BYE WEEK: CHIEFS AND EAGLES

SATURDAY

#7 SEAHAWKS (9-8) AT #2 49ERS (13-4)

SATURDAY – 1:35PM PT/4:35PM ET [FOX]

There’s nothing better than starting a Super Wild Card weekend with round 3 of the Seahawks/Niners rivalry. San Francisco swept Seattle for the first time since 2011 (good God it’s been over a decade!). Their defense is a monstrosity while their offense is an unpredictable problem. The squad is tailor-made for a potential Super Bowl run as long as Brock Purdy takes care of business and doesn’t let the rookie side take over. Seattle survived and advanced to the playoffs after their win over the Rams and the Lions dragging Green Bay out of the playoffs. They have one the best offenses in the league led by Geno Smith, a slew of new named running backs, and of course Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf. They could surprise in the postseason, but their defense wasn’t great all season. Unless they turn things around by Saturday, San Fran likely pummels them out of the playoffs for a 3-for-1 season sweep for the first time in team history.

MY PICK: 49ERS

#5 CHARGERS (10-6) AT #4 JAGUARS (9-8)

5:15PM PT/8:15PM ET [NBC]

Justin Herbert vs. Trevor Lawrence: Part 2 should be a much better matchup than Part 1 and both make their playoff debut. The Jaguars put a hurtin’ on Los Angeles due to injuries and Herbert’s limitations from his rib injury. It will be a different story as players continue to heal during the latter stage of the season. Joey Bosa should be ready to go, Justin Herbert’s healthy and as lethal as usual, and Keenan Allen’s return is enough to chew up yards for bigger opportunities to guys around him. Jacksonville finished the season in grand fashion with their defense coming up with a Pick 6 to net them a divisional title. After the bye, they won six of their last seven games. Trevor Lawrence showed that he’s a future superstar quarterback. The high-paid receivers are coming through for him, and Travis Etienne is slowly but surely becoming the reason why the Jaguars drafted him. Their defense lately became the most crucial part of this team’s success in the last seven weeks as well. Jacksonville may have some difficulty repeating because Los Angeles’s offense will be ready for them, even if Mike Williams is not active. They have enough talent to bounce back with the equalizer.

MY PICK: CHARGERS

SUNDAY

#7 DOLPHINS (9-8) AT #2 BILLS (13-3)

10:05AM PT/1:05PM ET [CBS]

Round one was dramatic, round two was intense, but what will round three look like? This matchup won’t include Tua Tagovailoa and others on offense are also dealing with injuries. Meanwhile, Buffalo will play with plenty of emotion and togetherness for Damar Hamlin, and hope it takes them far. The first two matchups were great, but not so much for the third. Miami doesn’t have the offensive firepower without Tua to keep up with Josh Allen and the Bills. With Tua, the offense averaged 26 points per game. Without Tua, they averaged 10 points less. Buffalo likely wins with ease.

MY PICK: BILLS

#6 GIANTS (9-7-1) AT #3 VIKINGS (13-4)

SUNDAY – 1:40PM PT/4:40PM ET [FOX]

The Vikings vs. the Giants should be one of the better rematches of the weekend. New York returns to the playoffs for the first time since 2016. Brian Daboll and Wink Martindale turned this organization around in an instant. They’re playing competitive, and current players that struggled due to injury and lack of performance are finally stepping up. The Vikings, to an extent, played like one of the better teams in the NFL. They have all the talent on offense to compete with just about anybody in the league. Also, to an extent, Minnesota’s defense is capable of impact plays to keep this team alive. However, this matchup is very intriguing because we’re going to find out who has lesser flaws. Minnesota ended their streak of close wins with a double-digit victory over the Bears, but all of their losses were by double-digits. New York started the season 6-2 before the bye. But after, they went 3-5-1. They won nine games, but seven of those were against non-playoff teams. Some believe a Giants’ upset is coming but they must come out running up the score and keeping it there for four quarters. Otherwise, this matchup is close, and Minnesota wins it for the 12th time this season.

MY PICK: VIKINGS

#6 RAVENS (10-7) AT #3 BENGALS (11-4)

5:15PM PT/8:15PM ET [NBC]

Both rematch in back-to-back weeks. This is the second time in three seasons that the AFC North teams rematch in back-to-back weeks between the regular season and the playoffs (Browns vs Steelers). The Bengals return to the playoffs playing like the hottest team in the AFC while Baltimore sputtered their way in without Lamar Jackson for the seventh straight game. Since November, the Bengals haven’t lost a game. Their offense proved to be dangerous under Joe Burrow, Joe Mixon, Sam Perine, Ja’Mar Chase, and company. Defense, when given the opportunity, will make opposing offenses’ lives difficult as long as Trey Hendrickson and Sam Hubbard are active. The Ravens, at first, were finding their rhythm as the season went on, but Lamar Jackson’s injury led to a slow decline since December. Ever since he was out, the team hasn’t scored 20 points or more since his absence. That being said, Cincinnati concludes this rivalry meeting with a win.

MY PICK: BENGALS

MONDAY

#5 COWBOYS (12-5) AT #4 BUCCANEERS (8-9)

MONDAY – 5:15PM PT/8:15PM ET [ESPN/ABC]

This will be the third meeting in two seasons between Dallas and Tom Brady’s Bucs on primetime. It’s odd because of Dallas’s turnover issues and Tampa Tom’s full season of offensive inconsistencies. Since Dak Prescott returned, this team has rarely gone a game without him turning over the ball. Dallas’s defense and the run game sometimes had to save his Texas bacon on more than one occasion. Tampa Tom’s offense wasn’t great. After the victory over New Orleans, they haven’t stomped anybody. Every win was by six points or less and a few came by comeback wins to survive. The offensive line and some parts of the defense were beat up all season. The Bucs’ defense mostly recovered, and as long as they have Tom Brady running the show, this team always has a chance. As much as I barely like Dallas in this matchup, it’s hard to bet against Brady in potentially his last ride with Tampa.

MY PICK: BUCCANEERS