Matt Provencher
Athlete Injury and Performance Analyst
Wild card matchups are over, and eight groups stay as they face off for a spot of their respective convention championships. Last weekend had a variety of motion because the Buffalo Bills narrowly escaped an upset in opposition to the Dolphins, the Jaguars had a wild comeback from a 27-0 deficit in opposition to the Chargers, and the Cowboys blew out Tom Brady and the Buccaneers at the same time as kicker Brett Maher missed 4 additional factors.
This week should not allow us to down both as we see three NFC East groups nonetheless within the hunt. The Giants will attempt to get rid of the NFC’s No. 1 seeded Eagles in a sport that Jalen Hurts is alleged to be totally again and wholesome for. The Cowboys attempt to construct on their win however have a tall process forward of them as they face the 49ers and their robust protection. Patrick Mahomes is again in motion this week after the Chiefs had a bye week to relaxation gamers, whereas the Bills tackle the Bengals in what is bound to be the sport of the weekend as each groups meet once more after their canceled Week 18 sport.
The higher-seeded groups final weekend general had higher Banged Up Scores as effectively, and the more healthy workforce gained 4 of the 6 video games.
Health solely will get extra necessary this week within the divisional spherical because the stakes rise.
The Giants tackle the Philadelphia Eagles on Saturday at 8:15 p.m. ET on FOX. Jalen Hurts’ well being can be a major storyline to look at. He was taken off the damage report this week after lacking two video games earlier than returning to seal the Eagles’ prime seed in Week 18. In that sport, Giants head coach Brian Daboll selected to relaxation many starters and was nonetheless in a position to put up a battle in opposition to Philadelphia. The Giants have scored low in BUS rating this season as their IR checklist has constructed up with season-ending accidents. They have, nonetheless, been in a position to money in wins as others on the workforce have stepped up within the course of. Meanwhile, the Eagles have been one of many healthiest groups all season and had simply began to fall down the rankings late, with accidents to Hurts and others resembling Avonte Maddox and Lane Johnson.
The different NFC showdown on Sunday at 6:30 p.m. ET on FOX sees the Cowboys trying to upset the No. 2 seeded 49ers and derail Brock Purdy and their high-flying offense. They should face a powerful protection to take action, nonetheless. The 49ers have been comparatively unscathed after their sport in opposition to the Seahawks within the wild-card spherical. Dallas is coping with accidents to Jayron Kearse and Micah Parsons, each of whom stated they really feel good and are able to go this weekend. Both groups have been up and down within the Banged Up Score rankings this 12 months, and this previous weekend got here into their video games with a 68.7 (DAL) and 75.5 (SF) BUS. Two carefully matched groups who’re certain to placed on a present.
Make certain to test again this weekend for Updated BUS Rankings on ThePredictors.com in addition to Twitter on @NFLonFOX and @SportsDocMatt to see the well being matchups.
Renowned orthopedist Dr. Matt Provencher and his firm, ThePredictors.com, ship data-driven damage insights to soccer followers. In this first-of-a-kind position as Athlete Injury and Performance Analyst for FOX Sports’ digital platforms, Provencher offers necessary predictive participant well being and restoration details about post-injury efficiency, the impression of climate, area circumstances and extra.
Top tales from FOX Sports:

Get extra from National Football League Follow your favorites to get details about video games, information and extra