NFL Wild Card Weekend: X-factors for each game

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 21: Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Nick Foles (9) looks to throw the football to Philadelphia Eagles tight end Zach Ertz (86) down field during the NFC Championship Game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Philadelphia Eagles on January 21, 2018 at the Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Minnesota Vikings by the score of 38-7. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – DECEMBER 23: Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) throws downfield during the NFL game between the New York Giants and Indianapolis Colts on December 23, 2018, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans

This game will be very energetic and entertaining. These two teams are division rivals and have already squared off twice this season, with the road team taking the victory each time. We can argue that Indianapolis should’ve won both contests, but failed to win the first because of a huge coaching decision that led to a loss.

We think Andrew Luck will be the x-factor in this game. This is his first playoff game since playing the New England Patriots on Jan. 18, 2015, the famous deflategate saga. So what can we expect from Luck in this contest? This is his first postseason appearance in nearly four years. If the Colts want to advance, Luck will have to come up big as he has done in seasons past.

Luck should be the MVP of 2018. No other player has accomplished more with less. He needs to play like an MVP to beat a tough Houston team at home this Saturday. We think he will and he should still have some of that familiar ice in his veins left over to defeat the upstart Texans.

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