Wild-card weekend options 6 rematches, 3 division video games

Wild-card weekend is all about familiarity.

All six video games function groups that already confronted off this season, together with three matchups between division rivals going head-to-head for the third time and two golf equipment enjoying one another in back-to-back weeks.

Bust out the popcorn. It ought to be a wild weekend.

The motion kicks off Saturday with the San Francisco 49ers (13-4) internet hosting the Seattle Seahawks (9-8).

The 49ers are the most well liked crew within the NFL, coming into the postseason on a 10-game profitable streak that gave them the NFC’s No. 2 seed.

The Seahawks walked off the sector final week unsure about their playoff berth and obtained in when the Detroit Lions upset Aaron Rodgers and the Inexperienced Bay Packers on Sunday evening.

Rookie third-string quarterback Brock Purdy, the final participant chosen within the draft, has gained all 5 of his begins since changing the injured Jimmy Garoppolo. Purdy has thrown a number of landing passes within the final six video games, serving to the 49ers rating an NFL-best 33.5 factors per sport in that stretch.

Purdy has loads of expertise round him, together with Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel and George Kittle. The Niners even have the league’s top-ranked protection. They swept Seattle within the common season.

Geno Smith broke a number of of Russell Wilson’s passing information in his first yr as Seattle’s starter, however the Seahawks struggled down the stretch. That they had misplaced 5 of six, together with three in a row, earlier than profitable their final two video games.

The 49ers are 9 1/2-point favorites, per FanDuel Sportsbook. It’s not sufficient.

49ERS, 31-16

Los Angeles Chargers (minus 2 1/2) at Jacksonville

Brandon Staley and Justin Herbert are within the playoffs for the primary time of their second season collectively in Los Angeles.

Doug Pederson wanted one season to take the Jaguars from worst to first within the AFC South. Pederson, who led the Philadelphia Eagles to a Tremendous Bowl title after the 2017 season, has helped 2021 No. 1 total decide Trevor Lawrence develop right into a franchise QB.

The fifth-seed Chargers (10-7) have the eighth-ranked offense and Twentieth-ranked protection. The fourth-seed Jaguars (9-8) are ninth in offense and twenty fourth on protection. The Jags gained their final 5 video games to seize the AFC South.

The Chargers have loads of firepower on offense with Herbert, Austin Ekeler, Mike Williams, Keenan Allen and others. They had been dominated by Jacksonville in a 38-10 loss in Week 3.

CHARGERS, 24-20

Miami (plus 13 1/2) at Buffalo

The Payments (13-3) and Dolphins (9-8) break up their regular-season video games, every profitable at residence. Miami had a dynamic offense when Tua Tagovailoa led them to an 8-3 begin, profitable all eight video games he completed. However Tagovailoa is within the concussion protocol, Teddy Bridgewater injured his finger and the Dolphins had been all the way down to third-string rookie Skylar Thompson final week.

Irrespective of who’s underneath heart for Miami, going to Buffalo to face a superior Payments crew enjoying for fallen teammate Damar Hamlin is a tall activity.

Josh Allen and Co. are on a mission.

BEST BET: BILLS, 31-13

New York Giants (plus 3) at Minnesota

The Vikings (13-4) beat the Giants (9-7-1) on Greg Joseph’s 61-yard discipline objective as time expired on Christmas Eve. That they had a 11-0 report in one-score video games this season, profitable eight of them after trailing within the fourth quarter.

The Giants, resting many starters, gave No. 1 seed Philadelphia a tricky time within the regular-season finale.

Two first-year coaches — Kevin O’Connell for Minnesota and Brian Daboll for New York — go head-to-head whereas Vikings star receiver Justin Jefferson and Giants star working again Saquon Barkley make their playoff debuts.

VIKINGS, 23-21

Baltimore (plus 8 1/2) at Cincinnati

The groups break up their regular-season matchups, with the Bengals beating the Ravens 27-16 final week to safe home-field benefit for this one.

Baltimore had Lamar Jackson when it rallied for a 19-17 win towards Cincinnati on Justin Tucker’s 43-yard discipline objective within the ultimate seconds again in October.

Jackson missed the final 5 video games of the common season with a knee harm, and he nonetheless hasn’t returned to observe. The Ravens (10-7) haven’t any likelihood with out him.

Joe Burrow was excellent in main the Bengals to eight straight wins to safe the No. 3 seed. The Bengals (12-4) reached the Tremendous Bowl final season because the fourth seed. They’re decided to return and end the job. It begins Sunday evening.

BENGALS, 27-18

Dallas (minus 2 1/2) at Tampa Bay

The Cowboys (12-5) appeared terrible final week in a loss that eradicated Washington. They barely beat lowly Houston in Week 14 and misplaced to Jacksonville the next week.

Dak Prescott is popping over the ball far too usually, with three pick-6s within the final 4 video games. However Micah Parsons may make life depressing for Tom Brady towards an inferior offensive line.

The Buccaneers (8-9) struggled all season, profitable a woeful NFC South to get the No. 4 seed. Brady led them to 3 comeback wins within the fourth quarter over the ultimate six video games for his or her solely wins in that span.

Tampa beat Dallas 19-3 on the highway in Week 1 for one among simply two double-digit wins.

Chasing his eighth Tremendous Bowl ring, Brady has by no means entered the playoffs on a crew this dangerous. It could possibly be a fast exit.

COWBOYS, 24-23

2022 RECORD

Final Week: Straight up: 11-5. Towards unfold: 8-8.

Season: Straight up: 171-99. Towards unfold: 136-129-5.

Thursday: Straight up: 13-6. Towards unfold: 9-10.

Monday: Straight up: 10-7. Towards unfold: 8-9.

Finest Wager: Straight up: 10-8. Towards unfold: 9-9.

Upset Particular: Straight up: 6-11. Towards unfold: 8-8-1.

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Observe Rob Maaddi on Twitter at https://twitter.com/robmaaddi

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