Inside The Star
The Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos will join the rest of us in watching this weekend’s Wildcard round of the playoffs.
Because you don’t hate the NFL enough, you’ll have to have a subscription to Amazon Prime to watch one of the six scheduled games.
Here’s how the opening round shakes out with match-ups, when and how to watch, and even a prediction of how each game ends. Leave your picks in the comments below and let’s see how we all do.
Saturday, 3:30 p.m. – FOX
These two teams met in Week 13, also in Carolina, and the Panthers managed to intercept Matthew Stafford twice and forced a fumble from the Rams quarterback as well in a 31-28 win.
The Panthers are tough to beat at home. Despite backing into the playoffs, they will be a tough out for a Rams team that hasn’t looked the same since the overtime loss to Seattle.
Look for Stafford to be much sharper.
It will, however, likely be another nail-biter.
Prediction: Rams 27, Panthers 24
Saturday, 7 p.m. – Prime Video
Just watch, Vince Lombardi and George Halas are going to come back and haunt Roger Goodell for putting this classic rivalry on a bookseller’s website streaming service.
And deservedly so.
As for the game itself, the Bears held serve, albeit in overtime, the last time the teams met to split the season series.
The Packers are not 100% healthy at all. That, and home field advantage, should be enough to move Chicago along.
Prediction: Bears 20, Packers 14
Sunday, Noon – CBS
The first non-rematch game of the playoffs. The Bills have won five of their last six.
The Jaguars have won eight in a row.
Something’s got to give.
Josh Allen’s championship window may be starting to slide shut. He can’t afford many more playoff disappointments before it slams closed for good.
Prediction: Jaguars 34, Bills 31 (OT)
Sunday, 3:30 p.m. – FOX
I hate both teams equally. So the good news is that one of them won’t make it to the divisional round.
But I hate the Eagles just a little more.
Prediction: 49ers 38, Eagles 24
Sunday, 7 p.m. – NBC
The Patriots have ridden one of the softest schedules, if not the most ever in the history of the NFL, in recent memory to the playoffs.
These are not Bill Belichick’s dynasty team. Nor is Drake Maye the next Tom Brady.
The Chargers are going to shock the world.
Prediction: Chargers 28, Patriots 17
Monday, 7:15 p.m. – ESPN/ABC
The Steelers have no business being in the playoffs. Neither did the Ravens.
The Texans have won nine straight.
Better yet, they have the defense that will send Old Man Rogers into retirement.
*Prediction: Texans 38, Steelers...
