NFL Playoff Picture: A Look at All 6 Wild Card Matchups

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Jan 9, 2023
A Look at All 6 Wild Card Matchups
Jan 8, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Alexander Mattison (2) celebrates with Minnesota Vikings tight end Irv Smith Jr. (84), back, after he scores a touchdown against the Chicago Bears during the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports

The 2022 NFL regular season is officially over, each playoff seed has been established, and we now know all 6 Wild Card matchups. With the field now set, here’s a look at the NFL playoff picture heading into Wild Card weekend.

NFC

Nov 24, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jalen Nailor (83) celebrates after making a stop against the New England Patriots during the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

Seeds

  1. Philadelphia Eagles (14-3)
  2. San Francisco 49ers (13-4)
  3. Minnesota Vikings (13-4)
  4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-9)
  5. Dallas Cowboys (12-5)
  6. New York Giants (9-7-1)
  7. Seattle Seahawks (9-8)
  1. Detroit Lions (9-8)
  2. Washington Commanders (8-8-1)
  3. Green Bay Packers (8-9)
  4. Carolina Panthers (7-10)
  5. New Orleans Saints (7-10)
  6. Atlanta Falcons (7-10)
  7. Los Angeles Rams (5-12)
  8. Arizona Cardinals (4-13)
  9. Chicago Bears (3-14)

Wild Card Matchups

  • (7) Seattle Seahawks @ (2) San Francisco 49ers
  • (6) New York Giants @ (3) Minnesota Vikings
  • (5) Dallas Cowboys @ (4) Tampa Bay Buccaneers
  • (1) Philadelphia Eagles on bye

Notes

  • The Bears landing the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft is infinitely more entertaining than any alternative.
  • I won’t remind you of what happened the last time the Vikings played the Giants in the playoffs. Instead, let’s focus on their Christmas Eve win just a few weeks ago.
  • It wasn’t pretty at times, but the Eagles remain the No. 1 seed heading into the playoffs.
  • Seattle’s miracle run through the 2022 season lands them in the playoffs. Could Pete Carroll get one more playoff win over the 49ers?
  • I still can’t get over the Lions finding a way to spoil the Packers playoff hopes.

AFC

Jan 30, 2022; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) throws a pass against the Cincinnati Bengals during the second half of the AFC Championship game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

Seeds

  1. Kansas City Chiefs (14-3)
  2. Buffalo Bills (13-3)
  3. Cincinnati Bengals (12-4)
  4. Jacksonville Jaguars (9-8)
  5. Los Angeles Chargers (10-7)
  6. Baltimore Ravens (10-7)
  7. Miami Dolphins (9-8)
  1. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-8)
  2. New England Patriots (8-9)
  3. New York Jets (7-10)
  4. Tennessee Titans (7-10)
  5. Cleveland Browns (7-10)
  6. Las Vegas Raiders (6-11)
  7. Denver Broncos (5-12)
  8. Indianapolis Colts (4-12-1)
  9. Houston Texans (3-13-1)

Wild Card Matchups

  • (7) Miami Dolphins @ (2) Buffalo Bills
  • (6) Baltimore Ravens @ (3) Cincinnati Bengals
  • (5) Los Angeles Chargers @ (4) Jacksonville Jaguars
  • (1) Kansas City Chiefs on bye

Notes

  • The AFC could have ended up in a very messy situation with the Bills and Bengals each playing only 16 games. In actuality, this is probably the cleanest scenario possible. The only neutral field situation arises if the Bills and Chiefs meet in the AFC Championship Game.
  • Mike Tomlin’s streak of head coaching without a losing season continues even though his Steelers just missed out on the playoff field.
  • The Chargers and Jaguars should be a very exciting matchup between two of the NFL’s best young QBs.
  • Last season, the Buffalo Bills got their playoff run started by stomping the No. 7 seeded New England Patriots. Will they do the same this year against the Miami Dolphins?
  • Because the Bengals won this weekend, they will play host to the Baltimore Ravens rather than home-field advantage being left up to a coin toss.
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Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho with a bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing. He also earned minors in History, Human Biology, and Journalism. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys marathon training, playing video games, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. For more of his opinions, check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.

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