It’s the first Wild Card weekend ever with six games (2021’s first W, if we’re being real). And also first playoffs with no Patriots in 12 years (there goes that W). Weird as this feels there should be enough quality football, plus a game featuring your favorite QB ever, to keep the local fan interested. Stress-free viewing, plus a chance to do some armchair GM work for the Pats, should keep your eyes glued, as much as possible, to the TV for what some are calling possibly the greatest weekend of playoff football in history.
Before it soars over or sails beneath the hype we’ve assembled a handy priority watching guide for you, factoring in the matchup, broadcast time, local interest and intangible watching factors. Here’s our ranking of the six games in terms of watchability (truth be told with but 13 NFL games left this season they’re all watchable).
1.) Tampa @ Washington - Sat 8:15 p.m.
While there’s some national interest in watching Brady in his first playoff game with another team, there’s probably a lot of disinterest in watching him due to Brady fatigue as well. Which is exactly why people will watch. Like Howard Stern having more hate listeners back in the day. Plus it’s a Saturday night. Ratings should be big even though it’s Brady/Gronk/Brown vs. Alex Smith and friends. Were Brady not involved, and we not New England? Hello bottom of the rankings! Can’t wait to see if Brady shakes his Tompa Bay primetime jitters, and if Chase Young regrets his request or not.
2.) Indianapolis @ Buffalo - Sat 1:05 p.m.
This could be the No. 1 matchup since you have a Colts team that could easily be the best bottom seed the AFC has ever seen in the playoffs, let alone a strong inaugural No. 7 seed, vs a Bills team that’s playing arguably the best football in the conference. Should be a great game and a great start to the weekend. Sneaky side story - Frank Reich, coach of the Colts, was the backup of the Bills for years and staged statistically the greatest NFL comeback ever (relax, Pats fans), down 35-3 to the Oilers on Jan. 3, 1993. Could he lead another upset on his old stomping grounds?
3.) Baltimore @ Tennessee - Sun 1:05 p.m.
Two days, two potentially great AFC Wild Card kickoffs. The Ravens were embarrassed as the No. 1 seed last January, upset at home by the Titans in the Divisional Round. So already we have the makings of a Wild Card grudge match. Plus the Titans beat Lamarvelous this season, too. So payback is on the table. Factor in Baltimore surging at the end of the season, and Derrick Henry rushing for over 2,000 yards in the regular season, and we might have ourselves an instant classic. Baltimore’s defense could be frisky. Tannehill to Brown is lethal. Vrabel and Harbaugh hate each other. Can’t wait!
4.) Cleveland @ Pittsburgh - Sun 8:15 p.m.
A rematch of Cleveland’s Week 17 play-in game already had some watchability interest. But now Big Ben and the Stillers starters are back. Still, Browns fans are over the moon for their first playoff game in 18 years. But of course, because it’s the 2020 season there are COVID issues for Cleveland, notably Pro Bowl guard Joel Bintonio and head coach Kevin Stepfanski! Now suddenly we have something that could go either “Blowout City” or “All Bets Are Off” (tough one for Vegas for sure). Cleveland’s special teams coach is in charge. The combo of rivalry, Cleveland’s playoff unfamiliarity and a good time slot should rank this one higher, but it could very well be a lopsided finale to the weekend, hence the lower ranking.
5.) Los Angeles @ Seattle - Sat 4:40 p.m.
The Rams might be starting inexperienced backup John Wolford, on the road in place of injured starter Jared Goff. Or Jared Goff with a broken thumb. In a playoff game vs. the Seahawks. Because they have to. That tells you all you need to know about why an NFC division rival showdown that could have been a must-watch affair might turn into a low-scoring snooze-fest. Plus Cooper Kupp may or may not be back from the COVID list. And even with Aaron Donald playing like a chiseled force of nature for the Rams D, and Jamal Adams hurting for the resurgent Seattle D...this garners lower interest. Likely the worst matchup were it not for ...
6.) Chicago @ New Orleans - Sun 4:40 p.m.
Everything about this says, “Take a break and get stuff done while the game is on.” A true football as background noise late Sunday afternoon special. There’s every reason to think Drew Brees, banged up 11-rack-o-fractured-ribs and all, alongside Michael Thomas and fantasy champion Alvin Kamara (should he clear the COVID protocols), should run roughshod over the Bears. BUT, well, now we’re filibustering for football’s sake. Yes, the Bears have a good defense. We know Trubisky played his best pro football over the second half of the season. Sure, the Saints early playoff exits give us pause. But if this isn’t the snooziest and most lopsided game of the weekend then 2021 will have proven a far more unpredictable neighbor than 2020.