2020 NFL Playoffs | Wildcard Saturday
JARRETT JENNINGS
1:05 PM EST Kickoff | Matchup: Indianapolis Colts (11-5) @ Buffalo Bills (13-3)
Players To Watch: Bills’ WR Stefon Diggs and Colts’ RB Jonathan Taylor
Season Stats:
Diggs | 127 Catches (Led NFL)* | 1,535 Yards (Led NFL) | 8 Touchdowns (T-15)
Taylor | 232 Carries (8) | 1,169 Yards (3) | 11 Touchdowns (T-7)
*() denotes league ranking
2020 Bills Team Rankings: 2nd in Total Offense** | 14th in Total Defense**
2020 Colts Team Rankings: 10th in Total Offense | 8th in Total Defense
**based on yards per game
NOTES: The Bills enter Wild Card Weekend as the second-seed in the 2020 NFL Playoffs. This marks the first time in 25 years that the Bills have won their division, and the first time since 2008 that the winner of the AFC East was not the New England Patriots. Out of the Belichick-Brady shadow, has emerged the connection of Josh Allen and Sean McDermott, who have thrived in their third season together. Maybe offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, who has been with the team since 2018, has a lot to do with Allen’s production, or perhaps it was the addition of former Vikings WR Stefon Diggs, acquired via trade this off-season, who, along with Cole Beasley and John Brown, has formed one of the best receiving corps in the league. But, McDermott made tough decisions to put the Bills on the right track in the early weeks of the 2020 season. By Week 12, the team had found its stride, and will take a six-game winning streak into the postseason. If it wasn’t for the Kansas City Chiefs, the Bills might be the favorite to win a title in 2020, but being favored won’t help the Bills against the Colts.
After a disappointing 7-9 season in 2019, the Colts added future Hall of Famer Philip Rivers from the Chargers this off-season, as Jacoby Brissett headed back to the bench. Under Rivers, Frank Reich’s Colts went 11-5, securing a trip to Wild Card weekend, despite losing the AFC South to the 11-5 Titans. After an embarrassing Week 1 performance against the Jacksonville Jaguars, who defeated the Colts 27-20 for their only victory in the 2020 season, the Colts won five of their next six. Four of the Colts’ losses this season came at the hands of Playoff-bound teams, including the three representatives from the AFC North (the Browns, Ravens and Steelers). But this season was a success on offense, not because of Rivers, but due to the emergence of rookie running back Jonathan Taylor, who lit the league up with 1,169 rushing yards, which was top among rookies and good for third in the NFL.
The Colts’ defense might be their biggest strength heading into the postseason. Anchored by LB Darius Leonard and DL DeForest Buckner (acquired via trade with the 49ers this off-season), the Colts finished eighth in total defense. Buckner led the team with 9.5 sacks, while Leonard recorded a team-high 218 total tackles. Production from the corner position also helped. Kenny Moore led the Colts with 13 passes defensed and four interceptions, while former Vikings’ Pro Bowler Xavier Rhodes finished with 12 defended passes in a resurgent year for the 30-year-old Miami native.
If the Colts stand any chance of downing the Bills today, Taylor, the offensive line and the defense will have to bring their A-game, while Rivers will have to play mistake-free football, something he has struggled with throughout his career, when the pressure is on.
Projected Score: 35-24 Bills Win
JACK JENNINGS
4:40 PM EST Kickoff | Matchup: Los Angeles Rams (10-6) @ Seattle Seahawks (12-4)
Players To Watch: Seahawks’ QB Russell Wilson and Rams’ DT Aaron Donald
Season Stats:
Wilson | 4,212 (9)* | 40 Passing Touchdowns (2) | 13 Interceptions (T-3)
Donald | 13.5 Sacks (2) | 20 Tackles For Loss (T-2) | 4 Forced Fumbles (T-3)
*() denotes league ranking
2020 Seahawks Team Rankings: 17th in Total Offense** | 22nd in Total Defense**
2020 Rams Team Rankings: 11th in Total Offense** | 1st in Total Defense**
**based on yards per game
NOTES: These division rivals will be facing off for the third time this season in their Wild Card Weekend matchup. They split the season series, with the Rams pulling off a seven point victory in Week 10, while the Seahawks got their revenge with an eleven-point, division-clinching win in Week 16. That Week 16 matchup also saw Rams’ quarterback Jared Goff suffer a broken thumb. After having surgery early last week, Goff is pushing to start, but former AAF star John Wolford is ready to play in the event that Goff’s thumb proves to be too much of an injury to overcome in such little time.
Meanwhile, the Seahawks have no questions at quarterback. Nine seasons in, and star quarterback Russell Wilson has yet to miss a single start, let alone an entire game. Wilson started the year off hot, earning some early-season MVP chatter, but after throwing 14 touchdowns in the first three games, his ridiculous production began to subside. Wilson threw three or more touchdowns in seven out of the first eight games, but in the latter half of the season, he hit that mark just once, in a Week 14 trouncing of the lowly Jets. Particularly concerning, was that Wilson had just one touchdown pass in four out of his last five games, and finished the season with a career-high 13 interceptions.
Despite the quarterback concerns, the Rams have a legitimate shot to win here. Why? Defense. With Aaron Donald leading the way, the Rams finished the season allowing the fewest yards per game in the NFL. Donald has played like a monster in each of his first seven seasons, giving opposing quarterbacks fits and forcing bad passes and turnovers.
Fortunately for the Seahawks, they’ve been able to minimize Donald’s impact. He only recorded one sack in their first two games, and did not force a fumble. Despite finishing 22nd in yards allowed, the Seahawks defense has been playing much better football with star safety Jamal Adams returning to form after an early-season injury. If the Seahawks are able to keep Donald at bay again, and the defense continues to improve, the Seahawks have a good shot at moving on.
If the Rams can limit their mistakes on offense, whether they be from an injured Goff or a former AAF star in Wolford, and can get after Russell Wilson on the defensive side, then the Rams have a shot at pulling off the upset.
Projected Score: 20-13 Seahawks Win
DYLAN ANGELO
8:15 PM EST Kickoff | Matchup: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (11-5) @ Washington Football Team (7-9)
Players To Watch: WFT’s RB Antonio Gibson and Bucs’ Offensive Line
Season Stats:
Gibson | 170 Carries (18)* | 795 Yards (18) | 11 Touchdowns (T-6)
Bucs’ O-Line | 4,626 Passing Yards (4) | 1,519 Rushing Yards (28) | 22 Sacks Allowed (4) | 59 Total Touchdowns (4)
*() denotes league ranking
2020 Washington Football Team Rankings: 30th in Total Offense** | 2nd in Total Defense**
2020 Buccaneers Team Rankings: 7th in Total Offense | 6th in Total Defense
**based on yards per game
NOTES: On paper, there is a reason for the 8.5 point spread here in favor of Tampa Bay. Especially with how the offense has looked to end the season. Four-straight wins scoring over 25 every game along that streak. My cause for pause here is because Tampa Bay’s O-line does not pass the eye test. They give up pressure from the inside and the edges. This, in my opinion, is a nightmare matchup for them.
Obviously, by now you know that Washington has a bunch of first rounders on the defensive line. I expect the pressure to be on Tom early and often and we all know how he does when he is under siege. I do think the offensive side of Washington holds the key components to this game. If they can find a way to move the ball steadily against a Tampa Bay defense that has shown plenty of flaws; I can see this being closer than the experts think.
Bucs win and move on; but I will be taking Washington +8.5 here.
Projected Score: 27-20 Buccaneers Win
