Above all, there's a feeling that any of the twelve teams could honestly make a run. Some are more likely than others, and as always, the top seeds have the easiest path to Super Bowl 53.
The first round of the playoffs features four matchups that could go either way. The winners will face the daunting tasks of visiting Kansas City, New England, New Orleans, and Los Angeles: some of the toughest venues to win at during the regular season.
#6 Indianapolis Colts at #3 Houston Texans
Time: Saturday, 4:35 PM ET
Line: Houston Texans (-2)
The Indianapolis Colts have been surging, finishing the season with a scorching hot 9-1 mark (their lone loss a 6-0 anomaly to the Jaguars). In each win, Indy has put up at least 23 points. Andrew Luck enters the postseason looking to officially re-cement himself as one of the league's top players.
While Houston's offense is more than capable, with DeShaun Watson and the incredible DeAndre Hopkins, their defense will likely decide who wins this game. JJ Watt and the Texans defense has kept Houston in every game this season: they've never lost by more than 7 points.
The Texans have been one and done in the playoffs before, and this team is so much better. Unfortunately, they're right in the crosshairs of a resurgent Andrew Luck, who wills the Colts to the next round of the playoffs.
Colts win 27-24
#5 Seattle Seahawks at #4 Dallas Cowboys
Time: Saturday, 8:15 PM ET
Line: Dallas Cowboys (-2.5)
Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys closed out the season with seven wins in eight games to claim the NFC East crown. In that stretch included an impressive 13-10 victory over the normally offensively efficient New Orleans Saints. The Cowboys finished 3-3 against eventual playoff teams, including a Week 3 loss in Seattle.
The formula for a Cowboys victory is pretty simple: hold the opponent to less than 17 points, and Prescott and Elliot should be able to grind out enough points to win. But Dallas will find trouble moving the ball on Seattle's defense, and Russell Wilson's playoff experience will be prevalent. Seattle scores 25-30 points, which isn't a knock on Dallas's defense but a testament of Seattle's playoff aptitude.
Seahawks win 27-20
#5 Los Angeles Chargers at #4 Baltimore Ravens
Time: Sunday, 1:05 PM ET
Line: Baltimore Ravens (-3)
The Ravens are the home favorite despite the Chargers being arguably the second-best team in the AFC. A big factor the oddsmakers considered was the Ravens Saturday night win over the Chargers a few short weeks ago. Lamar Jackson (5-1 as a starter) looks to take his show into the postseason. Imagine Tim Tebow's fairytale playoff run, but with a better passing arm and better team surrounding him.
So why do I disagree with the Las Vegas bettors? Simply put, the Chargers are the better football team. Philip Rivers has had his share of postseason success and woes, but the experience will go a long way, and the Chargers will advance to the next round unless Jackson puts up a remarkable performance.
Chargers win 28-17
#6 Philadelphia Eagles at #3 Chicago Bears
Time: Sunday, 4:40 PM ET
Line: Chicago Bears (-6.5)
The Bears are the biggest favorite of the weekend, and for good reason. The defending Super Bowl champions struggled to qualify for the playoffs, while the Bears bullied teams defensively over the season. Chicago's four losses all came by a single score margin, so no one has been able to put them away this season.
But could the Eagles have another magical January run in them? Last year, Nick Foles outdueled Matt Ryan 15-10 in the first round, and then had to face the league's toughest defense in the Minnesota Vikings. He won that game 38-7 and the rest was history.
On paper, the Bears are rightful favorites, but I'm going with the underdog yet again, as Philadelphia finds a way to get it done.
Eagles win 19-17
Photo Credits
Header: USA Today
Colts-Texans: Sports Illustrated
Cowboys-Seahawks: Kirby Lee - USA Today Sports
Chargers-Ravens: Harry How - Getty Images
Eagles-Bears: USA Today via NBC Sports
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