Houston and Kansas City will kick off the NFL postseason on Saturday with two exciting wildcard games. The reigning Super Bowl MVP, Patrick Mahomes, and the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs will host Tua Tagovailoa and the Miami Dolphins in prime time. The action will start in the afternoon with Joe Flacco leading the Cleveland Browns against rookie sensation C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans.
Both games will have implications on the AFC playoff picture, as the Baltimore Ravens start the postseason with a bye as the No. 1 seed, and the Buffalo Bills host the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.
The matchup between the Browns and Texans will take place at NRG Stadium, while the Dolphins and Chiefs will face off at Arrowhead Stadium. The Dolphins vs. Chiefs game will be the first NFL playoff game streamed by Peacock, except in Kansas City and Miami where it will still be televised on NBC.
Cleveland’s Flacco has impressed in the final stretch of the season, leading the Browns to a 4-1 record. Despite missing key players like quarterback Deshaun Watson and running back Nick Chubb, the Browns finished with 11 wins and secured a playoff berth.
Stroud, the Texans’ quarterback, had an excellent rookie season and helped his team win the AFC South and secure the No. 4 seed in the playoffs. This will be his first NFL postseason game in front of his home fans in Houston.
Meanwhile, the Dolphins will face a tough challenge against the Chiefs in cold conditions, with temperatures expected to be around 12 degrees. The Chiefs’ offense has not performed up to their usual standards this season, but they are still considered strong contenders. The Dolphins will be without several defensive starters and have key offensive players dealing with injuries.
In a rematch from earlier this season, the Chiefs defeated the Dolphins 21-14 in Germany. This game will also mark Tyreek Hill’s return to Kansas City after being traded in March 2022.
Predictions for Saturday’s games lean toward the Browns and Chiefs as favorites. However, anything can happen in the playoffs, and both matchups are expected to be highly competitive.
As the NFL postseason kicks off, football fans can look forward to an exciting weekend of playoff action.