The NFL playoffs are here, and the goal is simple.
Win or go home.
Super Bowl 57 is on the horizon but only two teams will punch their ticket. It takes three wins to secure the exclusive invite. This weekend, 12 teams start their postseason roster during “Super Wild Card Weekend.”
Each team will face an opponent they have previously played in this season.
The NFC West rivalry was renewed on Saturday afternoon. The San Francisco 49ers beat the Seattle Seahawks for the third time this season. This time, a win sends Gino Smith and company home for good.
Follow every match: Latest NFL results and schedules
On Sunday, there will be two other division matches. The Buffalo Bills will host the Miami Dolphins on the early roster. Meanwhile, the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals are set to renew their AFC North rivalries in prime time.
The remaining matches feature teams looking for revenge. The Dallas Cowboys, Los Angeles Chargers and Baltimore Ravens hope to get out of the way. Can the Cowboys spoil another round of Tom Brady’s playoff game?
Highest honors: NFL stars Travis Kelsey, and Justin Jefferson make NFL All-Pro teams
Selections: As the playoffs begin, do the Cowboys or Buccaneers advance?
mock draft: The Alabama Stars top an interesting list of eligible collegiate athletes
Here’s a rundown of all the wild card action around the NFL.
San Francisco 49ers 41, Seattle Seahawks 23
Briefly: Despite fighting hard in the first half, the Seattle Seahawks couldn’t keep up with the hot San Francisco 49ers in the opener. Brock Purdy led San Francisco’s powerful offense with four total touchdowns and 332 yards. Christian McCaffrey added a total of 136 yards and was on the receiving end of a score. Despite the loss, Seahawks receiver DK Metcalf had 10 receptions for 136 yards and caught two touchdown passes from Geno Smith. San Francisco’s defense silenced them in the second half, led by Dre Greenlaw’s 11 tackles and two sacks by Charles Omeniho.
Highlight his knowledge: With 2:31 left in the third quarter and the 49ers leading 23-17, the pocket collapsed around Smith and Omenihu sacked him. The quarterback lost the ball in the frenzy and NFL leader Nick Bosa jumped on the ball to recover. The play crushed any momentum the Seahawks had.
Next: The 49ers move on to the divisional round and will host the Minnesota Vikings, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, or Dallas Cowboys. The Seahawks season is over.
Los Angeles Chargers at Jacksonville Jaguars
Starting: 8:15 p.m. ET (Saturday)
television: NBC
Betting information: Odds, money streak and more
what do you know: The Chargers got a head-to-head look at the Jaguars in Week 3. Walking off Jacksonville who entered SoFi Stadium with a 38-10 win. It was a special win that pushed the Jaguar team forward. The Chargers will seek revenge on Saturday night. A lot has changed for each team since the start of the season. Quarterbacks Trevor Lawrence and Justin Herbert are both making their postseason debuts. However, Herbert would be without key playmaker Mike Williams. The veteran receiver was ruled out with a back injury. How will his injury affect the Chargers’ offense? This could be a game of toss up to final possession.
Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills
Starting: 1:00 p.m. ET (Sunday)
television: CBS
Betting information: Odds, money streak and more
what do you know: The Bills play more than just football. With teammate Damar Hamlin advancing after a dreaded collapse in Week 17, the Bills entered the postseason with renewed spirit and mission. Dolphins have some confidence, too. They defeated Buffalo in Week 3 and lost by a field goal in Week 15. While both opponents know each other well, the elephant in the room is Dolphins’ rookie quarterback Skyler Thompson. There will be a lot on his shoulders going into his first playoff game. Expect the dolphins to rely on the running game for early stress relief. However, Thompson will have to make timely plays if Miami has any hope of creating a massive upset.
New York Giants at Minnesota Vikings
Starting: 4:30 p.m. ET
television: Fox
Betting information: Odds, money streak and more
what do you know: Which Vikings squad will appear on Sunday? This is the million dollar question about conformity. Minnesota has looked like a Super Bowl contender this season. The trio of stars Kirk Cousins, Justin Jefferson, and Dalphine Cook are dominant at times. However, the Vikings could suffer great disappointment. The Giants should rest well because the starters got a nice break during Week 18. Expect the Giants to challenge the Vikings’ pass defense that ranks 31st in the league. Quarterback Daniel Jones completed 30 of 42 passes for 334 yards in the previous game. Added 1 touchdown and 1 interception.
Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals
Starting: 8:15 p.m. ET
television: NBC
Betting information: Odds, money streak and more
what do you know: The Ravens are expected to be without quarterback Lamar Jackson on Sunday. It’s a huge blow to their chances against the Bengals in the wild card round. Backup quarterbacks Tyler Huntley and Anthony Brown were serviceable. However, Bengals are a different entity. Week 18 provided an outline of the current reality for both teams. The Bengals won 27-16 and forced four sacks and four turnovers. Bengal star Ja’Marr Chase made eight catches for 86 yards and a touchdown. It could be a similar story on Sunday night.
Dallas Cowboys at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Starting: 8:15 p.m. ET
television: ESPN, ABC
Betting information: Odds, money streak and more
what do you know: Tom Brady has another shot at winning his eighth Super Bowl. Despite a turbulent season that resulted in a losing 8-9 record, Brady still has the Buccaneers in a prime position. Tampa Bay is in a playoff game at home against a tough Dallas team. Brady is 7-0 in his career against the Cowboys. However, Dallas arrives with confidence. Key players have returned since their Week 1 loss against Tampa Bay. Expect the Cowboys to rely on running back duo Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard to control the line of scrimmage. This could be a close encounter as a mistake can affect the outcome of the game.
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