The NFL playoffs are just around the corner
The playoffs of the NFL are just around the corner and the teams have key elements that make them favorites to advance to the next phase.
The Affection / Mexico City
The playoffs of the NFL begin on Saturday, January 7. A weekend with four duels from which the winner could emerge. Although it is true that the last time a champion came out of these instances was in 2012, when the Baltimore Ravens, fourth-seeded in the American Conference, defeated the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII.
Next, we leave you an analysis of how the teams arrive at the wild card round and a forecast of who can advance in their search for the Vince Lombardi.
Raiders vs. Texans
Location: NRG Stadium, Houston
Date: January 7 at 3:35 pm
A rematch of the teams that played at the Estadio Azteca on November 21, but this time without some of the stars who visited the Mexican capital in that regular season matchup.
The Raiders (12-4), who emerged victorious that night at the Coloso de Santa Ursula, have potential players like Latavius Murray on offense and Khalil Mack on defense, but will feel the absence of Derek Carr, their quarterback and main architect for the dream season they had, since they had not reached the postseason since 2002, the year they made it to the Super Bowl and lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
His return is uncertain, so he will be replaced by Connor Cook, the third quarterback on the roster who will have the task of facing the Houston defense, which has been weakened throughout the season with important losses, highlighting the case of J.J. Watt, leader of this Texans department.
The offense of the home team will again be in charge of Brock Osweiler, considered by many as one of the biggest disappointments of the season, as he has not lived up to the $72 million that the Texans are paying for the former Broncos quarterback.
Therefore, despite the lack of a key element of Carr's caliber, the Raiders have what it takes to win their first playoff game in 15 years.
FORECAST: Raiders win
Lions vs. Seahawks
Location: CenturyLink Field, Seattle
Date: January 7 at 7:15 pm
A duel that could be resolved with a minimal difference in points. The Seahawks have struggled this season to secure a spot in the playoffs, and not precisely within their division, which they won on December 15 against the Los Angeles Rams.
The Seahawks (10-5-1) suffered several times during the season, such as the game against the Green Bay Packers, where Russell Wilson was intercepted five times, resulting in a 38-10 defeat; as well as the first tie of the year against the Arizona Cardinals.
To this inconsistency is added the injury absence of safety Earl Thomas, a key situation for Seattle not to finish as the best defense in the NFL since 2012 and for them to let go of the second place in the National Conference to the Atlanta Falcons (11-5).
On the other hand, the Lions (9-7) went from more to less and deflated. Although they have Matthew Stafford as one of the most accurate quarterbacks in the league, the defense and the running game have problems in important games. Proof of this is that, after a streak of five consecutive victories, the Lions suffered three losses against teams that qualified for the postseason (Giants, Cowboys, and Packers).
In light of this, the home team looks better to advance to the next round of the playoffs.
FORECAST: Seahawks win
Dolphins vs. Steelers
Location: Heinz Field
Date: January 8 at 12:05 pm
The 'Steel Curtain' (11-5) will have their rematch from the game played against the Dolphins (10-6) in the regular season where Miami's team defeated Ben Roethlisberger's team.
An important point for the visiting team will be that they will not have their star quarterback, Ryan Tannehill, who has been out of the field since week 14; Matt Moore will be in charge of leading the Dolphins.
The Steelers' squad dominates the passing yardage by standing out 43.8 yards ahead of Miami. However, the Dolphins are not far behind since they surpass the Steelers by 4.0 yards in rushing.
Undoubtedly, this will be one of the most attractive games of the wild card round, as both teams will come with advantages and disadvantages.
FORECAST: Steelers win
Packers vs. Giants
Location: Lambeau Field, Wisconsin
Date: January 8 at 3:40 pm
In the last game, the Green Bay Packers (10-6) defeated the Detroit Lions 23-13 and secured the division title. The Packers have the advantage of hosting this game at home and with a very challenging climate for the visitors; led by Aaron Rodgers and their star receiver Jordy Nelson, along with an improving defense led by linebacker Clay Matthews, they have managed to string together six consecutive victories.
However, things will not be so easy for them, as Eli Manning and the New York Giants (11-5) have had a brilliant campaign alongside their receiver Odell Beckham Jr, a duo that knows how to exploit the weaknesses of their rival's secondary, with a struggling running game, the weight will fall on the youngest of the Manning brothers. The Packers will seek revenge against the Giants, who eliminated them five years ago at their own stadium in the NFC Championship Game, but the New Yorkers are a team that takes on a new face in the postseason, making a rematch seem unlikely.
FORECAST: Giants win