Falcons fans’ pettiest rooting interests guide and picks for NFL Wild Card weekend

The playoffs fire up on Saturday, and there’s only one thing on Falcons fans’ minds: Keeping the Saints out of the Super Bowl.

It would be an entirely new level of Falcons fan hell to have to watch New Orleans play in a Super Bowl in Atlanta’s Mercedes Benz Stadium. It would be even worse to watch them win one. We’ve already suffered the indignity of Eugene Robinson, of Michael Vick going to prison, of only scoring a safety in a playoff game, and of that one Super Bowl we’d all just as soon forget entirely. We’ve suffered enough.

So the name of the game this postseason, obviously, is rooting against the Saints. New Orleans has a bye this week, but we can still effectively root against them by cheering for the teams that can send them to their couches instead of Super Bowl LIII.

Colts vs. Texans

The last time these two teams met in December 2018, the Colts carried a 24-21 victory back to Indianapolis. The division rivals also met in Week 4, and the Texans got the win. Now the Colts will hit the road to Houston again, and it’s anybody’s game. Which one of these teams can most easily beat the Saints? I’ll give the edge to the home team.

Staff picks:
Colts: Adnan, Carter, Dave, Matt, Evan
Texans: Jeanna, James, Cory, DW

Seahawks vs. Cowboys

The Seahawks have to go on the road to face the NFC East champs, and that’s probably good news for Dallas. Seattle got the win when these teams faced off in Week 3, but playing at Jerry World as opposed to the friendly confines of CenturyLink Field surrounded by their trusty 12th Man. The Seahawks have been middling against the pass and the run, so Amari Cooper and Ezekiel Elliott may be a problem for Seattle. I don’t have great confidence that either of these teams can beat the Saints, especially after the Cowboys won their Thanksgiving week matchup with New Orleans. But Dallas probably has the better chance.

Staff picks:
Seahawks: Dave, Carter,
Cowboys: DW, Adnan, Cory, James, Jeanna, Matt, Evan

Chargers vs. Ravens

The Chargers remind me a lot of the Falcons. They have a very good quarterback who should be respected as one of the league’s best and a ton of other star talent. They also have a reputation for getting into the postseason and unraveling, which impacts the way people view Philip Rivers’ legacy — and that reminds me a lot of Matt Ryan. For that reason and that reason alone, I’m all in on the Chargers this week.

Staff picks:
Chargers: Jeanna, James, Carter, DW, Matt
Ravens: Cory, Adnan, Dave, Evan

Eagles vs. Bears

The Eagles already won a dang Super Bowl last year, and the Bears may have the best chance in the NFC to put Falcons fans out of their collective misery and send the Saints packing. I hope that the Saints and Bears do meet this postseason and that Khalil Mack sets a playoff sack record against Drew Brees and crushes New Orleans’ Super Bowl dreams.

Staff picks:
Eagles: James
Bears: DW, Dave, Carter, Adnan, Cory, Jeanna, Matt, Evan

Share your picks for this Wild Card weekend in the comments.