NFL Wild Card Weekend is here, where teams get a chance to extend their season or get sent home packing.
This PrizePicks Cheat Sheet for NFL Wild Card Weekend is your ultimate resource for the top player picks, projections to target, and matchup insights for the playoff slate.
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Let's get into this week's predictions.
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NFL Wild Card Weekend Predictions & Cheat Sheet for PrizePicks
Find the top NFL Wild Card Weekend predictions, picks, matchups to target, and players to target in games below in the PrizePicks Cheat Sheet, including analysis on QBs, RBs, WR vs. CB matchups, and OL vs. DL mismatches.
Best QB Predictions for NFL Wild Card Weekend
Here are two of the top QB vs. defense matchups for PrizePicks NFL this week to help you make your NFL Wild Card Weekend predictions.
Eagles QB Jalen Hurts vs. 49ers Defense
Since Week 14, the San Francisco 49ers’ defense has quietly fallen apart against the pass. Over that span, they rank 25th in the NFL in EPA per dropback allowed, consistently giving QBs clean looks through the air.
On the year, San Francisco finished 23rd in passing yards allowed and 22nd in passing TDs afforded, a far cry from their reputation as an elite unit. Injuries and a lack of consistent pass rush have left the secondary exposed, especially in high-leverage situations.
That sets up well for Jalen Hurts, who has delivered far more as a passer than his “run-first” label suggests. Hurts finished the season top 10 in passing TDs (25), paired with an aggressive average depth of target of 9.2 and over 3,200 passing yards.
Against a 49ers defense that has struggled to limit explosives, Hurts’ ability to attack downfield and extend plays makes this a potentially favorable matchup.
Rams QB Matthew Stafford vs. Panthers Defense
Over the final four weeks of the regular season, the Carolina Panthers’ secondary took a noticeable step backward. During that stretch, Carolina ranked 23rd in EPA per dropback and 25th in INTs. A lack of resistance showed up previously against Rams QB Matthew Stafford, who threw for 243 yards the last time he faced the Panthers in Week 13.
Despite his age, Stafford was arguably the most dangerous pure passer in the NFL this season. He finished first in passing yards (4,007) and first in TDs (46) while also ranking third in average depth of target (9.5).
Against a Panthers defense that has struggled to defend explosive passes and create takeaways, Stafford's matchup aligns with his aggressive, vertical passing profile.
Wild Card Weekend Prediction for PrizePicks: Matthew Stafford — 264.5 Passing Yards
Best RB Predictions for NFL Wild Card Weekend
Here are two of the top RB vs. defense matchups for PrizePicks NFL this week to help you make your NFL Wild Card Weekend predictions.
Jaguars RB Travis Etienne Jr. vs. Bills Defense
The Buffalo Bills have been one of the weakest run defenses in the NFL. They’ve allowed 5.14 yards per carry, ranking third-worst in the league, while surrendering 136.2 rushing yards per game (fifth-worst). That inefficiency has translated directly to points; Buffalo has given up the second-most rushing TDs in the NFL (24).
Travis Etienne Jr. may be positioned to exploit those issues. He has enjoyed a strong bounce-back year, ranking 11th in rushing yards (1,128) while averaging 4.3 yards per carry. He’s also inside the top 20 in rushing TDs with 7.
Etienne continues to operate as the focal point of Jacksonville’s offense. He profiles as a potential threat against a Bills front that’s struggled to control the ground game.
Packers RB Josh Jacobs vs. Bears Defense
Chicago’s run defense quietly became a major liability. Over the final eight weeks of the season, the Bears allowed 137.6 rushing yards per game (among the six worst teams in the NFL) and 4.91 YPC. Much of that damage has come between the tackles, where DTs Grady Jarrett and Gervon Dexter both rank near the bottom of the league, via Pro Football Focus.
On the opposite sideline, Josh Jacobs finished the season inside the top 20 in rushing yards (929) and third in rushing TDs (13), also placing top-25 in yards after contact per attempt (3.06).
With Green Bay committed to leaning on Jacobs in high-leverage spots, he draws a matchup that could play into his physical, downhill running style.
Wild Card Weekend Prediction for PrizePicks: Josh Jacobs — 75.5 Rushing Yards
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Best WR vs. CB Predictions for NFL Wild Card Weekend
Here are two of the top WR vs. CB matchups for PrizePicks NFL this week to help you make your NFL Wild Card Weekend predictions.
Eagles WR A.J. Brown vs. 49ers CB Deommodore Lenoir
San Francisco CB Deommodore Lenoir has struggled in coverage, allowing a 104.0 passer rating and 12.1 yards per receptio. That sets up a nice matchup for A.J. Brown, who ranks 13th in the NFL in receptions (78), 11th in targets (120), and sits inside the top 20 in receiving yards.
Over his last two games alone, Brown has hauled in 14 passes — generating a 100+ passer rating for Jalen Hurts when targeted — and reaffirmed his status as the center of Philadelphia’s passing attack.
Packers WR Jayden Reed vs. Bears S C.J. Gardner-Johnson
Chicago slot defender C.J. Gardner-Johnson, who has bounced around several teams recently, has been a weak link. He ranks 88th out of 99 DBs on PFF, allowing nearly a 100 passer rating and a hefty 44 receptions. Jayden Reed might just exploit that matchup.
Despite missing significant time, Reed has been highly efficient, posting a 121 passer rating when targeted while averaging 11 yards per catch. He totaled over 200 receiving yards on 19 receptions in just six games. When healthy, Reed’s efficiency makes him a possible problem for Chicago’s struggling slot coverage.
Wild Card Weekend Prediction for PrizePicks: Jayden Reed — 36.5 Receiving Yards
Best OL vs. DL Predictions for NFL Wild Card Weekend
Here are two of the top OL vs. DL matchups for PrizePicks NFL this week to help you make your NFL Wild Card Weekend predictions.
Chargers OL vs. Patriots DL
The Los Angeles Chargers' offensive line is a liability and enters the weekend severely overmatched. RG Mekhi Becton, brought over from Philadelphia, ranks 79th out of 81 guards (via PFF) and has already allowed 37 pressures. RT Bobby Hart has surrendered 21 pressures despite playing just 475 snaps.
The situation worsens at C, where Bradley Bozeman ranks 40th out of 40 players and has allowed 30 pressures and 2 sacks up the middle. The Chargers’ best lineman, OT Joe Alt, is on injured reserve and will miss this game. That perhaps sets up a strong edge for the New England Patriots' defensive front.
EDGE Harold Landry has 48 pressures and 9 sacks, while K’Lavon Chaisson has generated 54 pressures and 9 sacks, both ranking inside the top 25 leaguewide. On the interior, DT Milton Williams has added 36 pressures. Against a broken Chargers line, New England’s pass rush could control the game.
Steelers OL vs. Texans DL
The Pittsburgh Steelers' offensive line draws one of the most difficult matchups possible against the Houston Texans' elite defensive front.
LT Dylan Cook, an undrafted player from 2022, has limited experience with just 289 snaps yet has already allowed 6 pressures. RT Troy Fautanu has given up 25 pressures, while RG Nate McCormick has yielded 25 pressures and 4 sacks. All of that is music to Houston's ears.
Star pass rusher Danielle Hunter has been dominant, piling up 83 pressures (fifth). Across from him, Will Anderson Jr. has been even more disruptive with 93 pressures (third). Inside, veteran DT Sheldon Rankins has added 38 pressures.
With havoc coming from every angle, Houston’s defensive line seems to hold an advantage over a Steelers unit that has struggled to protect.
Wild Card Weekend Prediction for PrizePicks: Aaron Rogers — 204.5 Passing Yards
Make NFL Wild Card Weekend Picks on PrizePicks
NFL Wild Card Weekend brings us another opportunity to turn football predictions into rewards. Use this Wild Card Round cheat sheet and predictions to sharpen your takes and build out picks on PrizePicks.
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