Houston Texans vs. Oakland Raiders
This could have been an exciting game to watch as the Raiders finally made it back to the playoffs.  Unfortunately their star quarterback Derek Carr suffered a broken leg at the end of the regular season and will be out for the remainder of the playoffs.  Now this game will come down to Raiders’ rookie QB Connor Cook versus Texans QB Brock Osweiler who got benched during the regular season.  Not much of a matchup considering the winner has to head to Foxborough to play Tom Brady and the Patriots.
Unfortunately for the Raiders, they will also be without LT Donald Penn who will miss the first game of his ten year career.  Penn suffered an injury last week in the game against the Broncos and did not practice all week.  So while it was not a surprise, it is a huge loss especially against the Texans front seven who are no joke.  Jadeveon Clowney is definitely not upset about Penn sitting out, saying he hopes the Texans blitz on every play.
Detroit Lions vs. Seattle Seahawks
Both of these teams looked like contenders early in the season. Â However, inconsistent play and injuries have held these teams back. Â The Lions have to travel to Seattle, a once daunting place to play, but without S Earl Thomas and RB Marshawn Lynch, the Seahawks just do not seem as intimidating to play. Â Not to say that the Seahawks have fully lost their mojo. Â In fact there are times when they have looked like the best team in the NFC, unfortunately, they have also looked like a bottom team at times. Â The team will have to get creative as receiver Tyler Lockett will not play, leaving Jimmy Graham and Doug Baldwin with the responsibility of play making.
Detroit has bounced back nicely since the loss of top WR Calvin Johnson. Â They could fare well against a really banged up Seahawks defense who has given up a lot of big plays since the loss of Thomas. Â Top corner will likely matchup against Golden Tate so it will be up to Matthew Stafford to find other receivers and find them quickly because this Seahawks team can definitely still get to the quarterback.
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins, like the Raiders, are without their starting QB Ryan Tannehill. Â Tannehill has not played since December 11th when he suffered a partially torn ACL and MCL in his left knee. Â It seems unlikely that even if the Dolphins advance that he will be able to play. Â Matt Moore has faired pretty well since taking over the starting role. Â The Steelers will look to force him into quick decisions, however, they know they need to do a better job containing RB Jay Ajayi. During their matchup in Week6, Ajayi torched the Steelers defense for 204 yards.
We all know Ben Roethlisberger wants to get the ball to Antonio Brown. Â Brown has the ability like very few receivers to make a play at any time and at any spot on the field. Â The Dolphins will do everything they can to make Brown’s day frustrating which will likely open up the other side of the field and force Roethlisberger throw to someone else.
Green Bay Packers vs. New York Giants
Whenever the Giants are in the playoffs, they always seem to run into the Packers.  Eli Manning has had great success at Lambeau Field, beating both Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers before going on to win the Super Bowl.  Rodgers and the Packers definitely remember that game and are ready for some revenge on Big Blue.  Currently, they are playing their best football all season, having won their final  six games of the season.  Earlier in the season, the Packers beat the Giants in a Sunday night game, but both of these teams looked a lot different.
The Giants have struggled all season on offense which has puzzled nearly everyone. Â We are all still waiting for the team that boasts Odell Beckham Jr., Victor Cruz, and Sterling Shepard to explode for at least 30 points. Â The team has shown the ability to make a huge play when needed, but against Rodgers and company that might not be enough. Â Could this be the week the Giants offense finally comes alive? Â It is possible with Green Bay’s very thin secondary, but it definitely won’t be easy.
