The NFL playoffs are set to begin this weekend and it certainly appears the league is ready to party like it’s 1999 as Jacksonville, Tennessee, Minnesota, L.A. (by way of St. Louis) Rams and, yes even the Buffalo Bills, are all back in the postseason.

While the Bills are far and away the story of the playoffs, having ended their 17-year playoff draught, the story in the NFC could be the Rams. Todd Gurley, Jared Goff and company have led a L.A. resurgence that has the Rams looking remarkably similar to the “Greatest Show on Turf” team that won it all in 1999.

The road won’t be easy as Los Angeles opens the postseason run against the defending NFC Champion Atlanta Falcons. To say the Falcons have unfinished business would be a massive understatement. Up 28-3 over New England in last season’s Super Bowl, the Falcons watched as Tom Brady orchestrated a comeback for the ages and led the Patriots to an overtime victory. Atlanta has looked for most of the season like it is suffering from the Super Bowl hangover, but all the ingredients are there for the Falcons to make a run.

The Carolina Panthers are back in the playoffs after falling to Denver in Super Bowl L and struggling through the 2016 season. Cam Newton led Carolina to an 11-5 record this season, but the Panthers have to be concerned that their franchise quarterback leads the team in rushing yards.

Christian McCaffrey, the 8th overall pick in the 2017 draft, was supposed to provide a spark in the running game, but has been a bigger factor receiving than rushing. If the Panthers are going to make another Super Bowl run, either McCaffrey or Jonathan Stewart is going to have to become a running threat.

As predicted in the midseason look, New Orleans has become the team no one in the NFC wants to play right now. The offense is 4th in the league in points and was 5th in rushing and 6th in passing. More importantly, the Saints were 10th in points allowed, 6th in sacks and 3rd in interceptions. That potent New Orleans offense now has a defense equally as strong.

Wild Card predictions

Atlanta at LA Rams (-6.5): Atlanta’s recent playoff experience gives the Falcons an early edge, but the Rams settle in behind Gurley’s solid running and the defense stifles Devonte Freeman and Tevin Coleman. Goff hits a big pass to Robert Woods and Gurley salts the game away. Final – Rams 45, Falcons 31

Carolina at New Orleans (-7): Newton does all he can both running and throwing, but the Saints are just too much. Mark Ingram goes for 120 yards and a TD on the ground while fellow running back Alvin Kamara gets a receiving touchdown. Final – Saints 28, Panthers 17