Richard Witt makes the following predictions for Saturday's NFL games during Wild Card Weekend:
Browns (-2) vs. Texans
Have you ever been so impressed that you deserve it? — Based on Houston quarterback CJ Stroud's rookie year performance.
But the Ohio State Heisman finalist will face wily veteran Joe Flacco, who has 16 playoff starts on his record…and a win here will put him in line with Tom for the road playoff win record. He could surpass Brady.
He is buoyed by the presence of wideout Amari Cooper, and the two have proven to be a good fit.
We have to hope the Browns' long pain lasts longer than three hours at most. When we played against the young and cheerful Texans.
Still, they're the nominal favorites — which seems fair considering the Texans' relative inexperience in the league.
Cleveland is in the worst position on the injured list, but still retains a modicum of goodwill. I wouldn't be surprised if this found its way onto the power lines.
Chiefs (-4.5) vs. Dolphins
Even the Dolphins have their own ways and means of making the most of the harshest weather (nearly -20 degrees considering the expected chill). But this matchup looms as one of his most testing physical contests in modern NFL history. .
The unusually frigid conditions can be quite unsettling to those unaccustomed to them, and will almost certainly be a true acid test for both parties.
These storied Chiefs have a long history of maintaining solid performances that produce surprising yards, and while dealing with harsh temperatures and blistering winds, their chances of gaining the kind of yards that supporters are used to seeing are significantly higher. It should be expensive.
Do you want to bet on the NFL?
QB Patrick Mahomes is expected to be tested to his physical limits, but I'm looking forward to his chances under the expected circumstances.
last week: 5-9
season: 104-115-9
