NFL playoff picks, predictions: Jaguars, Giants, Bucs upset favorites in wild-card games
The NFL playoffs begin this weekend with six games.
Which teams will win them?
Check out The Arizona Republic's picks and predictions for each game on the NFL playoffs Super Wild Card Weekend schedule.
We're picking some upsets with three underdogs in the odds projected to get victories and advance to the NFL playoffs Divisional Round next week.
We also think a big longshot could put a scare into a favorite in another game.
All times MST.
NFL playoff picks: Seahawks vs. 49ers | Chargers vs. Jaguars | Dolphins vs. Bills | Giants vs. Vikings | Ravens vs. Bengals | Cowboys vs. Buccaneers
Saturday football games
Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers, 2:30 p.m., Fox
The Seahawks played the 49ers pretty tough in their Week 15 matchup, a 21-13 San Francisco win. We're not calling for the upset, but we think Geno Smith can keep this game close, perhaps a little too close for comfort for 49ers fans.
Prediction: 49ers 21, Seahawks 17
Los Angeles Chargers at Jacksonville Jaguars, 6:15 p.m., NBC, Peacock
The Chargers are favored in this one, but the Jaguars are the team with the momentum, riding a 5-game win streak. Jacksonville beat Los Angeles on the road in Week 3, 38-10. It can beat the Chargers at home in the playoffs.
Prediction: Jaguars 28, Chargers 24
NFL playoff odds: Seahawks vs. 49ers | Chargers vs. Jaguars | Dolphins vs. Bills | Giants vs. Vikings | Ravens vs. Bengals | Cowboys vs. Buccaneers
Sunday football games
Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills, 11 a.m., CBS, Paramount+
The QB situation looms over the Dolphins, who gave everything they had with Tua Tagovailoa in Buffalo in a 32-29 loss in Week 15. It just feels like it would take a miracle for Miami to upset Buffalo on the road.
Prediction: Bills 35, Dolphins 14
New York Giants at Minnesota Vikings, 2:30 p.m., Fox
Minnesota knows how to win close games and it has won more than its share this season, including getting a late field goal to top the Giants in Week 16, 27-24. We think a close game will finally go against the Vikings here with the Giants winning in an upset.
Prediction: Giants 24, Vikings 21
Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals, 6:15 p.m., NBC, Peacock
Like the Dolphins, the QB situation for Baltimore looms over this game. We're not sure the Ravens can beat the Bengals, even if they had a healthy (but very rusty) Lamar Jackson. Cincinnati's offense is just clicking right now.
Prediction: Bengals 27, Ravens 16
NFL playoff schedule: Seahawks vs. 49ers | Chargers vs. Jaguars | Dolphins vs. Bills | Giants vs. Vikings | Ravens vs. Bengals | Cowboys vs. Buccaneers | TV info.
Monday football game
Dallas Cowboys at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 6:15 p.m., ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN+
The Cowboys are favored in this one, but the Buccaneers are at home and they do still have Tom Brady. The Cowboys started their season with a 19-3 loss to the Bucs in Dallas. Their season will end with another loss to Tampa Bay.
Prediction: Buccaneers 20, Cowboys 17
More:NFL power rankings: 49ers, Bengals, Bills, Chiefs, Jaguars on fire entering NFL playoffs
More:Super Bowl odds: Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills favorites to win NFL playoffs
Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: NFL playoff picks, predictions: Upsets projected in wild-card games
