The NFL Wild-Card Weekend kicks off with a thrilling matchup between the Houston Texans and Los Angeles Chargers, setting the stage for a potentially dramatic playoff season. This weekend features several intriguing storylines, including the history of underdogs on wild-card weekend, rematches from the regular season in the NFC, and the potential for location changes due to wildfires in Los Angeles.
The NFL wild-card weekend kicks off on Saturday with a matchup anticipated to be a close contest, potentially setting the stage for an exciting playoff start. According to ESPN's Paul Hembekides, underdogs have a history of success on wild-card weekend, with a record of 69-105 all-time, averaging 1.5 upsets per season. Hembekides also points out that at least one underdog has secured a victory in the wild-card round in 40 out of the last 46 seasons, dating back to 1978.
This weekend features two home underdogs, both holding the No. 4 seed in their respective conferences. The Texans suffered significant defeats in consecutive games against playoff contenders in Weeks 16 and 17 but ended their season with a win against a weaker opponent. Meanwhile, the Chargers concluded the season with three consecutive victories and boast the league's best defense based on points allowed. Houston held a 5-3 home record this season, while the Chargers were 6-3 on the road. The NFC matchups are expected to be particularly compelling, with each contest being a rematch from the regular season. Notably, the Packers possess the third-best run defense in the NFL, allowing an average of 4.0 yards per attempt, which could be crucial in containing the Eagles and their running back, Barkley. Barkley achieved the ninth 2,000-yard rushing season in NFL history this year, and the Eagles ranked second in rushing and fifth in yards per attempt league-wide. Their rematch will take place at Raymond James Stadium, where Daniels, the frontrunner for NFL Rookie of the Year, will face the Buccaneers, who have a potent scoring offense ranked fourth in the league and a history of playoff success, having clinched playoff wins in three of the last four seasons. The Commanders, seeking their first playoff victory since 2007, are facing significant odds. Nevertheless, Washington ranks as the fifth-best scoring offense in the league, and the anticipated return of four-time Pro Bowl defensive back after missing six of the last eight games due to injury should bolster their defense in containing Minnesota. Minnesota, along with the Chargers, stands as the only road favorite this weekend, a distinction earned due to their 14-3 record, marking the best record for a wild-card team in NFL history. However, the Rams, one of two teams to defeat Minnesota in the regular season (Detroit swept the Vikings) with a 30-20 victory in Week 8, pose a challenge. Veteran quarterback Matt Stafford led the team to a Super Bowl title just three seasons ago, demonstrating their experience. Minnesota aims for its first playoff win since the wild-card round in 2019, while the Rams have secured five postseason victories within that timeframe. Adding another layer of intrigue is the potential location of the game and its influence on both teams. Due to extensive wildfires ravaging Los Angeles this week, plans are in place to relocate the game to Arizona if deemed unsafe by Monday
NFL Wild Card Weekend Underdogs Rematches Playoffs Houston Texans Los Angeles Chargers NFC Wildfires
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