Pigskin prognostication: Picking the wild card winners

Well, since the Dallas Cowboys aren’t around in the postseason this year, let’s take a crack at picking this weekend’s wild card round winners, shall we?

While the Cowboys will be watching at home on the couch, like the rest of us, there are some related interests in play.

First, there are a few former Dallas players and coaches who will be playing this weekend. Second, we can all hope that Karma pops in on the Eagles on Sunday.

It may not be much, but we’ll take it, right?

So, here’s how I think the Wild Card round shakes out.

Chargers at Texans

Sat. 3:30 p.m., CBS/Paramount+

At least there is a team from Texas in the playoffs this year.

Despite being the home team in today’s game, the Texans are three-point underdogs to the Chargers.

A lot of that has to do with Jim Harbaugh being the head coach in Los Angeles. He has a nice track record when it comes to the postseason.

And there’s the added bonus of Ezekiel Elliott having just signed with the Chargers.

Elliott is on the practice squad, as of this writing, and would only be activated if Gus Edwards isn’t ready to go today.

The Cowboys released Elliott to allow him to “chase a ring” recently. Unfortunately, that chase will continue after today.

Texans 23, Chargers 21.

Steelers at Ravens

Sat. 7 p.m., Amazon Prime Video)

These two teams are meeting for the third time in eight weeks.

They have split the season series with Pittsburgh winning by two at home and the Ravens winning by 17 at home.

The winner of the rubber match moves on, the loser limps back home. One team is already limping before tonight’s game kicks off.

One month ago, the Steelers had a two-game lead over the Ravens in the AFC North.

Pittsburgh lost their last four games while Baltimore has won four straight.

The Ravens also have an MVP candidate at quarterback, Lamar Jackson, who is playing better than he has in a long time. Make it five in a row for both teams.

Ravens 37, Steelers 14.

Broncos at Bills

Sun. Noon, CBS/Paramount+

Technically, the playoffs started last week for Denver. They had to beat the Chiefs to secure the final wild card spot.

Granted, they beat a Kansas City team that rested most of its starters. But they won, and they are in the hunt.

Unfortunately, they drew a motivated Buffalo team that has its own MVP candidate in Josh Allen.

Allen, like Jackson, may be having his best year yet.

While Broncos head coach Sean Payton has his rookie quarterback, Bo Nix, playing well down the stretch, Nix has yet to face what he’ll find waiting for him in Buffalo.

Bills 38, Broncos 24.

Packers at Eagles

Sun. 3:30 p.m., FOX

Last year, the Packers were the seventh seed and traveled to face the second seed out of the NFC East.

Sadly, we all too well remember what happened in that game in Dallas.

But here we are a year later and the seventh-seeded Packers are taking on the second-seeded Eagles.

Guess what? Lightning will strike twice.

The Eagles are probably the most overrated 13-4 team in the history of the NFL.

They’ve survived a lot of close calls this year. They’re also coming in less than fully healthy.

Plus, they have Nick Sirianni at head coach.

Admit it, it’ll be fun if the Packers do the Eagles on Sunday the way they did the Cowboys last year.

It’ll make the offseason pass so much easier if we can give the Eagles’ fanbase some of what they gave us after last year’s playoff exit.

Packers 28, Eagles 24.

Commanders at Buccaneers

Sun. 7 p.m., NBC/Peacock

Tampa Bay is hosting this game solely because they are a division champion. They certainly aren’t the better team.

The Buccaneers’ offense has the never-say-die Baker Mayfield at quarterback and Mike Evans for him to throw the ball to.

Rookie running back Bucky Irving was a nice find for Tampa Bay this year.

But the Commanders’ offense can go toe to toe with Tampa Bay. Washington’s defense will get its stops when needed.

Commanders 20, Buccaneers 13.

Vikings at Rams

Mon. 7 p.m., ESPN/ABC

Imagine going 14-3 for the season. Then imagine not only not being the number one seed, but not even getting to host the first playoff game?

Wait, you don’t have to imagine, you are the Minnesota Vikings.

Their reward is a trip to Glendale, AZ. The game was originally scheduled for Los Angeles, but the recent fires forced the NFL to relocate it.

That is going to take away some of the Rams’ hopes of an upset thanks to the loss of home field advantage.

The Rams could be a dangerous team. Matt Stafford knows how to win in the playoffs.

But the Vikings should be able to overcome anything Los Angeles throws at them.

Vikings 21, Rams 20.

And yes, I am picking the AFC home teams to sweep while the NFC road teams to also sweep the weekend.

Think they have a parlay for that in Vegas?

Cowboys Wild Card Record

In case you were wondering how Dallas has fared in this round, dating back to their first appearance in the Wild Card round in 1980, here’s the 411:

The Cowboys are 8-7 all-time in the Wild Card round of the playoffs. They are 7-4 at home in those contests.

They are 36-31 overall in postseason play, with a 22-12 record at home.

The Cowboys were a “wild card team” prior to 1980, but the wild card round wasn’t begun by the NFL until 1978.

Before 1978, the wild card team from each conference drew the top-seeded team in the divisional round.