictions making home-field advantage an almost obsolete concept — for the first time in NFL history, visiting teams won more often than home teams — having to play an extra game could prove vital when it comes to the Super Bowl race.
So, while the reigning Super Bowl champions Kansas City Chiefs (14-2) and the resurgent Green Bay Packers (13-3) with their MVP-contending quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes and Aaron Rodgers kick back and cool their heels, here’s what to look out for this weekend.
Indianapolis Colts (11-5) vs Buffalo Bills (13-3)
The Bills have won six straight games and will take some stopping thanks to an in-form offence that has been piling on points for fun.
Buffalo walloped the Miami Dolphins 56-24 last week, following impressive scores of 38-9 over New England and 48-19 over Denver.
Bills quarterback Josh Allen has finished the campaign in such sparkling form that in any other year he would be a shoo-in for the MVP award.
Allen has become one of the league’s best players after a hit-and-miss season last year, completing 69 per cent of his passes for 37 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, combining brilliantly with new wide receiver Stefon Diggs — who led the league in receptions and receiving yards this year.
The seventh-seed Colts are not expected to win, but they have only lost one of their last five matches and, if their defence holds against the Bills’ sparkling offence, they could be a genuine threat.
LA Rams (10-6) vs Seattle Seahawks (12-4)
These two NFC West rivals know plenty about each other, having played twice already this year.
Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson threw two interceptions that helped the Rams record a 23-16 victory in California, although the tables were turned a fortnight ago, when the Seahawks cruised to a 20-9 victory.
The Rams’ defence has been excellent all season — they’ve conceded the fewest points of anyone in the NFL this year — but quarterback Jared Goff has to fire if he’s going to lead his team to the divisional round.
He’s yet to throw a touchdown against the Seattle defence this year and has an injury cloud hanging over him after picking up a thumb injury against the Seahawks in week 16.
Goff was officially listed as questionable for the game 24 hours out, with one-game man John Wolford waiting in the wings after his victorious debut last week against the Cardinals.
If Wolford does get the nod, the change in style — Wolford has electric pace and is not afraid to run — could pose some questions of the Seattle defence.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (11-5) vs Washington (7-9)
Tom Brady has had another brilliant season — his first since he left the New England dynasty where he won six Super Bowls.
He led his Buccaneers offence to scores in excess of 40 points in the past two weeks, albeit against the woeful Lions and Falcons.
The 43-year-old, 21-season veteran has thrown for 40 touchdowns this year — his most since 2007 — for 4,633 yards.
So he is unlikely to have too many issues against the worst team in the postseason — the only team that snuck in with a losing record —right?
Perhaps, but Washington’s four-man defensive line and it’s swarming pass-rush — led by defensive end Chase Young — might just be able to put a Buccs offensive line that’s not been tested for a few weeks under pressure.
The feel-good story would be a Washington win for Alex Smith, whose has recovered from a life-threatening leg injury to make the playoffs, via 17 surgeries — but he will have to make sure he hits his receivers and not the opposition secondary.
Smith has thrown eight interceptions this year, for just six touchdowns.
Baltimore Ravens (11-5) vs Tennessee Titans (11-5)
The Ravens has won their last five off the back of some electric quarterback play from Lamar Jackson and are a good bet to get up over the Titans.
These two are the best rushing teams in the league, with the Ravens doing so off the back of their dynamic quarterback.
Last week Jackson contributed 97 yards on the ground as the Ravens amassed 404 running yards of offence last week against the Bengals.
If the Titans’ defence can step up and stop the run game, then they’re definitely a chance — although there’s little suggestion they can, having conceded more points than any other playoff contender at 429.
However, Ryan Tannehill continues to impress with some big plays at big moments for the Titans, so if it’s close in the fourth quarter then the Ravens could be made to sweat.
The Titans also have the psychological advantage of beating the Ravens in the divisional round last year and in a 30-24 overtime victory earlier this season.
Chicago Bears (8-8) vs New Orleans Saints (12-4)
Veteran quarterback Drew Brees leads a New Orleans squad that has incredible depth and should be more than enough to take down the Bears.
The 41-year-old — who is yet to confirm whether or not this will be his last season in the competition — was back to his best last week after showing a bit of rust after returning from a rib and lung injury.
He threw three touchdowns in a 33-7 victory over the Panthers to give him 24 for the season, against six interceptions.
That came off a 52-33 slugfest against the Vikings thanks to six Alvin Kamara touchdowns.
The Bears are only in the playoffs due to the expanded field this season and they showed how vulnerable they were against the pass/run game in a 35-16 home defeat against the Packers last week.
Cleveland Browns (11-5) vs Pittsburgh Steelers (11-5)
It’s been so long since Cleveland last won a playoff game, quarterback Baker Mayfield had not even been born.
The Browns snuck into the playoffs for the first time in 18 years last week with a scratchy 24-22 victory over their AFC North rivals, the Steelers, who they meet again this week.
There was plenty of emotion after the Browns secured their playoff slot, but some joy will be tempered by the fact that its rookie head coach, Kevin Stefanki — along with some of his staff and two players — will not be able to be a part of the wildcard game due to having to isolate after contracting coronavirus.
That makes the Steelers favourites despite last week’s defeat — coach Mile Tomlin opted to rest his main starters for the season finale, including veteran quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and linebacker TJ Watt.
The Steelers started the season strongly but have really limped through the second half of the campaign, meaning the Browns will fancy their chances of winning a playoff game for the first time since 1995.