After a long, gruelling NFL regular season, fans are looking forward to the first round of the playoffs — super wildcard weekend. Wildcard weekend is appropriately named as being a time when any team can take the first step to eternal glory. The first six games of the playoffs are typically slugfests as each conference’s two through seven seeds duke it out to keep their dreams of a championship alive. As you turn your attention to CBS, NBC, or, heavens forbid, Peacock, some games will have you glued to the edge of your seat while others are more likely to insight an afternoon nap. These are the 2024 wildcard matchups ranked from worst to best.
6. Green Bay Packers (7 Seed, NFC) at the Dallas Cowboys (2 Seed, NFC)
The Packers and Cowboys have classic matches against one another, especially in the post season. However, with Jordan Love and company just barely squeaking in after a Week 18 win over the Chicago Bears, taking on a juggernaut in the Dallas Cowboys on the road is a whole other beast. The Cowboys are having a dominant year in a season that looks like Dak Prescott could be a contender for the league’s highest honor. Of all the week one games, this one is suring up to be the worst on paper and has by far the least interesting story lines. A Green Bay win would only be interesting should the team take the road to face rivaling Detroit Lions, who took the NFC North from the Packers for the first time in franchise history this year. Most people expect the Cowboys to handidly take this one (myself included), which is why it is the worst of the wildcard games this year.
5. Philadelphia Eagles (6 Seed, NFC) at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4 Seed, NFC)
Can you believe there was a time that the Eagles were 10-1? Since then, Philly has gone 1-5 and has begun resembling a rotting corpse more than a professional franchise. This is a matchup between two teams past their prime with windows closing rapidly. Tampa Bay is basically dead on arrival. Were it not for the bad, bad Eagles coming to town, I would almost say this is a can’t-win for the Buccaneers. There is a glimer of hope for Tampa, however. Somebody has to win this game. If you’re a betting man, steer clear of this dumpster fire of a matchup. There is some fun that could come out of this game, though. If Philly beats Tampa and the Rams beat the Lions, the league is poised for a round two matchup between the Eagles and Cowboys, an NFC East classic that the people need.
4. Pittsburgh Steelers (7 Seed, AFC) at the Buffalo Bills (2 Seed, AFC)
What a month it’s been for Buffalo. After clawing their way from the depth of despair, they defeated the Miami Dolphins week 18 to not only keep their playoff hopes alive, but to secure the AFC East title and the two seed. Miami didn’t know what hit them as the Bills’ running game, an unprecedented style of offense for Buffalo, smothered teams down the stretch. If there’s one team to never count out, however, it’s the Pittsburgh Steelers. This is a frisky team that looks like it may be without its best defensive player in T.J. Watt this week. Watt is a force to be reckoned with and his absence leaves a void that will be easy to exploit if you’re a Bills running back. Whoever wins this matchup is legit, and while I would never count out Mike Tomlin and his inability to go below .500, my money’s on Buffalo.
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3. Miami Dolphins (6 Seed, AFC) at the Kansas City Chiefs (3 Seed, AFC)
The Dolphins are in the midst of a mini collapse as starting quarterback Tua Turntheballova decided to throw away home field advantage through most of the playoffs with a bad showing week 18 against the Bills. Without Jaylen Waddle, this iron man offense looks a little bit more touchable, which is something Andy Reid and Co. in KC will be looking to exploit. The Chiefs have had their own problems, though. Kadarius Toney’s butter hands and the mostly failed receiver room will have their hands full (empty?) when the lights are the brightest. This game features what may be the most interesting story line of this playoffs — the Tyreek Hill revenge game. Tyreek’s revenge, Taylor Swift, Peacock… what could possibly go wrong? Whether the game is the high octane offensive masterclass that it should be or the gruelling, painful punt bowl that it will be, this game is one to watch.
2. Cleveland Browns (5 Seed, AFC) at the Houston Texans (4 Seed, AFC)
This year the Browns did what no team in NFL history has ever managed to do by making the playoffs after starting four (technically, five) different quarterbacks during the same season. “Mr. Elite” Joe Flacco has been nothing short of incredible for an offense that utilizes his cannon of an arm to its fullest potential. The 38 year old Flacco is going head to head with the league’s brightest young star. Second overall pick C.J. Stroud not only led his team to the playoffs, but to a division title as a rookie with three other teams duking it out for the AFC South. Stroud’s first playoff game is sure to draw lots of eyes, but this matchup goes far beyond the quarterback. These are two teams that, if they get hot, could go all the way in the right circumstance. As a 4-5 seed matchup, this is as exciting as it gets.
1. Los Angeles Rams (6 Seed, NFC) at the Detroit Lions (3 Seed, NFC)
This game has everything you could ever want. The Matthew Stafford-Jared Goff dual revenge game is Detroit’s first home playoff game since 1993, 30 years prior. The Rams are a frisky team that got hot at just the right time with all the pieces to create an upset in the city of Detroit. Puka Nakua, a fifth round draft pick breaking all kinds of rookie receiving records, and Kyrein Williams are looking bring havoc to the Lions’ still healing def
