NFL Wild Card Weekend: 5 Key Matchups to Watch

The NFL postseason is finally here and the first weekend of games have plenty of matchups that should not disappoint.

Saturday kicks off with the Houston Texans hosting a 10-win Buffalo Bills team in search of the franchise's first playoff victory since 1995. The New England Patriots limp into the playoffs, missing a first-round bye for the first time since 2009 as they host a dangerous Tennessee Titans game in Saturday's nightcap.

Sunday the New Orleans Saints will host the Minnesota Vikings in a rematch of the "Minneapolis Miracle" two years later. The Philadelphia Eagles close out the weekend hosting an 11-5 Seattle Seahawks team in what may be the toughest game of the weekend to figure out.

Within these games are plenty of individual and positional matchups that could sway and determine the final outcome. Here are the key matchups heading into NFL Wild Card weekend:

JJ Watt vs. Bills O-Line

JJ Watt celebrates a play for the Texans.Getty Images

The Houston Texans will be getting one of the best defensive players in the NFL back in their front seven and the timing could not have been better. The five-time All-Pro pass rusher has not played since Week 8, so his usage could be limited, but he could make a serious impact once he's on the field. Watt had four sacks, 15 tackles and a forced fumble in just seven games this season. Houston's defense has managed to stay efficient without Watt, courtesy of the secondary stepping up in his absence. But safety Tashaun Gipson was recently placed on the IR, making the addition of Watt an integral one for the Texans to disrupt Josh Allen and the Bills offense.

John Brown & Cole Beasley vs. Texans Secondary

Bills WR John Brown looks to make a move in the open field.Getty Images

After an impressive rookie campaign, Josh Allen struggled with consistency in his sophomore season, but did just enough to help guide the Bills to the playoffs — with help from his receivers. Brown is entering the postseason after posting a career year with 72 catches and 1,060 yards and six TDs. Beasley also had a career-high six TDs and posted a respectable 67 catches for 778 yards. The Texans boast a stingy secondary, but they will be without star safety Tashaun Gipson. Still, the defensive backs Bradley Roby and Keion Crossen have each held quarterbacks to below the league average passer rating when targeted of 90.8, per Pro Football Reference, and will try to limit the damage from the Bills receivers.

Derrick Henry vs. Patriots Rush Defense

Derrick Henry delivers a stiff arm.Getty Images

The Patriots' defense has undoubtedly been the team's strength all season long, although the run defense has had some inconsistencies over the year it remained among the league's best — allowing 95.5 yards per game, the sixth-fewest in the NFL. They face a tall task on Saturday, though, when the league's leading rusher in Derrick Henry comes to Foxborough. Henry rushed for at least 140 yards in five of his last six games, including a 211-yard rushing performance in Week 17. The Patriots defense struggled to contain the Ravens running attack and Nick Chubb of the Browns earlier this season. If Henry can dominate the game, the Patriots could be looking at a rare early exit in January.

Michael Thomas vs. Xavier Rhodes

Saints WR Michael Thomas hauls in a pass.Getty Images

Thomas is arguably the best receiver in the NFL. He put together another remarkable season, setting an NFL record 149 receptions and dropping just six passes on 180 targets. He finished the season with 1,725 yards and nine TDs. Rhodes, on the other hand, has struggled this year. Quarterbacks posted a 127.8 passer rating when targeting Rhodes, a far cry from the First-Team All-Pro defensive back he was in 2017 when these two teams last met. Unless Rhodes can turn back the clock, Minnesota can be in for a long day.

Carson Wentz vs. the Seahawks Secondary

Eagles QB Carson Wentz finds a receiver downfield.Getty Images

It's not quite the Legion of Boom, but the Seattle pass defense has been among the league's best in 2019. They have allowed just 19 TDs — the fifth-fewest in the league — and have 16 interceptions — the sixth-most and two against Wentz when these teams met in Week 12. Meanwhile, the Eagles receiving corps is absolutely decimated, leaving Wentz with perhaps his toughest test of the season. He has persevered at times despite his dearth of weapons for much of the season, throwing for a career-best 4,039 yards and still complete 63.9 percent of his pass attempts. The Eagles will need their veteran quarterback to elevate those around him, and himself, if they plan on winning this game.

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