NFL Picks: Wildcard Weekend

Saturday, January 9 Chiefs 3:35 PM Texans ESPN/ABC

My hometown Texans won an especially lousy AFC South this year to sneak into the playoffs, despite starting 2-5 and losing starting running back Arian Foster early on, behind smashmouth defense led by likely defensive POY JJ Watt. Meanwhile, the Chiefs, who also started out horribly at 1-5, are the hottest team in the NFL with 10 straight wins, behind a dominant defense and mistake-free football from QB Alex Smith. I expect a low-scoring, grind-it-out game, with KC prevailing. I think the Texans missing LT Duane Brown on the offensive line will be their undoing, as they won't be able to protect QB Brian Hoyer.

Steelers 7:15 PM Bengals

CBS

An AFC North showdown between these two rivals, who split the season series and have had some feisty encounters over the last couple of years. Pittsburgh's offense is scary good, even though they lost RB DeAngelo Williams last week, and the Cincy D will have its hands full trying to cover Antonio Brown, Martavis Bryant, and co. Meanwhile, the Bengals will try to snap their long playoff win drought without starting QB Andy Dalton, who is still out with the broken thumb. Sorry, Cincy, just don't see AJ McCarron ending the streak for y'all.

Sunday, January 10

Seahawks 12:05 PM Vikings NBC This game is a rematch of an earlier season encounter between the two teams, in which the Seahawks won big. Although the gametime temperature will be about 3 degrees, I like the same outcome, with the veteran Seahawks taking out the upstart Vikings. I just don't see Teddy Bridgewater making enough plays against Seattle's secondary to pull off the upset. Packers 3:40 PM on FOX Redskins Green Bay limped down the stretch, as their offense has squidded to an awful end of the season. It starts up front as the Pack have no running game and have had trouble protecting Aaron Rodgers. Redskins won a weak NFC East and probably have more momentum going into this game, but I'll go with Rodgers over Kirk Cousins in a squeaker.