With the first 17-game regular season done and dusted, the NFL playoffs are finally here.
There are six games in Wild Card Weekend and if this wild year of inconsistency and wacky storylines was any indication of what is to come, buckle up.
AFC
Las Vegas Raiders @ Cincinnati Bengals
The Raiders will make their first playoff appearance since 2016 and the Bengals since 2015 as the two franchises navigate their way out of the NFL wilderness.
It has been an up and down year for both teams, the Raiders were forced to fire head coach Jon Gruden five weeks into the season, and the Bengals struggled with consistency against non-playoff opponents.
Even with their blemishes both clubs finished the year 10-7 and caught fire down the stretch. This will be the second meeting between these teams as the Bengals travelled to Las Vegas in week 11 and walked out with a 32-13 victory.
The Bengals unleashed their prolific passing game in the final three weeks of the season with quarterback Joe Burrow and rookie wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase torturing opposing defences.
However, if the Raiders pass rush can resemble the form they displayed against the Los Angeles Chargers in week 18, they could make it difficult for Burrow to find a rhythm.
New England Patriots @ Buffalo Bills
These two AFC East rivals split the season series against each other with both teams earning road victories.
In their first matchup, the Patriots ran the ball down the Bills’ throat, rushing the ball 46 times for 222 yards in a 14-10 win.
Buffalo returned serve in a big way just three weeks later, leaving New England with a 33-21 victory on the shoulders of a herculean performance from quarterback Josh Allen. The fourth-year starter had 378 yards of offense and three touchdowns, catapulting his name into the MVP mix.
Bill Belichick’s Patriots came back to Earth in the last week of the season against Miami, where rookie quarterback Mac Jones showed signs of inexperience. Buffalo should be favoured but no one should count out Belichick’s genius.
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Kansas City Chiefs
No matter the kind of form the Chiefs may be in, it will always be a tough task to walk into Arrowhead in January and win.
Kansas City may not have looked completely like the high-powered offense we have come to expect over the last four years, but they still managed to finish 12-5 and were knocking on the door of the number one seed.
The Steelers gutted through the season in typical Steeler fashion going 9-7-1 behind their explosive defence.
The soon to be retired Ben Roethlisberger and the offense struggled all year long labouring to pick up yards and score points, meanwhile Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs finished the year fourth in points per game in what was – and I use this term lightly - ‘a down year’ for the offense.
The Chiefs dismantled Pittsburgh in week 16, winning 36-10. It will take a valiant effort from the Steelers defence, a big rushing game from Najee Harris and an out of body experience from Roethlisberger if Pittsburgh is to emerge victorious.
NFC
Philadelphia Eagles @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The reigning Super Bowl champs Tampa Bay will begin their title defence against a team that has clawed their way into the playoffs.
The Eagles went 9-8 after starting the season 2-5 thanks in large part to their running game which led the entire NFL. Unfortunately for them, the team they are facing possesses the third best rush defence in the league as well as the greatest player of all time.
At age 44, Tom Brady had one of the best seasons of his 22-year career, however without Pro-Bowl wide receivers Chris Godwin and Antonio Brown, Brady may be forced to hold the ball for longer and put himself in harms way, not something you want from a 44-year-old quarterback.
The Bucs will look to repeat the form that allowed them to beat Philly 28-22 in week six.
San Francisco 49ers @ Dallas Cowboys
One of the most storied playoff rivalries in the NFL is back.
The Cowboys will look to prove that their number one ranked offense can perform against a playoff calibre team.
When Dallas has played non-playoff teams, they have looked unstoppable. The same cannot be said when facing quality opposition who can shut down the run game and force Dak Prescott to beat them.
While the 49ers do not possess the rushing attack that vaulted them to a Super Bowl appearance just two years ago, their defensive line is still imposing and wide receiver/running back Deebo Samuel has been one of the most dominant offensive players this season.
The Cowboys defence impressively led the league in turnover differential, but also tended to be pushed around by physical offences much like San Francisco’s.
The Cowboy-49er rivalry adds even more interest to what may be the game of the weekend.
Arizona Cardinals @ Los Angeles Rams
This will be the third meeting between the Cardinals and Rams with each team taking a road victory.
These NFC West rivals struggled to close the season with Arizona winning only four of their last 10 games and Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford throwing eight interceptions over his last four outings.
Although the game will be in Los Angeles, the Rams should not feel anymore comfortable as the Cardinals are the best road team in the league with an 8-1 record outside of Arizona.
The Cardinals began the year with seven straight wins and annihilated the Rams in LA. However, injuries to star players DeAndre Hopkins and JJ Watt as well as struggles from quarterback Kyler Murray derailed their dominance.
This game will be won or lost by the signal callers, if Stafford can limit the turnovers and maintain a lead the Rams will win. And if Murray can make plays outside the pocket and be a dual threat the Cardinals will be 9-1 on the road.