The New York Giants’ first playoff game since 2016 will have to wait until Sunday, but two Wild Card games on Saturday should keep you busy. The Seattle Seahawks will host the San Francisco 49ers in a game that will directly affect the Giants’ playoff chances, while the Los Angeles Chargers will travel to Jacksonville to face two of the NFL’s best quarterbacks.
Geno Smith’s first playoff appearance will be difficult. The 49ers have a league-best 10-game winning streak and have already defeated the Seahawks twice this season. Despite losing two starting quarterbacks, San Francisco is on a roll thanks to rookie Brock Purdy. Purdy has already thrown 13 touchdown passes, and the 49ers have scored more than 30 points in five of his six starts.
That’s no reason to dismiss Seattle. Despite some late-season issues, the Seahawks earned a playoff spot with an overtime win over the Los Angeles Rams in Week 18. Seattle’s defense held the 49ers to 21 points in their most recent matchup and has only given up 30 points four times this season. They do, however, allow 150 rushing yards per game, which is not ideal for a matchup with Christian McCaffrey.
Seattle fans will almost certainly be rooting for an upset. The Seahawks would face the Philadelphia Eagles in the Divisional Round if they won. The Giants would play the Dallas Cowboys or the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Later in the game, Justin Herbert and Trevor Lawrence will make their postseason debuts. On Saturday, Herbert may be under more pressure than any other player. The Chargers’ third-year star is already one of the best in the league, with 4,739 passing yards this season, second only to Patrick Mahomes, but that has yet to translate into success. Mike Williams, the Los Angeles Rams’ wide receiver, will also be absent.
After a 2-6 start, the Jaguars went on a five-game winning streak at the end of the season to win the AFC South and sneak into the playoffs. Lawrence has lived up to his former No. 1 overall pick status, and the defense has shown that it can be dominant at times. However, there have been blunders. The Jaguars recently surrendered 40 points to the Cowboys and the Lions, so there’s reason to believe they’ll struggle against the Chargers’ elite offense.
In Week 3, the Jaguars defeated the Los Angeles Rams 38-10.
What to look out for:
What: The Seattle Seahawks (9-8) take on the San Francisco 49ers.
When: Saturday, January 14th
San Francisco’s Levi’s Stadium
The game begins at 4:30 p.m. ET.
TV: FOX
Joe Davis, Daryl Johnston, Pam Oliver, and Kristina Pink are the announcers.
National radio Westwood One; Sirius channels 81 (49ers), 82 (Seahawks), and 88 (National); XM channels 226 (49ers), 225 (Seahawks), and 88 (National).
Fubo | NFL Game Pass online streaming
Sportsbook by DraftKings 49ers at -9.5.
Alex Kemp is the official referee.
What: The Los Angeles Chargers (10-7) will face the Jacksonville Jaguars.
When: Saturday, January 14th
TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, Fla.
The game begins at 8:15 p.m. ET.
TV: NBC
Al Michaels, Tony Dungy, and Kaylee Hartung are the announcers.
Westwood One National Radio; Sirius channels: 81 (