NFC Wild Card Round Preview and Predictions

By Zachary Smith


The NFC Playoff games are approaching rapidly. Below is a preview of the match-ups.

RAMS (10-6) AT SEATTLE (12-4)

Sun. Jan 10, 4:40 p.m. ET

FOX

Point Spread: Seahawks, -4.0

This playoff matchup will feature the rubber match between two division rivals. The Rams and the Seahawks will play for the third time this season. They split the first two matchups, with each team winning on their own homefield.

In the first matchup, the Rams defense held the Seahawks to just 333 total yards and 16 points. They picked off Russell Wilson two times and held DK Metcalf to only two catches for 28 yards. Jared Goff threw for 302 yards with no interceptions. In the second matchup, the Rams defense held the Seahawks in check once again, but the Rams were not able to get anything going offensively. Jared Goff struggled, throwing for only 234 yards and one interception. 

The Seahawks had the #23 ranked defense this season and were ranked 31st against the pass this year. If Jared Goff can get it going through the air, the Rams will have a good chance to upset the Seahawks in Seattle. The Rams #1 ranked defense, led by two-time Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald, has shown the ability to match up with the Seahawks #8 scoring offense. Russell Wilson got off to an explosive start this season and was in the MVP talk before he tailed off. He has not had a 300-yard passing game since Nov 8. at Buffalo. He will need to play well and protect the football if he wants to give the Rams a chance to win this game.

PREDICTION: Rams 27 - 20

TAMPA BAY (11-5) AT WASHINGTON (7-9)

Sat. Jan 9, 8:15 p.m. ET

NBC

Point Spread: Buccaneers, -8.0

This playoff game is looking to be the Washington Football Team’s worst nightmare. Washington is planning to rotate two quarterbacks against the Buccaneers. Alex Smith has been injured, and they could not have gotten a worse matchup for the first round of the playoffs. The Buccaneers have one of the highest blitzing rates in the entire league. If Smith is not able to show much mobility against the Bucs, this game will be over by the end of the first quarter. The Washington defense was ranked 2nd in the league in yards allowed and 4th in points allowed. They will be put to the test against arguably the greatest quarterback in NFL history, in Tom Brady.

Brady this year has thrown for 4,633 yards and 40 touchdowns with just 12 interceptions. He is not the same quarterback he once was, but he is still playing at a high level this year. With the weapons he has on the outside, he should be able to put up some points. On the defensive end, the Bucs are ranked 9th in total yards allowed, and 8th in points allowed. With Alex Smith hobbled, I don’t see the Washington Football Team generating enough points to beat the Bucs. As long as Brady doesn’t turn the football over, the Bucs should win this game easily. 

PREDICTION: Buccaneers 24 - 9

CHICAGO (8-8) AT NEW ORLEANS (12-4)

Sun. Jan 10, 4:40 p.m. ET

CBS/Nickelodeon/Amazon Prime

Point Spread: Saints, -9.5

This might be the most lopsided playoff game on the NFC side of the playoff bracket this weekend. The Saints come into this game with momentum, having won their last two games, while the Bears backed into the playoffs after the Cardinals lost to the Rams in Week 17. The quarterbacks for Chicago have struggled to produce offense, while their defense is not nearly as good as it was two years ago. With linebacker Roquan Smith and receiver Darnell Mooney injured, the Bears will have an even tougher time taking down the Saints in New Orleans. At home in the Superdome, the Saints have only lost two times in the postseason during the Brees-Payton era. With the way the Saints season has ended the past three years, and Drew Brees potentially retiring after this season, the Saints are looking for one more Superbowl run on behalf of their Hall of Fame quarterback. 

The Bears are ranked 25th in total yards gained and 22nd in points scored. On offense, they do nothing well, and against a Saints team that ranks fourth in yards allowed and tied for fifth in scoring defense, this is looking like it is going to be a rough day for the Bears. On offense, the Saints are ranked sixth in rushing yards and fifth in total points scored per game. For the Bears, they do a lot better on defense, as they are ranked 11th in total yards allowed per game, and tied for 13th in points allowed. In the Superdome, the Bears do not look like they have much of a chance against the Saints this weekend. With the way the Bears quarterbacks have played all season, the Saints just aren’t a team they want to match up against.

PREDICTION: Saints 34 - 14

Zachary is a sports contributor for La Tonique