Dallas the focus of wild weekend
Cowboys-Seahawks clash all about the running game
The competitive balance in the NFL in 2018 is such that it would be no surprise if any — or all — of the visitors win on wild-card weekend to begin the 2019 calendar. Hey, the largest spread is a mere 6½ points, Bears over Eagles.
Maybe the most intriguing matchup is at AT&T Stadium in Dallas, which makes sense because the NFL scheduled Seahawks versus Cowboys for Saturday night. Some cool stuff about this game between a pair of 10-6 teams:
Seattle was 0-2 when coach Pete Carroll placed a heavy emphasis on the running game and defence and the Seahawks defeated Dallas 24-13.
Quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Dak Prescott are tied for the most 100-plus passer rating games in their first three seasons at 24.
Dallas has won both wild-card games in its 10 seasons at AT&T Stadium and is 7-1 at home this season.
Their only previous playoff meeting was a 21-20 Seahawks home victory during the 2006 season when Tony Romo messed up the hold of a potential go-ahead field goal with 1:19 remaining.
This figures to be a game built on rushing. Seattle topped the NFL and has a three-pronged running attack led by Chris Carson. Dallas rides Ezekiel Elliott, who is rested and ready after sitting out last week’s meaningless win over the Giants.
Saturday’s game will be close. Seattle is a 2½-point underdog at Dallas.
Cowboys, 21-20 Indianapolis (+3) at Houston
Each team won on the other’s field this season. Both have made turnarounds, Houston from an 0-3 start to the AFC South title, Indy from 1-5 to a wild card.
The Colts have won four straight and nine of their last 10. The defence forced turnovers in 15 games, finished with 26 take-aways and the team allowed 16.4 points over the final eight games. But it’s an offensive line that allowed a leaguelow 18 sacks on Andrew Luck after giving up a league-high 56 in 2017 that could be the difference.
Colts, 24-20
Lamar Jackson
Los Angeles Chargers (+2½) at Baltimore
Two weeks ago, the Ravens handed the Chargers a 22-10 loss that propelled Baltimore to the top of the AFC North. It also pretty much meant the Chargers would be a wild card behind AFC West champion Kansas City.
The Ravens’ top-ranked defence will need to again make Philip Rivers uncomfortable in the passing game, but Rivers didn’t have his No. 1 running threat Melvin Gordon for that Dec. 22 contest. Gordon is back, which could be a key.
Baltimore is 6-1 since rookie quarterback Lamar Jackson took over for Joe Flacco.
Ravens, 20-19 Philadelphia (+6½) at Chicago
Somehow, despite all the injuries and some costly blown leads, the defending champion Eagles squeezed into the playoffs. They did so with help from the Bears, too, as Chicago knocked off the Vikings in Minnesota last Sunday.
Will the Bears regret that come Sunday evening? Depends on whether Nick Foles has some more magic to work on that stingy and physical Chicago defence.
Bears, 19-17 The Associated Press