Andrew Luck and the Colts beat the Texans, 24-21, in...

Andrew Luck and the Colts beat the Texans, 24-21, in Week 14. Credit: Getty Images/Frederick Breedon

The NFL could not have drawn up a more exciting regular season. From prime-time instant classics to the final playoff spot literally being decided in the last game of the season, it was one to remember. Will we get an encore in the playoffs?

Seven of the 12 teams were not in the playoffs last season and all of them play this weekend. The AFC is completely wide open, with teams seeded from 1-6 having a shot to get to the Super Bowl. In the NFC, the Saints will be a tough out at home, but the Rams and Bears could have something to say about that.

Wild-card weekend shapes up to be a fun one, with all four games under a touchdown spread and three of them under a field goal. Three of the games are a rematch, or for Colts-Texans a three-match, while the Eagles and Bears face off for the first time this season.

SATURDAY'S GAMES

LOCK OF THE WEEK

COLTS (10-6) AT TEXANS (11-5)

TV: Ch. 7, ESPN, 4:35 p.m.

Texans by 1; O/U: 48.5

When the Texans won at Indianapolis in Week 4, a 37-34 overtime decision, each team's record stood at 1-3. They now enter the playoffs as two of the NFL's hottest teams, with Houston having won 11 of 13 and Indy going on a 9-1 tear after a 1-5 start. Interestingly, Houston's nine-game win streak that began at Indy was ended by the Colts in Week 14, a 24-21 final in which Andrew Luck and T.Y. Hilton had a field day against the Texans' secondary. Hilton is dealing with an ankle injury but he should be ready to go. Houston's stadium brings out the best in him: Hilton had nine catches for 199 yards in Week 14, bringing his career totals to 41 catches for 933 yards and seven TDs in seven games at NRG Stadium. Round 3 of Colts-Texans should be another close one with lots of big plays and points. I give the edge to the Colts, who also have a versatile back in Marlon Mack and a game-changing offensive line that can contain the Texans' front seven. Luck was sacked an NFL-low 18 times this season. On the flip side, Deshaun Watson was sacked an NFL-high 62 times, 12 of them by the Colts (8-7-1 ATS). DeAndre Hopkins will have a strong game as usual, but not having Demaryius Thomas hurts the passing game for the Texans (8-7-1 ATS). Luck and the Colts, who needed a Week 17 win at Tennessee to clinch their spot, are a dangerous 6 seed that can make a super run this postseason.

The pick: Colts

The score: Colts 30, Texans 23

SEAHAWKS (10-6) AT COWBOYS (10-6)

TV: Ch. 5, 8:15 p.m.

Cowboys by 2; O/U: 43

Be honest: The first thing you thought about when this matchup was scheduled for Saturday night was The Tony Romo Game, right? On the eve of the 12-year anniversary of the botched field-goal hold, which resulted in a 21-20 Seattle win, these franchises meet in the wild-card round again. Expect another close finish that could also be determined by a big play late. This is a rematch of Week 3, a 24-13 win for Seattle in its home opener that left both teams at 1-2. Since then, each has gone 9-4 to make surprising playoff runs. Seattle (9-5-2 ATS), led by Chris Carson, is first in the NFL with 160 rushing yards per game; Ezekiel Elliott and Dallas (8-7-1 ATS) finished 10th at 122.7. Whichever defense does a better job stopping the run will be the difference. Dallas is fifth best, allowing just 94.6; Seattle is 13th at 113.2. This pick basically comes down to whom you trust in a close game: Russell Wilson and Pete Carroll or Dak Prescott and Jason Garrett? Seattle's QB-coach duo has a Super Bowl ring and 8-4 playoff record together, including 3-0 in the wild-card round. Don't bet against Wilson in prime time: He's 22-5-1 straight up, including 3-1 this season. He's also 4-1 against Dallas.

The pick: Seahawks

The score: Seahawks 23, Cowboys 20

Chris Carson goes airborne during Seahawks' win over the Panthers....

Chris Carson goes airborne during Seahawks' win over the Panthers. The Seattle running game should have success against the Chiefs' defense Sunday night Credit: Getty Images North America/Grant Halverson

SUNDAY'S GAMES

CHARGERS (12-4) AT RAVENS (10-6)

TV: Ch. 2, 1:05 p.m.

Ravens by 3; O/U: 42

This is the toughest game to call. The Chargers had the second-best record in the AFC, but their loss at home to the Ravens in Week 16 essentially cost them the No. 1 seed. An early road game is never ideal for a West Coast team, but the Chargers, who went 7-1 away from their tiny stadium, may be the exception. You'll hear a lot about how it's hard for a team to beat another team twice in three weeks, that the Chargers will now know how to stop Lamar Jackson and the Ravens' run-heavy offense because they just saw it. I am not in that camp. I think the edge goes to Baltimore, whose offense had countless opportunities in the 22-10 win at L.A. and will know how to attack even better this time. It was a 16-10 game late until Antonio Gates' fumble was returned for a touchdown, but the Ravens' offense dictated tempo all game. Gus Edwards (14 carries for 92 yards) led the way as they totaled 159 yards on 35 carries. Jackson had his best passing game that night, too, throwing for 204 yards, including a 68-yard TD. The Ravens' defense dominated the line of scrimmage, frustrating Philip Rivers (181 yards, two interceptions). On the very first play of the game, Rivers was picked on a deep ball down the sideline. Baltimore (9-7 ATS) will put the pressure on him again, and it has the secondary to cover the Bolts' talented receivers. Since Jackson took over in Week 11, Baltimore has won six of seven games and averaged nearly 230 rushing yards. Defenses know what to expect and still can't stop it. Look for the Ravens to take some shots downfield when the Chargers (9-7 ATS) least expect it. The Chargers were my preseason pick to make the Super Bowl, but I don't like this matchup for them and you have to pick games based on the present, not the past. Baltimore's run game and defense will be too much.

The pick: Ravens

The score: Ravens 24, Chargers 17

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - DECEMBER 16: Quarterback Lamar Jackson #8 of...

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - DECEMBER 16: Quarterback Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens runs with the ball in the first half against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at M&T Bank Stadium on December 16, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) Credit: Getty Images/Rob Carr

EAGLES (9-7) AT BEARS (12-4)

TV: Ch. 4, 4:40 p.m.

Bears by 6; O/U: 41

The defending champs experienced the so-called Super Bowl hangover for much of the season, but a 5-1 finish catapulted the Eagles to a wild-card spot. Philadelphia can also thank Chicago, whose win at Minnesota in Week 17 kept the Vikings out and let the Eagles in. Some might say that the Bears should have wanted to face Kirk Cousins instead of Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles. Yes, Philly is a more dangerous opponent than Minnesota, but would you really want to face a division opponent a week after it beat you to clinch its spot? So here we are, Matt Nagy doing his old pal Doug Pederson a favor. The pair were on Andy Reid's staff together in Kansas City, so this chess match should be a fun one. Many will say not to bet against the Foles magic, especially not getting this many points. But I see this game differently. Chicago is not garnering the respect it deserves. It has the NFL's best scoring defense (17.7 points per game allowed) and yields the third-fewest yards at 299.7. The Bears (12-4 ATS) also have an NFL-best 36 takeaways, including a whopping 27 interceptions (the next most is 21). The Bears' defense is so much more than just Khalil Mack, with an opportunistic secondary and a number of defensive linemen who will get after Foles and his bruised ribs. Mitchell Trubisky won't need to outduel Foles, and his ability to scramble should extend drives. Look for Chicago to stop the last-season magic by the Eagles (7-9 ATS) as it sets up a divisional-round rematch with the Rams, whom Chicago derailed, 15-6, on Sunday night in Week 14.

The pick: Bears

The score: Bears 27, Eagles 16

Chicago Bears inside linebacker Roquan Smith, right, celebrates with teammates...

Chicago Bears inside linebacker Roquan Smith, right, celebrates with teammates after intercepting a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Chicago. Credit: AP/Nam Y. Huh

STAFF PICKS

(best bets in bold)

JOE MANNIELLO

113-135-8 overall, 9-8 best bets

Colts Seahawks

Ravens Bears

BOB GLAUBER

115-133-8, 6-11

Texans Seahawks 

Ravens Eagles

TOM ROCK

126-122-8, 7-10

Texans Cowboys

Chargers Bears

AL IANNAZZONE

134-114-8, 11-6

Texans Seahawks 

Chargers Bears

FLASH SALE

$1 FOR ONE YEAR

Unlimited Digital Access

SUBSCRIBE NOW >>Cancel anytime - new subscribers only