News to start the weekend. The Buffalo Bills and Pittsburgh Steelers will play on Monday at 4:30 p.m. (EST), instead of Sunday. How will better weather affect this game?
Will Jordan Love stun the Dallas Cowboys?
Here’s how our panel sees all of the games going down. Feel free to other your picks in the comment section.
TYLER DUNNE
The clock strikes midnight on Joe Flacco against a quarterback nearly half his age. C.J. Stroud is a different animal at home. He makes the plays late to win. Texans 20, Browns 14.
Beat Buffalo and the Dolphins would’ve have the luxury of playing in 80-degree weather this weekend. Instead, off to KC they go where the wind chill may drop to 30-below. Your casual 110-degree swing. There is zero way to prepare for this cold unless you lived in it. (Also: Patrick Mahomes is not losing at home in a wild-card round.) Chiefs 20, Miami 7.
Once this Western New York storm passes, moving the ball will be much easier for both offenses. That obviously benefits a Buffalo unit that settles for field goals against a proud Steelers team but finds a way. Bills 22, Steelers 16.
Nobody is playing quarterback better than Jordan Love, but look for Aaron Jones to feast vs. a Dallas D that was gashed by James Cook not too long ago. Green Bay found its run game at the perfect time. Packers 34, Cowboys 20.
Generations of fans have been waiting for this moment. An all-time atmosphere aids the defense and Jared Goff gets his revenge on Sean McVay. Lions 27, Rams 14.
Extra day of rest helps Baker Mayfield, who tears up a pathetic Philly defense. OK, it wasn’t pretty last week against Carolina for the Bucs. Have you seen this Eagles team play the last month? Heads will roll in the City of Brotherly Love next week. Buccaneers 30, Eagles 13.
BOB MCGINN
Little things, like Houston’s league-best special teams, prove decisive in a game when points are at a premium. Texans 17, Browns 9.
The Chiefs really aren’t any good. Too bad for the Dolphins that their recent spate of injuries gutted their chances. Chiefs 22, Dolphins 13.
The 48-hour delay in Buffalo saved the fans at Highmark Stadium from subarctic hell. It just won't save their team. Somehow, some way, the Steelers prevail. Steelers 23, Bills 16
Aaron Jones will surge through the A gaps against the soft underbelly of Dan Quinn’s defense, creating the critical time-of-possession advantage. The Packers’ pass rush, talented and deep from both outside and inside, will get to Dak Prescott just enough times. Packers 28, Cowboys 27.
The Rams possess the NFL’s worst special teams. Ford Field fever won’t help them, either. Goff-to-St. Brown carries the day. Lions 38, Rams 14.
Expect the unexpected. In a wild shootout, the home side moves on. Buccaneers 41, Eagles 37.
JIM MONOS
As good as Cleveland is on defense they are different on the road. The Browns rank last in opportunity points per play on the road and 23rd in yards per play. C.J. Stroud adds his first playoff victory as a rookie. Texans 24, Browns 21.
Weather has eliminated all analysis. History says KC should win because Miami is 0-10 in games below 40 degrees since 2017. Chiefs 14, Dolphins 7.
The path is clear for Buffalo. Your reward for shutting down Miami offense is a home playoff game against Mason Rudolph and no T.J. Watt. The Steelers at 1-10 when Watt misses. Bills 27, Steelers 13.
The Pack need Jordan Love to stay hot to keep up with Dallas. Just seven of 30 quarterbacks making their first playoff start as a road underdog have escaped with the outright win since 2002. Pressure is on Dak and McCarthy. Cowboys 35, Packers 28.
McVay and Stafford have quietly positioned themselves to make a run in the NFC. Lions defense is still the Lions defense. Rams 34, Lions 24.
The Eagles are not good in defense. Baker Mayfield is banged up and backup Kyle Trask is a backup. No excuse for Philly. Eagles 27, Buccaneers 21.
Miss anything at Go Long this week?
The Spirit of Jonathan Owens: He is the NFL survival story. Go Long traveled to Green Bay to sit down with the Packers’ starting safety.
Man in the mirror: Our feature on Alim McNeill, from Allen Park, Mich. He is the defensive tackle bringing Dan Campbell’s vision to life.
Go Long Show, Wild Card Preview: A look at all wild-card matchups with co-host Jim Monos
'They hit a home run:' Brett Favre explains why he is all in on Jordan Love and sees the Packers as the most dangerous team in the NFC.
Ty & Bob Pod, Why the Packers will win in Dallas: Bob McGinn never makes predictions, until now. A full dissection on this matchup.
The tournament is set: A first look at all the wild-card games.
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Pretty close on the Chiefs/Fins, Tyler.
Good call by all on the first game. Man, that Browns defense was a colossal flop.