NFL Open Thread: Wildcard Sunday
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Our playoff podcast is here for those who missed it. Let’s hope today’s games are as good as yesterday’s.
Bills at Jaguars (+1.5) A fascinating matchup. It’s wide open for Josh Allen, although apart from the running game and offensive line the rest of the team is underwhelming at best. The Jags were the Jags and Trevor Lawrence Trevor Lawrence until they whooped the Chargers in Week 11 and suddenly Lawrence in Theory became Lawrence in Practice and the Jags looked as good as any team in the conference. If forced to choose I would take the Bills, but honestly I have little feel for this game, but I’m looking forward to it.
49ers at Eagles (-5.5) Kyle Shanahan did an absolutely phenomenal job this year to keep the Niners afloat despite a cavalcade of critical injuries. Their offense remains devastating at its best, while Philadelphia’s has gone bizarrely dormant for long stretches. But the Eagles have a lot in common with the Seahawks, who throttled the Niners in Week 18 — their defense matches up well and their offense should be able to do enough against the remains of the Niners defense. Having said that, while I like the Eagles to win I think the line has drifted too far — this year the Eagles have generally gotten into mud fights against quality competition, and I would take the Niners and the points.
Chargers at Patriots (-3.5) Speaking of coaches preserving through crushing injuries, give props to Jim Harbaugh — the Chargers survived losing their offensive line much better than I thought they would. And while Drake Maye is legit, the Patriots played literally one of the easiest schedules in NFL history and their defense in particular is very vulnerable as they face playoff competition. But I don’t think New England’s reckoning comes this week — the Chargers are just too depleted, and I’d lay the points and take the Patriots.