The 2024 NFL Regular Season has ended. Fourteen teams still have the opportunity to hoist the Lombardi Trophy. Let’s take a look at each NFL Wildcard game and see who will punch their ticket to the Divisional Round.
The Kansas City Chiefs and the Detroit Lions both earned a first-round bye in their respective conferences. For the Chiefs, the road to a third consecutive Super Bowl runs through the comfort of their home stadium. For the Lions, it was the best season in their franchise’s history. Detroit was able to battle through injuries to secure the one seed and guarantee the NFC race comes through the Motor City.
As a Green Bay Packers fan, I find this one tough to write. The Packers limped into the playoffs, losing their last two regular-season games.
The Packers have struggled this season against opponents with a winning record, including a 0-4 record against NFC North rivals Detroit and Minnesota. With Christian Watson out for the season after his week 18 injury, and Jordan Love possibly missing this game, the Packers will need to lean on Josh Jacobs to give themselves their best chance to win.
The Eagles, on the other hand, have really hit their stride. Even after Jalen Hurts went down with an injury, Philadelphia was able to lean on Saquan Barkley to get right back on track. Also, third-string Quarterback Tanner McKee has established himself as a talented placeholder if Jalen Hurts cannot clear concussion protocol for this matchup.
The Eagles may prove to be too big of a test for the Packers. Even with Philadelphia’s injury issues at Quarterback, I like the Eagles in this one.
Eagles – 27 Packers – 24
This may very well be the most dominant win of Wild Card Weekend. The Broncos have exceeded expectations this season and should be highly hopeful for the franchise’s future.
Unfortunately, they are running into who many consider the Super Bowl favorites.
Buffalo should hand business against Bo Nix and company this weekend and get one step closer to the final prize.
Bills – 42 Broncos – 17
This may be the closest matchup of the weekend.
Jayden Daniels leads the Commanders on a road trip to the NFC South Champion Buccaneers led by Quarterback Baker Mayfield in a game that feels like a toss-up. Both of these teams had up and down seasons but won when they needed to the most.
I don’t expect either of these teams to make a deep run in this year’s playoffs, but I like the Commanders to steal this one in Tampa to earn their first signature win in the Jayden Daniels era.
Commanders – 28 Buccaneers – 27
The Steelers and Ravens split their season series this year. We get to see the rubber match in Baltimore this weekend.
These two teams always bring their A-game against one another. At this point in the season, the Ravens best just outclasses the Steelers.
Lamar Jackson may win his second consecutive and third overall MVP, and Derrick Henry looks re-energized in this Baltimore offense. Conversely, Russell Wilson and the Steeler’s receivers cannot seem to get on the same page, and their team looks stuck in the mud.
Expect the Steelers to play hard, as any Mike Tomlin-led team would do, but it won’t be enough to get past the Ravens.
Ravens – 31 Steelers – 21
The Minnesota Vikings season ended disappointingly with a 31-9 loss to the Detroit Lions, causing them to miss out on the 1 seed in the NFC. Instead, they have a game with the winners of the NFC West, the Los Angeles Rams.
The Rams rebounded after a slow start to the season to secure their spot in this year’s playoffs thanks to Quarterback Matthew Stafford and Head Coach Sean McVay’s leadership. It also cannot be overstated how much Puca Nacua has meant to this team.
Vikings – 27 Rams – 17
The Chargers will be traveling to Houston to face the Houston Texans. Neither of these teams have looked like world-beaters this season, but they want to play their best ball this post-season.
I like the Chargers marching into Houston and claiming victory in their first playoff game under Jim Harbaugh. With wide receiver Ladd McConkey healthy and Justin Herbert playing as confidently as we have seen in the NFL, this team could be a hardout for many of the top AFC in the Divisional Round or even the Conference Championship.
The Texans will not go down without a fight, but for this entire season, it has felt like they could not get out of first gear. The sophomore slump for Quarterback CJ Stroud has been very real. The team should not panic, as the future is bright in Houston. However, this season will end at the hands of the Chargers.
Chargers – 28 Texans – 21
With an exciting slate of NFL football this weekend coming up, the Super Bowl hopes for six teams will go up in flames. If history has taught us anything, it is to expect something crazy this Wildcard Weekend as these teams all fight for their chance at history. What are your thoughts on the first-round games? Share this article and give your thoughts.
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