The NFL playoffs are finally here. I can’t believe it. It seems like it wasn’t very long ago that the season was kicking off. Here I’m going to preview the two Saturday games that will be played tonight and break them both down. We have a lot of good football ahead of us, so let’s not waste any more time. Let’s dive in.

- Las Vegas Raiders at Cincinnati Bengals (-5.5)

This is our first playoff game of the season and I think this is a pretty exciting matchup. Both teams have big offensive potential, but it will ultimately come down to which team can make crucial stops. On paper, they’re pretty similar teams. Looking at Home/Road records, they’re practically evenly matched. As far as their scoring offenses and defenses are concerned, Bengals are way better. In the back half of the season, the Bengals looked like they could win the Super Bowl. The Raiders have been on a good stretch lately also, winning 4 straight to close the season.

These two teams met in the week before Thanksgiving and the Bengals beat the Raiders in Vegas, 32-13. The big factor in that game was Joe Mixon. If the Raiders want to win, they must slow down the Bengals rushing attack, but if they do that, they also have to deal with the Bengals deadliest attack, their pass game. Joe Burrow has found himself in potential, “elite” QB discussions as of late, but he does have a little injury concern here. He doesn’t have an injury designation, but he looked pretty banged up in Week 17.

Neither team are particularly stout on defense, however, it is going to be crucial today. The better defensive team will likely win the game hear. For the Raiders, Derek Carr simply can’t turn the ball over. The Raiders are 4-1 in games where Carr hasn’t turned the ball over. Carr must be laser focused for a win here. Also worth mentioning, the weather shouldn’t be a factor here. It will be cold, in the low 30’s, but there isn’t expected to be an precipitation.

Prediction

With a 5.5-point spread, I think I’ll take the Raiders spread, but I think the Bengals will win. I think this game will remain close throughout and I’m excited to see the outcome.

Bengals 33 Raiders 30

- New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills (-4.5)

What a great in-division rival matchup for the Wild Card Round. The Bills are favored, but you can never count out the grittiness and the tenacity of the New England Patriots. On paper, both teams are basically even. Only one loss separates them, Buffalo is as good at home as the Patriots are on the road. Their scoring output and defensive scoring allowance are practically the same. This is simply a tough matchup to predict. The Bills are on a 4-game win streak, but the Patriots have struggled lately, losing 3 of the last 4.

The matchups this season between these two teams have been split, but the most memorable game was definitely in Buffalo back in Week 13. Mac Jones only threw the ball 3 times and the Patriots walked away with the win. The Patriots had a bye week after that game and had a 7-game win streak. However, like I said earlier, they have lost 3 of their last 4. One of those 3 losses was to Buffalo in Week 16. The conditions were more reasonable, and the Bills won 33-21 on the road.

These two teams have the best defenses in the NFL and in a way, it’s kind of a shame that they’re playing each other. I can’t really give an advantage to either team in that regard, but I think Buffalo definitely has the offensive advantage. Having Josh Allen on your team is such a bonus. Although I’m giving the Bills the advantage on offense, New England hasn’t been a slouch this year. Damien Harris has been a key part of that Patriots attack. The weather is going to be another brutal one. The temps are projected to be below 5 degrees.

Prediction

People are saying Josh Allen struggles in cold weather, that may be true, but I’m taking his experience over Mac Jones here. I think the Bills will cover.

Bills 21 Patriots 13

Yacs

2021-22 NFL Super Wild Card Round Preview (Saturday)