AFC Wild Card
(5) Las Vegas Raiders at (4) Cincinnati Bengals
Raiders: What a game that was they played in on Sunday night. It was also one of the best games I saw during the entire 2021 season. What more could you want? A win and you’re in situation to get yourself into the postseason. They were able to slide by the Los Angeles Chargers to clinch the final spot when it appeared that both teams were content with tying the game and both would be playing playoff football. I’ve been saying it the last few weeks and I will say it again. This is a mentally tough football team. Most franchises would throw the towel in or they wouldn’t be able to recover, especially with everything the Raiders went through this year. The offense has firepower, however, the most consistent piece to the puzzle is Derek Carr. In other words, they are not here without him. Vegas got a boost with Darren Waller back. When he’s on the field, that’s the one guy you must circle in on at all times. Anybody but him beating you on the field. I’m not a big fan of this defense. After Maxx Crosby, who else do you try to zoom in on? I noticed that a lot on Sunday night. Maxx was the only guy getting home and making plays. Others must step up. They will kick off the Wild Card round on Saturday afternoon in Cincy.
Bengals: There are two surprises in this years’ playoff bracket. This is by far one of them. In a division that was so up and down by the week, they were the team that stood out and ended up winning when it mattered the most. Zac Taylor has a good thing building up I feel and he deserves some love for Coach of the Year because this group came out of nowhere and shocked many. How could anyone not respect Joe Burrow? This kid is a gamer and feels he can come away with six points every time he’s on the field. This is my pick to win Comeback Player of the Year. Joe makes every throw and can take a game over with his arm. Look what he did against the Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs in back-to-back weeks. While the offense is fun to watch, the defense worries me because they don’t do much of anything unless they’re blitzing to get after the quarterback. Also, the inconsistent play of the defense forces the offense to sustain long drives to take pressure off the other side of the football. The Bengals are back playing playoff football for the first time since the 2015 season. Here’s how long it’s been. Marvin Lewis was their head coach still and Andy Dalton was still their quarterback. They’re back in the jungle on Saturday.
Raiders X-Factor: Bryan Edwards– This is another receiver Carr has depended on as the year has gone on. With Renfrow and Waller commanding the attention they do, Bryan often sees many one on one coverages that he capitalizes upon. He has strong hands at the point of the catch and is a difficult guy to tackle with the football in his hands.
Bengals X-Factor: C.J. Uzomah– He fits in perfectly for this Cincy offense. Burrow normally gets him the ball when he’s using that play-action fake. Don’t let the height and build fool you. C.J. can move well in space with the ball in his hands. He can get down the field and Burrow will find him when Chase, Boyd or Higgins aren’t open. I like when the Bengals get him the ball on those tight-end screens.
Final Thoughts: It’s playoff time! When the Raiders last made the playoffs, Jack Del Rio was coaching the team and Derek, unfortunately, couldn’t play because of a broken leg. Both quarterbacks are making their postseason debuts. Every time the Raiders are in the red area, the Bengals must double Renfrow because this is who the quarterback will target each chance he can get. Las Vegas can score and generate offense, but I don’t think they can consistently do it and keep up with the Bengals for four quarters. The Bengals haven’t won a playoff game since 1990. Is this the year they finally get one?
Prediction: Bengals 34, Raiders 23
