This past week on The Word With G we visited with eight different reporters, former players, podcasts hosts, and team content creators to give you a behind the scenes look at just about every team playing this coming weekend during Wild Card Weekend, round one of four in the NFL Playoffs.
Let’s take a look at each match-up this weekend.
5 Las Vegas Raiders at 4 Cincinnati Bengals, 4:30p EST Saturday 1/15/22
Raiders: Dennis Ackerman, Host of the Bleav in Raiders Podcast
Bengals: John Sheeran, Deputy Manager of the Cincy Jungle
6 New England Patriots at 3 Buffalo Bills, 8:15p EST Saturday 1/15/22
Patriots: Finished the season 10-7 and were an impressive 6-2 away from home this past season… Mac Jones had led the way at QB as a rookie, and with plenty of players making an impact on both sides of the football, it makes this a very dangerous team when it comes playoff time especially with Bill Belichick on the sidelines.
Bills: Paul Wanecski, Bills Youtube Content Creator
7 Philadelphia Eagles at 2 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1p EST Sunday 1/16/22
Eagles: This is a team that just feels lucky to be here under first-year head coach Nick Sirianni as they finished the season 9-8 and won the tiebreaker with the New Orleans Saints based on head-to-head win percentage. QB Jalen Hurts has been tending to an ankle injury but he should play and the running game will be huge for Philly if they want any chance to win this game against Tampa Bay.
Bucs: James yarcho, Host of the Locked on Bucs Podcast
6 SF 49ers at 3 Dallas Cowboys, 4:30p EST Sunday 1/16/22
49ers: SF has really turned it on during the second half of the season and that’s in large part to one of the most dynamic threats in the NFL in Deeboo Samuel along with a more healthy Elijah Mitchell running the football. Jimmy G has been dealing with a thumb injury and if he doesn’t turn the football over he’ll have a good chance to win this football game but the Cowboys do a great job of turning over the opposing team with CB Trevon Diggs especially as he recorded 11 INTs this season.
Cowboys: Ari Temkin Host on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas, home of the Cowboys
7 Pittsburgh Steelers at 2 Kansas City Chiefs, 8:15p EST Sunday 1/16/22
Steelers: Pittsburgh was lucky to sneak into the playoffs as they’re trying to do everything they can to hang on for Big Ben in his farewell season but the train seems to be stopping in Kansas City but who knows!? T.J. Watt is an absolute monster and if the Steelers can steal some possessions from Patrick Mahomes, pun intended, then maybe, just maybe they’ll have a puncher’s chance.
Chiefs: Craig Stout of the KC Sports Network
Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Rams, 8:15p EST Monday 1/17/22
Cardinals: Ed Smith Host of the Bleav in Cardinals Podcast
Los Angeles Rams: Doc Holliday Host of the Bleav in Rams Podcast