2022 NFL Wild Card Weekend: Picks and predictions for each game
There are only 13 games remaining in the NFL season, and we’re about to tackle the half-dozen affairs played out on Wild Card Weekend.
FOX. 13-4. 9-8. 36. Saturday, Jan. 14. 42. SF -9.5. 4:30 p.m. ET
The Niners swept the Seahawks this season, and while the old trope says it’s tough to sweep a three-game set, that’s going to happen on Saturday in Santa Clara.
Seattle has been a great story and Geno Smith is a deserving Pro Bowler, but the 49ers are on an entirely different level. Very tough spot for the Seahawks.
Pick: San Francisco 24, Seattle 13
NBC. Saturday, Jan. 14. 9-8. 8:15 p.m. ET. 10-7. 13. 52. LAC -2
The Chargers were gaining momentum and healthy. Then Brandon Staley went full Staley and started his stars in Week 18, lost to Denver, and Mike Williams was injured.
Jacksonville isn’t as talented as Los Angeles, but the Jaguars match up well. They like to have Trevor Lawrence throw quickly and Travis Etienne can run the rock. That hurts the combination of Chargers’ edge rushers Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack.
Pick: Jacksonville 26, Los Angeles 24
1 p.m. ET. 9-8. CBS. Sunday, Jan. 15. 13-3. 59. 16. BUF -13
Let’s be blunt. Josh Allen isn’t losing to Skylark Thompson. Case Keenum wouldn’t lose to Skylar Thompson. Buffalo is about to baptize Miami, making this a bye week with only the concern of getting injured.
For the Dolphins, their only chance is to run the ball incredibly well, force turnovers and be unpredictable in their play-calls. Good luck.
Pick: Buffalo 34, Miami 13
60. MIN -3. FOX. 31. Sunday, Jan. 15. 13-4. 4:30 p.m. ET. 9-7-1
If I told you any scenario in the world for this game, you’d believe it. The Giants win by 30. The Vikings win on a 13-step hook-and-lateral. It’s all in play.
This is absolutely the Agent of Chaos matchup this weekend. The Vikings are 11-0 in one-score games, including a Week 15 win over New York which included a game-winning 61-yard field goal as time expired. Essentially, this might come down to whether Minnesota can get one or two big defensive plays.
Pick: New York 28, Minnesota 24
56. 8:15 p.m. ET. 26. Sunday, Jan. 15. NBC. 12-4. CIN -7. 10-7
Who is playing quarterback for the Ravens? It doesn’t appear it’ll be Lamar Jackson based on Wednesday’s injury report, so give me the Bengals.
However, there is hope for Baltimore. The Ravens can run the ball with brutal efficiency, and the defense can match up outside against Bengals receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins with corners Marcus Peters and Marlon Humphrey. But is that enough to actually win?
Pick: Cincinnati 24, Baltimore 18
12-5. 48. DAL -2.5. 123. ESPN. Monday, Jan. 16. 8-9. 8:15 p.m. ET
The Cowboys should win. They have a great pass rush, they’re more talented, and they’re facing a Bucs team which has scored 30 points twice all season.
And yet, this is Dallas. The Buccaneers have a defense capable of forcing the turnover-prone Dak Prescott into a bevy off mistakes, and the Cowboys are always good for a litany of penalties. If this game comes down to Tom Brady late, it’s over.
Pick: Tampa Bay 23, Dallas 20
Last Week: 12-4
Season: 173-88-2