2023 NFL Wild Card Weekend Predictions

As usual, the NFL regular season was one full of highlights for some teams and low-lights for others. With the regular season now concluded, only the teams that have been able to achieve those highs remain. This upcoming weekend marks the beginning of the NFL 2023 Playoffs with six Wild Card match-ups scheduled to take place. Here are my predictions for each of the outcomes of those six games. 

Seahawks @ 49ers

The first game of Super Wild Card Weekend features a division battle between the Seattle Seahawks and the San Francisco 49ers. The Niners are highly considered one of the best teams in the NFC by many people in the NFL world; however, the Seahawks are a hot team that has been an underdog all season long.

The reality of this match-up is that the 49ers are better at nearly every position than the Seahawks are. With that said, division games are always full of surprises. I predict that the 49ers will find a way to win this game, but Brock Purdy's inexperience in the playoffs will make this a closer game than expected. I also believe that the Seahawks' offense will find a way to expose a mediocre 49ers secondary that has ridden the coattails of their front seven this season.

Official Prediction: 49ers win, Seahawks cover +10, Over 42.5 points

Chargers @ Jaguars

On paper, the upcoming Los Angeles Chargers vs. Jacksonville Jaguars clash is one of the more exciting games of the weekend. It features two young and emerging star quarterbacks, a plethora of star-studded skill position players, and two franchises that are still chasing their first Super Bowls.

With the high-powered offenses that this game features, many expect it to be a shootout. I stand with that group of people, as I believe that both quarterbacks will come out slinging this Saturday night. My bold prediction of the game is that Justin Herbert and Trevor Lawrence will combine for five or more touchdown passes. I also think that the game will be a one-score game for the majority of it, and it will come down to which coach out-coaches the other. In this case, I am taking Doug Pederson over Brandon Staley.

Official Prediction: Jaguars win, Chargers do not cover -2.5, Over 47.5 points

Dolphins @ Bills

This is the second of three divisional battles of Super Wild Card Weekend. If Tua Tagovailoa was playing, I would have at least selected the Miami Dolphins to cover the spread; however, Skylar Thompson will be starting, and he left much to be desired last weekend against the New York Jets. I believe that the Buffalo Bills will ride all of their momentum into the playoffs and end up thumping the Dolphins in this game. 

Official Prediction: Bills win, Bills cover -13, Under 43.5 points

Giants @ Vikings

Of all the battles this weekend, the New York Giants vs. Minnesota Vikings is the one that I have gone back and forth the most with on who I think will win. On Christmas Eve, their regular season game came down to a walk-off field goal. I believe that this game will be close enough that either team could repeat what happened in that game.

While I am not a huge fan of the Giants roster, I have a weird feeling that they may somehow find a way to win. With that said, I am banking that the Vikings offense will explode against the Giants' secondary. This game is truly a coin flip for me, and I think it is going to come down to whichever team is able to force a critical turnover. I predict that Daniel Jones will be the one that ends up making the wrong throw at the wrong time, though I would not be surprised if Kirk Cousins ends up being that guy.

Official Prediction: Vikings win, Giants cover +3, Under 48 points

Ravens @ Bengals

Much like the Bills-Dolphins game, I think that this division matchup would have been close if both teams had their starting quarterbacks. Anticipating that Lamar Jackson does not play, I think the Cincinnati Bengals will handle business against the Baltimore Ravens this weekend. 

I also believe that this game will feature the largest win margin of the weekend. Given how bad the Ravens' offense has been without Jackson, I do not see them posting more than 17 points. Meanwhile, I think that the Bengals will easily score 28 or more. If I were to bet on any playoff game, I would feel the most confident in putting my money on the Bengals.

Official Prediction: Bengals win, Bengals cover -8.5, Over 40.5 points

Cowboys @ Buccaneers

Many people in the media are picking an upset here, as I have seen many individuals choose the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to come away with a victory over the visiting Dallas Cowboys. I understand why, as the Bucs have the greatest quarterback ever in Tom Brady, they are playing at home on a national stage, and they already beat the Cowboys this year. However, it pains me to say that I do not think any of that will matter to the Cowboys in this game. 

While I do not think the Cowboys are better than the Philadelphia Eagles or San Francisco  49ers, I do think that they are the third best team in the NFC. Meanwhile, I do not think that the Bucs are even better than the eliminated Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers. Despite their weak roster, they are still in this position, and they certainly have a fighting chance to win. Regardless of the factors that seem to be in Tampa Bay's favor, I think the Cowboys find a way to get their one and only victory this post-season.

Official Prediction: Cowboys win, Buccaneers cover +2.5, Under 45 points