Four. That's the number of wins that separate a team playing in this weekend's Wild Card games from winning Super Bowl LVII and hoisting the Lombardi Trophy in mid-February. Both the Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals lead the way in the AFC this weekend, as they will each take on back-up quarterbacks. In the NFC, the San Francisco 49ers are on their third quarterback, but that is irrelevant. At this point, we all need to acknowlege that Brock Purdy has gotten them to the No. 2 seed of the conference. Not bad for a guy who was almost undrafted. Another NFC storyline, could this be the last game we see Tom Brady play for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers? Or ever? Or does TB12 have another Super Bowl run left in the tank?
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From Saturday to Monday there are six games, some better than others, but nevertheless it will be a jam-packed weekend on NFL football and so for that, here are our rankings of the top games of NFL Wild Card Weekend, by their entertainment value and potential to shake things up.
6. No. 7 Miami Dolphins (9-8) at No. 2 Buffalo Bills (13-3)
Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images
- How to Watch: CBS
- Date/Time: Jan 15, 1:00 p.m. (EST)
- Betting: BUF -13, O/U: 43.5
The Miami Dolphins will be without Tua in a game that could get out of hand pretty quickly as the momentum and emotions are on the side of the Buffalo Bills. All signs are pointing to a Buffalo W, but the Dolphins could shock the world if they pull away quickly. But then again... the Bills feel like the team of destiny at this point.
Final Score: Buffalo 34, Miami 17.
5. No. 5 Baltimore Ravens (10-7) at No. 3 Cincinnati Bengals (13-4)
Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images
- How to Watch: NBC
- Date/Time: Jan 15, 7:15 p.m. (EST)
- Betting: CIN -9, O/U: 40.5
The Cincinnati Bengals take on the Baltimore Ravens for the second straight week as they begin their playoff climb back to the Super Bowl. Can the Bengals beat Jim Harbaugh's Ravens twice in back-to-back weeks? Don't count on it.
Final Score: Cincinnati 38, Baltimore 20.
4. No. 7 Seattle Seahawks (9-8) at No. 2 San Francisco 49ers (13-4)
Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images
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- How to Watch: FOX
- Date/Time: Jan 14, 4:30 p.m. (EST)
- Betting: SF -9.5, O/U: 42.5
Regardless if Brock Purdy's play lessens in the playoffs, the defense and weapons of the San Francisco 49ers is enough to avoid an upset of the surprising Seattle Seahawks, led by quarterback Geno Smith.
Final Score: San Francisco 33, Seattle 20.
3. No. 5 Dallas Cowboys (12-5) at No. 4 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-9)
Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images
- How to Watch: ESPN/ABC
- Date/Time: Jan 16, 8:15 p.m. (EST)
- Betting: DAL -2.5, O/U: 45.5
A rematch from early this season sees Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers taking on the Dallas Cowboys who hope to spoil the G.O.A.T.'s run at Super Bowl Ring No. 8. For Dallas, the goal is to get past the Bucs and into the Divisional Round. If not, we may see a lot of changes in Dallas over the offseason.
Final Score: Tampa Bay 20, Dallas 17.
2. No. 6 New York Giants (9-7-1) at No. 3 Minnesota Vikings (13-4)
Photo by David Berding/Getty Images
- How to Watch: FOX
- Date/Time: Jan 15, 4:30 p.m. (EST)
- Betting: MIN -3, O/U: 48
The Minnesota Vikings have been playing it close to the chest all season and look to avoid an early playoff exit as the resurgent New York Giants come into town. Can Kirk Cousins show up in a semi-primetime spot, or do the G-Men continue their improbable run? This one could be a shocker.
Final Score: New York 27, Minnesota 24.
1. No. 5 Los Angeles Chargers (10-7) at No. 4 Jacksonville Jaguars (9-8)
Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images
- How to Watch: NBC
- Date/Time: Jan 14, 8:15 p.m. (EST)
- Betting: LAC -2.5, O/U: 47.5
The Los Angeles Chargers hope that late season injuries do not catch up to them as they travel to Jacksonville to take on a Jaguars team who is one of the hottest teams in the league. But the biggest story in this game is the playoff debuts of Trevor Lawrence and Justin Herbert.
Final Score: Los Angeles 31, Jacksonville 30.
