Jacksonville Jaguars predictions: Who do NFL experts pick to win playoff game vs. LA Chargers?

The Jacksonville Jaguars and Los Angeles Chargers are both back in the NFL playoffs after a few years' absence. The two teams led by young star quarterbacks Trevor Lawrence and Justin Herbert face off in the AFC wild-card round on Saturday night in Jacksonville.

The Jaguars (9-8) are on a five-game winning streak bookended by wins against the AFC South rival Tennessee Titans. A win in front of their rowdy home crowd last week punched their ticket to the postseason for the first time since 2018, the same year new coach Doug Pederson led the Philadelphia Eagles to a Super Bowl win.

The Chargers (10-7) were on a four-game winning streak before dropping their Week 18 game vs. the Denver Broncos. That game saw star pass rusher Joey Bosa and wide receiver Mike Williams leave early with injuries. LA has dealt with injury issues all season, with Williams and Keenan Allen finally playing at the same time at the start of their late winning streak.

These two teams played in Week 3, when the Jaguars rolled to a 38-10 win in California. Zay Jones, Christian Kirk and Marvin Jones all caught touchdown passes for Jacksonville.

Our Jaguars-Chargers predictions:Times-Union staff makes their picks for Los Angeles Chargers at Jacksonville Jaguars

NFL playoffsHow to watch Jacksonville Jaguars vs. L.A. Chargers in AFC Wild Card game

'Speechless':Jaguars' Shad Khan celebrates AFC South championship, talks turnaround season

Music at the game:Jaguars reveal national anthem, halftime acts for Saturday playoff game against Chargers

Who will advance to the AFC divisional playoffs? NFL reporters and analysts weigh in with their picks:

Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News: Chargers 27-24

The Jaguars won the Week 3 meeting at Los Angeles 38-10 with Justin Herbert trying to play through his painful ribs injury. They also have won five consecutive games in their second-half run to the AFC South title. The Chargers were just as hot until they got into more of rest mode late in their Week 18 loss at Denver.

Something needs to give here in a more of an even passing duel between Herbert and Trevor Lawrence. The Jaguars' defense has been making more big plays to make up for some big weaknesses vs. pass and run. The Chargers' defense, however, has been steadier overall on every level. This game actually becomes more about Austin Ekeler vs. Travis Etienne, with advantage to L.A.'s more established dynamo.

John Breech, CBS Sports: Jaguars 34-31

The Jaguars defense won't be able to stop the Chargers passing game. The Chargers defense won't be able to stop the Jaguars ground game and now that I'm saying this out loud, I feel like this is going to turn into a shootout.

This could be the craziest game of the wild-card round and I'm kind of split here with my pick, but after watching the Chargers go 1-3 in outdoor games this year -- a record that would have been 0-4 if the Browns didn't miss a 53-yard field goal in the final seconds -- I'm going to have to roll with the Jags. That is not a typo. I am picking Jacksonville to win a playoff game.

Mike Florio, Pro Football Talk: Jaguars 24-21

Jacksonville destroyed the Chargers in Week Three. And that was before the Jaguars evolved into the team they now are — balanced, effective, confident, successful. Throw in the fact that they’re the underdogs, and that should be enough to push them over the top.

Gerry Dulac, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Jaguars 28-27

This just might be the most competitive game of the weekend and could be the most exciting. Do not be fooled by the Jaguars record. They won their last five games to become the fifth team since the 1970 merger to go from the worst in the league to division winner in one year. Doug Pederson is hands down coach of the year. Should come down to which young QB shakes the least in their first playoff appearance — Trevor Lawrence or Justin Herbert?

Gregg Rosenthal, NFL.com: Chargers 24-20

I take more away from the Jaguars' Week 18 adventure than the Chargers' letdown against the Broncos. With the playoffs on the line, needing a comeback, the Jaguars offense recorded exactly one first down in its final five drives before the improving Jags defense won the game. Travis Etienne will be more productive this week, but the Chargers defense is healthier than it's been all year and built to slow down the pass. I believe in Brandon Staley's game-planning.

Mike Williams is trending toward playing and his status looms large. I trust where Justin Herbert is at his stage of development more than Trevor Lawrence, and Herbert should have the easier matchup overall.

Bill Bender, Sporting News: Jaguars 28-27

Jacksonville won the regular-season matchup on the road in convincing fashion, and they closed the regular-season with a four-game winning streak. The Chargers had key injuries to Joey Bosa and Mike Williams in Week 18. This is the only wild-card matchup between two 4,000-yard passers in Trevor Lawrence and Justin Herbert, and that should lead to a high-scoring game. The Jaguars' magical run continues at home, and a late TD pass by Lawrence seals the victory.

Michael David Smith, Pro Football Talk: Chargers 27-20

It’s great news in Jacksonville that they’re hosting a playoff game in Trevor Lawrence‘s second year and Doug Pederson’s first. But Justin Herbert is going to have a big game in his playoff debut as the Chargers win.

Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: Jaguars 34-31

This is a game featuring two of the best young quarterback in the league. Justin Herbert and Trevor Lawrence will both be playing in their first playoff game, but I don't think that will matter. The Jaguars dominated the Chargers in blowing them out in Week 3, but this will be a lot closer. Both passing games should have big days, so it should be a shootout. Look for the Jaguars to make one more big play to win it as Lawrence wins the first of his battles with Herbert.

Nick Musial, Sporting News: Chargers 24-21

As the spread indicates, this game's likely going to be decided in the final minutes of the fourth quarter. Given the Chargers' offense is playing at a slightly higher level right now, we'll side with Herbert and company, thinking he makes a handful of big plays on third down and potentially leads the Chargers on another game-winning drive. Lawrence and the Jaguars will make things interesting but ultimately run out of steam.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jaguars vs. Chargers predictions: NFL experts pick AFC playoff game