NFL: 2022 Wild Card preview, picks

#5 Raiders (10-7) @

#4 Bengals (10-7)

Cincinnati hasn’t won a playoff game since 1991 but has a great chance to end that drought as Las Vegas travels to town on Saturday afternoon. The Raiders were the final team to clinch a berth as they needed a last-second field goal in OT to advance. Both quarterbacks, Joe Burrow and Derek Carr, are making their postseason debut after throwing for 4,500+ yards this season. Burrow also completed an NFL-best 70.4% of his passes. The Bengals are 5.5-point favorites on their home field.

Pick: Bengals (-5.5)

#6 Patriots (10-7) @

#3 Bills (11-6)

After facing off twice in the last six weeks of the regular season, the Bills and Patriots will meet for a rubber match in Buffalo on Saturday night. Josh Allen was unstoppable in a 33-21 win at New England in late December, throwing for 314 yards and three touchdowns. Damien Harris had a game-high 111 rushing yards when the Patriots won at Buffalo just over a month ago. New England will attempt to keep this game low scoring as the Bills enter as 3.0-point favorites.

Pick: Bills (-3.0)

#7 Eagles (9-8) @

#2 Buccaneers (13-4)

The defending Super Bowl champion Buccaneers are hoping to start another deep playoff run with the Eagles aiming for an upset win. Tampa Bay is a 7.5-point favorite prior to kickoff on Sunday afternoon. Tom Brady, who is making his 46th postseason start, led the NFL with 5,136 passing yards and 43 touchdowns at 44-years-old. Jalen Hurts is making his playoff debut for the Eagles after an undefeated December was enough to clinch a spot. Tampa Bay beat Philadelphia 28-22 in October.

Pick: Buccaneers (-7.5)

#5 49ers (10-7) @

#4 Cowboys (12-5)

It looked like San Francisco was going to miss the playoffs but Kyle Shanahan’s team was able to mount a 17-point come back win in overtime to secure a matchup at Dallas. The Cowboys scored a league-high 31.2 points per game behind Dak Prescott's play but the defensive improvement is why Dallas has a chance to win multiple rounds. Micah Parsons and Trevon Diggs will be tasked with limiting 49ers big play receiver Deebo Samuel, who leads the NFL with 18.2 yards per catch.

Pick: Cowboys (-3.0)

#7 Steelers (9-7-1) @

#2 Chiefs (12-5)

Pick: Chiefs (-12.5)

The Chiefs are hoping to get back to the Super Bowl for a third consecutive year with Patrick Mahomes leading the charge. Andy Reid's explosive offense relies on Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce, who combined for 18 receiving touchdowns. Pittsburgh's defense will certainly have their hands full but regular season sacks leader TJ Watt will try to disrupt Kansas City's continuity. According to ESPN, Steelers wideout Juju Smith-Schuster is expected to return from a shoulder injury.

#5 Cardinals (11-6) @

#4 Rams (12-5)

The opening round will come to a close on Monday night as Arizona meets Los Angeles in another must-see rematch. After starting the season 10-2, the Cardinals went just 1-4 down the stretch as Kyler Murray and DeAndre Hopkins dealt with injuries. The Rams, who are 3.5-point favorites at home, put together a recent 5-game win streak including a 30-23 win at Arizona in mid-December. Cooper Kupp had a game-high 13 catches and 123 yards in the road victory.

Pick: Cardinals (+3.5)

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Photo Credit: Bleacher Report.