NFL Playoff Bracket 2016: Postseason Viewing Info, Odds and Matchup Scenarios

The NFL playoffs often feature plenty of unexpected outcomes, especially on Wild Card Weekend. With four close matchups this time around, fans should be ready for anything.

In a bizarre twist, all four road teams are favorites heading into the weekend, according to Odds Shark. Considering the league has never seen four road teams win in the Wild Card Round, there will likely be at least a few surprises. Otherwise, a lot of fans in attendance will be disappointed.

No matter who wins, the four-game slate should provide an exciting start to the 2016 playoff season as the squads march toward the Super Bowl. Here is a preview of the four games with odds (not predictions) for the upcoming matchups.

Kansas City Chiefs (-3) vs. Houston Texans

The Kansas City Chiefs are the hottest team in football right now, with 10 wins in a row to end the year, an amazing turnaround after the 1-5 start to the season. The key has been the defensive effort, which has held opponents to just 12.8 points per game during this winning streak.

Of course, the Chiefs won't have the only top defense on the field Saturday. The Houston Texans have been just as good on that side of the ball in the second half of the year while leading their own turnaround from a 2-5 start.

Like the Chiefs, the Texans' strength comes from the front seven defensively. Kansas City head coach Andy Reid discussed the challenge in the upcoming game earlier in the week, via the Chiefs' official website:

"

Yeah, they’re playing very well. They had eight sacks or so yesterday, that’s a pretty good number. They had constant pressure on the quarterback. J.J. [Watt] got his cast off, he’s playing good football, but he’s not the only one on that front that’s playing good football. What a great challenge, though, for our offensive line, that’s what it’s all about. They’re going to line up, they’re going to bring it, they’re on the turf, they’ve got a loud crowd, they’ll be revved up. It doesn’t get any better than that, right?

"

This quote should certainly get fans excited for a battle between teams that haven't gotten a lot of respect nationally this year but are still capable of making runs in the playoffs. Defensive talent, along with offensively playmakers such as wide receivers DeAndre Hopkins and Jeremy Maclin, will make this an exciting battle to kick off Wild Card Weekend.

Pittsburgh Steelers (-3) vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Nick Wass/Associated Press

This might be the most unpredictable game of the weekend. The Pittsburgh Steelers have looked dominant at times with a high-powered passing attack led by quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Antonio Brown is arguably the top receiver in the sport, and with Martavis Bryant and Markus Wheaton also playing well, this Cincinnati Bengals secondary could have a serious challenge.

On the other hand, Pittsburgh has had a few quiet games offensively, while its own secondary has allowed big plays all year long. With the Bengals having their own big-play receiver in A.J. Green, the Steelers remain a mystery.

Meanwhile, Cincinnati comes into the game with question marks at quarterback, with AJ McCarron preparing to start. The squad has lost in the playoffs four times with Andy Dalton, and McCarron is a clear step down at the position.

Of course, McCarron has played much better football since last facing the Steelers. He threw four touchdown passes and zero interceptions in the last three games, which could be enough with Green, Marvin Jones, Tyler Eifert and Giovani Bernard making plays around him. If Bernard and Jeremy Hill can also move the ball on the ground, the offense will be just fine.

Cincinnati is a home underdog but will definitely make this AFC North battle a good one.

Seattle Seahawks (-5) vs. Minnesota Vikings

The Seattle Seahawks have been a fixture in the postseason over the last couple of years, but things might be different this time around, with Russell Wilson playing as well as he has in his career.

After a quiet start to the season, the quarterback has played at an MVP level with 24 touchdowns and just one interception in the last seven games. Receiver Doug Baldwin has stepped up to be a true No. 1 target, and the offense is that much more dangerous.

All of a sudden, the defensive-minded squad can be an offensive juggernaut. 

Of course, the team will also see the return of running back Marshawn Lynch in the playoffs to create more balance to the attack. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network provided a reason to see a bit more rushing attempts than in the past few weeks:

Lynch is certainly tough to tackle when healthy, but the Minnesota Vikings know that bringing down Adrian Peterson is just as much of a challenge. The winner of the 2015 rushing title showed the fact that he missed almost all of last season was not a problem and remained as much of a threat as he has in his career, despite getting up there in age.

Second-year quarterback Teddy Bridgewater has also improved throwing the ball, but Peterson is the key to this offense, as the squad is 7-0 when the running back tops 100 rushing yards.

Although the NFL has become a passing league, running and defense will be a big part of this matchup.

Green Bay Packers (-1) vs. Washington Redskins

Wesley Hitt/Getty Images

When it comes to a career comparison, Kirk Cousins isn't even in the same league as Aaron Rodgers. One hasn't been able to hold a starting job in the NFL, while the other has won a Super Bowl title and is the defending league MVP.

The problem for Green Bay is that this isn't a battle of resumes. Instead, all that matters is who is playing better right now, and that's Cousins. 

NFL Network provided a breakdown of the two players in the second half of the season:

Obviously, there are a lot of other factors at play in these circumstances. Rodgers has been under constant pressure behind a struggling offensive line, while his receivers have struggled to create any separation. Cousins saw his top targets get healthier over this stretch, while tight end Jordan Reed has stepped up to make a big contribution in the passing game.

Also, the Redskins haven't beaten a single team with a winning record this season, something to consider while facing the 10-6 Packers. Fans are certainly more used to seeing Green Bay in the playoffs, and constant betting has forced the line to shift toward the road team. But anything can happen in the postseason.

All spread info courtesy of Odds Shark.

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