2021 NFL Playoffs: Wildcard (Sunday games)

Philadelphia Eagles (+7-1/2) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The reigning Super Bowl champion Buccaneers begin defense of their title in a rematch of an October regular season game, won by Tampa 28-22. Despite the final score being close, the Bucs thoroughly dominated that game in all phases. 

Of the Eagles' nine wins this season, only one came against a team with a winning record. I think Tom Brady and Co. cruise to victory in this one.

Tampa Bay 38 Philadelphia 17

San Francisco 49ers (+3-1/2) at Dallas Cowboys: These two franchises had some of the more memorable playoff battles in the respective teams' histories. 

It was 40 years ago last week that the Niners earned their first berth in a Super Bowl in a game defined by two words: "The Catch." That launched the San Francisco dynasty as they would win four Super Bowls in the decade of the 1980s.

If the 49ers were the team of the '80s, then the Cowboys were the team of the 1990s, winning 3 Super Bowls in a four season span (1992-95). In fact, the Cowboys and 49ers matched up in three consecutive NFC title games (1992-94) at one point in the decade, spawning an intense renewal of their rivalry.

While this weekend's matchup lacks the star power of the '80s and '90s, it looks to be one of the tighter contests of the NFL postseason's opening weekend. The conventional wisdom is this is the most likely game to result in an upset. I believe it'll happen, but not because of San Francisco QB Jimmy Garoppolo. No, it'll be the Niners' stingy defense giving Dak Prescott et al fits. 

San Francisco 21 Dallas 17

Pittsburgh Steelers (+12-1/2) at Kansas City Chiefs: Had Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson missed a field goal in overtime of last week's regular season finale against the L.A. Chargers, the Steelers wouldn't even be here. However, QB Ben Roethlisberger's career lives on for at least one more week. 

After a 3-4 start to their season, the Chiefs won 9 of their final 10 games, including week 16 shellacking of the Steelers, 36-10. 

If the Steelers can keep it close, maybe they can grind out an upset by running the ball down KC's throat, as the Chiefs allowed 4.8 yards per rush (31st in the NFL). The only team worse? The Steelers run "D," which allowed 5.0 yards. 

I say this will be Roethlisberger's final NFL game. 

Kansas City 34 Pittsburgh 14

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