The NFL regular season is done and fans all over are anxiously waiting for their team to take the field in pursuit of the coveted Lombardi Trophy. Only 14 teams get this opportunity, while the other 18 teams and their fans sit at home, watching and hoping that one day, their team will be in this position. Bills fans know this feeling all too well, after years of not getting into the playoffs, enduring 17 years of, "maybe this will be the year, maybe this is our franchise quarterback, maybe this is our legendary coach".
Well, the Buffalo Bills finally have their franchise quarterback and he's become one of the elites of the league. We have our coach, who many wanted fired a month ago, and even now some don't believe he's got what it takes to lead this team to the Super Bowl. I disagree with those fans though. I think he, our quarterback, and this team are more than capable of bringing Buffalo their first Lombardi Trophy. I mean, they already did what many thought was not possible and stole the AFC East away from the Miami Dolphins.
What about the rest of the field though? There are certainly some very capable teams in the playoffs, and you never know if one of the lower seeds gets hot, they could make some noise. We've seen plenty of wildcard teams advance before. For me, I like the San Francisco 49ers on the NFC side. I think they are the most complete team in that conference. I'm not convinced the Dallas Cowboys can win on the road, Philadelphia has disappeared but maybe the Detroit Lions can pull the upset and take down the 49ers.
My hope is this is a Bills versus Lions Super Bowl. I think that would be pretty cool and different from any matchup we've had in the last ten years. I'm over the Cowboys and 49ers of the world. Chiefs and Dolphins too, although I'd much rather see the Dolphins get bounced this weekend. But let's have some fun and predict some winners this weekend among the Super Wildcard games.
NFC Super Wildcard Weekend
Green Bay Packers @ Dallas Cowboys (Sunday, 4:30 p.m. ET on Fox)
The Packers have been playing well down the stretch, having won six of their last eight games and earning a playoff berth. The Cowboys are the NFC's second seed and play like it at home. I think this game could be closer than the seeds would indicate but the Cowboys win this one at home. Cowboys 27 - 21
Los Angeles Rams @ Detroit Lions (Sunday, 8:15 p.m. ET on NBC)
This one could go either way. I like the Lions and would love to see them in the Super Bowl but the Rams cannot be overlooked. They have maybe the best duo at wide receivers with Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua. Let's also not forget they still have the most dominant interior defensive lineman the NFL has ever seen in Aaron Donald. Picking between these two is difficult but I'm taking the Rams in a bit of a shootout. Rams 35 - 31
Philadelphia Eagles @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Monday, 8 p.m. ET on ESPN, ABC, ESPN2 and ESPN+)
The Eagles crashed several weeks ago and limped into the playoffs. After defeating the Buffalo Bills in Week 11 in overtime, they've lost five of the six games since. The NFC East was in their grasp and the number one seed as well, instead, they collapsed and lost both. Can they get things back together in time? I don't think so. Buccaneers 24 - 17
AFC Super Wildcard Weekend
Cleveland Browns @ Houston Texans (Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET on NBC)
I've heard it said a few times this past week to not overlook the Texans. I tend to agree and I'm looking forward to seeing what the young rookie C.J. Stroud does in the playoffs. On the flip side, the Browns have looked great, have a top defense and Joe Flacco has somehow resurrected his career and is playing extremely well too. I'm going to go out on a limb though. Texans 20 - 17
Miami Dolphins @ Kansas City Chiefs (Saturday, 8:15 p.m. ET on Peacock)
It sounds like this game could rival the 1967 Ice Bowl, the coldest game in NFL history between the Cowboys and Packers. That game was -13 at game time, so I don't think we get that cold in Kansas City but regardless, that's cold. The Chiefs' defense is championship-caliber and will shut down the Dolphins offense in this one. The dolphins' season collapse will be complete. Chiefs 23 - 13
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Buffalo Bills (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET on CBS)
Here's another game where weather will be an issue but I have to ask, why is weather suddenly a reason to relocate or reschedule games? I've been watching this game since the mid-'80s and I don't recall games being moved around or rescheduled. The weather was part of the game, part of home-field advantage. What about Miami, if it's too hot, are we going to move that game or reschedule to help out the visiting team? Anyways, to the game. On paper, Buffalo should walk away with this game by halftime but that's not the season they've been playing, so with that. Bills 21 - 13