As we wave goodbye to another NFL regular season, we also welcome a fascinatingly intricate slate of playoff games that features some storylines that have been brewing throughout the season. Ranging from Aaron Rodgers’ “we can run the table,” to Tom Brady’s deflategate suspension fueling his wrath as he torches middling AFC teams on his way to another Lombardi Trophy, these playoffs are a guaranteed prime time spectacle. Starting off with an interesting wild card round packed with familiar faces, as well as some newcomers, it is time for your weekly previews and predictions.

Standings: Daniel 40-36 Eddie: 45-31

Note: The stats collected in this article are attributed to NFL Research’s twitter account, and ESPN’s NFL Stats

Saturday Games:

Oakland Raiders @ Houston Texans

Eddie: While most of the focus this week will go to the potential lack of quality in the quarterback play this week, this is also a defensive showdown between two top five picks in the 2014 draft; edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney-- taken first overall by Houston-- and edge rusher Khalil Mack-- taken fifth overall by Oakland. Clowney just got his first pro bowl nod this season, finally living up to his first round expectations, and he will finally be featured on a national prime time stage for him to feast on an offensive line that has two pro bowlers on the injury report; G Kelechi Osemele (ankle, limited practice) and T Donald Penn (knee, did not practice). However, the edge has to go to the Raiders due to the horrible play of QB Brock Osweiler, one of two players with 10+ starts to record a negative TD to Int ratio-- the other one being Ryan Fitzpatrick.
Winner: Connor Cook shows why he went 34-5 during his college career at Michigan State. The Oakland Raiders win this one.

Daniel: In a game that will feature horrible quarterback play, with Connor Cook starting for Oakland. Cook is a rookie making his first career start in a road playoff game against a defensive line that likes to hit the quarterback. The loss of offensive lineman Donald Penn will be a factor for the big boys up front of the Raiders, as they will look to utilize the run game of Latavius Murray, DeAndre Washington, and Jalen Richard to help relieve some of the pressure off the rookie. The Texans will welcome back the million dollar man, Brock Osweiler under center. Can he deliver on the house money the Houston franchise paid him this past off season? What will help for the Texans will be the return of running back Lamar Miller, who was inactive for the past two weeks. Will the run game and the occasional big play to wide out DeAndre Hopkins be enough to contain the monster on the defensive line, Khalil Mack? Winner: Texans, Raiders lose the juice once Carr said it was broken.

Detroit Lions @ Seattle Seahawks

Eddie: The Detroit Lions never led at the beginning of the fourth quarter this season--except for the thrashing of the New Orleans--however, they were still able to have a positive record and advance to the playoffs thanks to a magical season for QB Matthew Stafford. Stafford’s numbers won’t wow anyone, but his ability to make big plays in the most clutch situations to lead Detroit to comeback wins should be applauded and valued highly as part of his intangibles as a quarterback. However the stats do not seem to favor him, as the Lions have lost eight straight playoff games (tied for the longest streak in NFL history). On the Seattle side of things, everything seems lined up for another triumphant postseason run. The Seahawks have won nine straight playoff games at home, and two of their top players--QB Russell Wilson and WR Doug Baldwin--are ranked within the top five at their respective positions, as per Pro Football Focus’ metrics.
Winner: The Seattle Seahawks will be too strong as a collective for Detroit to beat.

Daniel: Can quarterback Matthew Stafford deliver a road playoff win against a defense that is hurting with injuries in its heart and soul, "the legion of boom?" The injury to safety Earl Thomas has left this team marked with drama and vulnerability. Corner Richard Sherman's lashing out to the media or his own coaches, has caused some concern, but the fact that the Hawks will have the “12s” at home will be the deciding factor. Russell Wilson will have a field day with this Lions secondary that is injury depleted, they allow more than 70 percent of completions to opposing QBs. The Seahawks will find a way to get a big play from the defense, and will mix it up with the run and pass. Seattle advances with hopes of cashing in on getting hot. Detroit will depend on the arm of Stafford.
Winner: Seattle, defense makes a big play.

Sunday’s Games:

Miami Dolphins @ Pittsburgh Steelers

Eddie: This Miami defense has the toughest assignment in the league in containing Le’Veon Bell. The Dolphins rank 30th in the league in rushing defense, allowing the league’s highest 4.8 yards per carry, and a grand total of 2247 rushing yards. If this wasn’t enough, CB Byron Maxwell--who had a career against WR Antonio Brown during their regular season outing-- will miss this game having not practiced at all this week. Maxwell had a shutdown performance against Brown, surrendering four catches in eight targets for 29 yards. Miami’s best bet on offense is the running game, which shredded the Steelers during the regular season meeting. However, aside from a 206 rushing yards performance against the Buffalo Bills, RB Jay Ajayi has not had a 100+yards on the ground since week seven against the New York Jets. The league has seen Ajayi destroy defenses, and his ability is unquestioned, but can he pick up the momentum and single handedly beat Pittsburgh again?
Winner: The Steelers offense is a different beast at home, and the Dolphins might not be able to catch up because of QB Matt Moore’s lack of playoff experience. The Steelers advance to the Divisional Round.

Daniel: If the Dolphins can muster up the same rushing performance this team did a couple weeks ago to this same poor Steelers rush defense then the Fins have a shot at pulling off the upset. If they establish the run game early pressure will be on the defense to see if they can contain this explosive offense the Steelers possess. The monster trio on offense is led by quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, followed by every down running back Le'Veon Bell, and playmaker Antonio Brown. Those are not the only weapons Big Ben has at his disposal however, he should be getting wide receiver Sammie Coates back, and don't sleep on his tight end--who should clear concussion protocol--Ladarius Green. Big Ben has way too many weapons compared to this Dolphin team that will look to rely solely on the run.
Winner: Steelers. In the AFC the only active quarterbacks that have represented the conference at the Super Bowl are Big Ben and Tom Brady, Big Ben starts his quest at another chance to represent the division in the big game.

New York Giants @ Green Bay Packers

Eddie: The tiring “Playoff Eli” narratives are in full effect at the moment. Every television program that is related to the NFL even in the slightest has mentioned the fact that Giants QB, Eli Manning has won two Super Bowls with underwhelming records as a tremendous underdog. However, this New York defense is no underdog. The self-proclaimed “NYPD”--New York Pass Defense-- average more than one takeaway a game, and are led by All-Pro S Landon Collins, a special player that can play as an in-box safety, has vastly improved in coverage, and can deliver devastating hits to opposing receivers and running backs. It is tragic that despite this nice defensive season by the Giants they have to face one of the best quarterbacks and offenses in the league in Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay offense.
Winner: Green Bay Packers.

Daniel: The G-men look to battle this red hot Packers team that has been running the table for the past several weeks. In the NFL it is all about who is the hottest team in December as they make their way toward the postseason. This season’s team is the Packers. Improved play all around from the defense that hasn’t allowed the big points like it used to, but what will hurt them is their injuries in the secondary, Quinten Rollins and Damarious Randall. Clay Matthews and Julius Peppers will look to contain this Giants offense with its sharp and elusive receivers, Odell Beckham Jr., rookie Sterling Shepard, and veteran Victor Cruz. This Giants team will be looking at its quarterback to lead them to victory. Playoff Eli, the resume: most passing yards in a single postseason--1,219 yards-2011--most road playoff wins, nine, and is the reason why the Tom Brady and the Patriots don’t have two more rings. Oh, and did I mention he is 2-0 against the Green Bay at Lambeau in the playoffs? If playoff Eli comes out and play, who's really running the table now?
Winner: Playoff Eli, he’s itching for a rematch against the Cowboys in the playoffs.