It is not going to be enterprise as ordinary within the NFL playoffs this weekend. Buffalo Payments security Damar Hamlin’s on-field cardiac arrest earlier this month will hang-out proceedings, regardless of his near-miraculous restoration. How might it not? If there’s one factor we should always take away from the previous couple of weeks, it’s that the league is populated by human beings, not summary figures on stats sheets. The playoffs will proceed as scheduled however count on the ambiance to be extra subdued than in years previous. And let’s hope that the drama stays totally football-related.
Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers (Saturday, 4.30pm EST/9.30pm GMT)
What the Seahawks have to do to win: The Seahawks should act like a staff taking part in with home cash, as a result of they’re. Seattle squeaked into the playoffs because of a Inexperienced Bay Packers collapse and have already been crushed by the 49ers twice this season. Perhaps that can work for one of the best: we’ve seen “no one believed in us” groups pull off huge upsets up to now.
What the 49ers have to do to win: Brock Purdy should stay related. The 49ers are constructed to succeed irrespective of who’s plugged in at quarterback – and have efficiently juggled Trey Lance, Jimmy Garoppolo and now Purdy. Their 10-game profitable streak, nonetheless, doesn’t actually matter now that the playoffs have begun. With the stakes larger, Purdy doesn’t should step up for San Francisco to win, however he can’t regress.
Key participant: Nick Bosa, DE, 49ers. Probably one of the best defensive participant within the league, Bosa is a serious purpose why the 49ers really feel assured irrespective of who’s operating the offense. Bosa led the league with 18.5 sacks and is the kind of participant who can deliver a painful finish to Seahawks QB Geno Smith’s comeback.
Prediction: 49ers over Seahawks.
Los Angeles Chargers at Jacksonville Jaguars (Saturday, 8.15 pm EST/Sunday, 1.15am GMT)
What the Chargers have to do to win: Take a look at no matter they did the final time these two groups met and do the precise reverse. The Jaguars beat the Chargers 38-10 again in Week 3 and have been probably the most improved staff since then. A wholesome Justin Herbert, who was nursing a rib damage that sport, ought to assist with any uptick for LA.
What the Jaguars have to do to win: Jacksonville, in the meantime, have to neglect that win altogether. Trevor Lawrence has emerged as one of many sport’s nice abilities, however he can’t afford to get in a shootout with Herbert if the Chargers QB is making his ordinary variety of huge throws. It’s not a straightforward activity, however the Jags protection goes to have to reduce the variety of huge-yardage passing performs.
Key participant: Keenan Allen, WR, Chargers. Another excuse the Chargers didn’t stand a lot of an opportunity in opposition to the Jaguars the final time they performed? Allen wasn’t obtainable. Now, he’s again and straight off a 100-yard, two-touchdown efficiency in opposition to the Denver Broncos.
Prediction: Jaguars over Chargers.
Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Payments (Sunday, 1pm EST/6pm GMT)
What the Dolphins have to do to win: The Dolphins’ greatest likelihood to win went out the window with the information that Tua Tagovailoa will stay within the concussion protocols, with rookie Skylar Thompson more likely to begin in his place. That most likely implies that the Dolphins are going to reside or die by their speeding assault. A large sport from them might result in the upset of the yr.
What the Payments have to do to win: The Payments are the higher staff, significantly with Tagovailoa out. They may simply have to play their regular sport so as to get a win. Will, nonetheless, their first nationally televised sport since Hamlin’s collapse actually matter as “regular”? It is a Payments staff taking part in below extraordinary circumstances and nobody ought to blame them if it impacts their on-field efficiency (though they acquitted themselves properly final week in opposition to the Patriots).
Key participant: Tre’Davious White, CB, Buffalo Payments. It’s all the time tempting to go on the offensive aspect of the ball in Buffalo, however an attention-grabbing wrinkle emerged in opposition to the Patriots. White put in his greatest efficiency since his return from an ACL damage, significantly when he compelled a gamechanging third-quarter interception. He appears wholesome sufficient to be a difference-maker.
Prediction: Payments over Dolphins.
New York Giants at Minnesota Vikings (Sunday, 4.30pm EST/9.30pm GMT)
What the Giants have to do to win: The Giants ought to be capable of make the most of Minnesota’s protection, which allowed 25.1 factors and 388.7 yards a sport within the common season. The Giants don’t essentially have a world-beating offense, regardless of operating again Saquon Barkley’s nice yr, however they need to be capable of put up some factors in opposition to the Vikings.
What the Vikings have to do to win: Kirk Cousins must care for the ball. Sure, the Vikings had a 14-3 common season document, however their beginning QB has thrown 14 interceptions on the yr. Minnesota are taking part in at house and have probably the most proficient offensive participant on both staff. Cousins simply has to keep in mind that it isn’t him and he doesn’t should be the hero.
Key participant: Justin Jefferson, WR, Minnesota Vikings. One of the vital prolific receivers within the league, Jefferson ended the season with 128 receptions, 1,809 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. He broke data held by the likes of Cris Carter and Randy Moss. He will be the Offensive Participant of the Yr. There’s no doubting his significance on this sport.
Prediction: Giants over Vikings.
Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals (Sunday, 8.15pm EST/Monday, 1.15am GMT)
What the Ravens have to do to win: Baltimore should create a gameplan that doesn’t contain on Lamar Jackson, who tweeted on Thursday that he gained’t be capable of play on account of a left knee damage, leaving both Tyler Huntley or Anthony Brown because the starter. If Baltimore pull off a win, an enormous quantity of credit score can be owed to offensive coordinator Greg Roman.
What the Bengals have to do to win: The Bengals have a transparent benefit right here with Jackson sidelined. Nonetheless, quarterback Joe Burrow was sacked 41 instances through the common season and has a banged-up offensive line. Burrow and the o-line want to point out heightened in-game consciousness to stop a Baltimore upset.
Key participant: Ja’Marr Chase, WR, Bengals. The explanation that Burrow all the time thinks he has time to throw could also be as a result of he’s used to taking part in with Chase. Regardless of solely taking part in 12 video games this season on account of damage, Chase scored 9 touchdowns and picked up 1,046 yards. It’s unimaginable to think about that the Bengals will bow out of the postseason with out giving us no less than one jaw-dropping Burrow-to-Chase completion.
Prediction: Bengals over Ravens.
Dallas Cowboys at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Monday, 8.15pm EST/Tuesday, 1.15am GMT)
What the Cowboys have to do to win: Not look again. The Cowboys are 0-7 in opposition to Tom Brady-led groups and are on an eight-game shedding streak in street playoff video games. The Cowboys are a greater staff on paper, however that doesn’t matter in the event that they fail to keep up their composure and bear in mind they’re taking part in Previous Brady and never the Brady-of-Previous.
What the Buccaneers have to do to win: The Buccaneers can maintain the Cowboys’ curse alive just by forcing them to make errors. Dak Prescott managed to surpass Cousins together with his league-leading 15 interceptions (tied with Davis Mills), whereas Dallas have been turnover-happy for a lot of the season. If the Bucs protection capitalizes on Dallas’ errors, Brady gained’t should do rather more than depend on his veteran savvy to information them to a win.
Key participant: Tom Brady, QB, Buccaneers. So long as Brady retains taking part in, he’s the important thing participant. For many of his profession, that’s been factor. This yr? He’s been inconsistent and his offensive line has left him weak. Put together yourselves now for the “is that this the final sport of Brady’s profession?” chatter.
Prediction: Cowboys over Buccaneers
