The NFL playoffs are here, following the end of the regular season last weekend. The Kansas City Chiefs clinched the top spot in the AFC after their win against the Las Vegas Raiders. The Green Bay Packers closed out their mediocre season with a loss to the Detroit Lions, knocking them out of the playoffs for the first time since 2018.
As of today, 14 teams have a chance of winning the Super Bowl. The Kansas City Chiefs, leaders of the American Conference, and the Philadelphia Eagles, leaders of the National Conference, have the week off to rest during the wild card games.
American Conference
Miami Dolphins (7) at Buffalo Bills (2)
Sunday 15, 1:00 pm ET.
This will be the third time these two teams face off this season. Each team has beat the other once. This will be the most unbalanced game of the playoffs. The Buffalo Bills are the clear favorite.
Although Buffalo's offense did not finish the season at its best, they proved that they have more than enough scoring ability. QB Josh Allen is the Bills' main offensive weapon, but we can’t forget that their ground game has averaged 5.2 yards per carry, behind Chicago in the regular season.
For the Miami Dolphins, the game will be marked by the loss of their QB Tua Tagavailoa, which was confirmed on Wednesday. Under his leadership, the Dolphins were the third best offense in the NFL. In his place, rookie Skylar Thompson will take over as a starter, the first on the team since the legendary Dan Marino.
Prediction: Buffalo Bills +10.
UPDATE: Miami Dolphins, 31 - Buffalo Bills, 34.
Los Angeles Chargers (5) at Jacksonville Jaguars (4)
Saturday 14, 8:15 pm ET.
The Jaguars' 38-10 win against the Chargers in Week 3, when all of the Chargers’ key players were out, feels like it was a long time ago. For this round of wild cards, the entire Chargers lineup, except offensive lineman Rashaw Slater, who could return for the next round, and receiver Mike Williams, will be available.
Both teams’ offenses have the edge over the defenses. The Jaguars defense, despite their improvements, still has a lot of problems and has not measured up against competent QBs. The Chargers defense improved a lot after Joey Bosa’s return, but Jacksonville and its QB Trevor Lawrence have had one of the best offenses in recent months. If the Chargers’ defense fails to put pressure on Lawrence, they could be in serious trouble.
This is the only game in the wild card round where the visiting team is favored to win, although it is expected to be high-scoring close game.
Prediction: Los Angeles Chargers +3.
UPDATE: Los Ángeles Chargers, 30 - Jacksonville Jaguars, 31.
Baltimore Ravens (6) at Cincinnati Bengals (3)
Sunday 15, 8:15 pm ET.
Each team won at home in their divisional games this season. This will be the second consecutive game after Week 18 in Baltimore.
Following QB Lamar Jackson’s knee injury in early December, backup Tyler Huntley has come in as questionable on the injury report and will be a Game Time Decision heading into the wild card round game. Huntley isn’t a huge loss after his poor performance, but that leaves undrafted rookie QB Anthony Brown as John Harbaugh's best option.
If Baltimore still has any chance of winning, it's because of their defense, led by linebacker Roquan Smith, who has limited Joe Burrow to less than 5 yards per play in both games this season.
The Cincinnati Bengals are the clear favorite and one of the favorites to win the Super Bowl in February. Like last season, they finished the regular season on a high note, both offensively and defensively.
Prediction: Cincinnati Bengals +6.
UPDATE: Baltimore Ravens, 17 - Cincinnati Bengals, 24.
National Conference
Seattle Seahawks(7) at San Francisco 49ers(2)
Saturday 14, 4:30 pm ET
The first game of this wild card round is a divisional matchup. The San Francisco 49ers won the previous two games, and everything seems to indicate that the same thing will happen this time.
The Seahawks made it to the playoffs after beating the Los Angeles Rams in the final week of the regular season. For a franchise in the midst of a rebuild, still playing at this point in the season is something to celebrate.
The 49ers had the better defense in the regular season. Their offense was bolstered midseason by the arrival of running back Christian McCaffrey and the unexpected breakout of
Mr. Irrelevant Brock Purdy. The rookie quarterback has yet to lose in his five starts. He scored 13 touchdowns and had four interceptions and is now undefeated.
Barring a major surprise, San Francisco should take the win.
Prediction: San Francisco 49ers +11.
UPDATE: Seattle Seahawks, 23 - San Francisco 49ers, 41.
New York Giants(6) at Minnesota Vikings(3)
Sunday 15, 4:30 pm ET
The most difficult wildcard to predict is undoubtedly this one. Minnesota's inconsistency this season, a team capable of the best and the worst, gives the Giants some hope. New York qualified for the playoffs for the first time in five years. The Vikings claimed the NFC North title for the first time since 2017, but the heartbreaking loss to Green Bay on New Year's Day has their fan base down. They don’t know whether to believe that their team is as good as their 13-4 record or if their luck is starting to run out.
Sunday will clear up Minnesota fans’ doubts. The game will have a big impact on how fans view new coach Kevin O'Connell.
Brian Daboll, also making his debut as head coach for the Giants, will have a tough challenge to prove that his team, which entered the playoffs as third in its division, is truly deserving of the playoff prize.
On the field, a run-based offense (fourth best) such as the Giants, led by Saquon Barkley, will face a team that has had an impressive season with Justin Jefferson breaking records left and right. The team always depends on quarterback, Kirk Cousins, giving him enough time to safely move the ball down the field.
Prediction: Minnesota Vikings +3.
UPDATE: New York Giants, 31 - Minnesota Vikings, 24.
Dallas Cowboys(5) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers(4)
Monday 16, 8:15 pm ET
The wild card round will end on Monday Night with two teams that made it to the playoffs after a rough season.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, led by Tom Brady, made it to the playoffs after winning their division with more losses than wins. They have been one of the biggest disappointments of the season. The Dallas Cowboys are coming off a boring game against the Washington Commanders. Although their defense showed some improvement, their offense has serious problems. Dallas QB Dak Prescott will set the tone for the franchise, but it doesn't look very good.
Although Dallas is favored to win, Tom Brady's experience in this type of game can make the difference. However, unless something changes, everything seems to indicate that this will be the last playoff victory for either franchise.
Prediction: Tampa Bay Buccaneers + 3.
UPDATE: Dallas Cowboys, 31 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 14.
