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Durkin: NFL Wild-Card Round Picks

By Dan Durkin--

(CBS) The NFL playoffs are upon us. Of the 32 teams that started the season with a shared goal, only 12 have a chance to actualize it.

The AFC wild-card games will be played Saturday and the NFC wild-card games Sunday. If you're unable to watch the games, we'll carry the radio broadcast for all four on WSCR 670 The Score.

Here's my take on how this weekend's action plays out.

(Home team in all CAPS)

Chiefs 23, TEXANS 17 -- Saturday, 3:35 p.m. (ABC)

The Chiefs ended the regular season on a 10-game winning streak, sparked by stout defense while playing clean on offense. They finished the season with 15 turnovers, the second-fewest in the league, and were plus-14 in turnover differential, the second-best mark in the league. Their already dominant defense should get Justin Houston back, which is a big boost against a Texans team that will be without left tackle Duane Brown (torn quadriceps). Despite cycling through four quarterbacks and losing their top running back, the Texans won the AFC South with a dominant defensive effort over the second half of the season.

I envision a low-scoring game, but the Chiefs are the more talented team on both sides of the football. They should roll help to Marcus Peters, who will likely matchup against star receiver DeAndre Hopkins and force quarterback Brian Hoyer to find other ways to move the football. Offensively, the Chiefs will get the ball out of Alex Smith's hands quickly to neutralize a tough Texans pass rush and get the ball into the hands of their playmakers on the perimeter.

Steelers 31, BENGALS 23 -- Saturday, 7:15 p.m. (CBS)

The Bengals have now made it to the playoffs every season since Andy Dalton was drafted out of TCU. There's a few problems, though. They haven't won a single playoff game over that stretch, and Dalton's unavailable for this weekend due to a broken thumb he suffered against these very Steelers back in Week 14. The Steelers squeaked into the playoffs thanks to Rex Ryan beating his old team (the Jets) for the second time this season. Even though the Steelers just got into the playoffs, they're as dangerous a team as you'll find due to their explosive passing game led by quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and receiver Antonio Brown, who may be the best player in the league.

I envision a high-scoring game here as both of these defenses struggle to defend the pass. The Steelers' run defense is solid, however, which will put the game into A.J. McCarron's hands. As strong as the Bengals offensive line is, I think Pittsburgh defensive coordinator Keith Butler will be extra aggressive with his pressure packages to try and protect his vulnerable secondary. Roethlisberger will carry the Steelers onto the divisional round.

Seahawks 27, VIKINGS 16 -- Sunday, 12:05 p.m. (NBC)

Heading into their Week 9 bye, the Seahawks were a .500 team facing a make-or-break second half. They definitely made on the second half, going 6-2 and looking like the championship contender we've come to expect. Quarterback Russell Wilson put the offense on his back and led an explosive passing attack, which made opponents one-dimensional on offense, allowing the Seahawks defense to feast. The Vikings are a team pointed in the right direction, led by ultra-reliable running back Adrian Peterson and a young, emerging defense. Their quarterback play, however, will be their undoing.

The Seahawks will load the box with eight and nine defenders to take Peterson out and put the game in the hands of Teddy Bridgewater, who won't deliver. Bridgewater's still a prospect, as his delivery takes time. Without the threat of a run game, Minnesota's play-action game -- which offensive coordinator Norv Turner uses to get the ball deep -- won't be as effective. The Seahawks defense will dominate the Vikings offense, and the potential return of Marshawn Lynch will allow Seattle to soldier on.

REDSKINS 27, Packers 24 -- Sunday, 3:40 p.m. (Fox)

Who would've thought at the beginning of the season that Kirk Cousins would end the regular season with a passer rating nearly 10 points higher than Aaron Rodgers? Nobody. Yet, that's exactly how it worked out. The Redskins' bold move to hand the keys over to Cousins worked out in the end, and coach Jay Gruden deserves a lot of credit -- not only for making that move but for helping Cousins develop week by week into a capable NFL starter. The Packers' season got off to a tough start when receiver Jordy Nelson was lost in the preseason to a torn ACL. Green Bay's offense changed for the worse and never looked like the dominant unit we're accustomed to seeing.

This game is truly a tossup. The Packers' offensive line has struggled to protect Rodgers all season and is enduring more changes heading into Sunday's game. That's not a good situation against the Redskins, who can really get after the passer. I expect the Packers to lean on Eddie Lacy to move the football and set up some play-action shots, as Green Bay receivers have struggled to gain separation on their own. But in the end, the Redskins offense has been humming down the stretch and should be able to consistently move the ball and score against the Packers.

Regular season record: 162-94

Dan Durkin covers the Bears for CBSChicago.com and is a frequent contributor to 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @djdurkin.

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