NFL “Wild Card” Playoff Games This Weekend

AFC Conference

BUFFALO (10-6) at HOUSTON (10-6) 3:35 p.m.

Saturday at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX. (ABC and ESPN)—This looks to be an even-Steven game on paper with both teams coming into this loser-go-home event with equal records and with both teams coming off losses to weaker opponents they already beat earlier in the season.

I like the Texans in this game, not only for their home-field advantage, but also for the way they finished the season, minus Sunday’s season-ender.

My Projected Score—Houston 23-Buffalo 17.

TENNESSEE (9-7) at NEW ENGLAND (12-4) 7:15 p.m.

Saturday at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA. (CBS)—The Patriots don’t appear to be Super Bowl favorites this season, but it’s a sure bet Head Coach Bill Belichick will whip them in shape for the playoffs and ageless quarterback Tom Brady will lead them to a hard-fought victory Saturday night.

My Projected Score--New England 27-Tennessee 21.

Bye week for Baltimore (14-2) and Kansas City (12-4).

NFC Conference

MINNESOTA (10-6) at NEW ORLEANS (13-3) 12:05 P.M. Sunday at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, La.

(NBC)—The Saints have been red- hot, especially in the Superdome with quarterback Drew Brees having a record-setting season.

Minnesota lacks a good rushing attack which will hurt immensely.

My Projected Score--New Orleans 45-Minnesota 27.

SEATTLE (11-5) at PHILADELPHIA (9-7) 3:40 p.m.

Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pa.

(Fox)—This should be quite a great matchup with the Eagles having the home field advantage while the Seahawks have the better quarterback and head coach.

Don’t be surprised if this game goes right down to the wire with Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson having one of his patented winning drives as time is running out.

My Projected Score--Seattle 27-Philadelphia 24.

Bye week for Green Bay (13-3) and San Francisco (13-3).

Bowl Games This Week

Belk Bowl 11 a.m. Today at Charlotte, N.C. (ESPN)—Virginia Tech (8-4) over Kentucky (7-5). Sun Bowl 1 p.m. Today at El Paso, TX. (CBS)—Arizona State (7-5) over Florida State (6-6). Liberty Bowl 2:45 p.m. Today at Memphis, TN. (ESPN)—Kansas State (8-4) over Navy (9-2). Arizona Bowl 3:30 p.m. Today at Tucson AZ. (CBSSN)—Wyoming (7-5) over Georgia State (7-5).

Alamo Bowl 6:30 p.m.

Today at San Antonio, TX. (ESPN)—Utah (11-2) over Texas 7-5).

Citrus Bowl Noon Wed.

at Orlando, Fla.

(ABC)—Alabama (10-2) over Michigan (9-3).

Outback Bowl Noon Wed.

at Tampa, Fla.

(ESPN)—Auburn (9-3) over Minnesota (10- 2).

Rose Bowl 4 p.m.

Wed.

at Pasadena, Calif.

(ESPN)—Wisconsin (10-3) over Oregon (11-2).

Sugar Bowl 7:45 p.m.

Wed.

at New Orleans, La.

(ESPN)—Georgia (11-2) over Baylor (11-2).

Birmingham Bowl 2 p.m.

Thursday at Birmingham, Ala.

(ESPN)—Cincinnati (10-3) over Boston College (6-6).

Gator Bowl 5 p.m.

Thursday at Jacksonville, Fla.

(ESPN)—Tennessee (7-5) over Indiana (8-4).

Idaho Potato Bowl 2:30 p.m.

Friday at Boise, Idaho (ESPN)—Ohio (6-6) over Nevada (7-5).

Armed Forces Bowl 10:30 p.m.

Sat, at Fort Worth, TX. (ESPN)—Tulane (9- 6) over Southern Mississippi (7-5).

Lending Tree Bowl 6:30 p.m.

Monday at Mobile, Ala.

(ESPN)—Louisiana- Lafayette (10-3) over Miami (Ohio) (8-5).