NFL Wild Card Weekend 2018: Bracket Predictions for Postseason's Opening Round

The NFL's Wild Card Round is home to some of the league's classic games, most notably the Buffalo Bills' 32-point comeback against the Houston Oilers 25 years ago.

The Bills were up and down for the rest of the 1990s before missing the playoffs entirely for 17 seasons, but they are back in the mix this year. Five other wild-card teams are making postseason appearances after missing out on the playoffs entirely, which should make this an interesting round.

Here's a game-by-game look at the Wild Card Round, alongside some picks.

No. 5 Tennessee Titans at No. 4 Kansas City Chiefs: Saturday, 4:35 p.m. ET on ESPN/ABC

The Kansas City Chiefs have not given up more than 20 points in eight home games this year despite playing some talented offenses (e.g., Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles, Los Angeles Chargers). Their excellent home defense has led to a 6-2 record at Arrowhead Stadium.

Meanwhile, the Titans haven't done well on the road (3-5) or on offense since Week 7. In its past 10 games, Tennessee hasn't been able to score more than 24 points.

Furthermore, Tennessee has problems guarding pass-catching running backs and tight ends. Per Football Outsiders, the Titans allow 59.7 receiving yards per game to tight ends (9.1 more than the league average) and 58.3 yards to running backs (14.2 more).

That might be a problem against a Chiefs team with three excellent pass-catching weapons, two of which are running back Kareem Hunt and tight end Travis Kelce. Kansas City should take this one barring the Titans offense resembling its more successful 2016 form.

Pick: Chiefs 27, Titans 13

No. 6 Atlanta Falcons at No. 3 Los Angeles Rams: Saturday, 8:15 p.m. ET on NBC

Two of the best players in football (Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones and Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley) will take center stage on Saturday night.

Both have the ability to almost single-handedly will their teams to victory with dominant performances. Most notably, Jones accrued 253 receiving yards and two touchdowns in a 34-20 win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this year, and Gurley amassed 276 yards from scrimmage and two scores in a 27-23 victory against the Tennessee Titans.

On paper, it looks like Gurley has a better matchup than Jones on Saturday. The Falcons allow 4.1 yards per rush (19th in the NFL) and, per Football Outsiders, the fourth-most receiving yards to running backs (52.6).

Of course, Jones is nearly matchup-proof and could conceivably have a big game here, but the stage might be set for the scorching-hot Gurley (no fewer than 128 yards from scrimmage in his last five games) to lead the Rams to victory with a big game.

Pick: Rams 27, Falcons 24

No. 6 Buffalo Bills at No. 3 Jacksonville Jaguars: Sunday, 1:05 p.m. ET on CBS

Like the other AFC wild-card matchup, there's a discernible home vs. road split. Specifically, the Buffalo Bills are just 3-5 away from Orchard Park, New York.

For whatever reason, the Bills can't get the run game going on the road: Starting running back LeSean McCoy averaged just 3.3 yards per carry compared to a stellar 4.5 in New Era Stadium.

McCoy is a fantastic running back who just gained 1,000 yards from scrimmage or more for his eighth straight season, however, so it'd be no surprise if he could get it going against a Jaguars defense that allowed 4.3 yards per carry (26th in the NFL).

However, McCoy's status for Sunday is cloudy after he suffered a sprained ankle against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday. Bills head coach Sean McDermott says that McCoy has a "chance" to play Sunday, but even if he does suit up, one has to wonder how effective he will be coming off an injury that forced him to leave his most recent matchup.

If McCoy can't go, it's hard to see Buffalo moving the ball, which could lead to a blowout.

Pick: Jaguars 31, Bills 10 (if no McCoy)

No. 5 Carolina Panthers at No. 4 New Orleans Saints: Sunday, 4:40 p.m. ET on Fox

These are running back Alvin Kamara's yards-from-scrimmage totals since backfield mate Adrian Peterson was traded from the New Orleans Saints after Week 4: 87, 107, 76, 150, 138, 116, 188, 126, 27, 89, 90, 128.

These are Kamara's touch totals in those games: 13, 14, 11, 16, 17, 14, 11, 14, 4, 18, 19, 15.

It should come as no surprise, then, that Kamara led all qualified running backs in defense-adjusted value over average, per Football Outsiders. In other words, no other runner with 100 or more rushes was more efficient with his usage per play.

Kamara is also a special teams weapon, as evidenced by his 106-yard return for a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last Sunday.

The Carolina Panthers have a stout defense, but given Kamara's increased usage in the past three weeks (17.3 touches per game), they might have more of a problem than usual containing the former University of Tennessee star. He'll lead the way to a win and divisional-round berth.

Pick: Saints 24, Panthers 16