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NFL Playoff Matchups All Set
It took until the last weekend of the NFL regular season schedule to determine it, but the twelve teams who advance to the playoffs for a chance at the Super Bowl are set. When the Washington Redskins lost to the New York Giants on Sunday, the Redskins were the last team eliminated from contention.
Washington’s loss meant that both the Lions and Packers (who played on Sunday night) knew before the game they were in the playoffs. The winner of their game would win the NFC North title and would host a playoff game this week. The Packers went on the win and will play the New York Giants at Lambeau Field on Sunday, January 8th. The Lions will have to travel to Seattle to take on the Seahawks in a Saturday night contest.
Here is a quick look at all of the first-round games as well as which teams have drawn byes during the first weekend.
Oakland Raiders (12-4) at Houston Texans (9-7) – Saturday, January 7th 4:35 pm ET
The Raiders finished as a wild-card team and must travel to Houston by virtue of the Texans winning the AFC South division. Oakland may also be down to their third-string quarterback after backup Matt McGloin was injured in their last game. That means rookie Connor Cook may be under center for the Raiders.
Detroit Lions (9-7) at Seattle Seahawks (10-5-1) – Saturday, January 7th 8:15 pm ET
The Lions lost a golden chance to host a home playoff game on Sunday night losing to the red-hot Packers. Now they need to travel to Seattle to face the Seahawks in one of the toughest stadiums to play in.
Russell Wilson leads Seattle and presents some of the same mobility that Aaron Rodgers did when he scrambled all over the field to defeat Detroit. Expect much of the same in this game.
Miami Dolphins (10-6) at Pittsburgh Steelers (11-5) – Sunday, January 7th 1:08 pm ET
The Steelers have been hot having won seven straight games. Miami is playing with their backup at quarterback. Easy win for the Steelers? Not so fast. The Dolphins are 9-2 since mid-October and Matt Moore is an experienced backup.
But the Steelers have Ben Roethlisberger, Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown. Enough said.
New York Giants (11-5) at Green Bay Packers (10-6) – Sunday, January 8th 4:40 pm ET
This could be the best game of the opening weekend. The Packers have Rodgers playing at the peak of his game and have won six straight. The Giants defense may be the best in the league so something has to give.
Expect a cold day in Wisconsin, which could affect the field conditions. The winner of this game may actually go on to have a legitimate chance to win it all.
Teams with Byes in Round 1
AFC
New England Patriots (14-2)
Will play the team with the lowest seed that advances from the wild-card playoff round.
Kansas City Chiefs (12-4)
Will play the team with the highest seed that advances from the wild-card playoff round.
NFC
Dallas Cowboys (13-3)
Will play the team with the lowest seed that advances from the wild-card playoff round.
Atlanta Falcons (11-5)
Will play the team with the highest seed that advances from the wild-card playoff round.
Let’s get ready for Football!
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