NFL Playoff Predictions: Experts' Picks For First Round Football Games

Russell Wilson Seahawks 2015 — The Seattle Seahawks and quarterback Russell Wilson, middle, are the overwhelming pick to beat the Minnesota Vikings in Sunday's NFC Wild Card. Getty Images

Ahead of the NFL’s Wild Card Weekend many of the top experts and media members have made their predictions for who will prevail on both the NFC and AFC side, and the Kansas City Chiefs, Pittsburgh Steelers, Washington Redskins, and Seattle Seahawks all rank as the most picked squads to win.

According to NFLPickWatch, experts are resoundingly backing the Seahawks to trump the Minnesota Vikings on the road at a whopping 94 percent. The Chiefs are next up at 83 percent to trump the Houston Texans, also on the road, and the Steelers come in at 64 percent to oust the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium.

The Redskins, who have seen Las Vegas odds makers favor them by a point and eventually rate the game a pick’em, are still the choice to eliminate the Green Bay Packers and if the expert predictions hold true they would be the only home squad to advance to the divisional round at 57 percent.

The narrow percentage, compared to the others, might have more to do with the always dangerous Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers rather than how well Washington’s played of late. Rodgers has struggled with injuries to his primary weapons and offensive line all season, but in the playoffs he’s been quite reliable completing better than 65 percent of his passes for 23 touchdowns compared to seven interceptions and an average passer rating of 101.0.

Considering Seattle’s defending its two-time NFC crown, and the stellar play of quarterback Russell Wilson and one of the league’s most dominant defenses, it certainly makes sense to pick the Seahawks. There’s also the unexpected return of No. 1 running back Marshawn Lynch, who missed the last seven games while recovering from abdominal surgery but has averaged 101.0 rushing yards per game in each of Seattle’s two trips to the Super Bowl.

However, the weather is expected to play a significant role when the two squads meet on Sunday. Temperatures are predicted to reach a frigid-high of six degrees Fahrenheit and a low of minus-five degrees in Minneapolis, which could create havoc between Seattle and Minnesota, especially when it comes to handling and throwing the football.

Injuries remain a constant factor and it could affect the Steelers chances of upending rival and AFC North champion Cincinnati. Pittsburgh is expected to sit top running back DeAngelo Williams (foot) and will instead play fourth-year back Jordan Todman and second-year rusher Fitzgerald Toussaint.

Of course, one key injury also plays a role for the Bengals. On Friday, Cincinnati ruled quarterback Andy Dalton (thumb) out of the matchup and second-year quarterback AJ McCarron will make the first postseason start of his career after going 2-1 in Dalton’s stead.

Below are a select number of expert predictions.

Expert Predictions

Jason La Canfora, CBS Sports

Picks: Chiefs, Steelers, Seahawks, Redskins

Tim Cowlishaw, Dallas Morning News

Picks: Chiefs, Bengals, Seahawks, Redskins

Eric Allen, ESPN

Picks: Chiefs, Steelers, Seahawks, Redskins

Chris Mortensen, ESPN

Picks: Chiefs, Bengals, Seahawks, Redskins

Merril Hoge, ESPN

Picks: Chiefs, Steelers, Seahawks, Packers