With the 2022-23 NFL regular season in the books, now is the time for the Wild card Round, and with it some exciting matchups this weekend. Here are my picls for what promises to be a very thrilling sports weekend.
AFC
Kansas City Chiefs (1) bye*
Los Angeles Chargers (5) vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (4): West Coast team traveling into the deep South to play a suddenly red-hot team at home and likely to feed of the energy of a very loud crowd.
This does not bode well for the visiting Chargers, despite them having Justin Herbert, Jacksonville has the Super Bowl-winning coach on their sideline in Doug Pederson and an ascending QB of his own in Trevor Lawrence, who is beginning to peak at the right time. PICK: Jaguars by 10
Baltimore Ravens (6) vs. Cincinnati Bengals (3): No Lamar Jackson, and a quarterback one year removed from winning the Super Bowl in Joe Burrow. Baltimore better stock up on some energy crabcakes, because its going to be a long day in the Queen City. Pick: Bengals by 14
Miami Dolphins (7) vs. Buffalo Bills (2): An already daunting road game for the visiting Dolphins, just got worse with Miami selecting Skylar Thompson as their sacrificial lamb in a already charged up Highmark Stadium that will feed off the energy of Damar Hamlin returning home to add some fuel to what will be a ahi ahi grill of dolphin. Pick: Bills by 21
NFC
Philadelphia Eagles (1) bye*
Dallas Cowboys (5) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4): In what could either be Brady’s last stand in Tampa or Prescott’s latest playoff egg, while Dallas is coming into Cigar City with some confidence, Prescott is turning the ball over at an alarming rate, and it is hard to bet against the G.O.A.T. at home. Fire the cannons! Pick: Bucs by 3
New York Giants (6) vs. Minnesota Vikings (3): The Minneapolis Miracle and The Comeback. Strang things always seem to happen in MSP, there is one team that is capable of delating the Vikings post-season magic, it is the New York Giants.
A heavy dose of Saquon Barkley and Daniel Jones’ mobility if should be enough to offset the aggressive Vikings pass rush inside of a loud US Bank Stadium. Also, you just can’t trust Captain Kirk, as we all know Cousins turns into a pumpkin when the lights are on. UPSET! Pick: Giants by 1
Seattle Seahawks (7) vs. San Francisco 49ers (2): “Big Balls” Pete vs. Mr. Irrelevant down in Silicon Valley. While the revival of journeyman bust Geno Smith has been a great story to follow and cover all year in the NFL, the Niners’ defense has treated him like their personal cornhole this season in sacking the former WVU standout five times this season along with picking him off once this season.
It’s always a bad bet to go against a home team with a red-hot defense and a rising star at QB in Brock Purdy. Pick: Niners by 10
One Reply to “2023 NFL Wild Card Round Preview: JAX To Shock Chargers? Cowboys To Sink Bucs?”