“Super” wild-card weekend used to mean something. Putting the moniker – a loose exaggeration of “expanded,” since the number of playoff teams went from six in each conference to seven following the 2020 season – ahead of the upcoming wild-card round might be a little far-fetched, though.
The seeding in the AFC played out in a way that “Harbaugh Bowl Pt. 4” did not come to fruition. In the NFC, there will be no first-round rematch between East rivals Washington and Philadelphia. But it’s the playoffs, and the time to complain has ended.
Let’s instead embark on what has become one of our favorite wild-card week traditions and rank the six games this weekend from worst to first by watchability.
6. No. 7 Denver Broncos at No. 2 Buffalo Bills (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS/Paramount+)
Salute to the Broncos, who did not wilt down the stretch thanks to the improved play of rookie quarterback Bo Nix, who would be a shoo-in for Offensive Rookie of the Year had Jayden Daniels not been in the same draft class.
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But their task Sunday is a tall one. Josh Allen is the MVP favorite for a reason, and although Buffalo’s defense does not always show up at the same level as the offense, head coach Sean McDermott should scheme his guys into favorable enough situations against the Broncos offense. Allen will be well-rested. In an oxymoronic way, the Broncos may not have the horses to hang in this one.
5. No. 5 Los Angeles Chargers at No. 4 Houston Texans (Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET, NBC/Peacock)
Death, taxes and the Texans playing the Saturday afternoon game to open the postseason. The Texans don’t look like the team that made the divisional round last year, and without Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell, C.J. Stroud simply doesn’t have the weapons. Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter saw Stroud, the former Ohio State signal-caller, twice as Michigan’s DC and came out on top both times. Defense will rule the day in this one, so finish your errands early by Saturday evening, because this one could come down to the wire. The action before that might not be too exciting, though.
4. No. 6 Pittsburgh Steelers at No. 3 Baltimore Ravens (Saturday, 8 p.m. ET, Prime Video)
The NFL was benevolent enough to give Amazon a decent matchup for its first-ever playoff broadcast, and let’s hope Al Michaels doesn’t take his benching by NBC from a year ago too hard. The call may not be the most enthusiastic for this one, considering Michaels’ periodic grouchiness in the booth and that Kirk Herbstreit will be calling the College Football Playoff semifinal matchup between Texas and Ohio State the night prior.
This AFC North rivalry would usually garner a higher ranking, but the Steelers are on a four-game losing streak and their offense was the reason they almost dropped a spot or two on this list. And the Pittsburgh defense does not look like a traditional one. More than a little Mike Tomlin magic will be needed to pull off the upset – or even make it a close game with MVP candidate Lamar Jackson rolling and Derrick Henry ready to make his Baltimore postseason debut.
3. No. 7 Green Bay Packers at No. 2 Philadelphia Eagles (Sunday, 4:30 p.m. ET, FOX)
The health of Jalen Hurts (still in the concussion protocol) is the determining factor in this ranking. If he doesn’t play and it’s Kenny Pickett or Tanner McKee, it might be tougher on the eyes, even with Saquon Barkley, A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith and the vaunted Philadelphia O-line.
The Eagles’ defense should be able to contain Josh Jacobs and the Packers’ rushing attack to some degree, and without wideout Christian Watson, quarterback Jordan Love – nursing a throwing hand injury – lacks a true deep threat. Never count out Matt LaFleur’s ability to scheme up some positive plays on the ground, but it may be too great of a hill to climb.
2. No. 5 Minnesota Vikings at No. 4 Los Angeles Rams (Monday, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN)
For some reason, ever since ESPN picked up a wild-card weekend game, it feels like there has been something missing. Maybe everybody’s spent by the time the game rolls around. Maybe the league doesn’t award the Disney property the best matchup. Or maybe it’s just bad luck. But that should turn around this time.
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell will square off against his former boss in Sean McVay. The Rams’ starters on offense are playing on one week’s rest, which they’ll need to compensate for their defense; it should be a bounce-back game for Sam Darnold, Justin Jefferson and the Vikings’ offense. Whoever has the ball last wins?
1. No. 6 Washington Commanders at No. 3 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Sunday, 8 p.m. ET, NBC/Peacock)
Points, points, points. Defenses are not the strong suit of either of these teams, even though both head coaches come from that side of the ball. There aren’t many better watches currently than Daniels at the moment, as he’s busted out of his rookie slump and will return to Raymond James Stadium, where he made his NFL debut four months ago.
And speaking of good watches, Baker Mayfield developing into the player he is has been delightful. Bucky Irving could be a household name by the end of the contest. Mike Evans, pockets much heavier after extending his 1,000-yard streak, will face off against longtime foe Marshon Lattimore, the ex-New Orleans Saint who was acquired by the Commanders at the deadline with the goal of locking up an opponent’s No. 1 in this exact scenario.