Tom Brady in Dallas, Lamar Jackson back and a duel of rookie quarterbacks, We Sport unfolds the Wild Card Weekend program for the 2022 NFL season.
The game of the week
#5 Dallas Cowboys [12-5] @ #4 Tampa Bay Buccaneers [8-9] : Tuesday, 2:15 a.m.
Franchise unlucky in the playoffs for too long, the Cowboys will try to ward off fate this year. With an effective attack and a solid defense, Dallas has, once again, arguments to hope to go far during the postseason. In an NFC where, apart from the Eagles, no one really stands out, the Texas franchise has a real shot to play.
Yes but now, to hope to qualify, it will be necessary to bring down Tom Brady. And, since his arrival in the league, it is never an easy thing. At 45, he still manages to carry his team, even if the weight of the years begins to be felt. For what could be his last dance, Brady will want to take his Buccaneers as far as possible. What offer us a great campaign, or at least a great match against the Cowboys.
Player to watch: Tyler Huntley
#6 Baltimore Ravens [10-7] @ #3 Cincinnati Bengals [12-4] : Monday, 2:15 a.m.
If, as expected, Lamar Jackson does not start this meeting against Cincinnati, the pressure will rest on the shoulders of Tyler Huntley. Backup at the start of the season, the third-year player was propelled as a starter following the injury of the 2019 MVP. Already in this situation last year, Huntley posted similar statistics, far from those of Lamar Jackson. If he doesn’t have the same running qualities as the latter, Huntley will have to compensate in the air if Baltimore wants to be able to compete with the Bengals.
Against a Cincinnati defense that collects few yards (5e best defense in the league), Tyler Huntley will have to be inventive. In 2022, the Bengals were not the franchise with the fewest passing yards (16e) or making the most interceptions (15e), but conceded few touchdowns in the air (3e). If Huntley proves ineffective in red zone and that Cincinnati manages, as usual, to lock on the ground, the evening could be very long for the quarterback of the Ravens.
Team to watch: Jacksonville Jaguars
#5 Los Angeles Chargers [10-7] @ #4 Jacksonville Jaguars [9-8] : Sunday, 2h15
We did not necessarily expect them, but the Jaguars are indeed present in the playoffs. Worst franchise in the league last year, Jacksonville was able to raise its head under Doug Pederson. Thanks to a very successful end to the season (six wins in seven games), the Floridians clinched the title in theAFC South. Trevor Lawrence is finally showing flashes of his enormous potential, and will face another prodigy in this encounter.
For the Jaguars and Trevor Lawrence, the challenge is called Justin Herbert. Impressive since his arrival in the league, the former Oregon star will also play his first playoffs. To stop him, Jacksonville will have to raise his level of play in defense, especially against the pass. The Jaguars have conceded 4,055 yards through the air this season, the fifth most in the NFL. In a match that promises to be close, this detail could be very important and even decisive in deciding the fate of the match.
Question of the week: How far will the Seahawks go?
#7 Seattle Seahawks [9-8] @ #2 San Francisco 49ers [13-4] : Saturday, 10:30 p.m.
A bit like Jacksonville, Seattle was not expected at this stage of the competition at the dawn of the 2022 season. Promised to hell following the transfer of Russell Wilson to Denver, the Seahawks have asserted themselves, like by Geno Smith. Eternal backuphe had the best season of his career, even getting his first selection at the Pro Bowl. But how far will these Seahawks go?
Initially, Seattle will face a mountain with a trip to San Francisco. The hottest franchise in the league, the 49ers are already a huge obstacle for the Seahakws. But, faced with a division rival, the Washington franchise will not let it go, and who knows what can happen between two teams that are used to facing each other? If Seattle has lost in each of the two direct confrontations this year, the playoffs would be an excellent time to overthrow one of the contenders for the title. And, if they do, who knows how far Pete Carroll’s men will go?
The program ofu Wild Card Weekend
This week the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs, first in their conferences, will be on rest.
Saturday January 14, 2023
Seattle Seahawks @ San Francisco 49ers (22h30)
Los Angeles Chargers @ Jacksonville Jaguars (2h15)*
Sunday, January 15, 2023
Miami Dolphins @ Buffalo Bills (19h00)
New York Giants @ Minnesota Vikings (22h30)
Baltimore Ravens @ Cincinnati Bengals (2h15)*
Monday, January 16, 2023
Dallas Cowboys @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2h15)*
* These matches will take place on the night of the indicated day to the following day.
Louis Rousseau
The words “Minnesota Miracle” and “No-Call” are scratched from my vocabulary. My heart mourns the retirement of Drew Brees and the loneliness of RJ Barrett in Madison Square Garden.
