GERRY DULAC’S WILD-CARD WEEKEND FORECAST

LAST WEEK’S RECORD: 9-7 (.562) • SEASON’S RECORD: 170-102 (.625)

No. 7 Steelers (10-7) at No. 2 Buffalo Bills (11-6): 4:30 p.m. Monday … The Bills are the hottest team in the playoffs after winning their final five games, three against 2023 playoff teams. And, since Josh Allen has been the quarterback, they are 4-0 in home playoff games. Conversely, the Steelers have lost their past three playoff appearances by allowing an average of 45 points. But they are playing their best football of the season right now with Mason Rudolph at quarterback. Prediction: Bills, 24-17

No. 7 Green Bay Packers (9-8) at No. 2 Dallas Cowboys (12-5): 4:30 p.m. Sunday … At times, the Packers can be a sneaky good football team. Like how they finished the season with three victories in a row to get into the playoffs. They will need all that and more against the Cowboys, who have won 16 in a row at home. Prediction: Cowboys, 38-28

No. 6 Los Angeles Rams (10-7) at No. 3 Detroit Lions (12-5): 8 p.m. Sunday … The Rams are the NFC’s Cleveland Browns — a team capable of making a run through the postseason. They won seven of their final eight games and the only loss was in overtime in Baltimore. What’s more, they are just two years removed from a Super Bowl victory, so they are kind of accustomed to the postseason. The Lions, who won their first division title since 1993, haven’t played in the postseason since 2017. They are 0-8 since their last playoff win in 1991. Prediction: Rams, 34-31

No. 5 Philadelphia Eagles (11-6) at No. 4 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-8): 8 p.m. Monday … The Eagles have looked nothing like the defending NFC champions, losing five of their final six games after appearing to be a sure bet to return to the Super Bowl. Worse, they have allowed an average of 30.3 points in the final six games. The Buccaneers won their third NFC South title, which looks good on paper but not when considering the quality of competition. But they did win five of their past six games behind Baker Mayfield, pictured at left, who has completed 70.3% of his passes for 1,110 yards and eight TDs the past four games. Prediction: Eagles, 24-23