Playoff Football! 🤤

At long last, playoff football is here! From star QB battles to late career resurgences, the NFL's first day of games promises plenty of intrigue. Tomorrow starts with Seattle visiting San Francisco, but you don't want to miss Herbert vs. Lawrence in the night slot 🏈 (3 min read)

Author

Nate Hartnick
January 13, 2023

Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images

Finally! Playoff Football!

The real season begins tomorrow, with the NFL's Super Wild Card Weekend kicking off at 4:30PM EST. Saturday's action features an NFC West Showdown in San Francisco, followed by a duel between two young stars in Jacksonville. The first matchup is regarded by many as perhaps the opening round's largest mismatch, with the 49ers looking like a bona fide contender, and the Seahawks just sneaking into the playoff picture 👇

  • Seattle benefitted from some luck in Week 18, eking out an OT victory vs. the Rams and then Detroit beating Green Bay, giving the Seahawks the final NFC playoff spot

  • San Francisco closed the season on a remarkable 10-game winning streak, and hasn't missed a beat since rookie QB Brock Purdy replaced Jimmy Garoppolo 🔥

Chargers vs. Jaguars appears to be a far more even matchup — both squads boast young talent on both sides of the football, spearheaded by their two star QBs. Justin Herbert and Trevor Lawrence both look like they were born to command an offense, each standing at 6'6" with ludicrous arm talent. Both are also making their playoff debuts in this game, so expect to see some nerves early on 🍿

  • Spread: 49ers -9.5

  • Moneyline: 49ers -500 (bet $500, win $100), Seahawks +385 (bet $100, win $385)

  • Over/Under: 42

  • Spread: Chargers -2.5

  • Moneyline: Chargers -138, Jaguars +118

  • Over/Under: 47.5

Photo by Christopher Mast/Getty Images

The Matchups

As division rivals, San Francisco and Seattle will be facing off for the third time this season. The results have been as expected — regardless of whether Garoppolo or Purdy ran the offense, the 49ers cruised to wins behind their dominant defense and physical running game. The Niners are maybe the only team in the NFL for whom it doesn't seem to matter who's under center 👀

  • Seattle has enjoyed a very encouraging season, as most expected them to fall off after trading Russell Wilson. Instead, former backup Geno Smith has suddenly emerged as a Pro Bowl QB and the Seahawks have the 5th overall pick, while Wilson has looked washed up in Denver

  • It's definitely been a nice ride for the Seahawks, but they'll be hard-pressed to stop a far more talented 49ers squad that's absolutely rolling 💪

The story of Jacksonville's season has been Lawrence's dramatic improvement under the tutelage of HC Doug Pederson. Lawrence had a disastrous rookie campaign, playing well below the expectations that have followed him since his Clemson days, but many felt this was largely due to the disastrous Urban Meyer tenure. Lawrence has more than validated himself in his second year, looking like the franchise savior Jaguars fans hoped for ⭐️

  • Lawrence faces off against another young superstar in Justin Herbert, who has broken numerous passing records in his first three seasons

Herbert has had a bit of a down year with his squad riddled with injuries, but this well-rounded Chargers team managed to close the year on a 4-1 stretch. LAC possesses a feisty defense and explosive running game, and Herbert is capable of some of the most jaw-dropping throws you'll see 🔥

While the afternoon game should go as planned, I'm more curious who you guys like for the night game. Underdogs at home in the playoffs are hard to stay away from 😳

Who wins?

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Trivia Question: Justin Herbert is second all-time in passing TDs for QBs in their first three seasons — who is No. 1?

Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

For My Parlay Gurus

I'd be shocked if this juggernaut 49ers' squad playoff run only lasted one game, but I think the Seahawks will refuse to let their promising season end with an embarrassing loss. 9.5 is a lot of points, and I like Seattle to keep it somewhat close. On the other side, I'm taking Herbert to out-duel Lawrence in a tightly contested win. Take a look 👇

  • Seahawks +9.5 @ Niners: -110

  • Chargers -2.5 @ Jaguars: -110

$100 on this bet would win you $264 — if we hit, make sure you email [email protected] for a chance to win up to $100*. Many will enter, only some will win 😉

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Trivia Answer: With 98 touchdowns in his first three seasons, Dan Marino still ranks first all-time 🏆

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