Watching the Patriots participate in the playoffs is becoming a faint memory for some, with postseason wins even more removed (six years and counting, sadly). Any frustrations over the recent state of football affairs in Foxborough shouldn’t prohibit you from enjoying postseason professional pigskin action. And no, we’re not just talking about all those $5 six-leg parlays you’re tempted to place (so tempting).
You may have heard the Pats have one and many a need, from roster to coaching, play-calling and beyond. With the windy, wintry conditions all weekend long, no better time than Wild Card Weekend to whip up some savory grub, grab some frosty bevs and play armchair GM for the team. Or perhaps find an alternate team to root for temporarily so as to make sure your feelings haven’t completely been numbed by recent disappointments (we don’t judge).
Three days. Six games. One awesome weekend of football.
Game 1: Saturday, 4:30 p.m. - Los Angeles Chargers at Houston Texans
Feels like the Texans always play the first game of Wild Card Weekend, right? Kicking the festivities off eight times over the past 15 years will do that. Houston’s offense has sputtered mightily over the second half of the 2024 campaign, leaving Jim Harbaugh’s Chargers to be road favorites. Yes, the same Chargers that just came in and laid it on the Pats a few weeks back. Still kinda stings.
Harbaugh took a 5-12 team and turned them into an 11-6 foe capable of making some noise this January. If Pats fans are hoping to see a similar turnaround potentially with Mike Vrabel and wishfully what their team could be in a year? Best pray for better drafts and an upgraded line, which is what Harbaugh provided for Justin Herbert (a dream board comp for young Drake Maye). If it’s watching a tough team get geared up to potentially knock off the Chiefs so Pats fans don’t have to fret over the Chiefs three-peating? This we could get behind.
Game 2: Saturday, 8 p.m. - Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens
Feels like you just watched this game? That’s because you did three weeks ago, a 34-17 Ravens win fueled by multiple Steelers turnovers. Russell Wilson has been less DangeRuss and more OneRuss lately trying to get the Pittsburgh offense in gear on his own. If George Pickens and Pat Freiermuth visit The Hands Store on the way to Fell’s Point? We might have a game. Otherwise we’ll be left watching MVP candidate Lamar Jackson look to begin his mission anew of righting many postseason wrongs. If that means the Ravens eventually bump off the Chiefs then we can live with seeing the other Harbaugh coaching in the Super Bowl in New Orleans again, dirty as that may feel.
Free Agent Alert: Baltimore’s Ronnie Stanley is expected to be the top left tackle to hit the market (likely seeking an AAV of $20 million). Given New England’s dire need to revamp the line and especially find a LT, watching Stanley go on a postseason run, keep Lamar clean, and stay healthy himself would be nice to see, surging price tag and all.
Game 3: Sunday, 1 p.m. - Denver Broncos at Buffalo Bills
Might feel weird to possibly get behind the same Bills team that just came to Gillette Stadium and let the Pats win in Jerod Mayo’s final game as coach, thereby costing them the top pick in April’s draft. However, MVP frontrunner and offensive force of nature Josh Allen finally getting his postseason revenge against Patrick Mahomes may represent the New England fan’s best chance at not seeing a Chiefs Kingdom Lombardi party yet again. We know, it’s just a gross feeling, but then again football fandom is a complicated business.
The Bills are big favorites, though Denver’s defense and possible DPOY cornerback Patrick Surtain II might give the Bills some trouble. The Broncos, led by rookie QB Bo Nix, were another team to turn their fortunes around in a season. Could be worth watching what a young QB can do with a solid O-line, competent head coaching and creative play-calling.
Game 4: Sunday, 4:30 p.m. - Green Bay Packers at Philadelphia Eagles
Can’t imagine there are too many fans in and of New England that want to see the Eagles do anything except fall on their face. Super Bowl losses have a funny way of creating long-term grudges like that. The Packers don’t seem to have the same swagger heading into the playoffs like they did last January when they should have made an NFC championship game appearance at minimum. If Jalen still Hurts, Jordan Love has time and Josh Jacobs finds a new gear then this could be a tremendous tilt. Otherwise we may just be in for a lot of brotherly shoving and low scoring.
Free Agent Alert: Philly’s Josh Sweat could be a hot name on the defensive end market this offseason. With Deatrich Wise Jr. a UFA himself, and the Pats in dire need (last in the NFL in 2024 in pass rush) of getting to the QB, his postseason could be worth watching.
Game 5: Sunday, 8 p.m. - Washington Commanders at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The battle of the guy who was drafted right before Drake Maye in Washington’s Jayden Daniels vs. the guy Bill Belichick allegedly wanted to sign in 2023 to compete with Mac Jones in Tampa’s Baker Mayfield. Both teams can score, so the over and a touchdown-filled Sunday Night Football party should be in order to wrap up a great Sunday. Plus, the fascination with Washington going from 4-13 in 2023 to 11-6 and the playoffs in 2024 should compel Pats fans to tune in. Plus Daniels really is a one-man show. His comeback ability and late game heroics are really something else.
Free Agent Alert: Washington’s Bobby Wagner, now as close to AARP as he is NCAA, seems to be on a one-year contract tour to wrap up his Hall of Fame-worthy career. The veteran middle linebacker who’s almost 35 was in on 132 tackles this season on a revamped Commanders defense. With the Pats defense in desperate need of some veteran leadership, and Ja’Whaun Bentley coming off a season ending pectoral tear, this could be a smart flyer for 2025. Also, Tampa’s Jalen McMillan is the other University of Washington receiver that has a quality 2024 next to Chicago’s Rome Odunze (sorry for the strays, Ja’Lynn Polk). If he continues to ascend then Tampa might deem veteran receiver Chris Godwin expendable. Though he finished the season on IR with a bad ankle injury, he was on his way to a career year with 50 catches and five TDs in only seven games. If his injury heals fully he could be a solid veteran receiver for New England to target and come help lead a massively revamped WR room.
Game 6: Monday, 8 p.m. - Minnesota Vikings at Los Angeles Rams
The tragic wildfires ravaging the greater Los Angeles area resulted in this game being moved to State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, as we all pray for the safety of LA residents as well as the men and women working tirelessly to contain these horrific blazes.
The game itself could set up to be a doozy with the Vikings the first 14-win Wild Card team ever traveling to take on the always potent Rams, led by wunderkind coach Sean McVay and his twin receiver tandem of Cooper Kupp and the veritably uncoverable Puka Nacua (we all remember what they did to to the Patriots back in November).
Free Agent Alert: Minnesota has three offensive linemen up for free agency (LT Cam Robinson, G Dalton Risner and RT David Quessenberry), with Robinson expected to fetch a bag/haul/purse some time soon. Funny enough, New England has a need at just about every position along the offensive line. Time to get in full Football Hardo mode and keep a good eye on the Vikings line. SKOL!
Coach Alert: Minnesota’s defense is helmed by old friend Brian Flores, who is expected to field a number of head coaching interviews this cycle. He has expressed interest in the Pats coaching job, though no interview has been scheduled to date, leading most to believe it’s Mike Vrabel or Ben Johnson’s job (**cough, Vrabel**) to lose. Should his blitz-heavy defense excel, then expect his name to get mentioned much more in the next few weeks.