Super Wild Card Weekend kicks of Saturday, so sports writers Landon Olberg and Anay Gupta are breaking down the six games that kick off the 2024-25 NFL playoffs.
AFC
No. 5 Los Angeles Chargers at No. 4 Houston Texans
Saturday, 1:30 p.m. on CBS
Landon:
The Chargers have been playing really well this year under their new head coach Jim Harbough. Quarterback Justin Herbert has played really well and in general to help establish the Chargers as one of the better teams.
The Texans repeated as AFC South division champs, but they have been playing only okay the last couple weeks. I’m worried about their offensive line and whether they can allow time for quarterback C.J. Stroud to throw the ball. I don’t think the Texans will win this game but it will be close.
Prediction: Chargers win 24-23
Anay:
The C.J. Stroud that we saw last year has been lost to time and other injuries, especially with the loss of wide receivers Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell. The receiver position for Houston is now scarily thin. You might as well just say “Houston we have a problem” because Stroud has regressed heavily.
Stroud has to play with confidence and a clear state of mind for the Texans to win, especially when he’s attempting to make plays against Charger All-Pro Derwin James Jr. But if Stroud trusts his athleticism and just finds a way to get the ball to Nico Collins or Dalton Schultz, then the Texans should win this game. John Metchie III could make an unforeseen impact on the game with the receiver position being so barren.
Prediction: Texans 34-27
No. 6 Pittsburgh Steelers at No. 3 Baltimore Ravens
Saturday, 5 p.m. on Prime
Landon:
Lamar Jackson is arguably the greatest quarterback in the NFL right now. He is already a two-time MVP and could have another MVP under his belt once awards are announced this year. The Ravens have beaten really good teams this year and are showing dominance.
The Steelers, on the other hand, started off well at the beginning of the season but have fallen off after that. They’re on a four-game losing streak heading into the playoffs. I don’t see a chance that they will win this game.
Prediction: Ravens 27-10
Anay:
The Steelers have beaten the Ravens before, and if quarterback Russell Wilson remembers the guy he was who won the Super Bowl with the Seahawks and embarrassed the Broncos then Pittsburgh can win this game. That version of Russell Wilson will give the Steelers a chance. George Pickens also will have to stop fighting and start receiving.
Plus, if coach Mike Tomlin stops settling for barely winning seasons and starts looking beyond 9-8 records, then the Steelers could be special. A sighting of backup quarterback Justin Fields wouldn’t hurt their chances as well. I’m saying the Steelers win thanks to a Lamar Jackson fumble.
Prediction: Steelers 24 – 21.
No. 7 Denver Broncos at No. 2 Buffalo Bills
Sunday, 10 a.m. on CBS
Landon:
Quarterback Josh Allen and the Bills have been playing really well all year. Allen is a top MVP candidate who can do it with both his arm and his legs. The Broncos were not expected to be in the playoffs this season, but Bo Nix, the rookie quarterback from Oregon, has proved everyone wrong.
The Broncos may have one of the best futures out of any team in the playoffs, but Allen and the Bills will win this game to advance.
Prediction: Bills 30-20
Anay:
Bo Nix, like Jayden Daniels, will play great as a rookie in his first playoff start. He will surgically dice up the Bills’ Rasul Douglas and Kaiir Elam. Courtland Sutton will play like the wide receiver coach Sean Payton knows he is. Pat Surtain II, the best cornerback in the league, will lead the Broncos defense and will pick off Josh Allen thanks to his elite vision to help contribute to a Broncos’ upset victory. While a Denver win does seem unlikely, I wouldn’t put it past the Bills to have a boneheaded loss.
Prediction: Broncos 24-13
NFC
No. 7 Green Bay Packers at No. 2 Philadelphia Eagles
Sunday, 1:30 p.m. on FOX
Landon:
The Packers have been struggling lately, with their last two losses coming against Minnesota and the Chicago. The Eagles have also been struggling without their quarterback Jalen Hurts for the last few weeks. I believe Jordan Love will go to Philadelphia and beat them. Hurts will struggle to throw deep and will be forced to feed Saquon Barkley, but the Packers will be prepared to stop the run.
Prediction: Packers 24-20
Anay:
The Eagles will win because they are an offensive powerhouse backed by MVP candidate Saquon Barkley, who carried the Eagles throughout the regular season. I expect that he will do the same given that Devonta Smith and A.J. Brown, the Eagle’s top wide receivers, are both banged up.
But injuries in the Green Bay secondary could open up lanes for Jahan Dotson to make an impact. Regardles,s the game will be close, with the Eagles’ run defense ultimately standing tall behind defensive tackle Jalen Carter.
Prediction: Eagles 24-17
No. 6 Washington Commanders at No. 3 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Sunday, 5 p.m. on NBC
Landon:
Tampa Bay’s Baker Mayfield is one of the most underrated quarterbacks in the NFL right now. He is a gunslinger type of quarterback with an explosive wide receiver in Mike Evans. But the Commanders have shocked a lot of people this season. Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels has played lights out and proved everyone wrong this season. I think this will be a high-scoring game, but Daniels will fumble under pressure on the road and the Bucs will win.
Prediction: Buccaneers 34-28
Anay:
This isn’t the first time the NFL has seen a rookie come into the playoffs and steal the show. Notably, just last year C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans did the same thing and torched the Cleveland Browns. Brock Purdy and the San Francisco 49ers did the same in 2022. Jayden Daniels has been electric all year and can beat good teams, including a loaded Ravens team that Washington lost to by only one score. He can make the plays on the ground and through the air. The return of star cornerback Marshon Lattimore helps the Commanders a bit, especially with his experience and history against receiver Mike Evans.
Prediction: Washington 31-28
No. 5 Minnesota Vikings at No. 4 Los Angeles Rams (in Phoenix)
Monday, 5 p.m. on ESPN
Landon:
The Vikings have been the biggest surprise this year, winning 14 games with Sam Darnold at quarterback. Darnold has been unbelievable and proved people wrong after he was labeled a bust in New York.
The Rams struggled a lot during the beginning of the season but got hot down the stretch. They arguably have the best wide receiver duo in the NFL with Puca Nacua and Cooper Kupp, even though Kupp hasn’t had his best season. I still think the Vikings win this game and move on. Prediction: Vikings 20-17
Anay:
The Vikings are frauds, with a capital F. They’ve already lost to the Rams previously and will do so again. The Detroit Lions hit the factory reset button on Sam Darnold, and he went back to seeing ghosts in the season finale.
The Rams’ star edge rusher Jared Verse will chase Darnold all over the place just like the Lions’ defense did last week. Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua will not only toast the Vikings’ secondary, they’ll make it look easy. Expect running back Kyren Williams to feast on the ground too. Rams quarterback Matt Stafford will make textbook passes all day and will light up the Vikings again. Prediction: Rams 31-13
