There are four professional football games this weekend after six teams headed home last week. That was a part of "Super Wildcard Weekend," which featured six matchups rather than the traditional four. We must wait and see whether that was a one-time thing or whether we can expect that expanded playoff format from now on.
This weekend features eight teams vying for a Superbowl Championship opportunity in early February. Let's look at some of the NFL's most compelling storylines surrounding the four remaining games and eight remaining teams.
Old News
On the bracket's NFC side, one game features Tom Brady versus Drew Brees, as the Saints battle the Buccaneers. Brady and Brees' combined ages are 85, the oldest combined age of any two quarterbacks to start a playoff game.
The NFL made Roger Goodell the commissioner back in 2006, and since then, he has had to deal with all types of headaches, including calls for stricter safety rules to avoid so many concussions. Many fans and players detest him, but he has stuck with the job. At least with a titanic matchup like this, he can sit back and enjoy the contest without having any union reps or pundits criticizing him for anything.
This game's most intriguing aspect is probably that it could be Drew Brees' last NFL game ever if the Saints lose. Widespread rumors indicate that Brees will hang up his cleats after this playoff run, while Brady has given no such indication.
These two QBs can still go, despite their advanced ages. The Saints' defensive probably has the edge in this one. Look for them to deny Brady a seventh ring as New Orleans advances to the NFC Title Game.
Can the Browns Avoid a Blowout Loss?
In the AFC, the Browns beat the Steelers in impressive fashion last week, and now they draw the number one seed, the defending Superbowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs. Vegas has the Browns as ten-point underdogs on the road.
Most people seem to think the Browns beating the Steelers says more about Pittsburgh's state than Cleveland's. That's why Vegas has that double-digit point spread in place.
Virtually everyone thinks the Chiefs should win, and realistically, there's no reason why they shouldn't. Patrick Mahomes is arguably the best offensive player in football right now, and the Chiefs are the AFC's most complete team.
However, if you're betting on this game, you might want to consider taking the Browns and the points. The Chiefs tend to play close games, and even with an extra week of rest, a blowout is probably not in the cards.
Will the Packers Stomp on the Rams?
The Rams at the Packers is probably the least interesting game this weekend. The Packers are well-rested, and Aaron Rodgers seems poised to lock up the league's MVP award for the 2020-21 season.
The Rams have a stout defense, but Aaron Donald, their best player, is battling some injuries. The Packers boast some impressive firepower, and they'll run the ball just enough to keep the Rams D-line honest.
Jarred Goff is the Rams' quarterback, and he's dealing with some injuries as well. He is coming off thumb surgery and even were that not the case, he tends to turn the ball over in critical situations. The Packers should handle the LA squad pretty easily and coast into the NFC Title Game to face the Saints.
Can Lamar Jackson Keep Rolling?
The weekend's fourth game will take place in Orchard Park, NY, where the weather might come into play. There's snow in the forecast, and that probably favors the Bills, who love cold weather on their home field. The Bills Mafia cheered them on as they bounced the Colts out of the tournament last week, and this is a hungry young squad with a rapidly-maturing QB in Josh Allen.
The Ravens handled the Titans in Tennessee in impressive fashion last week, with Lamar Jackson using his legs to pick up his first career playoff win. Josh Allen can certainly run the ball too, and these QBs can easily turn this game into a track meet.
This is probably this weekend's most challenging game to predict. The line is Ravens plus two at most sportsbooks, meaning Vegas likes the Bills a little more than Baltimore. Still, this could easily go either way.
Determined as the Bills are, they won't be able to contain Jackson for sixty minutes. The Ravens should advance due to some fourth-quarter heroics.
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