Indianapolis Colts (+6-1/2) at Buffalo Bills: After a 16-year playoff drought, the Bills have now appeared in the postseason 3 of the past 4 seasons. They finished this season with a 13-3 record and the 2nd ranked total offense (in terms of yardage) in the NFL.
While the Colts have been known for prolific offenses in the Peyton Manning & Andrew Luck eras, their defense was arguably the magic this year with a +10 turnover differential, which was good for second in the league.
To me, this comes down simply to momentum. The Bills are one of the NFL's hottest teams right having won 9 of its final 10 regular season games (their only loss was to the Arizona Cardinals on a Hail Mary TD pass with 1 second left) while averaging 48 points per contest over its final three games.
Buffalo 28 Indianapolis 20
Los Angeles Rams (+3) at Seattle Seahawks: The Rams are the top defense in the NFL in both points and yards allowed. However, their offense will be a big question mark this game with QB Jared Goff nursing a thumb injury. He'll likely play, but his effectiveness will be limited. While the Seahawks defense ranks only 22nd in yards allowed, they've been dramatically better the second half of the season. That coincided with Pro Bowl Strong Safety Jamal Adams returning from injury.
These division rivals split the two regular season games, with the home team prevailing in both. Even though there are no fans attending this game, Seattle just doesn't lose at home in the playoffs. That and the injury to Goff give the Seahawks the edge.
Seattle 20 Los Angeles 14
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-8) at Washington Redskins Football Team: This is uncharted territory for Bucs QB Tom Brady. In 20 seasons with the New England Patriots, Brady led them to 17 playoff appearances but had never done so as a wildcard. His club is the wildcard this game against a Washington team that somehow won a division title with a 7-9 record.
Despite being 43-years old, Brady was as solid as ever in guiding the Bucs to the #2 ranked pass offense in the NFL. However, Washington's stud DE Chase Young (who sounds eager to take on Brady) leads the second ranked pass defense into this contest. I believe the Bucs prevail but it won't be easy.
Tampa Bay 24 Washington 17
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