SFL Wild Card Weekend - Season 2

by Crimsion | 3 years ago | 1 Comments

Closing out this SFL season was far from easy as a lot of movement could and did happen in the closing weeks of the 2022 campaign. 

For starters, the Carolina Panthers held fort against the Arizona Cardinals in week 18, leading them to a post-season birth once the San Francisco 49ers fell to the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Dallas Cowboys found themselves on the short end of things in their week 18 match up, leading them to fall to the 7th seed, while the Los Angeles Rams climbed up to fifth. This win for the New York Giants also moved them into the top spot in the NFC, giving them an extra week to prepare for the eventual Playoff Blizzard.

Here's what the match ups look like this week:

 (7) (10-7) Dallas Cowboys vs Arizona Cardinals (15-2) (2)

These two teams did not have the luxury of meeting this regular season, but I feel as if this game may be closer than most people think. Gomes and the Dallas Cowboys did not make a post-season appearance last year, but the dominance of Ezekiel Elliott propelled this squad to a birth this time around,

The rushing attack will be crucial for the Cowboys if they hope to hang in there with the Cardinals, but unfortunately they're running into a top-10 rushing defense in Arizona. 

Passing has been the name of the game for the Cardinals this season as Kyler Murray eclipsed the 6,000 yard mark while throwing 48 touchdowns. Dallas will need to find a way to force the ball out of Kyler's hands and pass rushers such as Micah Parsons and rookie Deonte Sewell will need to play a massive part in this.

Prediction: 45-21 - Arizona

(7) (11-6) Miami Dolphins vs Tennessee Titans (14-3) (2)

Another team that managed to sneak into the post-season late was the Miami Dolphins and they are ready to run with the chance they've been given. Offensively this team has struggled for the most part, but their defense has been there to back them up every step of the way.

It's no surprise where the majority of the firepower on the offensive side comes from, but the passing attack in Tennessee is nothing to be disregarded either. The rushing attack for the Dolphins may be their best approach, but they too face a solid defensive front when it comes to it this week.

Byrd will need to believe in the heart of the cards if he wants to pull out a victory here.

Prediction: 28-17 - Tennessee

(3) (13-4) Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Carolina Panthers (10-7) (6)

No Comment

Prediction: N/A

(3) (12-5) New York Jets vs Buffalo Bills (12-5) (6)

This game is going on as I type this and the Jets are currently up 16-7 following a fumble recovery and a score. Gharl has impressed the masses after missing the post-season last year and finding a way to take home the AFC East crown.

Codie and this Bills team possess talent and even down 9 I do believe they find a way to make this game competitive, but after winning their most recent game against this squad, I think Gharl will adjust.

Prediction: 32-23 - New York

(4) (8-9) Green Bay Packers vs Los Angeles Rams (11-6) (5)

This game was played without hesitation.  Castro came into Green Bay thinking he was going to walk out victorious, but the Packers had something else in mind. Imagine trying to tank, winning your division and then your first playoff game of the cycle.  That's crazy.

Prediction: N/A

(4) (11-6) Kansas City Chiefs vs Baltimore Ravens (14-3) (5)

The term "chess match" is used throughout sports to describe many match ups, but I feel like this one here is a perfect example of why that description is used. 

Two of the most decorated users in league history go toe-to-toe in an early Wild Card matchup and personally this is the one I am most excited for. Both LB and Q have experience when it comes to the big game and I truly do think that the team that emerges from this match up will represent the AFC in the Super Bowl.

The Chiefs have one of the most prolific passing attacks the game has ever seen and it's needed to mask their defensive struggles this season. Averaging over 370 passing yards per game, Kansas City is ready for a shootout week in and week out.

On the other side of things the Baltimore Ravens coming in well balanced across the board. Their defensive unit ranks in the top 10 in all categories while their run game is a top 10 unit in its own right. While the Chiefs are prone to giving up yardage on the ground, I do think the battle in won in the air where Kansas City excels.

Prediction: 28-24 - Kansas City