NFL Wild Card Weekend Predictions!!!
- The Dudes
- Jan 12, 2024
- 18 min read
Dude…
The NFL regular season has come to a close and 14 teams remain. The #1 overall seed gets a bye. That leaves 12 teams duking it out in the Wild Card Weekend. What is going to happen? Well, The Dudes have you covered on their 2023-2024 NFL Wild Card predictions!! Each Dude will predict the winners of the Wild Card and provide you with a Super Bowl Champion!! Check back each week before the games to get your predictions on the right track!!
How6rd: In just a matter of a full calendar year the Houston Texans have gone on a complete 180 turn, from barely getting out of the number one draft spot last season to clinching the AFC South on the last week of the regular season their rookie QB and head coach have shocked the majority. On the other side the Cleveland Browns had somewhat high expectations but not on the level of a 10+ win team let alone making the playoffs, especially with who all became injured this season. Both of these teams are in a spot many didn’t expect them to be in and it really comes down to which team is hungrier and shows out their best in this contest, as the Texans’ offensive schemes between their well balanced rushing and passing attack has made it hell for many defenses this season. On the other side the Browns defense has been putting quarterbacks in hell this season as staying in the pocket alone is a nightmare with the pass rushers bulldozing the offensive line, and if the QB is lucky enough to get the ball out the defensive backs for Cleveland are quietly even more treacherous allowing the fewest passing yards from teams in the playoffs currently. The mainstream matchup is the Browns struggling rushing defense against the Texans talented rushing offense as both have seemed much unimproved/improved in the last few weeks, but going back to their last matchup I believe, assuming Amari Cooper will be much more focused on, that David Njoku against whoever the Texans have responsible for him will be very key as the veteran tight end has been a huge factor for this offensive resurgence.
All that being said I think this Texans squad won’t be your average young squad that completely collapses in the playoffs, but the Browns across the board definitely have more key factors overall on their side.
Browns win 31-24
PC: This is old vs. new is going to be a wild ride. Joe Flacco leads the 11-6 Cleveland Browns into the rocket city. The Browns had a few tough breaks at QB this year. It started with Deshaun Watson. The massage man had a few ups and downs that ended up needing surgery after week 6. After a roulette of quarterbacks they landed with the Super Bowl Champion Joe Flacco. The former champion was written off by a lot of organizations and the Browns took a gamble. It has worked out beautifully for both sides. The Browns already had a phenomenal defense. Myles Garrett has been the star of this defense and it just needed a reliable quarterback to help this star studded wide receiving core. Flacco got his second chance and has helped this Browns team propel into the playoffs. The kids from rocket city catapulted into the playoffs after beating the Colts in Indianapolis. They won the AFC South and are now hosting a playoff game. Their rookie QB CJ Stroud has been ballin out. He has proven he should’ve gone #1 overall. This young squad has cats all over the field on both sides of the ball. Nico Collins was second in yards per route after Tyreek Hill and has been shredding defenses all year. Will Anderson Jr. has been leading this young defense to be able to hold their ground. This contest should be a great one. Two things hurt the Texans. Inexperience and Joe Flacco. This is the first playoff game for a lot of these players. Sure, they’ll be jacked up. Most teams want a calm and cool QB. CJ is going to lose his composure and it would be a downfall. Two, Joe Flacco is on a warpath and it almost seems like destiny for him to play Baltimore. I’m just hoping for a good game.
Browns win 27-17
K-Stelt: The most competitive game this weekend. I’m sure it will be a good watch. It is a tricky pick in my opinion and I assume the vast public will choose the Browns to win. But there is something in Stroud that is hard to come by. The dude is a gamer and is extremely talented. I think a lot of NFL fans are focused on the big dawgs in the playoffs and kind of look at this Houston team and tell them to kick rocks. Stroud has a great stat line of 4000 yds/ 23 TDs/ 5 INTs. That is pretty darn good for a Rookie but I've seen it happen before with Justin Herbert. This team is playing with house money and is out there with nothing to lose. The Browns, on the other hand, are a team we never expected to be in this position with this QB. Joe Flacco (37) has become a star in Cleveland, with a great team around him. The Brown's defense just simply doesn't let teams go down the field. The test will be against both sides of the ball with both teams. They both average the same amount of PA on defense, so it will have to be a test on who can get down the field more. And with Joe Flacco's experience and the line in front of him, it looks like the Browns edge this one out.
Browns win 31-23
How6rd: This game can either be hilarious and have mistake after mistake with teams trying to do too much in what’s predicted to be the coldest game EVER or it’s going to be a run-the-ball and short-play kind of game. Taking a moment not to talk about the freezing temperatures, the Chiefs have had a big fall to Earth kind of season with huge mistakes and drops happening in crucial moments of the game while the Dolphins have replicated that kind of disappointment blowing a huge late-game lead to a plummeting Titans squad on primetime and flopping in the past two weeks. Seeing that when these two teams faced this was somewhat the case for both of these teams back in Germany when the game wasn’t too high-scoring, and given how terrible the weather will be on Saturday it should 100% be the same and possibly worse this time around. The Chiefs receivers can’t catch a ball in any weather and the Dolphins haven’t won a game in any cold weather let alone THIS cold weather in at least five seasons, so if both passing games aren’t going well then there may be one deciding factor, the run game. In terms of the Dolphins' run game their offensive line is pretty banged up so they may have to force some passing attack which will be very tough in both the weather and against this Chiefs defense, as for KC their offensive line is fine and they have on paper one of the better running games in the league so in my eyes this should be the Isiah Pacheco game.
The Chiefs' defense may not be perfect as many may think they can in the cold as it will be COLD and the offense is just almost guaranteed a mistake, but they should collectively do enough to score more than the Dolphins and play at their pace in Arrowhead.
Chiefs win 17-13
PC: In what is going to be one of the coldest matchups, the Miami Dolphins are going to take on the KC Chiefs. The Dolphins, after fumbling the bag and lost the #2 seed to the Bills, find themselves traveling to the Midwest where the weather is not like it is at home. Tyreek comes back to the city that he was founded in and is trying to lead the Dolphins into sunnier days. The Chiefs have Patrick Mahomes. One of the greatest QBs of our generation. He has already done incredible things in his short career. Travis Kelce will have his boo thing Taylor Swift in attendance to cheer him on. Here’s the thing. I love the Chiefs. I’ve never had any option other than to trust Patty. Who wouldn’t. However, this receiving core is a NIGHTMARE. I mean they have been the reason we’ve lost multiple games. Toney offside. MVS drops a game winning touchdown. It’s just over and over with these guys. I think it’s going to come down to who can run the ball. It’s nice that it’s going to be windy as hell because the Dolphins offense may struggle in the passing game. With the cold, I don’t think the Dolphins will want anything to do with that. Sure, they’ve played in the cold before, but when you live out there, 20 degrees feels like 0. Imagine what 0 will feel like. I mean -23 degree wind chill. Miami is not born for that. I think Pacheco will eat them alive and the weather will Miami the game. It will be a what-if season for the Dolphins and Patty prevails again.
Chiefs win 21-10
K-Stelt: I don’t care who’s got a better record in cold games, this type of cold is one where nothing is good. Let’s just say that there will be a lot of whisky in the system of players in this game because no amount of layers can help with the wind chill. This game will be played on the ground and only on the ground. Long FGs? Not with this wind. The winner of this game will be the one that dies last. At this point, I’m throwing out all of the strengths for these teams on offense because it won't matter. Short passes and running the ball thats it. So defense will be the one to win this game. And if that's the case, the Chiefs will take this one because their defense just does not care if you go down the field, you are not scoring more than 2 touchdowns. For the Chiefs or the Dolphins, if they don’t die, it will be a test to make sure you don’t have injuries galore.
Chiefs win 20-13
How6rd: If you’re a football fan who wants a physical “cage match” type of game where running the ball and pads hitting each other as hard as possible is a thing then this is the game for you. The Bills went into this season like they have in the past being flashy and fancy with Josh Allen slinging the ball in the air (whether it’s a touchdown or interception) and the offense moving fast, but now since that tactic wasn’t going smoothly and they gave the keys to Joe Brady the former LSU mastermind has made this a run-first type of offense with a potential threat for Josh Allen to let lose any time. On the other side the Steelers haven’t had a QB near the same level as Allen all season long but just like the Bills have one of the better rushing attacks in the game and a very vicious defense that under Mike Tomlin will give it their all. This game is also projected to have some bad weather with snow instead of wind chills, but with these two teams I feel as if that category is still an even playing field. It will be a concern to see if the Steelers can hold down the Bills long enough or keep them close to avoid having to put the game in the hands of Mason Rudolph.
I think even factoring in TJ Watt being out the defense is still really solid around him especially all healthy, but the Steelers are just not on the Bills level in terms of Josh Allen on the opposing side and even the rushing offense has outdone the Steelers’ running game with James Cook completely rejuvenating himself this season.
Bills win 24-10
PC: In the second coldest game of the weekend, the Pittsburgh Steelers march into Buffalo to take on the Bills. The Steelers are that one ugly stepchild that no one likes. Mason Rudolph has rebirthed this offense into something that can help one of the best defenses in the league. TJ Watt should be your Defensive Player of the Year, but won’t be playing due to injury. The defense is still good, but it’s a massive blow losing Watt. Buffalo is rolling. After being 6-6, the Bills were counted out. After that, it’s been nothing but peddle to the meddle. The Bills went into Miami and stole the AFC East title. Now, they welcome the banged up Steelers into a frozen tundra. You know Bills Mafia will be there and be wild all day long. I think the Bills are going to steamroll the Steelers. Yes, Mason Rudolph has his reindeer magic working, but it won’t last in Buffalo. Without TJ Watt, the defense is going to struggle to get to Allen. Allen will be able to throw the ball all over the field to Stephon Diggs, Gabe Davis, and Dawson Knox to have a field day against the Steelers.
Bills win 14-3.
K Stelt: Did anyone else figure out how the NFL allowed the Steelers in the Playoffs? Because that's been my question the entire time. TJ Watt is out and other than him they don't have a chance. The Bills will probably roll the Steelers and it will be another above .500 season for Mike Tomlin. Congrats on the Bye, Buffalo.
Buffalo wins 78-3
How6rd: On the Green Bay side you have a retooled team with a new QB in town this time around for the playoffs in Jordan Love led out by the great offensive-minded head coach in Matt Lefluer. While on the Dallas side you don’t have as impressive a coaching staff, given Mike McDaniels and Dan Quinn’s inconsistencies, but the talent on the field has shown to be one of the greatest in the NFL this year. The Packers defense has had a remarkable turnaround this season and held themselves together for Jordan Love to at least do enough to keep most of the games close. Meanwhile, Dallas’ passing attack strikes fast and once they’re on a roll in that department it’s tough to tame the beast as Dak Prescott and his talented receiving core just keeps on striking until an answer is potentially too late. The Cowboys also have done a solid job at applying pressure from their pass rush and also keeping enough guys in coverage at the same time which is something that Jordan Love has struggled going against the most. The one thing I believe can hurt Dallas is if they assign too many guys to go after the QB if the four-man rush isn’t working at first (a Dan Quinn classic) and if that’s the case Jordan Love could have a big first playoff game to end an impressive season. Even seeing the negative for the Cowboys their positives are too much to overlook and if they get Jordan Love out of the pocket their defense may already be settled by then.
If McDaniels and his company play level-headed, along with the Cowboys not getting too sweet and letting up for any Packers big moments Dallas should run away with this one.
Cowboys win 34-20
PC: HA HA HA HA HA HA. I couldn’t have asked for a better team to play the Cowboys. The Packers march into the playoffs to take on the Dallas Cowboys. Now normally, the 2 seed should stomp on the 7 seed. However, it’s the Dallas Cowboys in the playoffs. Do we not remember last year? Dak always finds a way to choke. Yes, he choked in the divisional round last year, but this is set up so perfectly for Green Bay to steal this once again. Jordan Love has been playing extremely well. He seems comfortable and the Packers seem healthy. I think Dallas is just way over their head. I mean yes, CeeDee has been one of the best receivers this season and Micah Parsons IS MURDERING. But, I just have a feeling. Plus, who wants to cheer for the Cowboys anyway,
Packers win 24-21
K-Stelt: Well the Packers made their push. Now they have to go against a wild and crazy defense that causes chaos. The Packers have a solid offense but like the Texans, they are young and are playing with house money. It will take a great offensive performance to outperform this Cowboys defense. The only issue I have here is that the Green Bay defense is really poor and could give the Cowboys the ability to run up the score. I think Dallas will make it out of this round because of the sheer force they have against “ok” teams like this. But it’s next week when I have some questions.
Dallas Win 31-17
How6rd: This is my favorite matchup of the weekend and honestly the toughest one for me to choose a winner with both the offensive play calling and passing games have been really talented this season. The Detroit crowd will be electric, finally getting a home playoff game in over two decades, and Matt Stafford comes back home with a quiet but obvious sense of completing the revenge tour in beating the team that traded him where it all started (as the same for Jared Goff, former team-wise). One of the biggest factors for me in this one is the difference in the trenches on defense as aside from Aidan Hutchinson the front line hasn’t done too well in creating pressure for the QB, while the Rams have three huge threats with even pressures split between them in Byron Young. Kobie Turner, and the superstar Aaron Donald. I also believe that the Quarterback play itself is obviously a huge factor in evenly matched-up games like this one and although Jared Goff has shown that he can walk defenses down at any point in time, Stafford is still the better Quarterback over him and with a shakier defensive backfield on the Lions side compared to the Rams this could spell out trouble and a huge day(s) among rookie star Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp. Where the Lions can spell out trouble in their own right is by testing their dynamic system with David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs for the run game, because if they can gain enough yards on the ground between those two then a big play up to their two talented receivers in Amon-Ra St. Brown or Jameson Williams assuming Sam LaPorta isn’t 100% or available.
Detroit has the coaching and the right tools to be neck-and-neck with Sean McVay and the Rams’ offense, but if the Lions make a crucial turnover(s) like they have done recently and the Rams capitalize on the most it won’t be enough to continue one of their best seasons ever.
Rams win 31-27
PC: The return of Mathew Stafford. The man who used to bring hopes and dreams to Detroit, wants to become the biggest dream crusher ever. LA has all the tools to bring down Detroit. They have a Super Bowl winning QB in Stafford that has seemed to step it up every single year. Cooper Kupp and the special rookie wide receiver in Puka Nacua. Kyren Williams is tearing down defenses one after another. Their defense hasn’t been as strong as it was a few years ago, but still consistent. Aaron Donald is still a major threat. On the other hand, Detroit has made its first playoffs in forever. Jared Goff has a core of incredible weapons around him. Amon-Ra St. Brown has been a top 5 wide receiver in the league this year. Jameson Williams and Josh Reynolds are 2nd and 3rd options on a great team. They have a one-two punch in David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs. Sam Laporta has been a dynamic tight end that we’ve seen all season. The defense is young and hungry. Watch out for Brian Branch as he’s looking like a future pro bowler for years to come. I think Detroit is just too hungry to lose to the Rams. I think the whole big story of Detroit is going to will these players over this Rams team. I think the ground game will eventually punch threw and become a factor. I also think Branch and the defense will make a play or two. It’s going to be a classic either way.
Lions win 30-27
K-Stelt: Not only was this game written by the beautiful writers of the NFL but it involves the trade that made this all happen. The two QBs face off against their former teams and we will know who won this trade in the long run (Ras kinda won already because they have a superbowl). The Lions have a fantastic offensive scheme and the Rams do as well with elite pass catchers and run games. The question is whose defense will show up. Right now the Rams have a slightly better defense but only by the PYDs given up. Other than that its a battle of who wants it more by two coaches who want it badly. The Lions are explosive and willing to go for it. While the Rams have talent at almost all levels of their offense. It will be close, but I want America's team to win.
Lions win 35-31
How6rd: They may be in crutches, bruises all over their body, and just in excruciating pain from their long journey of getting embarrassed and beaten up…but nonetheless the Eagles are in the postseason after losing five of their last six games of the season (yes they were 10-1 and are now a wild card team). As for the home side the sun isn’t shining much brighter as the Buccaneers had an embarrassing performance against the worst team in the league just last week going into the postseason which makes this matchup…wacky to say the least. The Tampa Bay offense hasn’t looked anywhere near as impressive as it did against the Jaguars for the past two weeks yet the weapons they have tells me they can come together and figure it out this week, because the Eagles defense has looked a mess this second half of the season and since Matt Patricia took control of the unit it’s been a schematic nightmare. The Eagles' offense and Buccaneers’ defense have been on the more consistent side of things with this game as Philadelphia has put points on the board to mostly keep them in it aside from the turnovers (even though it’s been BAD when they occur), as for Tampa Bay’s defense it hasn’t been anything too remarkable this season aside from Antoine Winfield’s play rarely holding an offense down for most of the game. Personally, I also am really concerned about where the Eagles are in terms of being prepared and chemistry as apparently Jalen Hurts hasn’t thrown a football since week 18 according to himself and AJ Brown took off everything on social media relating to the Eagles…soooooooooooooooooo yeah.
Truthfully though I think the Eagles collect themselves from whatever the hell is going on right now to at least get out on the field and the Buccaneers aren’t an elite squad, but they’re good enough to take advantage of a team beating themselves which is what the Eagles most likely will do if this game gets close like I think it will.
Buccaneers win 24-20
PC: The Eagles are in shambles. AJ Brown deleted all the things involving Philly off his instagram. He's also not playing in the game. The Eagles were on top of the world. They beat the Chiefs and everyone called it their year. What happened? Why is this locker room like this? I mean you’re in the playoffs. If you put your name in the hat, it may work out. Sure, the road may be harder, but if you’re the best team, you should beat the best anyway. The whole fact that this is blowing up in the faces of some of the most obnoxious fans in football, speaks volumes. The Bucs are coming from the worst division in all of football and didn’t look out of this world. Baker seems to be steering the ship well for now, but you’ve seen those mistakes come out time and time again. I love Baker. I hope they run through the NFC. Better them than the Cowboys. However, I think Tampa’s future is bright, as long as they commit. It’s going to be a game that could go either way. I think Tampa is coming together just at the right time, and Philly is falling apart.
Buccaneers win 24-20
K-Stelt: Two very low-level teams are now playing. The Bucs have their struggles, we know that, but the Eagles have been a disaster in the last part of the season. And the defense is not helping at all. And with AJ Brown out, I do not know how the Eagles find a way to stay in this game offensively if their run game gets shut down. I'm scared for Eagles fans but it was kind of brought upon them on their accords. Nothing has gone their way since Big Dom was suspended, and now they have to go to Tampa to beat Baker Mayfield. Do I trust the Eagles, Probably not. That’s why the Bucs are coming to take the money.
Bucs win 31-24
Super Bowl Championship
How6rd: I’ll keep it short for this as I already have or will talk about teams in-depth that have the potential to win the Super Bowl for Dudes and Sports, but with the season it’s been the time now more than ever comes to what team can collect themselves and fight through the tough battles for the win. Although I believe everybody has their own mistakes, the Baltimore Ravens fit this collective mold the most with the least amount of mistakes for any of these teams here right now, aside from them blowing a solid lead back in November to the Browns when the defense and offense collectively went out of sorts. Consistency has been the biggest thorn to the Ravens’ side this year but it seems as the regular season went on both the offense and defense just got more collected and talented. Lamar Jackson has been playing out of his mind lately and if you don’t have your head in the stat sheet you can see how important he’s been this year. If there’s any team that can at least keep a game close when down or blow one up wide open when they’re winning it’s gotta be Lamar’s year to win the big one. K Stelt fosho gonna slander me but trust me Ravens gonna do it (with my luck I just jinxed ‘em).
Super Bowl Champs: Ravens
PC: As you can see, both the clowns chose the same team. Don’t get me wrong, they’ve looked the best. Lamar is going to win MVP (like I said at the beginning of the year). They’ve smashed the top teams in the league in the last weeks of the season. It seems like Baltimore finally has everything it needs to win it all. I think they could totally do it too. However, I know if these two are picking them, then they’re definitely going to lose. They are the biggest jinxes ever. So, who could it be? If Lamar chokes. There are plenty of great choices. San Francisco who looked dominant all year. Kansas City because of Patrick Mahomes. Buffalo and Josh Allen’s revenge. Definitely not picking the Cowboys. I believe one team stands out. Which team has been on an absolute warpath all year? Who is proving the haters wrong time and time again this year? In the middle of the season, people called them frauds. Josh Allen and the Bills will succeed this year. They’ve got all of the momentum. They have the Bills Mafia. It seems like the cards are falling right in their lap. I think they will get it done this year.
Super Bowl Champs: Bills
K-Stelt: Multiple teams have a shot at winning it all this year because the QB play in this league has kind of been poop. But if we’re talking about a team with no mistakes on winning the whole thing? The Ravens take the cake. If the 49ers don’t get injured and don’t trail in the 4th Quarter they have a good shot too. The Lions would have to win by sheer grit and guts to get one, The Bills need Josh to not throw Interceptions to win. The Rams need their defense to play out of their mind to win, The Chiefs need to not turn the ball over to win, the Eagles need to somehow fire Matt Patrica and get Big Dom back on the sidelines to win, and if the Browns win the whole thing I may be asking the Lord to forgive me for my sins (again) because He will be coming back at that exact moment. But if we want to be safe, I will pick the Ravens because of the team they have. I will probably fail miserably at this choice just like How6rd because Lamar sucks in the postseason. But it’s a new season, I have to give him one more shot. Lamar=Johnny
Super Bowl Champs: Ravens
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