INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — We’re warming up for the NFL’s Divisional Round of the playoffs with a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Bill Polian, former general manager of the Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers and Indianapolis Colts joined Anthony “AC” Calhoun to discuss this weekend’s playoff matchups.
Looking back at Wild Card weekend
It was indeed a wild weekend for the Wild Card games. Three of the games were decided by six points or fewer.
“It’s been a wild year in the NFL and it continues the pace,” Polian said. “The capper, of course, was the Bears game.”
The Philadelphia Eagles topped the Chicago Bears following a game-ending missed field goal by Bears kicker Cody Parkey.
“All in all, it was a great weekend of football,” Polian said. “It’s going to be hard to top it this weekend, that’s for sure.”
Luck vs. Mahomes
One of the premier matchups this weekend will see two top quarterbacks square off in Kansas City.
Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts will travel to Kansas City to take on Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs.
Polian compared Mahomes to NFL legend Brett Favre.
“I think he’s a little more judicious with the ball at this stage of his career than Brett was early in his career,” Polian said. “But they’re both gunslingers, there’s no two ways about that.”
Polian also said that Mahomes is the most talented quarterback to join the NFL since Luck.
Another Super Bowl for Brady?
While the New England Patriots may not be quite as strong as in the past, the Pats are still hosting a Divisional Round game at home following a bye week.
Polian says quarterback Tom Brady still has what it takes to return the Patriots to the Super Bowl but warned that time has taken its toll.
“He’s not the Tom Brady that he was five years ago anymore than Peyton [Manning] was the same Peyton he was five years ago in his last years,” Polian said. “Father time is undefeated.”
Divisional Round schedule
Saturday, Jan. 12:
- Colts at Chiefs, 4:35 p.m. on NBC
- Cowboys at Rams, 8:15 p.m. on FOX
Sunday, Jan. 13:
- Chargers at Patriots, 1:05 p.m. on CBS
- Eagles at Saints, 4:40 p.m. on FOX