For the first time in NFL history, 14 teams will compete in the playoffs on the road to Super Bowl LV at the Raymond James Stadium in Tampa Bay, Florida, on Sunday 7th February 2021.

Despite the alarming COVID-19 statistics in the United States, this NFL season has been conducted without any fixture cancellations as the regular season ended last weekend and now moves into the Wild Card round. The ceremonial Pro Bowl, played between the top players in the NFC and AFC the week before the Super Bowl, has been shelved due to the unique protocols in place.

In the new expanded format, seven teams from each conference will compete with the top seed getting a bye from the Wild Card round. The first round byes were claimed by reigning Super Bowl Champions, Kansas City Chiefs, with a 14-2 record in the AFC, whilst the Green Bay Packers sealed the NFC with a 13-3 record after blitzing the Chicago Bears 35-16 on Sunday.

The NFC and AFC Wild Card rounds get underway this weekend with triple headers across Saturday and Sunday (and Monday if you’re watching in the UK). Find out It’s All Sport To Me’s NFL playoff preview, predictions and where to watch this weekend’s action in the UK:

AFC

Indianapolis Colts (7) @ Buffalo Bills (2) – 18:05 GMT Saturday 9th January, Sky Sports NFL

The Buffalo Bills have looked impeccable over the last few games and are on a run of six consecutive wins. This winning streak included a 38-9 victory against arch rivals New England Patriots and most recently crushed the Miami Dolphins 56-26 on Sunday to end the Dolphins’ playoff hopes. One major sticking point for the Bills is their poor postseason record as they haven’t won a playoff game since 1995.

Their opponents are the Indianapolis Colts who boast one of the best defenses this season. The Colts still needed a victory against the Jacksonville Jaguars with the Dolphins loss to the Bills but they did so at a canter.

This particular AFC tie looks to be the most interesting on paper and kicks off the weekend’s action. The Colts have the head-to-head form but, with the Bills’ Josh Allen firing on all cylinders, the team from New York State should come out on top. In the critical battle on the field, third season Quarterback Allen will face off against 39-year-old veteran, Philip Rivers, who is 3-4 in postseason games.

Prediction: Buffalo Bills

Cleveland Browns (6) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (3) – 01:15 GMT Monday 11th January, Channel 5

Cleveland Browns have finally ended the NFL’s longest playoff drought by making the postseason for the first time since 2002.

They will feel a sense of déjà vu with their opponents, as the Browns secured a nail-biting 24-22 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday to confirm their place. However, the Steelers were playing their reserves for much of the game so the Browns face a tougher prospect this time around and go into the game knowing the Steelers whacked the Browns 38-7 in Week Six.

The Steelers are missing some key starters with cornerback Joe Haden and tight end Eric Ebron on the COVID-19 list. But considering how well the Steelers’ reserves did on Sunday, this weekend should see Pittsburgh come out on top. To make matters worse for the Browns, head coach Kevin Stefanski and four other members of the coaching team and players have tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday 5th January.

Prediction: Pittsburgh Steelers

Baltimore Ravens (5) @ Tennessee Titans (4) – 18:05 GMT Sunday 10th January, Sky Sports NFL

Tennessee Titans enter this match as favourites having won their last two games against the Baltimore Ravens. All eyes will be on Raven’s star QB, Lamar Jackson, who has lost in both playoff games for the team.

The Titans required a last minute 37-yard field goal from Sam Sloman, which fortunately bounced off the upright and over the posts, to get past the Houston Texans 41-38 on Sunday to secure their place.

In their last three games, Tennessee have conceded an average of 34.3 points, indicating defensive struggles heading into the postseason. Both teams are high scoring but with how poor Titan’s defense has been in recent weeks, this is an ideal opportunity for Jackson to change his record and lead the Ravens to avenge their last two defeats to the Titans.

Prediction: Baltimore Ravens

NFC

Chicago Bears (7) @ New Orleans Saints (2) – 21:40 GMT Sunday 10th January, Sky Sports NFL

New Orleans Saints finished the regular season as the NFC South Champions with a 12-4 record, while the Chicago Bears ended up 8-8 and in second place in the NFC North after being blown away by the Green Bay Packers in Week 17.

The Saints and Bears faced each other in New Orleans on November 1st, with the Saints winning 26-23 in overtime. Chicago enter as the rank outsiders but if there is a team that can master the art of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory it is the Saints. From the over time defeat in 2019, the miracle in Minneapolis against the Vikings in 2017 and missing a vital call on a pass interception against the Rams in 2018, the Saints will be looking to end a miserable playoff run.

If the last game between these two are anything to go by, a QB that avoids getting sacked five times should ensure that the Bears have a decent shot of victory. Teams that have entered the playoffs with an 8-8 record are 4-1 in the Wild Card round so the stars might be aligning for a Bears upset.

Prediction: Chicago Bears

Los Angeles Rams (6) @ Seattle Seahawks (3) – 21:40 GMT Saturday 9th January, Sky Sports NFL

Los Angeles Rams are facing a real headache heading into Saturday’s game as QB Jared Goff recovers from thumb surgery sustained in a loss at the Seattle Seahawks in week 16.

The alternative is to play John Wolford, who has a single start in his NFL career, although he did become the first ever player to get over 200 passing yards and over 50 rushing yards in the 18-7 triumph over the Arizona Cardinals last weekend.

The Rams face a Seahawks side that, although offensively have been below par in recent weeks, are 6-0 in postseason home games under Pete Carroll. With the Rams stuck between an inexperienced or rehabilitating QB and the Seahawks having their full starting offense back for only the sixth time this season, the Seahawks should continue that impressive record under Carroll.

Prediction: Seattle Seahawks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5) @ Washington Football Team (4) – 01:15 GMT Sunday 10th January, Sky Sports NFL

For the first time in a 16-game season, Washington Football Team qualified for the playoffs by winning only seven games. Washington deserve plaudits in spite of this record. Not only did they negotiate through a rebranding fallout at the start of the season, but also coach Ron Rivera has led the team whilst battling his own fight with cancer through this season.

Buccaneers have the superior statistics this season with 11-5, but they have only won one game out of six against the teams in the playoffs and veteran QB, Tom Brady, has a miserable 0-3 record against NFC East teams postseason.

Washington certainly have the defense to frustrate Brady. Their mediocre offense will need to up their game to get past Tampa Bay, which has averaged less than 19 points in their past five games. With Super Bowl LV in the Buccaneers’ backyard, this should provide the extra incentive to see off Washington.

Prediction: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Victory over the weekend ensures progression to the Divisional playoffs where the Chiefs and Packers enter the fray.

Both teams have home advantage and will face the lowest-ranked seeds from the Wild Card round in their respective conference, whilst the other two teams from the AFC and NFC will face each other across January 16th and 17th to progress to the Championship rounds at the end of January.

Whilst the Chiefs and Packers are clear favourites to reach Super Bowl LV, the Wild Card round can provide vital momentum for teams with nothing to be taken for granted in the NFL playoffs.