As is becoming a habit, this first weekend of the playoffs will be extremely busy. With six matches spread out between Saturday and Monday evening, there will be plenty to do.
We decipher these meetings here.
Opening and closing of ba
Kick-off Saturday at 10:30 p.m.
Houston Texans (4) – Cleveland Browns (5)
Kick-off on the night of Monday to Tuesday at 2:15 a.m.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4) – Philadelphia Eagles (5)
This week, the NFL decided to offer the tightest posters on paper at the start and end of the weekend. Indeed, the matches between the number 4 and number 5 seeds will be played on Saturday at 10:30 p.m., then during the night from Monday to Tuesday. Usually, surprises can come from these meetings. This year, these are two very different clashes. First, young, inexperienced quarterbacks will compete in Houston. The Texans and the Browns are perhaps the two biggest surprises of this NFL season. These two teams, which we did not necessarily expect so high, now have the possibility of joining the Divisional Round. For this, the team that best manages the stakes of the game will have a great advantage.
Two days later, the Eagles began their campaign to defend their NFC championship title. Conversely, Philadelphia is one of the disappointments of this season. Solid at the start, Nick Sirianni's men are crumbling and becoming more and more worrying. A defeat in the first round of this post-season would be a terrible disappointment for this team which reached the Super Bowl last year. The advantage for Jalen Hurts and his team is that they face a team which has not convinced much in recent weeks. The team that emerges victorious from this meeting will, however, have the opportunity to build confidence before facing even tougher competition.
The player: Matthew Stafford
Kick-off during the night from Sunday to Monday at 2:15 a.m.
Detroit Lions (3) – Los Angeles Rams (6)
A playoff game is always special, but this one will certainly be even more special for Matthew Stafford. Drafted by the Lions in 2009 after a season 0 wins and 16 lossess, the quarterback carried 12 seasons during the colors of the franchise. And despite often very impressive statistics, he never managed to carry his team during the post-season. Three years after his departure, a Super Bowl in his pocket, he returned to play at Ford Field for the first time. A moment which will inevitably be special for him and all fans of the franchise. However, in this meeting, the supporters could quickly become disillusioned.
Matthew Stafford could indeed go from hero to executioner. Detroit is having a hard time defending the air sector this season. The franchise collects no less than 247.4 yards per gamewhich makes her the 27th team in this sector. Last week, for example, the squad saw Nick Mullens throw 396 yards. Against the Rams, it could be fatal. Especially since Los Angeles is rather efficient in this sector with an air attack which wins 239 yards per game (10th)worn by players like Puka Nacua (1486 yards and 6 TDs) or Cooper Kupp (737 yards and 5 TDs). If the defense were to crack, the Lions would have to enter into an offensive mano a mano. Never ideal for a playoff game, but they are capable of it.
Coach: Mike McCarthy
Kick-off Sunday at 10:30 p.m.
Dallas Cowboys (2) – Green Bay Packers (7)
He too will face his old team. On Sunday, Mike McCarthy will coach Dallas against a franchise with which he already won a ring. One more reason to highlight a coach who will already be scrutinized by many people. This season, the Cowboys won their division while finishing with the second-best record in the NFC. All these factors make this team one of the favorites for the final title. It now remains to assume the status. Which has not always been the case in recent years. The Cowboys have not won two playoff games since 1995.
They must not miss out this season. Undefeated at home for almost two seasons, they have a “boulevard” all the way to the conference finals with potentially two receptions over the next two games. Any outcome other than an NFC final would likely be seen as a failure. And who says ” failure “ in Dallas, says “responsible search”. And for that, the name of Mike McCarthy should come up quite quickly. Rumors are already reporting interest in Bill Belichick in the event of a bad playoff result for McCarthy. The coach is therefore under pressure and we know that he is not always very good in his management at the end of the match. This match is therefore of crucial importance for the players, the fans, the owner, the franchise, but also especially the coach.
Capricious weather
Kick-off on the night of Saturday to Sunday at 2:15 a.m.
Kansas City Chiefs (3) – Miami Dolphins (6) – Match broadcast free on W9
Kick-off Sunday at 7:00 p.m.
Buffalo Bills (2) – Pittsburgh Steelers (7)
The beauty (or cruelty) playoffs sometimes lies in the conditions in which certain matches are played. This weekend two matches could be greatly affected by the weather. Starting Saturday evening first with the Dolphins' trip to Kansas City. Leaving their sweet Florida, the Miami players will arrive in a region of the United States where temperatures are negative. Experts predict a temperature felt which could go up to -18 degrees in the evening on Saturday. If that were the case, it would be one of the coldest games ever played in the NFL. Conditions which would inevitably impact the teams, particularly in attack.
The good news is that no severe weather is forecast for Saturday at ArrowHead. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for Buffalo the next day. On Sunday, the temperature should not be as low. We're still waiting -3 degrees. Above all, it is the snow which could make this part difficult. For now, there is 63% lucky that this match will be played under snowfall, but also with winds of up to 40 km/h. And even if the Bills and Steelers are used to it, the appearance of the game could be totally different.
The posters
Kick-off Saturday at 10:30 p.m.
Houston Texans (4) – Cleveland Browns (5)
Kick-off on the night of Saturday to Sunday at 2:15 a.m.
Kansas City Chiefs (3) – Miami Dolphins (6) – Match broadcast free on W9
Kick-off Sunday at 7:00 p.m.
Buffalo Bills (2) – Pittsburgh Steelers (7)
Kick-off Sunday at 10:30 p.m.
Dallas Cowboys (2) – Green Bay Packers (7)
Kick-off during the night from Sunday to Monday at 2:15 a.m.
Detroit Lions (3) – Los Angeles Rams (6)
Kick-off on the night of Monday to Tuesday at 2:15 a.m.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4) – Philadelphia Eagles (5)
