AFC Wild-card rooting guide: Let the games begin

The Baltimore Ravens will watch from afar as the 2019 wild-card round begins. Who should they be rooting for?

Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images

Buffalo Bills (No. 5 seed) at Houston Texans (No. 4 seed)

Rooting for: Texans

The game between Houston and Buffalo is a matchup between two teams who the Ravens beat during the regular season. While both teams possess the firepower to be dangerous, the Bills are solid on both sides of the ball and could give the Ravens some trouble if they were to meet up.

Led by second-year quarterback Josh Allen, Buffalo’s offense has taken a tremendous leap forward. Former Ravens receiver John Brown has had a hand in that along with a much improved offensive line. On defense, Buffalo boasts the likes of Star Lotulelei, Shaq Lawson, Tre’Davious White, Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde.

While the Texans have star power of their own that includes Deshaun Watson, DeAndre Hopkins and the returning J.J. Watt, Baltimore beat them handily earlier in the season, 41-7. They should be able to do it again if they had to meet in the divisional round.

I think Buffalo causes more matchup problems for the Ravens, so Baltimore should be rooting for Houston.