NFL Wildcard Predictions: Chris Simms' Projections

Fake crowd noise didn't work. 

Loud music didn't work.

Even a random air-horn blast from Tennessee Titans offensive line coach Art Valero failed to prepare us for the Seattle Seahawks' home crowd. Our practice simulations couldn't capture how loud those green- and teal-wearing maniacs were for 60 minutes. My linemen were jumping into the neutral zone and my ears were ringing for 15 minutes postgame.

Oh, and about that game. It was just our preseason opener.

Take a minute, close your eyes and listen when you take in Saturday's Detroit Lions-Seahawks matchup. Because unlike our preseason one, this contest means something significant. You'll hear about 70,000 people screaming at the top of their lungs.

I've suited up for a road game in College Station, Texas. I've made starts in the Superdome down in New Orleans and witnessed the Black Hole in Oakland. But Seattle takes the cake; the Seahawks have the best home-field advantage in professional sports. And we'll hear their fans at their loudest this weekend.

Who's THAT Guy?

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Prediction: Aaron Ripkowski

Postseason football can bring out the best in random benchwarmers.

Just ask Chris Matthews, David Tyree or Malcolm Smith. And after these playoffs conclude, you can ask Aaron Ripkowski.

To the uninitiated, Ripkowski is Green Bay's bruising fullback-turned-tailback. He also might hold the key to Aaron Rodgers' second Super Bowl run. Remember: No. 12 was balanced by James Starks the last time he went all the way.

Ripkowski can be that dude this time around. He ate up 76 total yards in Week 17 on just 11 touches—ask Mike McCarthy why he didn't get more—and proved he can add power to a stale running game. Any positive contribution he adds on the ground will be a huge bonus.

Not This Time

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Prediction: Dolphins vs. Steelers

Three of our four wild-card games are regular-season rematches, but that doesn't mean they'll play out in similar fashion.

That's particularly true of Sunday's early showdown.

Things went south in a hurry for the Pittsburgh Steelers during their Oct. 16 matchup with the Miami Dolphins. Ben Roethlisberger exited early with a knee injury (and even then, he was playing poorly). Le'Veon Bell took only 10 carries. And the Steelers defense let Jay Ajayi run for two bills and some change (204 rushing yards).

I don't see those three things playing out again at Heinz Field. Pittsburgh's offense now runs through Bell; Roethlisberger will give him at least three times the touches he saw in South Beach. That ball-control approach will curb Ajayi's chances to bust loose again. He'll gain yards, but it'll be a different ballgame.

We Must Protect This House

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Prediction: Seattle Seahawks

You know my feelings on Seattle's huge home-field advantage.

So the Hawks don't have an excuse. It's either they win at CenturyLink Field this weekend or call their 2016 season a failure.

They'll take on a Lions team that dropped its final three regular-season games. They boast the better roster from top to bottom and have been in this position many times in the Pete Carroll era.

They're also built for speed, an edge that amplifies itself as the crowd noise does. Against guards like Laken Tomlinson and Larry Warford—power-, not speed-blockers—Michael Bennett should get a handful of early jumps. He'll need to make the most of them to keep Seattle from sputtering out.

Must-Watch Wild-Card Rookie

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Prediction: Sterling Shepard

Steve Smith was the guy in 2007.

Then, Victor Cruz played the role four years later.

Eli Manning and Co. have made Super Bowls with some super slot receivers. Sterling Shepard might be his best third guy yet; the rookie out of Oklahoma is a supreme route-runner who knows how to operate in tight confines.

Both skills should come into play at Lambeau Field. Odell Beckham Jr. won't be permitted to make game-defining downfield plays, so it'll be up to No. 87 to pick up the slack. With deep Cover 2 defense expected, all Shepard's favorite underneath routes should be open.

Wildest Wild-Card Game

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Prediction: Lions vs. Seahawks

You have a talented team that rarely blows out any opponent on one sideline.

On the other, you have a team that trailed in as many fourth quarters as the worst one in football, but often found a way to come back.

Is there any doubt that Lions-Seahawks will go down to the wire? Team M.O.'s aside, this battle between the No. 3 seed and No. 6 seed pits the weekend's most evenly matched opponents. There's talent and turbulence on both sides of the football for both teams.

Take Seattle's offense, for instance. It features enough weapons to top Detroit's back seven but not enough blocking prowess to let those weapons work downfield. Work your magic, Russell Wilson.

Flip the field and you'll find Matthew Stafford matching wits with Seattle's defense. But it won't be the secondary that brings the boom; it'll be Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril. Detroit's line doesn't have a pass protector on its roster who can slow either player.

More Rush Yards: R. Jennings and P. Perkins or T. Montgomery and A. Ripkowski?

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Prediction: Rashad Jennings and Paul Perkins

The defense Dom Capers coordinates in Green Bay won't simply let No. 10 pick his targets downfield.

The Packers will sink eight in coverage and dare the Giants to either throw into it with Eli Manning's noodle arm or run the ball. I expect them to try both but only succeed at the latter. Paul Perkins and Rashad Jennings must get carries, simply to keep Aaron Rodgers off the field.

Meanwhile, that Green Bay legend has gotten it done without any run game in 2016. That trend should continue, as New York's rushing defense is no joke. Somewhere down the line, short throws to Ty Montgomery and/or Aaron Ripkowski will replace the running game altogether.

Under/Over: Golden Tate Receiving Yards

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Line: 75

Prediction: Over

That old Legion of Boom just ain't what she used to be.

Call it old age or missing Earl Thomas. But Seattle has given up more big passing plays this season. That's not the distinction you want going into a game against Golden Tate.

The former Seahawk should be plenty motivated heading back to the stadium he helped raise a banner in. He's also Detroit's only true playmaker; offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter finds ways to get Tate the football, be it shovel passes, bubble screens or speed sweeps.

Tate's going to get his in bunches.

More Sacks: Jadeveon Clowney or Khalil Mack?

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Prediction: Khalil Mack

I'd give the edge to Houston's Jadeveon Clowney in terms of outright disruption.

But in a sack-off? There's a very short list of guys I'd take over Oakland's top quarterback hunter.

Let's go down the checklist: Mack is a superior sack master with more moves in his repertoire. Both are balanced by great pass-rushing running mates (Bruce Irvin in Oakland, Whitney Mercilus in Houston). Only one guy has to face a top-notch pass-blocking line.

By my scorecard, it's advantage: Mack. But I can't wait to see these two go snap-for-snap either way.

Under/Over: Le'Veon Bell Total Yards

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Line: 125

Prediction: Over

Le'Veon Bell is going to be right around the 125-yard mark this weekend.

In ground yards alone, that is.

Miami's 30th-ranked rushing defense is tailor-made for a patient runner like Bell; he can wait out the first line of Ndamukong Suh and Cam Wake, then slice and dice the second and third levels.

We know he's much more than a running back, though. Bell might've had more receptions than Antonio Brown had he played in the four games he missed (three suspension, one coach's decision). He averaged 51.3 yards per game through the air in 2016.

This is a different Steelers team than the one Miami saw last. Bell is the focal point, and to keep Jay Ajayi from repeating a 200-yard performance, he'll need to get his touches any way he can.

Under/Over Aaron Rodgers Interceptions

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Line: 1

Prediction: Push

Fool Aaron Rodgers once? Shame on you.

Fool Aaron Rodgers twice? That rarely happens.

New York's secondary is talented and deep enough to get to one Rodgers throw. But I don't foresee No. 12 heaving two picks like he did in his first matchup with Big Blue this season, especially given the way he's caught fire of late.

Rodgers' line has afforded him a millennium in pass protection. New York's front four won't generate enough push this time to force Rodgers into multiple mistakes. That should (key word: should) allow Packers receivers more time to earn separation downfield. If they catch the ball cleanly, the Giants won't have many pickoff opportunities.