NFL Wildcard Preview and Predictions: By Kyle Balfour

Kept you waiting, huh?

Well with the lovely festive period well and truly done; people finally know what day it is, and the shops are now open as per usual. Now it's time for the actual most wonderful time of the year: the Playoffs!

Playoffs?!! Don't talk abo- playoffs?! You kidding me?! Playoffs?!

Yes, playoffs, that wonderful time when the cream off the crop (if you're the NFC) and the usual suspects (see also AFC) come to town and duel it out for the prestigious honour of The Superbowl, and the fabulous prize that that game entails for the victor. So who do we have lined up for the preliminary wildcard round?

Game 1: 

Kansas City Chiefs vs. Tennessee Titans

Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

Winner: Titans

So the NFL equivalent of that guy in college who barely turns up to class, never studies, yet can still churn out a grade C for assignments has clinched a woefully pathetic division (congratulations AFC West, you out AFC South'd the AFC South - The south was fantastic to watch this season - some for all the wrong reasons...) and have secured home field advantage in the playoffs to possibly secure a playoff win at home for the first time since 1993 (that's almost as old as me...). For me, the Chiefs playoff chances rest entirely on Alex Smith. It all comes down to what kind of performance he will bring. If he's stellar, the technically inclined offence will come alive, and the defence will merely have to keep it steady. If he remembers he's Alex Smith, and forgets how earth's gravity operates, the Chiefs will vanish into the new year yet again in typical fashion.

Meanwhile, the underdog story of the Titans has come to fruition - a shot at the playoffs! The Titans have certainly rode a tidy downward spiral as of late, but if there's a chance to make a big impression, it's the playoffs! Marcus Mariota has to be on point to rally the team - there's no DeMarco Murray to carry the run game, and the defence needs to be on point and alert in order to stop the Chiefs.

It's a tough game, and while some can easily side with the Chiefs, I will cheerfully remind them of the horrendous, fallen off the Earth style of decline they suffered half way through the season. I'm sticking to my predictions way back before week 1 (one of the few I actually got right...), and will back the Titans!

Game 2:

Los Angeles Rams vs Atlanta Falcons

Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California

Winner: Rams

Well...who'd have thunk? Head Coach Sean McVay has completely transformed the Rams. From the NFC equivalent of the Buffalo Bills to clinching the NFC West in spectacular fashion. A strong, solid defence, a now capable and confident quarterback in Jared Goff, who has long shed the embarrassment of last season, and an electrifying running back in Todd Gurley - this team has it all!

On the other hand, the Falcons managed to keep it together long enough in order to secure a wildcard, despite competing in a truly stacked division. 10-6 is good, but not good enough for the south, and for that they must face the true challenge of somehow overcoming the Rams. For me, it depends on what kind of Falcons squad we'll see: will we see the potent offence of last season that scorched the earth of teams like the Packers, or will they once again blow it like you've heard oh so many fucking times?

For me, this one is easy: it's going to be the Rams. Even if the Falcons get it together offensively speaking, I just can't see the Falcons defence being able to stop Goff n' Gurley. It'll no doubt be a spectacular match, one I must sadly sit out due to work tomorrow...damn it.

Game 3:

Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Buffalo Bills

EverBank Field, Jacksonville, Florida

Winner: Bills

Wait...this is a playoff game?! You sure? What year is this?!!

So after years of patient drafting, the Jaguars finally have a formidable team comprised of a near elite style defence, capable of shutting down even the most potent offences, and a strong, young, and reliable running game thanks to Leonard Fournette. However, the only thing that can (and in my opinion, sadly will) hinder this post season for the Jaguars is that god damn 3rd overall pick quarterback they drafted a few years ago - Blake 'bottles it' Bortles. It's a cliche to admit, and seems unoriginal considering I've said the same about the other aforementioned games, but the Jaguars playoff hopes truly ride or die on the shoulders of Bortles. If he prolapses, they're done. Simple as that. Dude needs to be on top of his game - otherwise, the run game will be shut down, and the defence will be well and truly gassed.

Congratulations, Buffalo Bills - you qualified for the playoffs for the first time in this millennium! Not by any count of the team - the team was only slightly above standard at 9-7, but the Bengals bailed you out and stopped the broken down car that is the Baltimore Ravens via tie-breaker. Now the sky is the limit. With no expectations, the Bills can really make some noise this post season if the players are up to the task. Tyrod Taylor is capable, and while LeSean McCoy is questionable to play, signs seem to point to him being able to lead the charge.

This will be a tough match for both. Both possess strong, capable running games, and the Jaguars boast a much more fierce defence. However, I feel that Taylor is more reliable at quarterback, and with a more potent aerial offence, I can see the Bills taking this one. It's the unlikely hero story, much like the underdog story of the Titans, the Bills have everything to gain, and nothing to lose from this situation. Shine on, you crazy, folding table hating diamonds!

Game 4.

New Orleans Saints vs. Carolina Panthers

Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

Winner: Saints

Jesus Christ, what a game we have. A playoff NFC South showdown between the revitalised Saints, and the rowdy Panthers!

The Saints have risen once again, and this time they possess candidate for the best dual running backs in the game: Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram. Both are incredible running backs from both pass offs from the outfield, and pocket passes to speed off for strong gains. Couple this with one of all time greats in Drew Brees, and a now reliable defence, and we have a very strong competitor on our hands.

So despite quite the shuffle in terms of staff at the Panthers (and their owner being a piece of shit), they have still managed to keep it together for the most part. Cam Newton is still as exciting as ever, challening the kind of unpredictable capabilities the league hasn't seen since Michael Vick. Christian McCaffrey reeks of potential, and despite what feels like a revolving door at wide receiver, Newton has proven he can turn anyone into a potential target. Couple that with strong, versatile pieces like Luke Kuechly  and Greg Olsen, the Panthers only need to focus their efforts and keep their heads in the game. 

The only thing the Panthers have to fear is themselves. If the Saints can get inside their heads - it's over. They will end up just like they did in Superbowl 50 - exposed, and hollow. Sadly, it's this kind of thinking, and that two headed dragon in the back that has me take the Saints (sorry, Dave!). If anything, it'll be Panthers in my heart for my feline aligned brethren, but in my back pocket: the Saints...

And there we have it! The Wildcard lineup prepped, previewed, predicted, and primed for tonight's first serving of games.

All the very best to all teams who have made it. Remember: it's always good if your team made the playoffs.

Now go out there and get yourself some fine ass NFL playoff action!

Go Giants...2nd overall pick!