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Watchability rankings: NFL Wildcard Weekend

By Andrew Dowdeswell

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) prepares to throw the ball against the Cincinnati Bengals in the first half at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) prepares to throw the ball against the Cincinnati Bengals in the first half at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 13, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) catches a pass for a touchdown over Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Marcus Peters (22) during the first half at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 13, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) catches a pass for a touchdown over Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Marcus Peters (22) during the first half at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Chiefs at Texans

This is the least interesting game of the weekend, yet it is still set to be a cracker purely due to two top class defenses. The Kansas City Chiefs started the year off terribly, going 1-5 over the first six weeks of the season. However, thanks to a truly terrific defense, Kansas City reeled off 10 consecutive wins to finish the season 11-5. During that span, the Chiefs’ defense allowed only 12.8 points per game. That is outstanding.

While the Chiefs’ defense is one of the NFL’s best, the Houston Texans’ is not far behind. Led by J.J. Watt, the best defensive player in the league, who is complimented beautifully by pass rushing star Whitney Mercilus, the Houston defense is far from porous. They are ranked third in the league in total yards allowed, allowing only 310.2 yards per game, and seventh in the league for points allowed.

The reason this is the fourth-most interesting game of the weekend, however, is simply down to the quarterbacks. While Brian Hoyer and Alex Smith have both had career years under center, they are not the flashiest of players; they don’t exactly set you tingling with excitement. While both teams enter the playoffs on hot streaks, this is due to defense, not offense, and in the modern day NFL, watching a quarterback dissect a secondary is always more interesting than a run stuff.

Next: No. 3

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