Fansided

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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Jan 1, 2017; Nashville, TN, USA; Houston Texans quarterback Brock Osweiler (17) passes the ball during the second half against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium. The Titans won 24-17. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2017; Nashville, TN, USA; Houston Texans quarterback Brock Osweiler (17) passes the ball during the second half against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium. The Titans won 24-17. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Oakland Raiders at Houston Texans

The battle of the backups. Backup bowl. Brawling backups. All such alliterative names are apt descriptions of the first 2016 postseason game (that is if you class Brock Osweiler as a backup) which sees the Oakland Raiders travel to the Houston Texans.

The notorious $72 million dollar quarterback has had a terrible time since signing the dotted line in Houston. Throwing 15 touchdowns to 16 interceptions and a passer rating of 72.2 and a historically bad yards per attempt of 5.8, the former Denver Bronco has struggled greatly in an offense that was supposed to explode thanks to the additions of running back Lamar Millar and first round draft pick Will Fuller.

Thankfully for head coach Bill O’Brien who, if recent reports are to be believed, is not yet secure in his job if he is to watch his team fall to the Raiders, he has the top-ranked defense in the NFL, if measured by yards per game.

The Raiders, meanwhile see quarterback Conor Cook get the start thanks to the highly unfortunate injuries to Derek Carr and Matt McGloin. Latavius Murray, Michael Crabtree, Amari Cooper and a dominant offensive line will try to help him in his debut.

Oakland still has a healthy Khalil Mack who could make life miserable for Moore and the Dolphins offensive line, however. So why is this a better matchup than the Dolphins and Steelers? Simple…

Uncertainty.

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