Former Ravens coach and Fox analyst Brian Billick talks wild-card weekend and Jets coach Rex Ryan with The Post’s Justin Terranova. Billick has been added to the network’s divisional round coverage for the first time, and will work alongside play-by-play man Thom Brennaman.
Q: Any concerns about the rookie quarterbacks — Russell Wilson (Seahawks), Andrew Luck (Colts), Robert Griffin III (Redskins) — succumbing to the playoff pressure?
A: With these three guys I don’t think the playoff pressure is going to be a big difference. Not to say they are going to be perfect, especially when Andrew Luck is going against Ed Reed and the Ravens’ defense. But I think these three will hold up real well. It’s been a special year, what Wilson has been able to accomplish after being picked in the third round has been incredible.
Q: Are you surprised how well the Colts have handled the Chuck Pagano situation?
A: I did their first game after the diagnosis when they had that incredible come-from-behind win against the Packers. I wondered if they would wear out, but it’s just what they do. They’ve been able to thrive on an emotional level and it’s been something they’ve been able to ride.
Q: Which struggling team is most in danger — the Ravens or Texans?
A: No one fears going into Houston and play the way they do [going into] Denver and Foxborough. So, that was substantial. It hurt the Ravens, too. Baltimore’s path to the Super Bowl no longer means [Peyton] Manning or [Tom] Brady. It now likely means Manning then Brady.
But every team that’s in the tournament feels like they have a clean slate. For those teams struggling, Baltimore and Houston, if they get a win this week, then all that goes away.
Q: Can the Vikings beat the Packers two weeks in a row?
A: Certainly that win is going to give the Vikings some momentum and confidence going in knowing they can run the ball against a team that knew they were going to run the ball. But at Lambeau Field with Aaron Rodgers, I imagine the Packers are confident that they can win that game.
Q: Can Ryan, who worked under you in Baltimore, survive past next season with a new general manager?
A: It strains the relationship. That’s why when you let go of one and not the other it’s tough to rebuild from. And particularly now that they have to deal with a quarterback issue, and that puts Rex in a real untenable position.