Wild Card Weekend Preview and Predictions
San Diego Chargers at Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday 12:05 CST
Dec 1, 2013; San Diego, CA, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) throws an interception during the first half against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Here’s an interesting fun fact – the last four Super Bowl Champions (Ravens, Giants, Packers and Saints) all played in the Eagles’ home opener. Which 2013 postseason qualifier was lucky enough to play at Philadelphia in Week 2? You guessed it, the San Diego Chargers.
Sunday’s early game is another re-match from earlier this season. In Week 13 the Bengals went on the road and beat the Chargers 17-10 in San Diego. The conditions on Sunday ought to be a little bit more harsh than the 77 degrees game time temperature back in San Diego.
The Bengals have been one and done the last couple of postseasons to the Houston Texans, but both of those games were on the road. Back at home, where the Bengals were 8-0 this season and this one sets up perfectly for the home team.
The Chargers backed their way into the postseason, needing a botched call by the refs to eek out a win and get into the dance. The Chargers can move the ball to the tune of 393+ yards per game, but they’re not cashing in as efficiently as they should, averaging under 25 points per game while the Bengals don’t gain as much yardage, but average almost 27 PPG.
Prediction: The Bengals take the next step and do what they haven’t done in their last two season – win a playoff game. The elements play a factor for the warm weather and slow down Philip Rivers and the Chargers offense.
Bengals 31 – Chargers 21
San Francisco 49ers at Green Bay Packers, Sunday 3:25 CST
Sep 8, 2013; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) celebrates with running back Frank Gore (21) after scoring a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Candlestick Park. The San Francisco 49ers defeated the Green Bay Packers 34-28. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
It’s going to be difficult for me to separate my emotions from the analysis of this game, so I won’t. I want the Packers to lose and I believe the 49ers are just the team to do it. The 8-7-1 Packers will play host to the 12-4 Wild Card San Francisco 49ers. The Niners have won the last three matchups between these teams including a Week 1 rematch of last season’s playoff matchup. Jim Harbaugh and the Niners know just what to do against Dom Capers and the Packers D.
The Packers overcame Aaron Rodgers missing 7 games with a broken collarbone. Shame on the Lions and Bears for letting them steal this division, but I digress. The Packers won the games they needed to win down the stretch and punched their ticket to the playoffs, where anything can happen. “Anything” could be the frigid temperatures, which are expected to start below zero and plummet from there.
Meanwhile, Jim Harbaugh and the Niners have broken the Super Bowl runner up curse and hope to make it back to the Big Game. Look for Frank Gore to be featured heavily if conditions are as bad as the forecast while Collin Kaepernick has had his way with the Packers in recent outings.
Prediction: The Niners have the better defense and the better running game while the Packers play without Clay Matthews on an already shaky defense.
Niners 27 – Packers 21