×

Wild Card weekend: AFC

Does fate of Bills rest on McCoy’s ankle?

While on the surface the NFC looks to be more entertaining, the AFC has its fair share of intriguing storylines as we hit Wild Card weekend.

Most notably, the Buffalo Bills, who are partying like its 1999 after ending the longest playoff drought in the NFL.

They also have the most talked about player, or most talked about ankle of the weekend in LeSean McCoy. The All-Pro back will likely be a game-time decision against the Jacksonville Jaguars after suffering the injury in the second half last week against the Miami Dolphins. His presence or absence would greatly alter the game plan and how much of it the Bills put on quarterback Tyrod Taylor.

Their opponent, Jacksonville, ended a long playoff drought of its own, with a defense that is downright scary, leading the NFL in scoring defense and passing defense during the regular season. The questions remain on the offensive side of the ball, and whether quarterback Blake Bortles is good enough to lead his team to victory when the stakes are significantly raised.

Another playoff newcomer is Tennessee. Marcus Mariota, while inconsistent at times, presents hope in the AFC at the quarterback position longterm. In the bigger picture today against the Chiefs, however, they will need a lot of things to go right.

Speaking of the Chiefs, remember when they were 5-0, then got smoked by Pittsburgh and haven’t been the same since? Yeah, well, this is still a dangerous team. I don’t buy Alex Smith as a big-game quarterback, but this team has an array of offensive weapons, led by Travis Kelce, Kareem Hunt and Tyreek Hill. A potential rematch against the Patriots would be intriguing.

So let’s get to the games.

Tennessee at Kansas City (-9): The Chiefs are more than a touchdown favorite and for good reason – they are the better football team. This game will come down to whether or not the Titans can make plays on defense and special teams, because I just don’t think they have the firepower to keep pace with Kansas City. If you’re Alex Smith, get the ball into the hands of your playmakers and let them do their thing against the leagues’s 25th ranked pass defense. The weather doesn’t appear as if it will be a factor, with no precipitation in the forecast and temperatures in the high 20s. Final – Kansas City 27, Tennessee 17

Buffalo at Jacksonville (-9): I really believe that Buffalo is capable of winning a playoff game on the road, something I never thought I’d say at the start of the season. Jacksonville’s defense is a juggernaut, but what if they have to come from behind? Can Blake Bortles be trusted? I think whether they have to or not depends largely on the status of McCoy, who was a limited participant in practice on Friday. If he doesn’t play, the Bills are depending on 32-year old journeyman Mike Tolbert and Marcus Murphy, who has eight career carries. That would result in Tyrod Taylor potentially having to carry them to a win against the NFL No. 1 pass defense. And if Jacksonville gets a lead, expect a heavy dose of Leonard Fournette against a below-average Bills rush defense. Final – Jacksonville 21, Buffalo 13

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $2.99/week.

Subscribe Today