2019 NFL Wild Card Pick'em

By Eric Jacinto, Matt Koontz and Mike B
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The playoffs are here and here are our predictions for the first weekend of the 2018/19 playoff weekend. We have some exciting matchups and crazy predictions. 

Wild Card Weekend Predictions:

Saturday, January 5, 2018:

AFC Wild Card Game

Indianapolis Colts, (10-6) @ Houston Texans, (11-5), 4:35PM ET, ESPN/ABC:

This game should be something pretty special as this divisional rivalry will get a new level to it. The Colts are a great team at home with an impressive defense, but their road struggles worry me, and I think it could catch up to them in this one. The Texans have at times looked like their offense is sleeping. Their offensive line has been horrid this year, letting a mobile DeShaun Watson be the most hit and sacked QB in the league this year. This game should be a defensive battle which could come down to Fairbairn vs. Vinatieri. Final Score: Texans 20 - Colts 17; Matt K

Eric's Final Score: Texans 24 - Colts 22

Mike's Final Score: Texans 28 - Colts 27 

NFC Wild Card Game:

Seattle Seahawks, (10-6) @ Dallas Cowboys, (10-6), 8:15PM ET, FOX:

This game will be incredibly interesting. I love the Seahawks talent and ability to run the ball. Their defense isn’t the defense we got used to over the past stretch of football, but they are decent defensively. The Cowboys on the other hand are a run first offense and their defense is top 5 in the league. The issue with the Cowboys this post season will simply be they can’t play worth a damn on the road. They will be on the road in the playoffs after this lone home game. This game will be incredible for the fans though.
Final Score: Seahawks 22 - Cowboys 19; Matt 

Eric's Final Score: Seahawks 21 - Cowboys 16 

Mike's Final Score: Seahawks 27 - Cowboys 24

​Sunday, January 6, 2018:

AFC Wild Card Game:

Los Angeles Chargers, (12-4) @ Baltimore Ravens, (10-6), 1:05PM ET, CBS:

This game is a rematch from one of the best games we have seen this year, especially defensively. The Chargers have gained a healthy Melvin Gordon and Austin Eckler since their last meeting though and that is a huge boost for this team. The Chargers might even have Hunter Henry back and a fully healthy Keenan Allen. The Ravens defense will now be taken to full task by Rivers with a full health regiment at his disposal. Lamar Jackson has continued to look better week in and week out. The Ravens defense and run game will be what they have to rely on, just like they did in 2000. This game will simply come down to the question of, can Lamar Jackson handle the pressure of a playoff situation and can their defense slow down a healthy Chargers offense. Final Score: Chargers 27 - Ravens 26; Matt 

Eric's Final Score: Chargers 26 - Ravens 24

Matt's Final Score: Ravens 24 - Chargers 21

NFC Wild Card Game: 

Philadelphia Eagles, (9-7) @ Chicago Bears, (12-4), 4:40PM ET, NBC:

The Eagles are alive, and it is entirely thanks to the return of Nick Foles. Foles doesn’t just lead an offense without many turnovers, but he somehow inspires this team to play better. The defense which looked horrendous many weeks before Foles’ emergence has now rallied to be a solid reliable unit. The Bears on the other hand have a great defense and a star in Tarik Cohen that makes them dangerous. The issue with the Bears is that Mitch Trubisky doesn’t know how to win games without his legs and if a team can contain him, they will dominate the Bears offense. This should be a decent game but one that we have to wonder if the Eagles can overcome this opponent’s defense. Final Score: Eagles 26 - Bears 23; Matt 

Eric's Final Score: Eagles 14 - Bears 10

Mike's Final Score: Bears 28 - Eagles 17