Welcome to the Playoffs
It all began for 32 teams in August during the preseason, but now the 2024 NFL regular season comes to an end, and the playoffs begin. Starting on Saturday and ending Monday, the NFL’s 14 best teams will commence their quest for a trip to New Orleans a Super Bowl title.
Saturday the AFC South champs 10-7 Texans hosts 11-6 Chargers
The return to the NFL head coaching ranks by Jim Harbaugh has been a successful one. He has guided Los Angeles to an 11- 6 and spot in the playoffs after finishing second in the AFC West to the Chiefs. Harbaugh and his quarterback Justin Herbert have established a very good working relationship. Herbert is having one of his best seasons in his career.
The Bolts explosive offense and can score points with anyone in the NFL. The downside is that at times their defense has been a problem. If the Chargers are playing up to their abilities, they could be a tough out in the playoffs.
The 10-7 Texans won the AFC South for a second straight season despite not having as productive season as 2023. The Texans tuned up for the playoffs with a 23-14 victory over the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, snapping a two-game losing streak. After a brief appearance in the first half, they rested their starters including star Quarterback C.J. Stroud who completed all six of his passes before he exited the game. The Texans will be trying for their second consecutive wild-card victory.
Game time – 4:30 p.m.
Site – Houston
TV: CBS/Paramount+
Radio – Westwood One
AFC North winners Ravens 12-5 host rival Steelers 10-7 in primetime
The AFC North champs the Ravens play host to their archrivals the Pittsburgh Steelers Saturday in primetime. Baltimore has been playing their best ball at the end of the season. In their last four games they have outscored their opponents 135-43. MVP candidate Lamar Jackson and the NFL’s No. 1 offense get the headlines; Baltimore’s defense has held teams to a league-low 15.4 points per game over the past seven weeks.
Pittsburgh enters this game not playing their best football of the season. But quarterback Russell Wilson has plenty of playoff experience. Wilson gives the offense the kind of juice it has consistently lacked since Ben Roethlisberger’s 2019 elbow injury. In 11 starts, Wilson has completed 19 of 41 attempts of more than 20 air yards for four touchdowns and one interception
Game time – 8 p.m.
Site – Baltimore
TV – Amazon Prime Video (Local TV- KDKA – Pittsburgh and WJZ – Baltimore)
Radio – Westwood One
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Sunday – AFC East Champs the Bills 13-4 host the Broncos 10-7
The 10-7 Denver Broncos are back in the playoffs with rookie quarterback Bo Nix. The bad news for Broncos fans is they are playing 15-2 AFC East Champion Bills in Buffalo. Quarterback Josh Allen who is a candidate for MVP has had one his best season ever. Allen led the Bills offense to 12 games scoring 30 points or more this season. Buffalo has committed only eight turnovers, tied with 2019 Saints for the fewest in a season since 1933.
The Broncos haven’t played Buffalo in the playoffs since the 1991 season, when the Jim Kelly-led Bills defeated the John Elway-led Broncos 10-7 en route to Super Bowl XXVI. Denver has lost four straight road playoff games dating to a victory at Pittsburgh in the 1997 AFC Championship Game
Game Time – 1 p.m.
Site – Buffalo
TV – CBS/Paramount+
Radio – Westwood One
NFC East title winners Eagles 14-3 host Packers 10-7
The 14-3 Philadelphia Eagles will play host to the 10-7 Packers in the City of Brotherly Love. The Eagles possess arguably the finest roster in football, featuring a premier offensive line, MVP contender and 2,000-yard rusher Saquon Barkley, a dynamic receiving duo in A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, and a highly ranked defense. This group is not only talented but also physical, providing a genuine opportunity to advance to the Super Bowl.
The Packers excel in two areas: running the ball and forcing turnovers. They are ranked in the top five in both categories, with an average of 146.8 rushing yards per game and a total of 31 takeaways. The team has heavily relied on Pro Bowl running back Josh Jacobs, who has amassed 1,329 rushing yards, and boasts one of the NFL’s interception leaders in safety Xavier McKinney, who has seven interceptions. This combination bodes well for playoff success.
Game time – 4::30 p.m.
TV – FOX (Stream on Fubo or Hulu with Live TV)
Radio – Westwood One
NFC South Champs the Buccaneers 10-7 face the 12-5 Commanders
The Washington Commanders will travel to Tampa to face the NFC South champions, the Buccaneers, in a rematch of the season opener. For the Bucs it is the fifth straight playoff appearance and the fourth time as the NFC South champs.
Two good offenses could make this game a wide-open high scoring game in primetime. Quarterback Baker Mayfield has 41 touchdown passes, tied for second in the NFL. He has the third-highest completion percentage (71.4%) and third-most passing yards (4,500)
Meanwhile, Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels has made a real case for “Rookie of the Year,” this season. Daniels has thrown for 3,568 yards and 25 touchdowns, in addition to rushing for 864 yards and six more scores. He possesses a talent for making significant plays at crucial moments and has led four game-winning drives, with three touchdown passes occurring on the final play from scrimmage. Daniels ranks second in the NFL with 12 touchdown passes in the fourth quarter and overtime.
Game time – 8 p.m.
Site – Tampa
TV – NBC/Peacock
Radio – Westwood One
Monday – Rams NFC West Champ 10-7 host 14-3 Vikings
The Vikings loss to the Lions on Sunday night cost them both the NFC North title and a first-round bye. So, Minnesota travels to Los Angeles for a first-round game with the Rames.
The Vikings can win games, beating teams with both their offense and defense ranking among the NFL’s top 10 in scoring. A significant passing performance from quarterback Sam Darnold to receivers Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison could be one method. Alternatively, the defense might lead the team with a series of timely takeaways, having tied for first in the league with 33. In essence, it would require a comprehensive effort from an opponent to eliminate Minnesota from the postseason.
It would be easy to easy to overlook the Rams who won the NFC West but face a strong Vikings team. The Rams will make their second straight playoff appearance and sixth in Sean McVay’s eight seasons as head coach.
The Rams’ defense conceded only two touchdowns in Weeks 15 through 17 while making a playoff push following a 1-4 start. After allowing an average of 23.6 points in their first 13 games, Los Angeles allowed a total of 24 points in the three games prior to clinching the NFC West.
Time – 8 p.m.
Site – Los Angeles
TV – ESPN/ABC
Radio – Westwood One
Washington based CEO & Founder of LJC. Media covering politics, sports, & entertainment A seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director, and podcast host. Digital Director and Washington Bureau Chief at News Talk Florida & The Daily Cable
