The race to State Farm Stadium for Super Bowl LVII is underway. The regular season is complete and now we have Super Wild Card Weekend on the horizon that features several notable matchups. Interestingly enough, each one of these head-to-heads is a rematch from a game earlier this season, marking just the fifth time that’s happened during the opening round of the postseason since the 1970 merger. We have some of the NFL’s top defense and best quarterbacks set to take the playoff stage, so they’ll be no shortage of drama.
While all of these games deserve your attention over the coming days, there are naturally a few especially intriguing matchups. Below, you’ll find our ranking of this opening playoff slate along with the viewing information you need to catch all the action.
(All lines from Caesars Sportsbook)
Date: Saturday, Jan. 14 | Time: 4:30 p.m. ET
Location: Levi’s Stadium (Santa Clara, California)
TV: FOX | Stream: fuboTV (try for free)
Odds: 49ers -9.5, O/U 43
We have ourselves an NFC West showdown to begin the playoffs between the Seahawks and 49ers. While this should certainly be a game worth watching, it does feature the one of lowest totals on the slate this weekend and is tied with Dolphins-Bills for the biggest point spread. Translation: The oddsmakers think this will be a low-scoring affair that isn’t particularly close, which isn’t exactly a recipe for an instant classic. From a scheduling standpoint, the NFL may agree with the oddsmakers in that assessment, as this time slot is typically given to the game with the least amount of juice.
Still, there are some fascinating storylines in this head-to-head. Seattle has completed an improbable playoff run with Geno Smith under center, as have the Niners with rookie quarterback Brock Purdy following the injuries to Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo. We also could be on the doorstep of a monster game by Christian McCaffrey. In his career against Seattle, the 49ers back AVERAGES 183.3 yards from scrimmage.
Date: Sunday, Jan. 15 | Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
Location: Paycor Stadium (Cincinnati, Ohio)
TV: NBC | Stream: fuboTV (try for free)
Odds: Bengals -7, O/U 42
Folks don’t have to think too far back to remember the last matchup between these two teams as it happened just last week, when Cincinnati took down the Ravens at home, 27-16. The only reason that this game isn’t at the bottom of the barrel in these…
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