Wild Card Weekend

By Hamish Girvan

Now the NFL season gets into high gear with teams now in a lose and go home scenario. The last weekend of the regular season saw three teams sneak in via victories. The Road to Atlanta starts here.

Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans – Sunday 10.35am NZ time

AFC South division winners the Houston Texans host their AFC South rivals the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts have been on a roll winning 7 out of their last 8 games. At the helm is probable comeback player of the year Andrew Luck, who at 29, still has a number of seasons left to show his full potential. The Texans started the season 0-3 however never looked back and are masters at winning close games. They tied up the AFC South title easily enough and will be relishing some revenge after the Colts beat them in early December at the Texans home field. The Texans are favoured by 2.5 points and if DeShaun Watson can make the plays they should beat the Colts albeit in a close one. Pick Texans -2.5

Seattle Seahawks at Dallas Cowboys- Sunday 2.15pm NZ time

The Dallas Cowboys won the NFC East division 2 games ago however the division this season was one of the weaker. Not overly impressive they got the title and home field advantage. Since trading for receiver Amari Cooper, they have won 7 out of the last 8 – maybe not such a dumb trade after all? Their main weapon is running back Ezekiel Elliott however here they come up against a playoff hardened team in the Seahawks. Quarterback Russell Wilson is playing as well as ever and can make a play out of nothing (much like Kansas City Chiefs Patrick Mahomes) Their defence is as menacing even though their legendary “legion of boom” has disbanded. The Cowboys are 2.5-point favourites however here they will struggle. Pick Seattle Seahawks +2.5

San Diego Los Angeles Chargers at Baltimore Ravens – Monday 7.05am NZ time

The Ravens snuck in by the skin of their teeth last week in winning the AFC North by containing the Cleveland Browns in the last play of the game. Baltimore changed their quarterback mid-season and now pose a different threat. Their defence is the no.1 ranked in the NFL so they will cause problems to anyone. The adage of defence wins Championships still applies. Quarterback Lamar Jackson will attempt to become the youngest quarterback to win a playoff game here. The Chargers played the Ravens two weeks ago and were soundly beaten at home in some smashmouth football. Here they travel to the Ravens home ground and Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers will see if he can lead his team, with the second-best record in the AFC, to victory. The Ravens are 2.5-point favourites (like 3 of this week’s home teams are) The Ravens could easily take the AFC Championship based on their defence alone. Pick Baltimore Ravens -2.5

Philadelphia Eagles at Chicago Bears – Monday 10.40am NZ time

Current Superbowl Champions, the Eagles, made the playoffs in their final regular season game with a thrashing of divisional rivals the Washington Redskins. Bizarrely they are playing back-up quarterback Nick Foles again after starter Carson Wentz was ruled out injured in early December. Can Foles lead them on another destiny run? The Bears easily accounted for the NFC North title after an unusual meltdown by rivals the Green Bay Packers. New head coach Matt Nahy has them playing a high-speed brand of football. At home they are favoured by 6.5 points (basically a touchdown). This will be a close one and the Eagles know how to play in one off games. The Bears should take this out – but only just. Pick Philadelphia Eagles +6.5

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