Predicting the 6 Wildcard games this weekend

Look for Stafford to be much sharper.

It will, however, likely be another nail-biter.

Prediction: Rams 27, Panthers 24

Green Bay (7) at Chicago (2)

Saturday, 7 p.m. – Prime Video

Just watch, Vince Lombardi and George Halas are going to come back and haunt Roger Goodell for putting this classic rivalry on a bookseller’s website streaming service.

And deservedly so.

As for the game itself, the Bears held serve, albeit in overtime, the last time the teams met to split the season series.

The Packers are not 100% healthy at all. That, and home field advantage, should be enough to move Chicago along.

Prediction: Bears 20, Packers 14

Buffalo (6) at Jacksonville (3)

Sunday, Noon – CBS

The first non-rematch game of the playoffs. The Bills have won five of their last six.

The Jaguars have won eight in a row.

Something’s got to give.

Josh Allen’s championship window may be starting to slide shut. He can’t afford many more playoff disappointments before it slams closed for good.

Prediction: Jaguars 34, Bills 31 (OT)

San Francisco (6) at Philadelphia (3)

Sunday, 3:30 p.m. – FOX

I hate both teams equally. So the good news is that one of them won’t make it to the divisional round.

But I hate the Eagles just a little more.

Prediction: 49ers 38, Eagles 24

L.A. Chargers (7) at New England (2)

Sunday, 7 p.m. – NBC

The Patriots have ridden one of the softest schedules, if not the most ever in the history of the NFL, in recent memory to the playoffs.

These are not Bill Belichick’s dynasty team. Nor is Drake Maye the next Tom Brady.

The Chargers are going to shock the world.

Prediction: Chargers 28, Patriots 17

Houston (5) at Pittsburgh (4)

Monday, 7:15 p.m. – ESPN/ABC

The Steelers have no business being in the playoffs. Neither did the Ravens.

The Texans have won nine straight.

Better yet, they have the defense that will send Old Man Rogers into retirement.

Prediction: Texans 38, Steelers 10

Bye Week –Seattle Seahawks (NFC #1) and Denver Broncos (AFC #1)

Cowboys Wildcard History

For the second straight year, the Dallas Cowboys will be at home for the playoffs.

Dallas has played 15 wildcard games over the years. They won their first two and four of their first five appearances in the round.

Since the 1996 win over the Vikings, things haven’t quite gone the Cowboys’ way. Dallas is 4-6 since and will take an 8-7 overall record into their next Wildcard game.