Super Wild Card Weekend
Well, my friends, after 18 weeks of touchdowns, first downs, sacks and takeaways, the NFL playoffs are upon us. It all starts with Super Wild Card Weekend, so I thought I’d start by getting everyone caught up on the schedule. Are you ready for some football?
Saturday
Seattle Seahawks (9-8) at San Francisco 49ers (13-4) – 4:35 pm ET/1:35 pm PT on FOX
Los Angeles Chargers (10-7) at Jacksonville Jaguars (9-8) – 8:15 pm ET/5:15 pm PT on NBC
Sunday
Miami Dolphins (9-8) at Buffalo Bills (13-3) – 1 pm ET/10 am PT on CBS
New York Giants (9-7-1) at Minnesota Vikings (13-4) – 4:30 pm ET/1:30 pm PT on FOX
Baltimore Ravens (10-7) ay Cincinnati Bengals (12-4) – 8:15 pm ET/5:15 pm PT on NBC
Monday
Dallas Cowboys (12-5) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-9) – 8:15 pm ET/5:15 pm PT on ABC/ESPN
Mike Williams and the Chargers
The Los Angeles Chargers will begin their playoff run without Mike Williams, as ESPN is reporting that the wide receiver has a nonsurgical back fracture and will be out two to three weeks.
Williams was injured in the Chargers’ Week 18 game against the Denver Broncos and didn’t practice all week. The game had no bearing on the LA’s playoff seeding, and head coach Brandon Staley has come under fire for not resting his starters and risking them for the playoffs.
Williams had 63 receptions for 895 yards and four touchdowns this season.
Miami Dolphins
It’s going to be rookie Skylar Thompson under center for the Miami Dolphins when they travel to Buffalo to take on the Bills on Sunday. The hope is that Teddy Bridgewater, who is dealing with a dislocated pinkie finger on his throwing hand, will be well enough to be Thompson’s backup.
Tua Tagovailoa is still in the concussion protocol. Tagovailoa suffered a concussion, his second of the season, during Miami’s Christmas Day game against the Green Bay Packers.
This will be Thompson’s, a 2022 seventh-round pick out of Kansas State, third career start for the Dolphins.
The Ravens Quarterback Mystery
The Baltimore Ravens are off to Cincinnati to take on the Bengals Sunday night. With Lamar Jackson out for his sixth-straight week, who will start at quarterback? It’s a mystery and Baltimore is keeping it that way.
Tyler Huntley is listed as questionable with tendinitis in his right throwing shoulder but was a full participant in Friday’s practice. The only other option is undrafted rookie Anthony Brown.
Jackson, who has been out with a knee sprain, sent out a tweet Thursday night saying that his injury was worse than originally thought. The Ravens were not aware this tweet was going out. In the tweet, Jackson said that his knee is “unstable” and said he was suffering from a PCL Grade sprain.
Sean McVay
Breathe easy, Rams fans. It looks like your head coach is staying put.
ESPN’s Dianna Russini is reporting that after taking time decide what he wants to do, Sean McVay will return as the head coach of the Los Angeles Rams. He is currently under contract through the 2026 season.
After winning the 2021 Super Bowl, the Rams finished the season 5-12. You know what they say. You some, you lose some. Or 12.