NFL · 1 year ago

Ranking Wild Card Weekend’s Underdogs with Upset Potential

Ben DiGiacomo

Host · Writer

6. Pittsburgh Steelers +10 vs. Buffalo Bills
Mason Rudolph won’t go into Buffalo and take down a surging Bills team that’s won five straight games to win the AFC East crown. It just won’t happen. Plus, the weather will be classic Buffalo-esque, so I can’t imagine Najee Harris putting the Steelers on his back to victory here. Plus, the Steelers are a completely different team without TJ Watt. Pittsburgh may cover the spread since the total will likely be low due to the weather, but if you watch the game, you’ll see how outmatched the Steelers are.
1. Los Angeles Rams +3 vs. Detroit Lions
You have to feel for the people of Detroit. They have the best Lions' season in front of them and are about to host their first home playoff game in 30 years, but it's against the red-hot Los Angeles Rams, led by their old friend Matthew Stafford. The Rams are dangerous, winning seven of their last eight games and showing signs of the same offense that propelled them to a Super Bowl victory a few short years ago. I wouldn't feel good in Detroit, as I expect the Rams to continue their dominance on Sunday night win. If not, it will be way too close for comfort.
2. Houston Texans +2.5 vs. Cleveland Browns
At some point, Joe Flacco’s age has to catch up to him. What he did down the stretch for the Cleveland Browns was genuinely remarkable. Even though they are the five-seed going into Houston, they are listed as a 2.5-point favorite on the road. With the home-team Texans the underdog, I think they’ll relish the role. People have counted the Texans out all season. A few weeks ago, the Browns came into Houston and beat down the Texans’ backups. However, the Texans returned their starters over the past two weeks and pulled off two convincing wins. I’m looking for that confidence to carry over. Cleveland’s defense hasn’t been as great on the road, but I trust C.J. Stroud more despite what Flacco has done for the Browns. The books made this a trap line, and money is pouring in on Cleveland as a result, so I’ll look for Houston to pull off the upset.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers +3 vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Let’s save ourselves from going down the Philadelphia Eagles’ rabbit hole and universally acknowledge that they are in trouble. However, as bad as the Eagles have been, the Buccaneers aren’t anything special and just beat the pathetic Carolina Panthers 9-0 last week with their season essentially on the line. Come on, Tampa. Couldn’t you give any more? The Eagles are far too talented to let this Bucs team beat them. I view the Rams and Texans as having stronger chances of pulling off an upset, given that I’ll give the Eagles the benefit of the doubt, knowing they were in the Super Bowl last season. Still, I could be completely misplacing my trust and the Eagles could get blown out by 30, given how they’ve looked recently.
4. Green Bay Packers +7.5 vs. Dallas Cowboys
I have a weird feeling that this game will be a lot closer than many feel. The Green Bay Packers are a good football team and are playing fearlessly. Jordan Love has shown he can trade touchdowns in a potential shootout, and the defense hasn’t been a liability. Isn’t that all you can ask for if you’re the Packers? I am confident that the Packers will come out firing on Sunday, and it wouldn’t surprise me if the Cowboys got overconfident thinking they already have this game in the bag. Plus, we know how the Cowboys have looked in the postseason. The Cowboys should win this one. However, if they don’t take the Packers seriously, the Cowboys will give us material to make fun of them for ages.
5. Miami Dolphins +4 vs. Kansas City Chiefs
The NFL did the Miami Dolphins dirty here. After playing a high-intensity Sunday Night Football game against the Buffalo Bills, they now have to go to Kansas City on a short week in temperatures that feel below zero while being the most injured team in the postseason field. Kansas City rested their starters last week, so they’ll be completely fresh and in an environment they’re comfortable in against a hurt and tired team. What else is there to say? I don’t think Miami has a chance.
6. Pittsburgh Steelers +10 vs. Buffalo Bills
Mason Rudolph won’t go into Buffalo and take down a surging Bills team that’s won five straight games to win the AFC East crown. It just won’t happen. Plus, the weather will be classic Buffalo-esque, so I can’t imagine Najee Harris putting the Steelers on his back to victory here. Plus, the Steelers are a completely different team without TJ Watt. Pittsburgh may cover the spread since the total will likely be low due to the weather, but if you watch the game, you’ll see how outmatched the Steelers are.
1. Los Angeles Rams +3 vs. Detroit Lions
You have to feel for the people of Detroit. They have the best Lions' season in front of them and are about to host their first home playoff game in 30 years, but it's against the red-hot Los Angeles Rams, led by their old friend Matthew Stafford. The Rams are dangerous, winning seven of their last eight games and showing signs of the same offense that propelled them to a Super Bowl victory a few short years ago. I wouldn't feel good in Detroit, as I expect the Rams to continue their dominance on Sunday night win. If not, it will be way too close for comfort.

Ranking Wild Card Weekend’s Underdogs with Upset Potential

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