Seven of Prime Time Sports Talk’s NFL experts came together to share their picks ahead of what is sure to be an eventful wild card weekend.
No. 5 Buffalo Bills vs No. 4 Houston Texans
Kyle Porch: Texans 24, Bills 17
Houston is a great team this year. While they have had streaky losses, Deshaun Watson and DeAndre Hopkins form one of the scariest duos in the playoffs. Their defense will swallow Buffalo’s punitive offensive unit.
Ryan Potts: Bills 21, Titans 20
The Bills are better defensively, and they can make enough plays with Josh Allen, Devin Singletary, and John Brown. The Texans are wildly inconsistent, but they should keep it close.
Celeste Sabin: Texans 21, Bills 18
I’m going to go with Houston in this game. J.J. Watt comes off injured reserve and is back just in time. In addition, the driving force between Watkins and Hopkins can’t be ignored. The Texans’ defense definitely needs to step up and stop Buffalo from scoring if they want to secure the victory.
Jayton Washington: Texans 31, Bills 13
The Texans will win this game by a landslide. Oddsmakers have the Texans to win by a field goal. There is no chance for an upset here.
Joe Heller: Texans 24, Bills 17
While this game could easily go either way, I’m taking the Texans. The determining factor will be the return of defensive leader J.J. Watt. While he himself may not have an immense impact on the game, the Bills’ offense having to account for him will allow for other Texans defenders to make impactful plays.
Andersen Pickard: Bills 20, Texans 17
The Texans will welcome back J.J. Watt on Saturday, but the team is also dealing with several fresh injuries that will hamper them. The Bills have a questionable roster, but they should prevail in an upset of an affair.
Chris Totaro: Bills 24, Texans 17
Both teams have looked great at times but have also had their bad days. Look for Josh Allen to take control of the game and the Bills’ defense to handle Deshaun Watson and co. in a low-scoring affair.
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It’s Wild Card weekend, babyyyy!
Who you got?#GoBills #WeAreTexans #BUFvsHOU
— Prime Time Sports Talk (@TalkPrimeTime) January 4, 2020
No. 6 Tennessee Titans vs No. 3 New England Patriots
Kyle Porch: Patriots 31, Titans 17
Yes, Tennessee has Derrick Henry, who is the season rushing king, but you are going to need more than that to beat this electric Patriots defense. D’onta Hightower and Kyle Van Noy will end the long runs if the front five are unsuccessful. Plus, Stephon Gilmore will be a lockdown and no receiver can outrun him on the Titans. Also, Tom Brady.
Ryan Potts: Titans 23, Patriots 21
I’m sipping the Kool-Aid a little here, but the Titans can exploit the Patriots with the running game. If the Titans play fearlessly, they will beat the reigning champs with a big day from Derrick Henry.
Celeste Sabin: Patriots 38, Titans 35
I have to go with the Patriots in this game.
Jayton Washington: Titans 17, Patriots 10
I’m taking the Titans in an upset here. A low-scoring game will see the Titans control the clock with their running game.
Joe Heller: Titans 27, Patriots 24
The Titans have been a team that’s been rolling since Ryan Tannehill took over the starting job. New England was just upset at home by a Ryan Fitzpatrick-led Dolphins team. Titans running back Derrick Henry will lead his team to the upset.
Andersen Pickard: Patriots 17, Titans 14
The Titans are entering as the No. 6 seed but the favorites of many. However, their season will face an abrupt end as they fall to the Patriots. Derrick Henry will run for over 150 yards and find the end zone twice, but the Patriots will succeed at shutting down Ryan Tannehill while putting up 17 points of their own.
Chris Totaro: Patriots 31, Titans 27
It’s extremely odd seeing the Patriots playing on Wild Card weekend, as they haven’t done so since 2009. The Titans have looked great since making the switch to Tannehill mid-season, but they are playing in Foxborough against a team that almost always brings their best stuff in the playoffs. The Patriots will win this game, but it will be closer than most expect.
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It’s Wild Card weekend, babyyyy!
Who you got?#TitanUp #GoPats #TENvsNE
— Prime Time Sports Talk (@TalkPrimeTime) January 4, 2020
No. 6 Minnesota Vikings vs No. 3 New Orleans Saints
Kyle Porch: Saints 35, Vikings 28
Drew Brees and Michael Thomas have been amazing throughout the season. This team will be able to shut down the Vikings. However, if the Saints cannot control Stefon Diggs out of the gate, it could be a long day for New Orleans.
Ryan Potts: Saints 35, Vikings 20
Drew Brees is borderline untouchable in home games in the playoffs. Kirk Cousins is a mess in stand-alone games. Saints by 15.
Celeste Sabin: Saints 42, Vikings 35
New Orleans all the way. Not only do they have the home-field advantage, but they have also had a better season overall than the Vikings and Minnesota will be hard-pressed to stop Drew Brees, Michael Thomas, and Alvin Kamara. The Saints’ defense will have to stop Dalvin Cook from taking the ball into the end zone to secure their postseason future.
Jayton Washington: Saints 27, Vikings 20
This will be the best game of the weekend but nobody other than the Saints will win inside the dome. The Vikings may cover the eight-point spread, though.
Joe Heller: Saints 38, Vikings 30
History has dictated that the Saints’ playoff runs end on fluke plays, whether it be a blatant missed pass interference or an amazing unlikely catch and run as time expires. However, I think the record-breaking tandem of Drew Brees and Michael Thomas, with the help of their much-improved defense, will win this shootout.
Andersen Pickard: Saints 34, Vikings 24
The Saints have been extremely dominant in the Superdome and this will continue into the playoffs. Their score will be double Minnesota’s with five minutes to play before a garbage-time touchdown puts the Vikings within 10.
Chris Totaro: Saints 37, Vikings 20
The Saints are great in the Superdome on any given Sunday, and in the playoffs, they are nearly unbeatable at home during the Payton and Brees era. In addition to this, the Saints are almost certainly looking for revenge for the Minneapolis Miracle, as well. The Vikings’ strength is their running game, but the Saints have a stout run defense. If the game falls into the hands of Kirk Cousins, the Vikings are not in good shape. The Saints win big at home.
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#Vikings.#Saints.
1:05 p.m. Sunday.It’s Wild Card weekend, babyyyy!
Who you got?#Skol #NotEnough #MINvsNO
— Prime Time Sports Talk (@TalkPrimeTime) January 4, 2020
No. 5 Seattle Seahawks vs No. 4 Philadelphia Eagles
Kyle Porch: Seahawks 31, Eagles 14
Russell Wilson is a legitimate MVP candidate. It is hard to imagine a lackluster Eagles defense stopping him in addition to D.K Metcalf, Marshawn Lynch, and Tyler Lockett. Philly’s season is over before their playoff run even starts.
Ryan Potts: Eagles 24, Seahawks 20
The Eagles are so thin at wide receiver that Mark Wahlberg should be brought in, but Philly is one of the hottest teams in football. Superior line play will dictate the game, and Carson Wentz will flash his near-MVP form from 2017.
Celeste Sabin: Seahawks 28, Eagles 22
I think Seattle has this game locked down with the return of Marshawn Lynch along with the combination of Russell Wilson consistently connecting with D.K. Metcalf or Tyler Lockett for point production.
Jayton Washington: Seahawks 28, Eagles 13
The Seahawks are peaking at the right time, as usual. They will win this game easily. It is safe to bet big here and take the Seahawks -1.5.
Joe Heller: Seahawks 34, Eagles 24
Russell Wilson always seems to thrive in the playoffs. Marshawn Lynch has a game under his belt following his return from retirement. The Eagles’ lack in receivers will be exposed early and often. Carson Wentz will have a good game but he won’t be able to keep up on the scoreboard.
Andersen Pickard: Seahawks 34, Eagles 23
The Seahawks are one of the best teams in football and I do not believe they should have lost to the Niners. I was quite stunned to see San Francisco squeak out a Week 17 win and I think the story will be different when the two teams meet in the NFC divisional round. Yes, the Seahawks will prevail on Sunday and reveal the largest margin of victory out of the four Wild Card weekend clashes.
Chris Totaro: Seahawks 31, Eagles 20
The Eagles are winners of four straight and snuck into the playoffs. They lost a close game to the Seahawks at home earlier this season and I expect a similar result in this one. The Seahawks are a top team in the NFC, as they showed by splitting their season series with the 49ers. Expect Russell Wilson to go into Philly and force a rematch with the Niners.
Share your own thoughts here:
#Seahawks.#Eagles.
4:40 p.m. Sunday.It’s Wild Card weekend, babyyyy!
Who you got?#GoHawks #FlyEaglesFly #SEAvsPHI
— Prime Time Sports Talk (@TalkPrimeTime) January 4, 2020
