Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Super sprint: Lots to like at the start
Wild-card round offers up intriguing set of contests
From the rested Chiefs and Steelers to the relieved Browns, Bears and Rams, the field for the Super Bowl chase is set. There are some powerhouses and some pretenders — and a team with a losing record.
The reigning Super Bowl champion Chiefs (14-2) and Packers (13-3) earned each conference’s lone bye in the expanded playoffs. And no, adding a third wild-card entrant isn’t why a 7-9 club will be playing next weekend. Washington “earned” that spot by winning the abysmal NFC East that displayed in the finale of the regular season why NFC Least has been so appropriate a moniker.
Still, coach Ron Rivera dealing with skin cancer and quarterback Alex Smith returning from an injury that nearly cost him his leg, those are redemptive and rewarding plots.
As for the spoils, here’s who plays next weekend and how it might look.
Saturday
Colts (11-5) at Bills (13-3)
Frank Reich has been a hero in Western New York since engineering the great comeback in NFL history while replacing the injured Jim Kelly in a 1992 opening-round matchup with the Houston Oilers. Reich now coaches the Colts, and he’ll remain heroic in Buffalo if they go quietly against what has been the league’s most impressive team the last month.
The Colts defense must stand tall here. That’s a tall order the way Josh Allen, Stefon Diggs and the Bills are going.
Rams (10-6) at Seahawks (12-4)
A third go-around for the NFC West rivals who split during the regular season. Both have strong defenses and have been spotty on offense, the Rams far more so than Seahawks.
The Rams clinched their spot in the playoffs without the inconsistent Jared Goff (thumb surgery) at quarterback. The Seahawks have no issues at that position with Russell Wilson.
Buccaneers ( 11-5) at Washington (7-9)
For sure, the Washington story is uplifting. And the last three teams to capture division titles without a winning record also pulled off upsets in the wild-card round.
Don’t look for much of that in prime time, not with Tom Brady leading the Bucs.
Sunday
Ravens (11-5) at Titans (11-5)
A year ago, the Titans rode Derrick Henry’s rushing power, agility and underrated speed to a stunning upset in Baltimore. They still are riding Henry. The Titans also can throw the ball better than it could last season.
Alas, the Titans barely play any defense. So, with the Ravens having a more diverse but just as effective running game and a sturdy defense — not to mention the memories of that beatdown last January — Henry and Co. have an even bigger task ahead this time.
Bears (8-8) at Saints (12-4)
The other NFC interloper, perhaps, the Bears almost belong in the Least, uh, East. They went from 5-1 to 5-7 before finishing strongly enough to sneak in. Their defense is dangerous, and when they run the ball well, they can compete.
If the Saints get some of their running backs back from the COVID-19 list — particularly scoring machine Alvin Kamara — they will be heavily favored.
Browns (11-5) at Steelers (12-4)
This had to be the topper for the weekend’s action. And it was just played out in Week 17 — albeit with the Steelers resting a bunch of regulars.
Can the Browns win again in the wildcard matchup? Sure, as long as they get their ample running game going and don’t have another COVID-19 outbreak. The Steelers have won 17 straight at home against the Browns. Ben Roethlisberger will be back.