For the first time ever, we have a SUPER Wild Card Weekend, with six games instead of four…so let’s take a look at the nuts and bolts of every game on Saturday!
Indianapolis Colts (11-5) at Buffalo Bills (13-3)
Saturday, 1:05 p.m. EST
Line: Bills - 6.5
If the spread seems significant, it's because the Bills are a significant team this season. If not for Aaron Rodgers' monster season, Bills QB Josh Allen could be seriously considered for NFL MVP. Allen is playing out of his mind, and well beyond the back of his football card. If you combine his rushing and passing touchdowns, he has 45 total scores and just 10 interceptions, with a passer rating of 107.2. The last time a QB posted that kind of TD-INT ratio was Cam Newton in 2015.
How do you stop Allen from throwing bombs to Stefan Diggs (who led the league in yards and catches) and zipping the ball down the middle to Cole Beasley? Keep him off the field. That's the Colts' best hope. Philip Rivers may be way past his prime but the halfback behind him, Jonathan Taylor, is just starting to tear-up the league. The rookie from Wisconsin ran for 1,169 yards, averaged 5.0 yards per carry, and scored 11 rushing TDs. Taylor and Nyheim Hines (who chipped in seven total TD) will need to hog the rock and hope old man Rivers has one or two big throws left in his iconic arm. Not very likely.
Prediction: Bills, 31-20
Los Angeles Rams (10-6) at Seattle Seahawks (12-4)
Saturday, 4:40 p.m. EST
Line: Seahawks - 3.5
A big game between NFC West rivals playing each other a third time this season.
Naturally, they split the first two, but the big difference in the third game is the health of Rams QB Jared Goff, who is coming off surgery on his right thumb. Head coach Sean McVay won't name a starter under center until game day, which means it could be neophyte QB John Wolford again, this time charged with helping his Rams score a TD on offense for the first time in three games.
These teams have a sibling's knowledge of each other, and they aren't far apart in terms of talent. Perhaps the big difference will be that Seattle has Captain America, Russell Wilson, at quarterback, while the visiting Rams may be stuck with, well, Wolford. Plus all-world safety Jamal Adams is supposed to play for Seattle despite a balky shoulder.
Prediction: Seahawks, 27-19
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (11-5) at Washington Football Team (7-9)
Saturday, 8:15 p.m. EST
Line: Bucs - 8.5
Which story is bigger: the forlorn football team from Washington actually making it into the playoffs, or Tom Brady maintaining his mojo after leaving his former mentors in Foxboro? The 43-year-old GOAT has kept his touch, with no signs of rust, and seems to have complete trust in his new teammates. It would be nice if Brady had all-world wideout Mike Evans on the field, though head coach Bruce Arians said Evans will be a game-time decision.
Washington has the most courageous QB on the planet in Alex Smith, and the best rookie edge rusher in Chase Young. And they are definitely on the come, and will soon be ready for games like this. But for now, anyway, Tampa has too much Tom, who has shed Father Time's tackle for at least one more year.
Prediction: Buccaneers, 24-17
Follow Jason Keidel on Twitter: @JasonKeidel
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