Wild Card Weekend

It's Wild Card Weekend in the NFL, which means football and more football on a holiday!

We will jump into the playoff preview and then chat about a few other items.

Don’t worry, we’ll get you in and out real fast

Wild Card Weekend

Saturday

Cleveland Browns @ Houston Texas

📺️ Gametime is 4:30 pm ET on NBC

💰️ Browns are favored at -2.5 points and the O/U is 45

👀 The last time these teams played Amari Cooper had an unreal day at receivers grabbing 265 receiving yards and two touchdowns. That’s unlikely to happen again but what is likely to happen is Joe Flacco and the Browns will be throwing the ball. For the Browns to win this game they’ll have to limit turnovers, something that Flacco has been plagued with the last few games, and the defense will need to throw some new looks at CJ Stroud. Stroud wasn’t in the lineup for the Texans in the last matchup as he had a concussion. Stroud needs to have a fantastic day in his first playoff game as a rookie, and while he has enough talent, I do think Browns DC Jim Schwartz is going to throw some crazy looks at Stroud. I’m confused on this game. If you really need to make a pick, I think I have more reasons as to why the Browns can win by 3 instead of the Texans keeping it within 2.5. Maybe buy ½ a point let it ride on the Texans?.

Miami Dolphins @ Kansas City Chiefs

📺️ Gametime is 8:15 pm ET on Peacock

💰️ The Chiefs are favored at -4.5 and the O/U is 43.5

👀 The big story of this game is the weather. We’ve got temps around-5^o F and windchill that could reach -20^o. The Dolphins have lost 10 straight games when the temps have been below 40 and Mahomes is 9-2 in AFC playoff matchups, and all those games have been home games. The Dolphins can win this game as it came down to the final series. The last time they played in Germany was in week 9. The Dolphins have had a lot of injuries since that game and have lost three edge rushers, an LB, and a CB. Not ideal. The one thing Miami does have going for them is their run game with two featured backs. If they can get that ground game going, they’ll have a good shot at this game. I think Miami isn’t physical enough for this kind of game, and I think the Chiefs are the pick ATS.

Sunday

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Buffalo Bills

📺️ Gametime is 1 pm ET on CBS

💰️ The Bills are favored by -9 and the O/U is 33.

👀 The Steelers might be the worst team in the playoffs and the Bills have been looking pretty decent the last few weeks. Without TJ Watt in the lineup for the Steelers, it’s hard for me to see them really stopping Josh Allen, but 9 points is a lot, and there is snow and some 30mph winds coming to Buffalo. I think Buffalo wins, but depending on how the weather shakes out, 9 points might be too much. I’d like to catch the weather report tomorrow, but right now, I’m leaning on the Steelers +9.

Green Bay Packers @ Dallas Cowboys

📺️ Gametime is 4:30 pm ET on FOX

💰️ The Cowboys are favored by -7 and the O/U is 50.5

👀 If the Packers want to have a chance at beating the Cowboys, they’ll need to shut down the Cowboys passing game, especially CeeDee Lamb. Here’s the problem. Anytime the Packers stop a passing game, they get diced up by the opponent’s run game. Can Tony Pollard hit the ground hard for the Cowboys if they need him? The Packers will rely on Jordan Love to make some plays against a team that has been dominant at home all year. This is Love's first playoff game in his career, and I don’t think I’d bet against the Cowboys in this one.

LA Rams @ Detroit Lions

📺️ Gametime is 8:15 pm ET on NBC

💰️ The Lions are favored by -3 and the O/U is 52

👀 The Lions have had a great year, but I think it’s about to end this weekend. The Lions have relied heavily on their offense the entire year, and the defense has been suspect, especially in the later part of the season. The Rams offense has been explosive now that it’s healthy. Unless the Lions force turnovers, I don’t really see them stopping Matthew Stafford, Kyren Williams, Puka Nacua, and Cooper Kupp. I could be wrong, but maybe Jared Goff will lead the Lions to a win, especially with the offensive weapons they have. I’m taking the Rams +3 as I think this will be close.

Monday

Philadelphia Eagles @ Tampa Bay Buccanneers

📺️ Gametime is 8:15 pm ET on ESPN

💰️ The Eagles are the favorites at -3 and the O/U is 43

👀 The Eagles beat the Bucs 25-11 in week 3 of this season. Neither team is the same as they were in week 3. The Eagles aren’t flying high, and Baker Mayfield and Mike Evans have been walking defenders of the plank the last few weeks. Both QBs in this game are dealing with some injuries. Jalen Hurts dislocated a finger on his throwing hand, and Baker Mayfield is dealing with a rib injury. The Eagles also don’t have A.J. Brown, and the Bucs play their best passing defense at home. This could be a long day for the Eagles. The Bucs' offense doesn’t have the firepower of the 49ers or the Dolphins, but they can still move the ball down the field. Taking time off the clock will be critical for Tampa Bay. We might have rain and thunderstorms in Florida for this one, so I’m leaning toward Tampa Bay +3, but I really like the Under at 43.

Kalen DeBoer Is Named Alabama’s Next Head Coach

The University of Alabama has named Kalen Deboer as the successor to Nick Saban. DeBoer spent the last two seasons at Washington, where he finished with a 25-3 record. DeBoer’s all-time head coaching record is 104-12, so the Crimson Tide feel like they picked a winner. Good luck to DeBoer. I wouldn’t want to be the guy following Nick Saban.

What’s on TV This Weekend

If you’re looking to watch something other than football this weekend, check this out.

Saturday

NHL

🏒 NY Rangers @ Washington Capitals, 1 pm ET on ABC

NBA

🏀 GS Warriors @ Milwaukee Bucks, 8 pm ET on NBA TV

College Bball

🏀 St. John’s @ #22 Creighton, 1 pm ET on FOX

🏀 #6 Kentucky @ Texas A&M, 2 pm ET on ESPN

🏀 #19 San Diego State @ New Mexico, 2 pm ET on CBS

🏀 #20 Utah State @ UNLV, 3 pm ET on CBSSN

🏀#2 Houston @ TCU, 6 pm ET on ESPN

🏀 Cincinnati @ #14 Baylor, 8 pm ET on ESPN

Sunday

NHL

🏒 Washington Capitals @ NY Rangers, 1 pm ET on NHL Network

College Bball

🏀 Georgetown @ #4 UConn, Noon ET on FOX

🏀#13 Memphis @ Wichita State, 1 pm ET on ESPN2

That’s all for today. Enjoy the games this weekend and we will be back with you on Monday to recap what’s happened so far.

-The Daily Breakroom