Click here for Six One Three's Preview on all four of this weekends Wildcard Games. Find out who will win, who will surprise, and who to watch. Get the early edge in your playoff pool by reading our preview as we discuss:
- The Chiefs travelling to Indy to battle Andrew Luck
- The Bengals, undefeated at home, host the Chargers
- Packers sneak into the playoffs & get a home game on Frozen Tundra vs 49ers
- Stumbling Saints face crafty Eagle coach Chip Kelly and bitter Philadelphia weather
The Chiefs RB Jamaal Charles presents a tough challenge to Colts mediocre defense. CHIEFS @ COLTS - Saturday 4:35pm
WHO TO WATCH:
WHO WE LIKE:
WHO WE DON'T:
WHO WILL WIN & WHY:
WHO TO WATCH:
- Alex Smith vs. Andrew Luck: If Smith plays as well as Luck (which we doubt) Chiefs will win.
- Jamaal Charles & KC Pass Rush: Last time they played Colts contained both on way to the win.
- R. Mathis & Colts D: If Mathis can get to Smith, and Colts limit Charles to <120 yards, they win.
- Trent Richardson: The playoffs are a great time for the former # 3 overall pick to make some plays.
WHO WE LIKE:
- Andrew Luck: Superstar in only his 2nd year in the league - And it's just the beginning!
- Jamaal Charles: No body could stop him all season, do we really think the Colts D will?
- Kansas City Pass Rush: First time they played KC's D was battling some injuries - not now.
WHO WE DON'T:
- Colts Rush D: R.Mathis is the only standout on the D-line and he is a pass rush specialist.
- Alex Smith in Key/Late Plays: How many Alex Smith game winning TD drives do you recall? Hmm?
- Chiefs Big Play Ability Outside of Charles: Aside from Charles, KC's offense lacks playmakers.
- Colts Youth: Although Colts beat some of the best teams in the league - they had some stinkers!
WHO WILL WIN & WHY:
- The Indianapolis Colts Win! Thanks to consistent play from their QB the Colts are able to sustain drives, convert key 3rd downs, and outscore the Chiefs one dimensional offense. Jamaal Charles makes his share of big plays, especially early, but Colts defense limits him as the game progresses setting up Andrew Luck in the 4th quarter to seal the deal in front of the home crowd.
These two #9's hail from the same High School (Westlake, TX) but play in very different offensive schemes. SAINTS @ EAGLES - Saturday 8:10pm
WHO TO WATCH:
WHO WE LIKE:
WHO WILL WIN & WHY:
WHO TO WATCH:
- Drew Brees vs. Nick Foles: Whichever former Westlake H.S. QB #9 has the better game - wins
- LeSean McCoy: The NFL's leading rusher shouldn't have much difficult with the Saints D.
- Jimmy Graham: Cold weather game will slow Saints - compensate with lots of Graham.
- Pierre Thomas: The NFC's version of Fred Jackson will be grinding 1st downs for the Saints.
- Mother Nature: Eagles fans are hoping for snow and wind/ Saints fans want it clear and calm,
WHO WE LIKE:
- LeSean McCoy: Playoff game, at home, versus an average Run D, NFL's leading rusher - Yes!
- Pierre Thomas: Although he may not get the TD's or make the Flashy Plays - P.T. will be key!
- Jimmy Graham: Playoffs mean Sean Payton won't limit his snaps like in the regular season.
- Drew Brees: We love Brees - at home. On the road, on grass, in the cold - we don't!
- Nick Foles: All good things come to an end - Foles will return to reality in first taste of playoffs.
- Saints D w/o Kenny Vacarro: Vacarro did not play like a rookie - his loss makes them average.
WHO WILL WIN & WHY:
- The Philadelphia Eagles Win! The New Orleans Saints many have come to love over the past few seasons under Sean Payton and Drew Brees just are not the "New Orleans Saints" when they play outside of their Superdome. After a strong start to the season the Saints slowed down the stretch costing them a home game and a bye week in the playoffs. hat really hurt the Saints chances in the post season as now instead of playing in the comfort of their precious Superdome they travel to cold Philadelphia and their less than ideal playing surface. Although Nick Foles will give New Orleans a few chances to take the ball away - Drew Brees and the Saints offense will fail to establish enough rhythm to counteract the Eagles run game. LeSean McCoy will surely have some jaw (and jock) dropping moves during this contest.
CHARGERS @ BENGALS - Sunday 1:05pm
WHO TO WATCH:
WHO WE LIKE:
WHO WE DON'T:
WHO WILL WIN & WHY:
WHO TO WATCH:
- Phillip Rivers: Phillip had one hell of a bounce back season this year - he is on fire!
- A. Gates & R. Matthews: Who are these guys? They aren't hurt yet? Healthy & Happy Chargers!
- Bengals Defense: The reason Cincy was undefeated at home and captured the AFC North crown.
- G.Bernard & AJ Green: Bengals 2 most dangerous offensive weapons should be SD's focus on D.
- Keenan Allen: Chargers WR is a ROY candidate and has become Rivers favourite target outside.
WHO WE LIKE:
- Phillip Rivers: He has been on fire for most of the season - and will compete til the end.
- Bengals D: As solid as any Defense in the AFC playoffs Cincy should be tough for any offense.
- Antonio Gates: He may not have much juice left - but enough for one last dance for the HOFer?
WHO WE DON'T:
- Ryan Matthews: Amazed he's not hurt, toughness isn't his Forte, will he finish the game? Doubtful.
- Keenan Allen: Played huge all year for SD but we think the rookie jitters catch him in the playoffs.
- Chargers Pass Rush: SD's defense lacks play makers outside of Eric Weddle - could be a long day.
WHO WILL WIN & WHY:
- The Cincinati Bengals Win! Although Phillip Rivers may play an almost picture perfect game it likely won't be enough as the Bengals seem to have the edge in most aspects of the game. Add in the fact that they haven't lost at home yet this year and the Chargers are going to need to play Super to pull of this upset. Andy Dalton likely won't have his strongest showing but the play of the defense should do enough to compensate for his struggles.
49ERS @ PACKERS - Sunday 4:40pm
WHO TO WATCH:
WHO WE LIKE:
WHO WILL WIN & WHY:
WHO TO WATCH:
- Aaron Rodgers: A.Rod gets another chance to stick it to S.F. for not drafting him.
- Colin Kaepernick: After a pretty sub par sophomore season 'Kaep' looks to surge in playoffs.
- Eddie Lacy vs. 49ers D: Eddie Lacey was not a part of the game in 1st meeting - different story now.
- 49ers vs. Frozen Tundra: How many times does it snow per year in San Francisco? #ColdGearTime
WHO WE LIKE:
- Eddie Lacy: Super Rookie has transformed GB's gameplan and gives them balance on O.
- Aaron Rodgers: He is a SB MVP and League MVP at home - what more do you want?
- Vernon Davis: Vern had another solid season stepping up for injured Crabtree - matchup nightmare!
- 49ers In The Snow: Harbaugh preaches toughness but are 49ers players as toughminded as him?
- Colin Kaepernick: Sophomore Slump was surely the case this year - Pack contain him this year.
- GB Defense: Poor Dom Capers will likely be out of a job this offseason barring a SB run.
WHO WILL WIN & WHY:
- The Green Bay Packers Win! Thanks to the return of their Star QB and the young powerful legs of Eddie Lacy the fans at Lambeau field will be treated to an unexpected playoff victory! Who would've thought the Packers would be playing in the Divisional Playoff round back in Week 14 with Rodgers status still very much up in the air. Could this be another classic #6 seed playoff run in the NFL playoffs.
