thelesterlee
2025 NFL Wild Card Weekend is upon us and despite my beloved New York Giants being nowhere near advancing to the tourney, I think I’ll still watch the games.
But not all football games are created equal.
We learned that on Christmas Day. Just because two teams have great win-loss records doesn’t mean it’ll automatically translate into a genuinely fun game to watch.
So let’s rank the 2025 NFL Wild Card Weekend games based on what I believe has the best chance to be an exciting game, as opposed to a boring punt-fest or one-sided beatdown.
6. Los Angeles Chargers vs. Houston Texans
I don’t know what happened to CJ Stroud and this Texans offense but get ready to see a ton of punts.
The Texans have the 5th most punts all season.
Houston is limping into the playoffs, having lost 2 of their final 3 games with the final win of the season coming in a game where the starters rested.
Stefon Diggs is hurt. Tank Dell’s leg exploded. Joe Mixon is missing.
CJ Stroud is finally starting to look like every previous Ohio State quarterback who set records in college and had no idea how to read an NFL defense.
The Texans offense has been struggling and they’re going up against Jim Harbaugh’s Chargers.
If Los Angeles goes up 3-0, they may exclusively call run plays for the remainder of the game as both teams have a punt-off for field position.
This playoff game is about to feel like sitting through a Sunday sermon from the elderly pastor who frequently loses his train of thought.
5. Green Bay Packers vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Jalen Hurts still has a concussion. Jordan Love injured his elbow.
And I typically love watching backup quarterbacks.
They either fail in a way that makes them look like they were pulled off the street earlier that morning or they exceed expectations, overproducing and giving local radio hosts easy content ideas to get their radio lines buzzing by suggesting the backup becomes the starter.
But I’m more into that around like, Week 11.
In the playoffs, I want the best, most talented players on the field.
No one sat through 18 weeks of football to watch Tanner McKee in a playoff game.
These two teams started their season in an odd Friday night game in Brazil during what looked like a monsoon. The Eagles won 34-29. It was an exciting game despite players falling to the ground like someone was at home prodding a vodoo doll.
But this weekend isn’t that.
We’re about to witness Malik Willis vs. Kenny Pickett.
We don’t deserve this.
4. Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens
Lamar Jackson looks like the best athlete on the planet right now.
Hey man, Lamar Jackson is obviously the MVP. We all understand this, right? pic.twitter.com/pEqVIZmmE3
— Dead Serious (@Deadseriousness) January 5, 2025
Meanwhile, the Steelers offense looks like this:
Yikes: George Pickens had three drops so far tonight…pic.twitter.com/MmpwkB0siQ
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) January 5, 2025
This game may be over by the end of the first quarter.
But honestly, the real reason this Steelers-Ravens game is low on these rankings is Lamar Jackson.
See, if you’re a Lamar supporter, you hate the playoffs.
All of a sudden the most dynamic running QB in NFL history is glued to the pocket—forcing throws to receivers who simply aren’t as talented as he is—instead of taking off and running every single time there’s an inch of ground in front of him.
Lamar may win his 3rd MVP and the media will talk about him like he’s Kyle Boller if he doesn’t start winning more playoff games.
3. Denver Broncos vs. Buffalo Bills
Either the Bills blow the Broncos out, the Broncos shock the world and beat up on Buffalo or it’s a nailbiter to the final minute but I don’t think there’s anyway I don’t enjoy this game.
If the Bills beat the brakes off Denver then I will replay the video of Sean Payton patting himself on the back for drafting Bo Nix like he tricked the teams ahead of him to let Dan Marino fall to Denver.
I’m very much okay with mocking Sean Payton and Bo Nix. That costume fits well on me.
And I’m not opposed to more Josh Allen Superman moments.
apparently the NFL is scoring this as a Josh Allen touchdown pass AND a Josh Allen touchdown catchpic.twitter.com/9LSD5kBKNS
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) December 2, 2024
But I’m also okay with a Broncos stunner.
Bo Nix has thrown multiple touchdowns in 4 straight games, including a 321-yard, 4 touchdown bludgeoning of the Kansas City Chiefs to end the year.
To those who doubted Bo Nix’s arm strength due to Oregon’s short passing game, I’d like to point out this touchdown pass traveled 70 yards in the air.
— Doctor Gridiron (@DrGridiron_MD) December 29, 2024
Bo can toss that bitch.
Bills and Broncos could be the game of the weekend.
2. Minnesota Vikings vs. Los Angeles Rams
The Los Angeles Rams shouldn’t be here. They’re playing on borrowed time.
Aaron Donald retired. Matty Stafford’s arm has fallen off several times. Sean McVay has flirted with the idea of retirement.
Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua are stuffed with exotic painkillers veterinarians use to put down house cats.
The Rams are the only team in the postseason with a negative point differential.
Not only did this team somehow make the playoffs but they won their division, although that may have more to say about how disappointing the 49ers and Cardinals were.
None of that regular season shit matters.
The records are 0-0 now. Can you out-scheme Sean McVay in one game?
Kevin O’Connell might.
WOW. SAM DARNOLD TO JUSTIN JEFFERSON FOR A 97-YARD TD!pic.twitter.com/5XZ1yTEorF
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 15, 2024
Sam Darnold went from a mouth-breathing mono patient in touch with ghosts and spirits to one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL helping send Justin Jefferson directly to the Hall of Fame.
I wouldn’t be surprised if either of these teams represented the NFC in the Super Bowl. This is the NFC Championship for football nerds.
1. Washington Commanders vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Everyone, including myself, is handing the MVP Awards to Lamar Jackson and/or Josh Allen but can we talk about what Jayden Daniels and Baker Mayfield have done for their teams?
From beating the Chicago Bears and Caleb Williams with a last-second hail mary to beating the Dallas Cowboys in the final game of the year with a game-winning pass to Terry McLaurin in the corner of the endzone—Jayden Daniels has pulled Washington wins out of a hat.
He’s so special, he’s getting his offensive coordinator, Kliff Kingsbury, head coaching looks after he failed with the Cardinals and purchased a one-way ticket to Ladyboy heaven.
TERRY MCLAURIN FOR THE WIN! pic.twitter.com/h5M2NQaZP7
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) January 5, 2025
MEANWHILE, Baker Mayfield put together the best season of his career, finally earning that no. 1 overall selection.
Baker Mayfield to Jalen McMillan who manages to stay inbounds for a Touchdown pic.twitter.com/ZbCWJpHfqp
— Highlight Vault (@HighlightVault) January 5, 2025
Jayden’s speed and accuracy make him a special talent but Baker overcoming his lack of those things makes this season incredible.
Baker is slow as shit but does not hesitate to take off on 3rd down if he believes he can move the sticks. What he lacks in accuracy, he makes up with unearned confidence in whatever decision he’s making. He’s like Ryan Fitzpatrick without the interceptions and head blood.
No doubt in my mind we’re about to see a game that gets decided in the final moments.
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