- Commissioner’s statement on Ventura, Marte
- Ronnie O’Sullivan: Masters champion ‘felt so vulnerable’ in final
- Arron Fletcher Wins 2017 WSOP International Circuit Marrakech Main Event ($140,224)
- Smith challenges Warner to go big in India
- Moncada No. 1 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 10 2B Prospects list
- Braves land 2 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 10 2B Prospects list
- Kingery makes MLB Pipeline’s Top 10 2B Prospects list
- New Zealand wrap up 2-0 after Bangladesh implosion
- Mathews, Pradeep, Gunathilaka to return to Sri Lanka
- Elliott hopes for rain for Poli
NFL Playoffs 2017: Schedule, Predictions and More for Wild Card Weekend
- Updated: January 7, 2017
The NFL postseason starts Saturday at 4:35 p.m. ET when the Oakland Raiders face the Houston Texans.
Here is the Wild Card Weekend schedule to go along with some predictions and analysis from around the league.
Oakland at Houston
Raiders left tackle Donald Penn will miss the first game of his 10-year NFL career on Saturday with a knee injury.
That’s a huge blow to an offense already missing quarterback and MVP candidate Derek Carr.
Three-time Pro Bowler Cris Collinsworth had his say about Penn’s absence Saturday:
Raiders LT Donald Penn was one of two OT’s with 400 or more pass blocks and just one sack allowed. Via @PFF Penn vs Clowney this week 👀
— Cris Collinsworth (@CollinsworthPFF) January 6, 2017
It’s hard to envision the Raiders scoring much on Saturday, on the road, with third-string quarterback Connor Cook making his first career NFL start and backup left tackle Menelik Watson protecting his blind side.
Even though the Texans offense has sputtered all season and likely won’t light up the scoreboard, expect it to do just enough to win a low-scoring defensive battle.
The healthier team takes this one, 16-13.
Detroit at Seattle
The Lions are coming into this game banged up on the offensive line.
Center Travis Swanson, who has not played since December 4, has been ruled out, per Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.
Right tackle Riley Reiff may also miss the game. He’s listed as questionable on the Lions’ injury report. Linebacker DeAndre Levy and wide receiver Andre Roberts are too, but Birkett reported that both should play.
It’s hard to see the Lions taking this one on the road against the Seattle Seahawks, who have won nine straight playoff games at home, dating back to 2005.
Birkett noted the following in a scouting report and prediction piece on Friday:
Defensively, the Lions have the personnel to shut down [Doug] Baldwin and take advantage of a weak-link offensive line. But the Seahawks’ defensive front is so good, and the Lions have been so inconsistent on offense that it’s difficult to see the Lions winning their first playoff game in 25 …
