NFL Wild Card weekend: Previews and picks

The NFL is finally kicking into high gear with the playoffs, and the first weekend of games is upon us. The opening quartet are both exciting and underwhelming depending on what matchup you look at, so let’s get down to business and break down what you need to know, followed by a prediction for Saturday’s games. Sunday’s games will come tomorrow.

Tennessee Titans at Kansas City Chiefs (-9)

If the Titans are going to win in Arrowhead, they need to run the ball. With DeMarco Murray out due to a knee injury, Tennessee is relying on Derrick Henry to carry the mail. If Henry can’t get going, the Titans are going home quickly. On paper, Kansas City has one of the worst run defenses in the league, but that hasn’t been the case sine midseason. Since inserting inside linebacker Reggie Ragland into the lineup, the Chiefs have been stout up the gut.

As for Kansas City, Alex Smith has to figure out the zone blitz. Tennessee runs a similar defense to Pittsburgh, a team that has crushed the Chiefs in recent years. If Smith can get the ball out to Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce, that should both move the ball and open up the run for Kareem Hunt, who led the league in rushing yardage as a rookie.

Overall, the Chiefs are clearly the better team. Kansas City holds a distinct advantage at head coach and quarterback, along with playmakers on both sides of the ball. Tennessee is going to need some breaks and a potent ground game to win, and that’s a big ask against the Chiefs, who tied an NFL record with only 10 turnovers all year.

Pick: Kansas City 27, Tennessee 16

Atlanta Falcons at Los Angeles Rams (-6)

The Falcons are underdogs, but they have the best shot of any road team this weekend. Atlanta is only NFC team making a return trip to the playoffs, and that experience should help it in a game that should come down to the wire.

For the Rams, they have together Todd Gurley going early and often. Gurley is a legitimate MVP candidate after gaining more than 2,000 all-purpose yards from scrimmage. If Los Angeles can get Gurley revved up, the Falcons are going to have a tough time dealing with all the other wrinkles head coach Sean McVay will throw at them.

Atlanta needs to get the run going as well, forcing the Ram to cheat a safety up. If that happens, look for Matt Ryan to give Julio Jones some deep shots against Trumaine Johnson throughout the evening.

Pick: Atlanta 28, Los Angeles 27