AFC Wild Card - #7 Denver @ #2 Houston
Defending champion Houston was able to hang on to the two seed despite dropping the last two games of the regular season. The momentum is heading the wrong directions for the Texans but they have a chance to reset at home against the lowest seeded team in a stacked AFC. This game will be the second time these teams will meet after Houston won their week two matchup 24-10.
For Denver, their off season trade for Russell Wilson has gotten this franchise back to the playoffs after years of mediocrity. Their offense will look to push the ball on a Texans secondary that is playing reserves due to injuries at the position. Look for Jerry Jeudy to get the ball early and often as the Texans front four will make running the ball difficult for the Broncos.
For the Texans, the key to success will be their defense keeping Denver's O off the field. For most of the season, the Houston defense has been the backbone of the team, keeping the game close and allowing the offense to do just enough to win. The 2022 version of the Houston Texans feels very 2000 Ravens-esque. If Da'Ron Payne and Grady Jarrett are game wreckers up the middle, expect the Texans to sack an aging and slowing Wilson multiple times.
Offensively for the Texans, it all comes down to the quarterback position. Both Malik Willis and Gardner Minshew have flashed at times. However, both have shown they aren't the answer full time. Willis has been electric with his feet, but has been plagued by turnovers and bad sacks. Minshew has shown he can throw the ball down the field, but inaccurate passing and poorly timed turnovers have hurt his team. If the Texans get "B" level play from either or both of these players, the Texans will likely move on to host another game in the Divisional Round.
NFC Wild Card - #5 Washington @ #4 Green Bay
As with the game above, this game will be a second meeting between playoff opponents with the Packers taking the week seven game 34-28 in overtime. For this one, Green Bay will be looking to avoid their playoff fortune from 2021 where they easily won their division and then were promptly housed by the Seattle Seahawks 52-21. The big difference this year is they have a more experienced roster with some key players taking huge steps in their growth.
Offensively, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has taken huge steps forward in his 3rd season. With weapons like Justin Jefferson, Stefon Diggs, and Amon Ra St. Brown, he will have no shortage of options when it comes to passing situations. The two questions here will be time and health. Washington boasts a top tier defensive front and Tua will need to get the ball out quick in order to avoid costly sacks. If he gets hit frequently, it would be concerning for the Packers as the quarterback has been in concussion protocol twice this season. While backup Sam Howell played well against the Lions last week, Green Bay doesn't want to have to turn there if they can avoid it.
On the defensive side of the ball, having a lock down corner like Patrick Surtain II emerge this season will be key as Green Bay will try to keep Terry McLaurin in check. Washington has a tendency to dink and dunk their way up and down the field, then mix in a big play or two to keep the time of possession on their side. The Commanders are going with Carson Went at quarterback, so Surtain II and the secondary will be looking to keep Washington in 3rd and long situations all afternoon. If they are able to do it, this one should go the way of the Pack.
Temperatures look to be near zero this weekend which favors the Packers, but Washington is a hungry team. We expect a once score game either way.
NFC Wild Card - #6 Arizona @ #3 San Francisco
Keeping with the theme of rematches, this one is no exception with this being the third time these two will meet this season. The teams split their first two with the 49ers taking the week 11 game in Mexico City and the Cardinals getting the victory just last week. Yes, this will be a back to back matchup of NFC West foes.
On the Cardinals side, the team has somehow been able to stay alive after losing quarterback Kyler Murray to an ACL tear. Backup Case Keenum was electric last week and will look to stay hot in this one. However, he will be without his favorite target as receiver DeAndre Hopkins has already been ruled out with a knee injury. This could be just what the San Francisco defense needs as they have battled injuries in the secondary for most of the back-half of the season. Another piece of news favoring the 49ers is the return of Chauncey Gardner-Johnson. CGJ has been a very vocal leader for their defense and adding him to the fold will be huge in this one.
For San Francisco offensively, 3GML MVP Justin Fields will be the answer to whether they move on. Fields has been electric all year and it's been mainly his legs that have Niner fans hopeful for another Super Bowl run. The quarterback from Ohio State rushed for 1,532 yards this season in 16 games, which easily shattered the QB rushing record previously held by Lamar Jackson (1,206). If Fields rushes for over 100 yards in this one, we expect the 49ers to move on. Standing in the way will be JJ Watt, who is playing in his last playoffs after announcing his retirement at the end of this season. Watt will likely be pumped up for this one as it is his last shot for a ring.
