NFL Wild Card Weekend predictions
By NFL
New York, NY (PSF) — Week 17 contained many exciting moments: the Texans winning their way out of next year’s #1 pick, the Chiefs and Eagles clinching the first seed and the Lions forcing the Packers out of the postseason. However, it’s finally playoff time and the wild card game starts this weekend. There are many intriguing matchups this week and who knows how they could turn out? Even though the Eagles and Chiefs won’t be playing, there are will still be some gargantuan battles on display this week.
Here, I will make my predictions for each of the weekend’s 6 matchups and I will explain my decisions.
#7 Seattle Seahawks (9-8) at #2 San Francisco 49ers (13-4)
by Godofredo A. Vásquez
Here we go. The week’s first matchup and not one of the week’s most even. Since their Week 11 bye, the Seahawks have only gone 3-4 after a hot start to the season and they only just barely got by this year’s lowly Rams squad in order to appear in this game. Yes, their offense has been surprisingly strong overall as they are in the Top 10 for total yards and points scored on the season, but they regressed significantly towards the end. To make matters worse, their defense this year has been woeful. The only thing they can even do somewhat competently is defend the pass and they are only slightly above league average at that.
On the other side of things, the 49ers haven’t lost a game since Halloween. They allow the fewest yards and points in the NFL and have developed one of the strongest rushing attacks in the league. Oh… and they’re getting Deebo Samuel and Elijah Mitchell back. Things aren’t looking too good for the Seahawks.
I think the 49ers take this one pretty easily and that Geno Smith drops back for a lot of passes as the 49ers effectively shut down Kenneth Walker III. Geno will have some success but not enough while Christian McCaffrey and the 49ers will run all over the Seahawks’ porous run defense as Brock Purdy won’t need to drop back to pass very much. Seahawks will make the score look at least a little better in garbage time.
Prediction: 49ers over Seahawks 38-23
#5 Los Angeles Chargers (10-7) at #4 Jacksonville Jaguars (9-8)
This is a tricky one that could really go either way. Here is the key matchup: the Chargers’ passing attack, one of the very best in the league, against the Jaguars’ secondary which hasn’t been great. However, the Jaguars could also run all over the Chargers who have one of the very worst run defenses in the league even though Joey Bosa is back.
Of course, the Jags are at home but the Chargers are used to a road environment (I went to Chargers-Titans at SoFi this year and it felt like there were more Titans fans). Both teams appear to be pretty healthy.
Ultimately, even though both QBs are blossoming stars in this league, I think it will come down to Justin Herbert. This team also has an extra year’s worth of experience together as opposed to the Jaguars and their brand new coaching staff this year. I know the Jags blew out the Chargers earlier this year but the Chargers have gotten more healthy and consistent. Expect a close game that comes down to the wire with a big highlight pass to Mike Williams. I think the Chargers take this one on a game-winning TD drive.
Prediction: Chargers over Jaguars 27-23
#7 Miami Dolphins (9-8) at #2 Buffalo Bills (13-3)
If you think Seahawks-49ers is an uneven matchup, you won’t want to tune into this one. On the year, the Dolphin’s offensive stats actually look elite (they include 6th in total yards and 4th in passing yards). However, Tua Tagovailoa won’t be playing in this one as he still has not yet been cleared for football activities. On top of that, both of his backups are tagged as questionable. Teddy Bridgewater has some playoff experience but it looks like Skylar Thompson will start as he is healthier.
Thompson is a rookie who has struggled this season, only completing 57% of his passes with a 1-3 TD to INT ratio. That turns their strength, which was their passing attack into a weakness. The Fins don’t have a strong running game and even if they did, the Bills have a unit up front that is Top 5 against the run. That doesn’t bode well for Miami.
On top of that, the Bills are elite on offense in all aspects. Yes, even their run game. The only aspect where the Bills even approach middling is their pass defense and, like I said, Tua isn’t even playing. I expect Allen and the offense to have a field day while the Fins’ offense turns the ball over a lot. The Bills will score a lot of points in a blowout.
Prediction: Bills over Dolphins 41-16
#6 New York Giants (9-7-1) at #3 Minnesota Vikings (13-4)
This is another intriguing matchup between one of the league’s rushing attacks in New York and one of its elite passing attacks in Minnesota. Neither team is very strong defensively although the Giants secondary has flashed potential and both squads allow low conversion rates on 3rd down.
The key here is the Vikings’ performance in close games this season, as well as their performance at home where they are 8-1 which includes a late season victory against the Giants. I predict a similar result here, as the Vikings offense provides slightly more fireworks as they make a late push for victory off a game-winning field goal. Saquon Barkley will have a great game though.
Prediction: Vikings over Giants 27-24
#6 Baltimore Ravens (10-7) at #3 Cincinnati Bengals (12-4)
Photo by Marca
If this matchup feels like it just happened, that’s because it did. In that game, Anthony Brown started for the Ravens at QB and completed 19/44 of his passes for 286 yards, 0 touchdowns and 2 interceptions.
It looks like the Ravens might have to continue rolling with an unproven option this week as both Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley haven’t started throwing at practice. Huntley provides a boost if he plays, but the truth is that the Raven's do not have the greatest passing attack. The Bengals’ secondary is also not good, but it won’t seem like they will be able to take advantage. One thing that Baltimore is good at is running the ball. While all their running backs have been great (J.K. Dobbins, Gus Edwards and Justice Hill all average over 5 yards per carry and Kenyan Drake has been a strong pass-catching back), not having Lamar will render the pass game less dynamic against a defensive unit that was 7th in the league against the run across the regular season.
I think that The Ravens get one or two on the ground, but their lack of passing game hurts them. Meanwhile, Joe Burrow will have a great game, feasting on the Ravens’ secondary as Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins have big games.
Prediction: Bengals over Ravens 31-17
#5 Dallas Cowboys (12-5) at #4 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-9)
Photo by ESPN
To round things out on Monday, we get a matchup with a lot of stakes. Many have questioned Dak Prescott’s ability to perform in the playoffs, while the Buccaneers have struggled and people are questioning if Tom Brady has still got it. I think he does but that Dak will perform well under pressure here. The Bucs are strong against the pass, so if Dak can take care of the ball and make big plays down the field against this proven unit, he can silence the doubters, at least for a week.
The advantage the Cowboys have over the Bucs is that they’re more balanced. In fact, the only aspect of the game you could argue they’re bad at is defending the run. Good for them! Why? Well, the Buccaneers have rushed for the fewest yards in the league behind a decimated offensive line. Additionally, The Bucs may be able to solidly defend the Cowboys’ offense but at least the Cowboys have the threat of variability with their capability to make big plays on the ground and through the air. Unless the Bucs get their dormant running game going, they do not.
I expect a close one here as Brady and the passing attack provide some big plays. However, I think the Cowboys pull through at home as Dak has a good (although not mistake-free) game against the NFC South champions.
Prediction: Cowboys over Buccaneers 26-20