The Mina Kimes Show featuring Lenny Houston, We Have Liftoff: Previewing Wild Card Weekend
15 snips
Jan 7, 2026 Ben Solak, a football reporter and analyst, joins to dissect the thrilling Wild Card matchups. They dive into the Ravens' surprising firing of John Harbaugh and who might replace him in Baltimore. Expect predictions on games like Rams vs. Panthers, and how Carolina could pull off an upset. They also examine the icy rivalry between the Packers and Bears, and the clash of titans with the 49ers and Eagles. Finally, they discuss the challenges facing the Chargers against the Patriots and share insights on the Steelers and Texans matchup.
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Bills-Jags Hinges On Run Success
- Bills-Jaguars is a strength-on-strength run matchup; Jacksonville defends the run elite while Buffalo's season hinges on running success.
- Bills' win probability spikes when they sustain a >40% ground success rate.
Pressure Josh Allen With Varied Looks
- Jaguars should pressure creatively and show simulated pressures to force Josh Allen into quick decisions.
- Use blitzes and disguised looks to create third-down difficulties for Buffalo.
Kicking Can Decide Close Wild-Card Games
- Field position and kicking matter more in close playoff games; special teams can swing outcomes.
- Mina and Ben note long-range kickers are a subtle but decisive matchup factor.