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NFL Wild Card weekend watchability rankings

By Andrew Dowdeswell

Jan 1, 2017; Detroit, MI, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) warms up before the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2017; Detroit, MI, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) warms up before the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /
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The NFL Playoffs are here and the wildcard weekend sets up to be, well, wild. Here are the complete watchability rankings of the four Wild Card games.

After 17 weeks, the postseason is upon us and 12 teams are vying for a trip to the Super Bowl. Wild Card weekend won’t see Tom Brady, Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliott or Matt Ryan on the field, but there is plenty to watch this weekend from the NFL.

The Dolphins look to continue their surprising season against the Steelers who always seem to be in the playoffs. The red-hot Packers behind Aaron Rodgers look to take out Odell Beckham Jr. and the Giants. Connor Cook makes his first career start in the playoffs after the Raiders lost Derek Carr and Matt McGloin in consecutive weeks and Bill O’Brien and Jim Caldwell could be coaching for their jobs.

With so much drama to watch, let’s take a look at the watchability rankings so you know how what you should be watching from the four games this weekend.

Jan 1, 2017; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Matt Moore (8) drops back to pass during the first half against the New England Patriots at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2017; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Matt Moore (8) drops back to pass during the first half against the New England Patriots at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Miami Dolphins at Pittsburgh Steelers

The poor old Miami Dolphins. Entering the season with a mire of mystery and unknown; a new coach, a maligned, frustrating and yet clearly talented quarterback, and a defense pieced together like an unruly jigsaw, few could have, with great accuracy at least, predicted the fate of the franchise over the 2016 season.

And yet, under Adam Gase, the Dolphins overcame a 1-4 start with a timely but nonetheless unlikely six-game winning streak, primarily thanks to a dominating offensive line and a powerful Jay Ajayi benefitting from the beef up front.

Now, they face the task of entering into Heinz Field with Matt Moore under center after Ryan Tannehill suffered a partially torn ACL in the last-gasp win over the Arizona Cardinals. Moore is not the bewildered back up, lacking in intelligence or skill. Rather, he is a gifted thrower with a good understanding of the offense who will rely on the run game to lead the offense.

What adds to the woes for the Dolphin is their opposition as the Pittsburgh Steelers are healthy and playing their best football. Behind an improving defense, sparked by the introduction of rookies Sean Davis and Bud Dupree, a loaded offense and, and home-field advantage, it is difficult to see how this will even be competitive.

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