NFL Playoff Predictions – Wild Card Round

Making my NFL Wild Card playoff predictions.

I’m not a gambler, because I think I’m a curse. In fact, until this year I had a hard and fast rule that I should never bet on my own favorite teams. All that may have changed when I went to Las Vegas for my birthday in October and laid $20 on the Washington State Cougars getting 13.5 points at Oregon. The Cougs won outright and I pocketed $18. Maybe my luck is changing?

Whatever the case, there’s no money on these picks. But here’s my breakdown of how I think the Wild Card round of the NFL playoffs will go this week:

AFC:

Kansas City (5th seed) at Houston (4)

Current point spread: Chiefs by 3

The Chiefs had a remarkable season. After winning their opener they lost five straight to drop to 1-5. Then all they did after that was win the final 10 games of the year to finish 11-5. What’s even more impressive is they did it all without their leading rusher, after Jamal Charles went down for the year with a torn ACL in October. Both teams rely primarily on their defense, with the Chiefs finishing 3rd in the NFL in scoring defense and the Texans 7th. But KC holds the edge on offense, with Alex Smith leading a balanced attack that finished 9th in the league in scoring.

Look for the Chiefs roll to continue, as they go on the road and defeat the Texans 23-13.

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Pittsburgh (6) at Cincinatti (3)

Current point spread: Steelers by 2.5

All reports are that the Bengals will have to once again ride with QB A.J. McCarron, as Andy Dalton is at least another week away from returning from his broken thumb. Dalton just had the cast removed from his hand today and it’s unlikely he’ll have enough strength to play on such short notice. McCarron has played well in his absence, but the Steelers simply have more weapons, even if RB DeAngelo Williams (ankle) is out.

Vegas has this one right. Pittsburgh 34 Cincinnati 30.

NFC:

Green Bay (5) at Washington (4)

Current point spread: Redskins by 1

The Redskins enter the playoffs hotter than anyone except the Chiefs, winning their last four straight and seven out of 10. QB Kirk Cousins is on a roll, and the Packers looked terrible in losing their last two games to Arizona and Minnesota.

Alas, Green Bay won’t get another shot at the Seahawks. They lose in Washington, 31-13.

Seattle (6) at Minnesota (3) 

Current point spread: Seahawks by 6

Yes the Vikings have played better since losing at home to Seattle 38-7 on December 6th. But no, this still isn’t any better match up for them. Certainly the weather could wreak havoc, as the forecast calls for highs in the single digits, but if you just look at these two teams on paper it’s a bad first round draw for Minnesota. The Seahawks led the NFL in rushing defense, and held Adrian Peterson to 18 yards on 8 carries in their first meeting. They’ll stop the run again, and QB Teddy Bridgewater is just not good enough to attack Seattle’s secondary. A healthy return of Marshawn Lynch will only help Seattle milk the clock after they have the lead.

Seahawks 24, Vikings 9

Next: Looking back at preseason predictions

Based on these results, Pittsburgh would travel to Denver and the Chiefs would play in New England next week in the AFC. While in the NFC, Seattle would play at Carolina, with Arizona hosting Washington.