Forecaster Frank NFL Picks Wild Card Round: The Playoffs Begin
- Cle -2.5 (o/u 44.5)
- Browns 20 Texans 16
This is the seventh postseason appearance for the Texans. They played the first playoff game in each case, kicking off on Saturday at 4. That tradition continues. The Texans have fared well in their six previous appearances, winning on Wild Card weekend in four of their six appearances. The Texans had a remarkable turnaround, with CJ Stroud leading the way. Stroud is the favorite to win Offensive Rookie of the Year, passing for 4,108 yards. Will Anderson Jr is among the favorites to win Defensive Rookie of the Year. The Browns are here despite rotating through four quarterbacks. Joe Flacco had a strong finish for Cleveland, but their top-ranked defense was the key to success. Look for a big game from Myles Garrett as the Browns win in Houston.
- KC -4.5 (o/u 44.5)
- Chiefs 38 Dolphins 10
The Dolphins had a great season until injuries in the final weeks ravaged them. Miami is missing their entire linebacking core and their top pass rushers. Xavien Howard, a top member of the secondary, is also hurting. The offensive line has dealt with injuries all season, and they have played the last two weeks without Raheem Mostert and Jaylen Waddle. Add to this, the forecast is calling for sub-zero temperatures. The Chiefs may have struggled, but the Dolphins' hill to climb is starting to look like Mount Everest.
Sunday
- Buf -10 (o/u 36.5)
- Bills 27 Steelers 10
No team was hotter than the Buffalo Bills over the season's last month. At 6-6 and trailing Miami by three games in the AFC East, the Bills needed to win their final six games to win the AFC East. Now, with the two-seed, they are the team nobody wants to play. The Steelers continue to defy the odds, posting a winning record despite a negative point differential for the third straight season. Pittsburgh has had 17 consecutive winning seasons for coach Mike Tomlin. Expect the Bills' momentum to continue, as they could be the team to beat for the Super Bowl.
- GB +7.5 (o/u 50.5)
- Cowboys 27 Packers 24
Mike McCarthy faces the team that coached for 13 years, winning Super Bowl XLV. The Cowboys have had their best season since he has been in Dallas, but the postseason has been where great Cowboys seasons have unraveled over the last 30 years. The Cowboys were the only team to not lose a home game this season, but they often struggled in spotlight games. The Packers finished strong as Jordan Love appeared to find his groove late in the season. Love played especially well in primetime games. The Cowboys will get the win, but it will not be easy, as it comes down to a field goal.
- Det -3 (o/u 51.5)
- Lions 24 Rams 16
The stat is well known. The Lions have won just one playoff game since 1957. This will also be their first home playoff game since 1994 and the first at Ford Field. A matchup that seemed destined to happen, with the Rams making a late charge for the playoffs. Prior to the 2021 season, the Rams and Lions swapped quarterbacks, with Matthew Stafford leading Los Angeles to a Super Bowl victory two years ago. This will be Jared Goff's first playoff game with Detroit, and he would love to show the Rams that the trade was a mistake. Look for the crowd to be a ruckus as the Lions get the victory.
Monday Night
- TB +3 (o/u 43.5)
- Buccaneers 31 Eagles 17
Something is wrong in Philadelphia. After a 10-1 start, the Eagles ended the season in a nosedive, losing five of their last six games. The only win was a home game on Christmas against the Giants. They have played poorly on both sides of the ball. In addition they are banged up with Jalen Hurts suffering a hand injury last week. A.J. Brown also sustained a knee injury and is questionable. The Buccaneers have played well, meanwhile, taking the NFC South for the third straight season. The Buccaneers get the win as the Eagle's implosion continues.