Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports activities

High seed: Baltimore Ravens (13-4)

Wild Card matchups:

• (5) Cleveland Browns at (4) Houston Texans: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (NBC)
• (6) Miami Dolphins at (3) Kansas Metropolis Chiefs: Saturday, 7:00 p.m. ET (Peacock)
• (7) Pittsburgh Steelers at (2) Buffalo Payments: Sunday, Midday ET (CBS)

Finest sport: Dolphins at Chiefs

OK, “greatest” is subjective right here. This can be a sport with a possible “seems like” temperature within the adverse teenagers. It’s going to be bitterly chilly in Kansas Metropolis, turning deep throws into quickly descending cannon balls and each hit, regardless of how minor, right into a symphony of ache with accompaniment from floor that’s lengthy since frozen right into a densely packed stable.

Which means the extent of play goes to be gross, and the Dolphins and Chiefs are each sorta constructed for that. Kansas Metropolis gained the AFC West, partially as a result of the division was a multitude however partially as a result of it was capable of overcome a sure degree of slop produced by dangerous play from the group’s wideouts and questionable choices from its MVP quarterback. Miami made it to the playoffs and impressed zero confidence alongside the way in which, beating precisely one group with a profitable report. However the Dolphins can put up factors in a rush, and one busted protection may very well be all it takes for Tyreek Hill or De’Von Achane to tear off a game-changing play and put their group in entrance.

This sport will nearly definitely be ugly, However at a sure level, there’s a magnificence in that grossness. Dolphins-Chiefs in subzero temperatures will invite us to revel within the slop, ready for the fleeting moments of bliss that resemble the fireworks we’d in any other case count on from Hill’s return to western Missouri.

Finest likelihood for an upset: Pittsburgh Steelers at Buffalo Payments

Talking of ugly! It’s inconceivable to know which model of the Payments will present up any given week, seeing as this group went from 14 % playoff odds to an AFC East title over the course of a five-game win streak to wrap the 2023 season.

Pittsburgh managed to win 10 video games with Kenny Pickett, Mason Rudolph and Mitch Trubisky behind middle. We all know they’ll thrive regardless of chaos. We all know that protection can capitalize if the Allen that got here out within the first half in opposition to the Dolphins lacking throws and tossing extra interceptions (two) than touchdowns) emerges once more. It gained’t be straightforward in Buffalo, however the Steelers gained’t be postpone by the chilly and could be joyful to grind this sport right down to a rock combat.