Previewing games with the Steelers potential playoff opponents
This article is a quick overview of this weekend’s AFC Wild Card games; three of the four teams playing could be the Steelers opponent next week.
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Titans/Chiefs Preview
|
HEAD COACH: MIKE MULARKEY |
HEAD COACH: ANDY REID |
| VS. OPP. |
2-0 |
1-6 |
| PLAYOFF RECORD |
0-0 |
11-12 |
Game Notes
- This is the third postseason meeting between the two teams and the first since the 1993 AFC Divisional Playoff (January 16, 1994) when the Chiefs defeated the Houston Oilers 28-20 at the Astrodome. Kansas City leads the all-time series 29-22, including a 2-0 mark in the playoffs. The teams last met in Week 15, 2016 (December 18) with the Titans pulling out a 19-17 victory as RYAN SUCCOP kicked a game-winning 53-yard field goal as time expired.
- The Titans have qualified for the postseason for the first time since 2008. Tennessee had three players selected to the 2018 Pro Bowl: defensive tackle JURRELL CASEY, punter BRETT KERN and tackle TAYLOR LEWAN.
- Tennessee running back DERRICK HENRY, who caught a 66-yard touchdown pass from quarterback MARCUS MARIOTA in the team’s Week 17 win that clinched a playoff berth, scored three 65+ yard touchdowns from scrimmage (72-yard rush, 75-yard rush, 66-yard catch) this season, the most such scores in the NFL this season.
- The Chiefs have won back-to-back division titles for the first time in franchise history. Kansas City had three players selected to the 2018 Pro Bowl: return specialist TYREEK HILL, rookie running back KAREEM HUNT and tight end TRAVIS KELCE.
- Kansas City quarterback ALEX SMITH led the NFL with a career-high 104.7 passer rating. Hunt, who was selected in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft, rushed for 1,327 yards and is the second rookie not drafted in the first round (PAUL ROBINSON, 1968) to lead his league in rushing yards in the common draft era (since 1967).
On The Airwaves
- TV: ESPN/ABC (4:35 PM ET): Sean McDonough, Jon Gruden, Lisa Salters (Field reporter), Adam Schefter (Field reporter)
- WESTWOOD ONE: Dan Miller, Trent Green, Hub Arkush | SIRIUS: 88 (WW1), 83 (Ten), 82 (KC) | XM: 88 (WW1), 83 (Ten), 82 (KC)
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Bills/Jaguars Preview
|
HEAD COACH: SEAN McDERMOTT |
HEAD COACH: DOUG MARRONE |
| VS. OPP. |
0-0 |
0-0 |
| PLAYOFF RECORD |
0-0 |
0-0 |
Game Notes
- This is the second postseason meeting between the two teams. The Jaguars defeated the Bills 30-27 in the 1996 AFC Wild Card Playoffs (December 28, 1996). Buffalo leads the all-time series 8-7, including the postseason. The Bills won the last meeting between the clubs 28-21 in Week 12, 2016 (November 27).
- Buffalo has qualified for the postseason for the first time since 1999. The Bills had three players selected to the 2018 Pro Bowl: safety MICAH HYDE, guard RICHIE INCOGNITO and running back LE SEAN MCCOY.
- Bills linebacker PRESTON BROWN led the league with a career-high 144 tackles. Brown has recorded more than 100 tackles in each of his four NFL seasons.
- The Jaguars have advanced to the postseason for the first time since 2007 and won the division for the first time since 1999 (AFC Central). Jacksonville had four players selected to the 2018 Pro Bowl: cornerbacks A.J. BOUYE and JALEN RAMSEY, defensive end CALAIS CAMPBELL and defensive tackle MALIK JACKSON.
- Jacksonville led the NFL with seven defensive touchdowns, including two by linebacker TELVIN SMITH. Campbell led the AFC with 14.5 sacks and teammate YANNICK NGAKOUE tied for third in the conference with 12 sacks.
On The Airwaves
- TV: CBS (1:05 PM ET): Jim Nantz, Tony Romo, Tracy Wolfson (Field reporter), Jay Feely (Field reporter)
- WESTWOOD ONE: Ian Eagle, Mike Mayock, Steve Tasker | SIRIUS: 88 (WW1), 83 (Buf), 82 (Jax) | XM: 88 (WW1), 83 (Buf), 82 (Jax)
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