NFL Playoff Schedule 2018: Postseason Picture Predictions for Wild Card Round

Wild Card Weekend will feature three matchups that we didn't see during the regular season. One contest brings division rivals together for a third time with higher stakes. 

The Tennessee Titans and Kansas City Chiefs ended the 2017 campaign on different notes. Will the Titans rediscover their offense against a defensive unit that struggled through the second half of the season? Can the Chiefs extend their win streak to five games?

In an NFC matchup, the No. 1 scoring offense in 2016 faces the top unit in that category for the current season. In a draft profile, NFL Media's Lance Zierlein compared Jared Goff to Matt Ryan. Now, the two quarterbacks will compete for a spot in the divisional round. 

At the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, the New Orleans Saints will try for a third consecutive win over the Carolina Panthers. Will defensive coordinator Steve Wilks figure out a way to slow down the league's No. 4 scoring offense? 

The Jacksonville Jaguars and Buffalo Bills ended lengthy playoff droughts; which team takes their year a step further with a victory to stay in the hunt for the Lombardi Trophy?

Check out the time and dates for each Wild Card Weekend matchup followed by breakdowns and predictions.

Wild Card Round

Saturday, January 6

Tennessee Titans at Kansas City Chiefs: 4:35 p.m. ET, ESPN/ABC, WatchESPN

Atlanta Falcons at Los Angeles Rams: 8:15 p.m. ET, NBC, NBC Sports

Sunday, January 7

Buffalo Bills at Jacksonville Jaguars: 1:05 p.m. ET, CBS, CBS All Access 

Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints: 4:40 p.m. ET, Fox, Fox Sports Go

Matchup Predictions

Tennessee Titans at Kansas City Chiefs 

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The Chiefs rode a complete rollercoaster ride through their 2017 campaign. They started the season 5-0, lost six of the next seven contests and finished on a four-game win streak.

For most of the year, Tennessee played like a playoff-caliber team and squeaked into the postseason at 9-7. The offense sputtered over the final quarter of the term, though quarterback Marcus Mariota's legs and running back Derrick Henry's 66-yard touchdown run helped snap a three-game skid in Week 17 against the Jaguars. 

The Chiefs defense will allow yards, but defensive coordinator Bob Sutton's unit typically bends but doesn't break. The Titans convert 52.5 percent of their red-zone trips into touchdowns, which ranks 19th in the league, per Team Rankings.

Running back DeMarco Murray's status isn't clear for this contest, but with or without him, Tennessee's 19th-ranked scoring offense won't put up enough points to match the Chiefs' high-powered unit, which ranks sixth in the league. 

Prediction: Chiefs 31, Titans 20

Atlanta Falcons at Los Angeles Rams

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The Los Angeles Rams have become the league's most surprising success story. After the Rams endured five sub-.500 seasons under former head coach Jeff Fisher, 31-year-old Sean McVay has quickly built an offensive juggernaut, which leads the NFL in scoring.

At times, we see glimpses of the Atlanta Falcons offense that led the league in scoring during the 2016 campaign. This unit put 30 or more points in four contests and failed to eclipse 13 points in three outings. Which team will show up at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday? 

The Falcons' run defense, which held their previous four opponents under the century mark on the ground will face a tough challenge in stopping running back Todd Gurley, who's also a major threat in the passing attack with 788 receiving yards.

Atlanta's lack of offensive consistency will hurt its chance at advancing to the NFC Divisional Round. The Rams' offensive unit should come away with at least 28 points and a victory.

Prediction: Rams 28, Falcons 24

Buffalo Bills at Jacksonville Jaguars

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The Jaguars won their first division title since 1999 but enter the postseason on a two-game skid. Nonetheless, this team has a defensive unit that evens the playing field against most opponents.

The Bills return to the playoffs for the first time since 2000. Rick Dennison's offense isn't enjoyable to watch, ranking 22nd in scoring, but quarterback Tyrod Taylor won't put his team in a bad position with too many poor decisions.

Taylor's strength could also become his weakness when trailing. He's not a quarterback who's going to erase a double-digit deficit with ease. The Bills have the 30th-ranked run defense that's allowed 22 rushing touchdowns. Running back Leonard Fournette should help the Jaguars to a fast start.

According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, running back LeSean McCoy suffered a sprained ankle against the Miami Dolphins in Week 17. There's still a possibility that he'll suit up Saturday: 

McCoy's limitations will hurt Buffalo's ability to move the football with a shutdown secondary on the field. In a physical, low-scoring matchup, the Jaguars should be able to overpower the Bills at home.

Prediction: Jaguars 21, Bills 17

Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints

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The Panthers just missed out on an NFC South title due to a loss to the Falcons. Nonetheless, with quarterback Cam Newton healthy, this team has a chance to win whether hosting a playoff game or on the road. 

Despite a Week 17 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Saints won the division title to clinch a home playoff game. According to Team Rankings, this squad averages 30.1 points at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome and 25.9 on the road. A four-point difference may not seem like a lot, but it matters in a postseason contest that could come down to a three-point margin.

It's the third matchup between the two clubs. New Orleans swept the season series with Carolina, winning by a double-digit margin in both contests.

Similar to the regular-season games, the Saints offense will bring too much for the Panthers to handle. Carolina's methodical pound-it attack won't keep pace with the plethora of assets surrounding quarterback Drew Brees on the perimeter and the backfield.

Prediction: Saints 30, Panthers 24