The James Simpson Official Rooting Guide for Wildcard Weekend (NFL)

Root like James with this official guide

The NFL Playoff picture is set (see below). After my Bucs defeated the Panthers but were left out of the playoff picture due to a 3-way tie between the Falcons, Panthers, and Buccaneers, I hope you are all anxiously awaiting my playoff predictions and “new team.”

I typically root for teams in this order: Buccaneers, whoever let’s Jameis Winston start, Detroit Lions. Unfortunately, the Bucs, the Giants, and the lions are out of the picture. So, who is James rooting for?

The AFC

In the AFC, Denver has secured the 1 seed and will sit out wildcard weekend. That leaves us with three matchups:

New England Patriots (1-0 vs Bucs) vs. Las Angeles Chargers

As a rule I don’t root for teams from LA. Especially when they don’t have their own stadium. I appreciate the rebirth that Drake Maye has spearheaded and don’t like The Chargers. Patriots by a lot and Ann Michael Maye bakes cookies for the team.

Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Buffalo Bills (1-0 vs. Bucs)

Last year was special for the Bills. I’d love to see that continue. That said. Jacksonville is my second favorite Florida football team, and the things Liam Cohen has facilitated this year have been impressive. I’ve got a lot of close friends and family that will be happy either way in this one. I like Jacksonville in a shoot out.

Pittsburgh Steelers (0-1 vs. Bucs) vs Houston Texans (0-1 vs. Bucs)

I want to see CTE and Psychedelic-ridden 42 year old Aaron Rodgers win a playoff game. Plus I have Steelers family and don’t know anything about the Texans. Pittsburgh takes this one.

The NFC

In the NFC, The Seahawks (whom the Buccaneers beat in Week 5) has secured the 1 seed and will sit out wildcard weekend. That leaves us with three matchups:

Chicago Bears vs. Green Bay Packers

The Bears and Packers have split the season 1-1. The Bears dropped their first game on December 7th by a touchdown while my parents and grandparents were in Green Bay rooting for the Bears. They won their December 20th bout in overtime. This Green Bay team will be tough to beat this weekend, but I will be rooting for a Bears victory at Soldier Field.

Philadelphia Eagles (1-0 vs. Bucs) vs. San Francisco 49ers (0-1 vs. Bucs)

Listen. Hurts played some rough football in the middle of the season. Birds fans were calling for heads to role. I think the OC and Hurts got an ice cream cone together and got on the same page. They’ve played better football down the stretch and they are the reigning champs. I could see a world where Philly plays some bad football and the 49ers take it to them, but I’m not counting on it. Philly by a touchdown in Philly.

Caroline Panthers (1-1 vs. Bucs) vs. LA Rams (1-0 vs. Bucs)

The NFC South shouldn’t have been allowed in the playoffs this year. Three way tie at the top of the division with the Falcons, Panthers, and Buccaneers all sitting at 8-9. What a joke. That said, I don’t root for LA teams. I don’t see the Panthers pulling this one out, but I hope they do. Panthers in Carolina. For Luke’s sake.

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