NFL Super Wild Card Weekend Saturday Picks and Analysis

Our outlook dives into this weekend's contests. The first round breaks down to something like this. 

• Saturday - 2
• Sunday - 3
• Monday - 1

So, our setup for this weekend is simple. This is the first of at least two large columns for the games that help us go from 14 to eight teams left in the NFL Playoffs.

In this space, the goal is to get to work and get you ready for your NFL betting. Our Unders hit last week in succession, but the picks failed for a 3-3 mark. Let’s get back at this!

Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers (-10)

Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET, FOX

Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, California

The Seattle Seahawks probably thought they would get eliminated from playoff contention on Sunday. Green Bay was playing Detroit at home for a spot in the playoffs. The Packers were up 16-13, and then Detroit struck. The Seahawks were headed to San Francisco to face the 49ers. 

How has it gone for Seattle against San Francisco? Honestly, it has been about as poorly as expected. The first contest saw the Seahawks lose by 20 and the second by eight. Seattle is not the same team as it was earlier in the season, but neither is San Francisco. The 49ers are double-digit favorites in this Super Wild Card weekend opener. 

This 49ers team has not missed a beat with Brock Purdy as their quarterback. If anything, they might be in better form. Aside from their near loss to the Las Vegas Raiders, the 49ers have won nine straight games, have the top-ranked defense in the NFL, and a top-five-caliber offense.

Seattle has yet to get the running game going against San Francisco. In two games, it has managed a meager 106 yards. With potentially rainy weather in the forecast, the running game and keeping possession of the football might be at a premium. That bodes poorly for Seattle. Geno Smith notoriously has had problems holding on to the pigskin in inclement weather. 

See where the number roams on the Under. It was 43 but could move down as the week rolls along. Purdy, Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle, and Deebo Samuel are too much offense for the Seahawks to handle. Play with the Under number and see where the plus value lies. Right now, +105 at 42 points is the sweet spot. 

Our Pick is to take the San Francisco 49ers laying 10. 

Los Angeles Chargers (-1) at Jacksonville Jaguars

Saturday, 8:15 p.m. ET, NBC

TIAA Bank Field, Jacksonville, Florida

Again, how does one approach this game? Justin Herbert and Trevor Lawrence are both in their first-ever playoff games. The line has been interesting here. It moved from an opening of -2.5 to its current -1 for Los Angeles. Could it move to the Jacksonville side even? That is possible. 

At least the Jaguars are home on Saturday. Their offense sputtered against the Titans last week but won despite 19 yards rushing. Jacksonville’s defense bent but did not completely break. They caused two turnovers and scored that critical touchdown to give the Jaguars the win. The defense has buoyed the last three wins of their current five-game streak. 

Jacksonville is 28th in passing yards allowed, and Justin Herbert is an assassin throwing the football. One of the concerns is Mike Williams and how healthy he is. There was that Week 18 injury which looked grave. It appears like he will give it a go on Saturday night. The Jaguars must run the ball better, and L.A. allows 5.4 yards per carry (worst in the NFL).

The Jaguars beat the Chargers 38-10 in Week 3, but that is a distant memory. The Jags cannot abandon the run as they did versus the Titans last week. Less than 25 minutes of possession time means elimination this time around. If Williams looks good in practice, look at the Over. There expect to be more points in this game.

Justin Herbert is ready to make a statement. That may be enough to pull out a late win. 

Our Pick is to take the risk with Los Angeles laying one point on Saturday night.

All of our numbers are from DraftKings and BetMGM. Good luck this weekend!