The significance of “Super” wild-card weekend has diminished over time. The term, loosely referring to the expanded number of playoff teams from six to seven in each conference after the 2020 season, may now be a bit exaggerated. The AFC seeding did not result in the anticipated “Harbaugh Bowl Pt. 4,” and the NFC will not see a rematch between Washington and Philadelphia. Nevertheless, it’s playoff time, and it’s time to focus on the games at hand.
Let’s dive into one of our favorite traditions for wild-card week by ranking the six games this weekend based on their watchability, from least to most exciting:
6. No. 7 Denver Broncos at No. 2 Buffalo Bills (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS/Paramount+)
Credit to the Broncos for finishing the season strong behind rookie quarterback Bo Nix. However, facing the talented Josh Allen and the Bills will be a tough challenge for them. Allen, a top MVP candidate, should lead his team to victory with the help of head coach Sean McDermott’s strategies.
5. No. 5 Los Angeles Chargers at No. 4 Houston Texans (Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET, NBC/Peacock)
The Texans, without key players like Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell, may struggle against the Chargers’ defense led by coordinator Jesse Minter. Expect a defensive battle in this game that could go down to the wire.
4. No. 6 Pittsburgh Steelers at No. 3 Baltimore Ravens (Saturday, 8 p.m. ET, Prime Video)
This AFC North rivalry promises an intriguing matchup, but the struggling Steelers will need a stellar performance to compete against Lamar Jackson and the Ravens. The Steelers’ defense will have their hands full containing Jackson and Derrick Henry.
3. No. 7 Green Bay Packers at No. 2 Philadelphia Eagles (Sunday, 4:30 p.m. ET, FOX)
The availability of Jalen Hurts, who is in the concussion protocol, will be a deciding factor in this game. The Eagles’ defense will be crucial in containing the Packers’ offense, led by key players like Josh Jacobs.
The Green Bay Packers rely on their rushing attack to a certain extent, but without wide receiver Christian Watson and with quarterback Jordan Love nursing a throwing hand injury, they lack a true deep threat. While head coach Matt LaFleur has shown skill in devising effective ground plays, the challenge ahead may prove daunting.
Next up, the No. 5 Minnesota Vikings will face off against the No. 4 Los Angeles Rams on Monday at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN. Despite the anticipation surrounding ESPN’s coverage of a wild-card weekend game, there has been a lingering sense of something missing. It could be attributed to fatigue among viewers or the perception that the league doesn’t always deliver the most compelling matchups. Nonetheless, this trend is expected to shift in this upcoming game.
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell will match wits with his former mentor, Sean McVay. The Rams’ offensive starters, having had only one week of rest, will need to bring their A-game to counterbalance their defensive performance. This matchup is poised to be a rebound opportunity for players like Sam Darnold and Justin Jefferson on the Vikings’ offense. It may come down to a scenario of “whoever possesses the ball last emerges victorious.”
In another exciting matchup, the No. 6 Washington Commanders will take on the No. 3 Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday at 8 p.m. ET on NBC/Peacock. Expect a high-scoring affair, as both teams struggle defensively despite their head coaches’ defensive backgrounds. A player to watch is Daniels, who has shown significant improvement since his rookie struggles and will return to Raymond James Stadium where he debuted in the NFL a few months ago.
Furthermore, the evolution of Baker Mayfield into a standout player has been a joy to witness. Keep an eye on emerging talent Bucky Irving, who could make a name for himself in this game. Additionally, the matchup between Mike Evans and Marshon Lattimore promises to be a compelling one. Evans, fresh off extending his 1,000-yard streak, will face off against Lattimore, who previously played for the New Orleans Saints and was acquired by the Commanders to neutralize opponents’ top receivers.
In conclusion, the NFL playoff watchability rankings highlight the best wild-card games to look forward to. Stay tuned for these exciting matchups as the postseason action unfolds.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFL playoff watchability rankings: Which wild-card games are best?
