By John Sarianides
Wild Card weekend continues today as the Dolphins visit the Steelers in the AFC and the Giants visit the Packers in the NFC. Both games are intriguing match ups especially the Giants, Packers game which should be the best game of the weekend.
Here is our three key preview for both games.
#6 Miami Dolphins at #3 Pittsburgh Steelers
Build-Up: Both teams used long winning streaks during the regular season to make the playoffs. The Steelers have won seven in a row and in the process, they clinched the AFC North and a home playoff game.
These two teams faced off earlier in the season in Miami. The Dolphins beat the Steelers 30-15 thanks to 204 yards rushing from running back Jay Ajayi. It was the first of three straight 200 yard rushing games for Ajayi.
Ben Roethlisberger got hurt in the same game and ended up missing three weeks as a result. The Dolphins dominated on both sides of the ball but today’s game will be a little different.
Here are three keys for both teams in today’s game.
Three Keys for the Dolphins
1. All Ajayi, All Day: The Dolphins need to run Jay Ajayi 25 times in this game. Pittsburgh didn’t stop him in the first match up and I’m not sure they can today. Miami needs to pound the ball, control the clock and use the running game to take deep shots down the field.
2. Blitz Pick Up: The Steelers have been far more aggressive the past few weeks on defense. Look for them to bring heavy pressure against Matt Moore today. It is imperative that the Dolphins offensive line communicates and does a good job of picking up blitzes.
3. Play Loose: No one thinks the Dolphins can win this game. If I’m Adam Gase, I use this to my advantage. Stress playing loose and with a nothing to lose approach. No one expected the Dolphins to be here anyway so they don’t have anything to lose.
Three Keys for the Steelers
1. Get Off to a Good Start Offensively: The Steelers need to get off to a better start offensively than they did in the first match up. Pittsburgh needs to set the game tempo early and dictate the pace. If they do, they can win this game.
2. Front Seven Must Play Well: Pittsburgh’s front seven got gashed by Jay Ajayi in the first match up. The defensive line and linebackers need to do a better job of fitting into gaps, getting off blocks and making tackles. If they do, they’ll be in good shape.
3. The Killer B’s Must Be Difference Makers: Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown and LeVeon Bell have never played in a playoff game together. Today is the first one.
All three need to make plays and be the difference makers they are capable of being. They need to be the reason the Steelers win this game. Pittsburgh goes as they go offensively.
Prediction: Steelers 28 Dolphins 17: I don’t think the Dolphins can beat the Steelers twice in the same season. That being said, these aren’t your daddy’s Dolphins. They are not going to come into Pittsburgh, roll over and play dead. They will compete but in the end, it won’t be enough. I’m taking Pittsburgh by two scores in this one.
#5 New York Giants at #4 Green Bay Packers
Build-Up: For the third time in ten years, the Giants and Packers are meeting in a playoff game at Lambeau Field.
The Giants have won the previous two match ups and in both instances, they have gone on to win the Super Bowl. Could the Giants do it again this season? It’ll be tough. The Packers have won six in a row entering the playoffs. They are smoking hot right now.
Here are three keys for both teams in today’s game.
Three Keys for the Giants
1. Don’t Worry About the Cold: The cold should not affect the New York Giants. They’ve been saying all week that it won’t and they need to stand by what they said. It was colder in the 2007 NFC Champuonship game than it will be today. The Giants can handle it.
2. It’s All About Eli: Eli Manning has had an up and down season in 2016. He needs to play well today. Giants fans need to forget about what he’s done in the past. If Manning struggles today, the Giants offense as whole will struggle. Manning must play well and take advantage of a depleted Packers secondary.
3. Pressure and Contain Rodgers: The Giants need to get consistent pressure on Aaron Rodgers but they must contain him as well. They cannot allow him to get out of the pocket and extend plays. If he does, then Rodgers will hurt the Giants. As good as New York’s secondary is, they can only cover for so long.
Three Keys for the Packers
1. Get Consistent Base Pressure: The Packers need to get a consistent pass rush on Eli Manning with three and four man pressure. If they cannot and defensive coordinator Don Capers has to blitz, the Packers are in trouble because their banged up secondary will get exposed.
2. Run at the Their Ends: The Packers must effectively run the football, especially off tackle. They must run at Olivier Vernon especially and try to wear him down. If Vernon is allowed to get off the ball and get consistent pressure on Aaron Rodgers, the Packers will struggle to get on track offensively.
3. A Rod Must Be A Rod: Aaron Rodgers has been playing out of his mind the past seven weeks. If the Packers are going to win this game and advance to Dallas, Rodgers not only needs to play well today, he needs to be great.
Prediction: Giants 24 Packers 20: This prediction pains me as a Packers fan but I think the Giants will win this game.
New York will take advantage of a depleted Green Bay secondary and make enough big plays on offense that they will win this game. The Giants defense will get some key late stops to win it for Big Blue.