#6 Buffalo Bills (10-5-1) vs #3 Cincinnati Bengals (9-6-1)
In Week 5 this season, these two Wild Card opponents played to a 31-31 tie in one of the year's most exciting games.
The Bills out-gained the Bengals 509 to 284, but spent a majority of the 4th quarter and all of overtime without Aaron Rodgers.
Ryan Fitzpatrick, in relief of Rodgers, tossed a pair of late INTs (one returned for six) to push the game to overtime and the eventual draw.
This time around, Buffalo will be with their leader back under center. But Rodgers and company will be without many key weapons on both sides of the ball.
WR Amari Cooper, CB Casey Hayward, WR Jeremy Maclin, WR Anquan Boldin, and rookie FS Budda Baker will all miss the rematch.The Bengals will also be without a few key contributors as TE Tyler Eifert, DE Carlos Dunlap, and HB Jeremy Hill are all listed as doubtful for the contest.
After firing their defensive coordinator mid-season and moving to a 3-4 scheme, the Bills have gone 6-1. That scheme will be put to the test against the Bengals and their 4th ranked NFL offense (6th ranked rushing offense). However, the Bengals also boast the 6th worst NFL defense (27th overall) while the Bills own the 5th ranked scoring offense.
Defensively, the Bills ended the season with the NFL's #3 ranked defense despite their slow start to the season and have racked up an astounding 75 sacks this season.
Cincinnati should get a small boost from their home crowd, but not enough to right the wrong of the early season tie. Buffalo should win the game by a final of 35-14.
#5 Miami Dolphins (12-4) vs #4 Denver Broncos (8-8)
The Denver Broncos limped into the playoffs at 8-8, but have been widely touted as the team 'no one' wanted to play due to the fact that they still line up arguably one of the best QBs in the league (Drew Brees) under center and have a premier pass rusher in Von Miller terrorizing opposing quarterbacks.
However, this Miami team seems focused having won eight out of their last nine games, including a come-from-behind 39-24 home victory over these same Broncos in Week 13.
Drew Brees, the AFC's Offensive Player of the Year, will lead the NFL's #3 ranked passing offense against the NFL's #1 ranked defense. The Dolphins gave up the fewest yards passing in the NFL this season and allowed the 3rd fewest rushing yards. Miami also led the NFL with 87 sacks while yielding the fewest points-per-game in the league (15.9).
Denver will also be without their starting Right Tackle (Garrett Bolles) and Right Guard Michael Schofield. The Broncos will be forced to start Menelik Watson at RT who will be tasked with keeping All Pro Khalil Mack out of the team's backfield.
Despite the close game in November, all signs are pointing to a resounding Miami victory. Dolphins win 30-10.
