2020 NFL Wild Card Matchups

NEW YORK, NY. (Fish Sports) - With the final NFL playoff spots set, there are some intriguing matchups as each team has Super Bowl hopes. 

Today, we analyze each matchup with key statistics and pick the teams we think will advance to the Divisional Round. 

First off, the two #1 Seeds. The AFC’s #1 Seed belongs to the Kansas City Chiefs, who are averaging 29.6 Points Per Game (PPG) which is 6th in the NFL this season. They were 2nd in PPG last year with 29.9. The Chiefs also finished 14-2 for the first time in team history.                

In the NFC, the #1 Seed belongs to the Green Bay Packers, who are averaging 31.8 PPG, 1st in the NFL through Week 17, up from 23.6 in 2019, which was 14th in the NFL. Green Bay with a large spike in scoring this year, adding to their chances to compete for the Super Bowl this year. With Green Bay receiving the #1 Seed in the NFC, it will be the first time in QB Aaron Rodgers career that NFC teams have to go through Lambeau Field, fully. Aaron Rodgers, in Week 17 also beat his own franchise record for scoring passes, 48 this year, his previous record being 45 in their Super Bowl-winning year, 2011. 

In the first AFC Wild Card Matchup, we have the 7 seed Indianapolis Colts against the 2 seed Buffalo Bills. The Colts have averaged 28.2 PPG, 9th in the NFL. Running back Jonathan Taylor had a franchise-record 253 rushing yards in a game in the Week 17 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Bills, having averaged 31.3 PPG, 2nd in the NFL this season, along with their Quarterback Josh Allen passing for 37 touchdowns this year, have the upper hand. The Bills having clinched the number 2 seed this year is the highest seed they have received since 1993. 

Next, we have the 5 seed Baltimore Ravens taking on the 4 seed Tennessee Titans. The Ravens averaged 29.2 PPG, 7th in the NFL this year. In Week 17, the Ravens set a franchise record of 404 rushing yards in a single game, with their victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. The Titans have averaged 30.7 PPG, 4th in the NFL this year. A big helping hand to that total has been running back Derrick Henry, who scored 17 touchdowns this year, more than half of Ryan Tannehill’s 33 passing touchdowns. The Titans achieved the AFC South Division Title in 2020 for the first time since 2008, 12 years ago. The Titans however have not had as much luck on the defensive side of the ball this year having allowed the fifth-most yards per game this season. 

One of the most classic matchups in NFL history is an AFC North matchup with the 6 seed Cleveland Browns facing the 3 seed Pittsburgh Steelers. The Browns having won narrowly in Week 17 facing many of the Steelers backups have a true test in this playoff matchup. Cleveland also is the only team in the 2020 Playoffs with a negative point differential, 408 points for, to 419 points against (-11). The Browns are averaging 25.5 PPG, 14th in the league. The 2020 season, which will mark Cleveland’s first playoff berth since 2002, 18 years ago. Don’t count the Browns out just yet. The best chance for the Browns to come out victorious in this playoff bout is playing ahead, not behind. The first quarter will be key in this matchup. Pittsburgh has won 17 consecutive games against Cleveland, that’s equivalent to a whole NFL season without a bye week. The Steelers are averaging 26.0 PPG, 12th in the NFL. The Steelers are 7-1 at home this season. 

Now to the NFC Wild Card Matchups. The first matchup we are going to highlight is the 7 seed Chicago Bears at the 2 seed New Orleans Saints. The Bears are in the playoffs at 8-8 even with their loss to the Packers in Week 17. Chicago is averaging 23.2 PPG, 22nd in the NFL. The Bears this season, only beat one team who had a winning record, that being the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 5, winning narrowly 20-19. On the other side of the ball is the Saints. New Orleans is averaging 30.1 PPG, 5th in the NFL. A big addition to that high point number is the 26 plus points in 10 straight games with Quarterback Drew Brees at the helm. The Saints should definitely be the favorite to win this lopsided matchup. 

Next, we have the 5 seed Tampa Bay Buccaneers visiting the 4 seed Washington Football Team. Earlier in the season, Tampa Bay looked to be the favorite for 1 seed in the NFC, however, they are still in the playoffs. Tampa is averaging 30.8 PPG, 3rd in the NFL. Tampa Bay had 11 wins this year, the first time since 2005 that the Buccaneers have accomplished that, a big help from Quarterback Tom Brady. Wide Receiver Mike Evans also was injured in the Week 17 matchup versus the Atlanta Falcons. There is a chance Mike Evans is able to play in this matchup. The Washington Football team, having won the NFC East Division Title with a 7-9 record, will host Tampa Bay at FedExField in Landover, Maryland this weekend. Washington wins the NFC East Division Title for the first time since the 2015-16 season when they went 9-7. Washington has averaged 20.9 PPG, 25th in the NFL, the lowest amount when compared to the other 2020 playoff teams. Alex Smith has made an incredible comeback this year after his troublesome injury in 2018 and he gets another shot in the NFL playoffs for the first time since joining Washington. Washington’s best chance to claim victory in this game is for their defensive line to wreak havoc on Tom Brady, especially since it is a night matchup, Brady having slightly struggled in the Prime Time games. 

The last matchup we have in the NFC Wild Card Weekend is the 6 seed Los Angeles Rams versus the 3 seed Seattle Seahawks. The Rams are averaging 23.2 PPG, 23rd in the NFL. The Rams defense has been very effective this year, allowing the fewest points and fewest total yards this season. The Rams coming off a Week 17 victory over the Arizona Cardinals, with first-time NFL Quarterback John Wolford, clinched a playoff berth. The Rams leader, Quarterback Jared Goff is reported to be a long shot to play in this matchup. The Rams best shot to win versus Seattle is their defense and Jared Goff being able to play, which is not likely due to a thumb injury. Seattle on the other hand has been strong this season. Averaging 28.7 PPG, 8th in the NFL, the Seahawks have continued to win under head coach Pete Carroll, who has been the Seattle Head Coach since 2010 with a 112-63-1 record, .639 Win/Loss percentage, and one Super Bowl win. Quarterback Russell Wilson passed for 40 touchdowns this season, a season-high for him since being drafted in 2012. 

Playoff Picks: 

AFC 

7. Colts vs 2. Bills - BILLS 

5. Ravens vs 4. Titans - RAVENS 

6. Browns vs 3. Steelers - BROWNS 

NFC

7. Bears vs 2. Saints - SAINTS 

5. Buccaneers vs 4. Washington Football Team - BUCCANEERS 

6. Rams vs 3. Seahawks - RAMS

Enjoy the 2020 NFL Wild Card games this weekend and we’ll see you in the Divisional Round!