Wildcard Preview

The Wildcard weekend is upon us. But who will come out and advance to the Divisional round?

49ers vs Seahawks

The first playoff match up of the year, coming from Levi’s Stadium. The high-flying 49ers against a surprise Seahawks team with Geno Smith at the helm.

We can look forward to both quarterbacks making their postseason debut, Brock Purdy in only his sixth NFL start, and journeyman Geno Smith finally taking his team to January football.

It’s hard to look past the talent on the 49ers offence, Christian McCaffrey, Brandon Aiyuk and George Kittle have combined since McCaffrey arrival to have the NFL’s highest points per game (29.8), whilst the Seahawks only average 24.3 points per game.

Score Prediction: SF 31-17 SEA

Jaguars vs Chargers

I don’t think I’m the only one who’s slightly surprised to see the Jaguars hosting a playoff game this season. Trevor Lawrence and Co have revitalised the Jags, who are making their first playoff appearance since making the AFC Championship in 2017.

The LA Chargers have had a season of ups and downs, with Keenan Allen and Justin Herbert sustaining injuries that have hindered them for the majority of the season. 

The home field advantage could prove crucial in this matchup for these two young QB’s, who both have to face defenses who’ve struggled as a whole this season. 

The Chargers are dealing with key injuries on both sides of the ball, Joey Bosa, who has been a full participant in practice this week, and Mike Williams who is yet to practice, whereas the Jags are relatively healthy.

On the basis of their 5 game winning streak, and their full strength roster, I think it will be Jacksonville advancing to the Divisional Round.

Score Prediction: JAGS 28-24 LAC

Bills vs Dolphins

Buffalo in January is a place no team desires to go, least not a team from Florida. Both matchups between these teams this season have been in extreme weather, and this looks to be no different, with 33°F forecast for Sunday afternoon.

The two games between these teams in the regular season were won by a total of 5 points combined, although both games were started by Tua in at QB for the Dolphins. 

Mike McDaniel officially ruled out Tua for Sundays matchup, which is a huge blow for the Dolphins, whereas the Bills team is as healthy as it’s been since week 1. 

TreDavious White and Jordan Poyer are coming back to full health, two of the most important pieces of the Bills secondary.

With Skylar Thompson to start opposite Josh Allen at QB, it’s extremely difficult to see anything other than a Bills win.

Score Prediction: BUF 33-17 MIA 

Vikings vs Giants

Daniel Jones and Brian Daboll will be hoping for a better ending to this game than they got in Week 16, with Vikings Kicker Greg Joseph scoring a walk off field goal to win the game.

The Giants had a depleted Vikings defence at their mercy for the majority of the matchup 3 weeks ago, and the Vikings staff will be hoping adjustments made after that game will be enough to stop the Giants offence moving the ball so freely. 

The Giants will also have to find a way to stop Kirk Cousins and Justin Jefferson from moving the ball downfield, a feat that few teams have been able to achieve this season. 

Score Prediction: MIN 24-27 NYG

Bengals vs Ravens

This will be the third matchup of the season for these two teams, with each team claiming victory once. 

The Ravens will again be without their Star QB Lamar Jackson, whereas the Bengals aren’t missing any key players on either side of the ball. 

Tyler Huntley hasn’t been able to propel this Ravens offence down the field in the same way as Lamar Jackson has, leaving them too reliant on Field Goals to win games, which won’t be enough against this High Powered Bengals offence.

The Bengals have arguably the best receiving corps in the NFL, in Ja’Mar Chase, Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd, and lining up against a weak Ravens Secondary, Joe Burrow should have his way with ease.

Score Prediction: CIN 35-13 BAL

Buccaneers vs Cowboys

It’s no secret that Tom Brady and the Buccaneers have struggled this season. They won their division with a losing record, (8-9) and have yet to find their rhythm as a team. 

They come up against a Cowboys team who has surged through the season with a point to prove. After being injured early on in the season, Dak Prescott has lead the Cowboys to a 12-5 record, and looked dominant in most of those winning games.

The Buccaneers have found it difficult to keep up offensively with their opponents, and their wildcard weekend matchup with Dallas looks to go the same way, irrespective of Tom Brady’s years of Playoff experience.

Score Prediction: TAM 20-28 DAL