The reigning champions are in action, with Nick Foles hoping to maintain his hot streak against one of the NFL’s stingiest defenses, while the Dallas Cowboys will look to avenge their Wildcard Weekend loss to the Seattle Seahawks 12 years ago.
Two AFC South rivals meet at NRG Stadium to begin the weekend, and Philip Rivers and the Los Angeles Chargers will look to end the run of Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens, who are seen by many as this year’s dark horses.
Here, with the help of Opta, we take a look at where Wildcard Weekend will be won and lost.
Indianapolis Colts @ Houston Texans
Houston made the playoffs despite their offensive line giving up more sacks (62) than any other team. Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson was one of just nine players to have been sacked over 60 times in a single season. The Colts defense accumulated 38 sacks across their 16 games - a figure that was the joint-19th best in the league.
Watson’s number-one target is wideout DeAndre Hopkins, who has caught more passes (528) than anyone across his first six seasons. Hopkins did not suffer a single drop all season and finished second to Julio Jones in receiving yards. If Indianapolis can find a way to stop Hopkins, they will likely advance.
Seattle Seahawks @ Dallas Cowboys
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Dallas’ offense will revolve around running back Ezekiel Elliott who, despite sitting out Week 17, led the league in rushing for the second time in three years after accumulating 1,434 yards. The Cowboys love to feed Zeke, with Elliott having amassed 5,247 yards from scrimmage through 40 games in his career - the second-most of all time.
The Seahawks are no strangers to the playoffs - they have won seven postseason games since 2013 - but they would much rather be playing at home. Seattle went 4-4 on the road in the 2018 regular season and are 3-11 all-time in road playoff games. Dallas, meanwhile, have won seven of their last eight at home.
Los Angeles Chargers @ Baltimore Ravens
Quarterback Jackson’s ascent to the Baltimore starting job has transformed the Ravens’ offense, with that unit averaging a league-high 229.6 rushing yards per game since Week 11. However, when these teams met in the regular season, Baltimore managed only 159 yards on the ground - the fewest allowed in Jackson’s time as the starter.
Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa, who missed the start of the season through injury, could hold the key. Since 1982, only seven players have had more sacks than Bosa’s 28.5 through their first 35 career games.
Philadelphia Eagles @ Chicago Bears
Chicago’s strength is their defense. The Bears forced a league-high 36 turnovers in the regular season - the most in a single campaign since 2015. Khalil Mack is the heart of that defensive unit but Akiem Hicks has managed 23 sacks in his first three seasons in the Windy City.
Philadelphia snuck into the playoffs having won their last three regular-season games. Quarterback Foles heads into this match in fine form having equalled an NFL record with 25 consecutive completions against the Washington Redskins last weekend.
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