2018 NFL Playoffs: Matchups That Have Never Happened But Should
By Erik Lambert
The 2018 NFL playoffs can be guaranteed of one thing. It won’t be the same as it was in 2017. There will be a host of new teams involved.
That’s what makes the league so much better than others. There’s no predicting from year to year which teams will get in and who could make a run to the Super Bowl. It’s for this reason that even to this day after so many years of existence that several teams still haven’t met each other in the playoffs. Not once. Given how long most of them have existed, that’s hard to believe.
Based on the outlook this year, there’s a chance for a number of those elusive matchups to finally happen if things break the right way. Here’s a list of four games NFL fans have never seen in January but they need to start cheering for.
Chicago Bears vs. Atlanta Falcons
It’s such a shame that these two teams haven’t locked horns for the postseason at least once, especially given how close the all-time series is. The Bears hold a narrow 14-13 edge to date. They also tend to put on exciting games. The one last year proved that with Chicago narrowly falling short of the end zone and victory by a few yards. Mitch Trubisky vs. Matt Ryan. The young upstart vs. the veteran star. Two underrated defenses. Two loaded backfields. It’s a game most people don’t realize they want to see.
Los Angeles Chargers vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Two franchises that have lingered in AFC purgatory for a long time. They get to the playoffs on occasion but can’t sustain that success for too long. At last it appears both are getting good at the same time, and they’re built in similar ways. Both can run the ball. Both have fearsome pass rushes. Philip Rivers and those receivers against that loaded Jaguars secondary. Anthony Lynn and Doug Marrone, both former coaches from Buffalo. There’s plenty to like about it.
Seattle Seahawks vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Not only have they never met in the playoffs, but the Eagles and Seahawks haven’t met much at all since the 1970s. In total, they’ve played 16 games against each other. What makes this matchup so interesting is the recent history. Philadelphia may be the defending champs but one of their three losses last season was to Seattle and they’ve actually lost six of the last seven meetings. The Seahawks seem to have their number. Then there’s the idea of seeing Russell Wilson and Carson Wentz go toe-to-toe. Loads of defensive talent would be on the field too.
Houston Texans vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Technically Houston and Pittsburgh have met in the playoffs back in the days of the Oilers. However, that team left for Tennessee. The Texans have yet to meet the kingpin of the Steel City. As things stand it’s hard not to get excited about. Just imagine the points that could be scored. Ben Roethlisberger and the Killer Bs against Deshaun Watson, DeAndre Hopkins and the rest of that fast bunch. Then there are two excellent front sevens. Jadeveon Clowney. J.J. Watt. T.J. Watt. Bud Dupree. Cameron Heyward. Houston finally getting a chance to exorcise old demons.
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Green Bay Packers vs. New Orleans Saints
How? How in the world has this game not taken place, especially in the past 10 years? The Packers have had Aaron Rodgers. The Saints have had Drew Brees. Two of the best quarterbacks in football and yet fans have been robbed of that almost guaranteed fireworks display. In fact, at least one of the teams has scored at least 26 points in each of the four games plays since those two quarterbacks became the starters. Try to imagine how much more intense it could get with a playoff atmosphere. Sean Payton and Mike McCarthy, two of the best play callers in the business. Just take my money. Take it right now.