We’ve got eight fresh-faces playing in the Wild Card games this week, as none of these teams were featured during last year’s Wild Card round (Eagles are the only team that made the playoffs last year and are playing this weekend). It’s an interesting statistic until you look at who slumped their way into the Wild Card round last year; teams like the Titans (who somehow beat the Chiefs), Jaguars, Bills and Panthers most likely had luck on their side and thus did not receive an invite this year.
Despite the bias, it’s great to have the Bears back in the playoffs for the first time since 2010. Chicago will be looking to avenge the horrific debacle against Green Bay and will be the favorites heading into a match-up against the all-of-a-sudden hot (and also defending Super Bowl Champion) Philadelphia Eagles.
That’s obviously our pick for the game of the weekend, but any of these games could very well be decided by the last play. The 2 AFC South teams – the Colts and Texans – will play again for the 3rd time this year, with their regular season record split at 1-1 (in both games, the away team won by a 3-point margin). In a poor season for teams in the NFC, two teams from the same division also stumbled their way into the playoffs. Luckily for Dallas, they finished atop of the NFC East and get to host another hot team in the Seattle Seahawks.
It’s nice weather in Chicago for January 5th – head out, hit the bars early and get ready for 7 or so hours of quality (not guaranteed), professional football.
NFL 2018 Playoffs Wild Card Week: January 5 — 6, 2019
Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans
@ NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas
Saturday, 3:35pm CT, ESPN/ABC
Indianapolis Colts bars: Sedgwick’s, Sluggers, Four Shadows
Houston Texans bars: NFL Sunday Ticket Chicago Bars
Seattle Seahawks at Dallas Cowboys
@ AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
Saturday, 7:15pm CT, FOX
Seattle Seahawks bars: Brownstone Tavern, Scot’s, Newport Bar & Grille
Dallas Cowboys bars: Commonwealth Tavern
Los Angeles Chargers at Baltimore Ravens
@ M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland
Sunday, 12:05pm CT, CBS
Los Angeles Chargers bars: Irish Eyes, Dram Shop Ltd
Baltimore Ravens bars: NFL Sunday Ticket Chicago Bars
Philadelphia Eagles at Chicago Bears
@ Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois
Sunday, 3:40pm CT, NBC
Philadelphia Eagles bars: DIAG, Mad River Bar & Grille
Chicago Bears bars: The Scout Waterhouse + Kitchen