By John Sarianides
One of the best football weekends of the season is upon us. It is Wild Card weekend. There are four intriguing matchups this weekend. It all starts with the Raiders and the Texans and culminates with the Giants at Packers, which could be the best match up of the weekend.
Here is our preview of today’s games.
#5 Oakland Raiders at #4 Houston Texans
Build Up: Both teams are entering this game with quarterback issues. The Raiders are starting rookie Connor Cook after injuries to Derek Carr and his back up Matt McGloin.
The Texans are going back to the struggling Brock Osweiler after his replacement Tom Savage suffered a concussion last week against the Titans.
Expect a low scoring, defensive game that could come down to which team protects the football and get the most production out of their quarterback.
Here are three keys for the Texans and Raiders.
Three Keys for the Raiders
1. Make it the Murray Show: If the Raiders want to protect Connor Cook and make the game manageable for him, then they must run Latavius Murray 25 times in this game.
He is big, physical and can wear the Texans down, especially inside the tackles.
2. Make the Game Easy for Cook: Look for Raiders offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave to call some play action passes, screens and three step passes early to get Connor Cook into a rhythm. Cook needs to get comfortable and into a groove. Musgrave needs to call a good game and get off to a good start.
3. Mack and Irvin Need to Be Great: The Raiders must get consistent pressure on Brock Osweiler and force him into making a mistake. Osweiler is turnover waiting to happen. If Irvin and Mack can get a consistent push and allow the Raiders to drop seven, the Raiders will win this game.
Three Keys for the Texans
1. Brock Osweiler Has to Protect the Ball: Osweiler has been awful this season and that’s putting it mildly. If the Texans are going to win this game, Osweiler has to protect the football. He doesn’t need to be great. He just needs to make key throws in key situations and protect football.
2. The Defense Needs to Carry the Day: The Texans had the number one overall defense in the NFL this past season. They are good enough as a unit to win this game. They have to get consistent pressure on Cook and they cannot give up big plays, especially in the passing game.
3. Protect the Ball: The Texans had a tough time taking care of the football this past season. Houston finished 26th in the NFL turnover ratio. They cannot turn it over in this game. This game will be tight. If Houston doesn’t take care of the ball, they lose.
Prediction: Texans 20 Raiders 17: I just don’t think the Raiders will be able to overcome losing both Derek Carr and Matt McGloin. It’s too much to ask. I think Cook will play well enough for the Raiders to win but Houston will make a couple of more plays and that’ll be the difference.
#6 Detroit Lions at #3 Seattle Seahawks
Build Up: Both of these teams are limping into the playoffs. They have really struggled in the past month. The Seahawks are overwhelming favorites coming into this game but don’t sleep on the Lions.
The Lions can throw the football and Seattle’s secondary has not been the same since Earl Thomas’ injury. Detroit can win this game but it’ll be a tall order. The Lions haven’t beaten a team with a winning record this season.
Here are three keys for both teams.
Three Keys for the Lions
1. Get Off to a Fast Start: The Lions need to get off to a good start offensively. Don’t be surprised if Detroit opens the game in the no huddle to get Matt Stafford into a rhythm. If Detroit can get the first score and play with the lead, they’ll gain confidence.
2. Find Some Semblance of a Ground game: The Lions running game has been putrid this season. Running back Zack Zenner has been a blessing for Jim Caldwell and Jim Bob Cooter. Zenner has given them some much needed balance.
Zenner will be a big part of the game plan tonight. I think Detroit will try to pound the ball early to take the pressure off of Stafford.
3. Sugar Rush and Contain Wilson: The Lions defensive line needs to keep Russell Wilson in the pocket and not allow him to break contain. If Wilson is allowed to break contain and extend plays, Detroit is in trouble. The Lions Must Sugar or slow rush Wilson.
Three Keys for the Seahawks
1. Get a Consistent Pass Rush: The Seahawks need to get the Lions into as many long down situations as possible. Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril need to be dominate in this game. Detroit’s offensive line cannot handle them one on one. They must be dominant in this game.
2. Where’s the Running Game: What has happened to the Seahawks running game? It has gone from a strength to a weakness all in one off season. The Seahawks must find a way to run the football again or their playoff run will be short lived.
3. The Offensive Line Must Grow Up: The Seahawks are young and inexperienced along the offensive line. They have struggled this season. If Seattle is going to win this game and make a playoff run, this group must play well tonight and in the rest of the playoffs.
Prediction: Seahawks 34 Lions 20: I don’t think this will be a blowout by any means. I think Detroit will play well and given Seattle a run for its money. Unfortunately, Detroit doesn’t have a good enough defense to stop Russell Wilson and the Seahawks passing game. I like Seattle at home.