NFL wild card weekend scores, schedule: Giants pull off upset, Bengals-Bills set for NFL divisional round

The NFL playoffs have arrived, and the objective is simple.

Win or go home.

Super Bowl 57 is on the horizon but only two teams will punch their ticket. It takes three wins to secure the exclusive invitation. This weekend, 12 teams begin their postseason slate during “Super Wild Card Weekend.”

Each team will face an opponent they have already played this season.

An NFC West rivalry was renewed on Saturday afternoon. The San Francisco 49ers defeated the Seattle Seahawks for the third time this season, while the Jacksonville Jaguars pulled off the third-largest postseason comeback in NFL history against the Los Angeles Chargers.

The Buffalo Bills defeated the Miami Dolphins in the Sunday slate. Bills quarterback Josh Allen threw 352 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions in the victory. The New York Giants picked up a win in the afternoon matchup against the Minnesota Vikings while the Cincinnati Bengals held off the Baltimore Ravens in the nightcap.

The Dallas Cowboys concluded Super Wild Card Weekend with a rout of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers conclude Super Wild Card Weekend. Is this the end for Tom Brady?

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Here's a rundown of all the wild-card action around the NFL.

San Francisco 49ers 41, Seattle Seahawks 23

Briefly: Despite fighting hard in the first half, the Seattle Seahawks could not keep up with the red hot San Francisco 49ers in the wild-card opener. Brock Purdy led San Francisco's high-powered offense with four total touchdowns and 332 passing yards. Christian McCaffrey added 136 total yards and was on the receiving end of one of the scores. Despite the loss, Seahawks receiver D.K. Metcalf had 10 receptions for 136 yards and caught both of Geno Smith's touchdown passes. The San Francisco defense quieted them in the second half, led by 11 tackles from Dre Greenlaw and two sacks from Charles Omenihu.

One highlight to know: With 2:31 left in the third quarter and the 49ers up 23-17, the pocket collapsed around Smith and Omenihu sacked him. The quarterback lost hold of the football in the frenzy and NFL sack leader Nick Bosa jumped on the ball for the fumble recovery. The play squashed any momentum the Seahawks had.

Next up: The 49ers move on to the divisional round and will host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers or Dallas Cowboys. The Seahawks' season is over.

Jacksonville Jaguars 31, Los Angeles Chargers 30

Briefly: The Chargers seemed poised to advance to the divisional round following five takeaways in the first half, but Jacksonville QB Trevor Lawrence led the Jaguars to a 27-point comeback to beat the Chargers 31-30, which marked the third-largest comeback in NFL playoff history. It was simply a tale of two halves for Lawrence. He had 77 passing yards, one touchdown and four interceptions in the first half, but Lawrence finished the game with 288 yards, four touchdowns and four interceptions. “You couldn’t write a crazier script,” Lawrence said afterwards.

One highlight to know: Trailing 30-28 with 3:09 left in the game, Lawrence led the Jaguars on a 61-yard game-winning drive. The Jaguars converted a pivotal fourth-and-1 play with Travis Etienne's 25-yard run to set up Riley Patterson’s 36-yard field goal as time expired.

Next up: The Jaguars lived to fight another day. They will take on the Kansas City Chiefs in the divisional round. The Chargers, however, are going home.

Buffalo Bills 34, Miami Dolphins 31

Briefly: The AFC East rivals turned in a signature slugfest on Sunday. The Dolphins, led by rookie quarterback Skylar Thompson, were big underdogs heading into the action. However, Miami proved the future is bright for their organization. The Dolphins threw everything at the Bills. They forced Bills quarterback Josh Allen to throw two interceptions and fumble three times. Miami also overcame a 14-point deficit in the first half. Still, it wasn't enough to thwart the Bills. Buffalo made several clutch plays late to avoid a colossal postseason loss. Bills cornerback Kaiir Elam, who had an interception, broke up a fourth-and-6 late in the fourth quarter. He knocked away a pass to Dolphins tight end Mike Gesicki. On the following drive, Bills running back Devin Singletary rumbled for a late first down to secure the victory.

One highlight to know: Bills receiver Gabe Davis has a knack for big-game performances. On Sunday, Davis hauled in a 23-yard touchdown to extend the Bills lead to 10 points. Davis finished with six catches for 113 yards and the score.

Next up: The Bills advanced to the AFC divisional round where they will face the Bengals. The Dolphins season ended with the loss.

New York Giants 31, Minnesota Vikings 24

Briefly: The New York Giants became the first road team to pick up a playoff win this season, outdueling the Minnesota Vikings in a back-and-forth affair. Giants QB Daniel Jones became the first quarterback in NFL playoff history to throw for at least 300 yards, run for at least 70 and convert two passing touchdowns, according to the FOX TV broadcast. The Giants, after a 4-13 campaign in 2021, have put together an impressive comeback season behind first-year coach Brian Daboll. Giants RB Saquon Barkley also had two touchdowns Sunday, including the go-ahead score in the fourth quarter. Meanwhile, Vikings QB Kirk Cousins completed 31 of 39 passes for 273 yards and two touchdowns. T.J. Hockenson and Justin Jefferson combined for 17 receptions for Minnesota.

One highlight to know: Barkley had to fight for the end zone in this short-yardage score that put the Giants ahead for good with 7:47 left in the game.

Next up: The Giants advanced to the NFC divisional round. The Vikings' season ended with the loss.

Cincinnati Bengals 24, Baltimore Ravens 17

Briefly: The Cincinnati Bengals held off a feisty Baltimore Ravens team and prevented a last-second touchdown that could have sent the game to overtime. Instead, Bengals QB Joe Burrow and Co. are headed to the AFC divisional round where they will meet the Buffalo Bills in a rematch of the Week 17 game that was not resumed after Damar Hamlin exited due to suffering cardiac arrest on the field. Burrow was 23-of-32 passing for 209 yards and two touchdowns (one rushing, one passing). Ravens QB Lamar Jackson, who is dealing with a knee injury, did not travel with the team. Backup Tyler Huntley threw a pair of touchdown passes in the loss, but fumbled on the Bengals 1-yard line in a play that changed the momentum of the game.

One highlight to know: Bengals defender Logan Wilson punched the ball out of Huntley's outstretched hands, not only preventing him from extending the ball for a touchdown but knocking it into the arms of teammate Sam Hubbard, who returned it 98 yards the other way for a go-ahead, fourth-quarter score.

Next up: The Bengals advanced to the AFC divisional round and will face the Bills. The Ravens' season ended with the loss.

Dallas Cowboys 31, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 14

Briefly: The Cowboys won their first road playoff game since the 1992 NFC Championship Game, thanks to a career game by quarterback Dak Prescott. Prescott threw for 305 yards and four touchdowns, and added another score on a rush, as he outplayed the G.O.A.T., Tom Brady, in the playoff rout. Brady, meanwhile, struggled, completing 35 of 66 passes for 351 yards and two touchdowns, but he also had an interception in the end zone early in the game that altered the course of the game.

One highlight to know: Prescott and Dalton Schultz connected seven times for 95 yards and two touchdowns. The second touchdown put the Cowboys up, 18-0. After the score, Prescott could be seen visibly frustrated after a third missed extra-point attempt by Brett Maher.

Next up: The Cowboys advanced to the NFC divisional round and will face the 49ers. The Buccaneers' season ended with the loss.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFL scores, schedule: Latest info for all wild card weekend games