2023 NFL picks, score predictions for Wild Card Round

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What a fun ride the 2022 NFL season was, right? It ended with some theatrics as the Green Bay Packers were officially eliminated from playoff contention with a loss — at home — to the Detroit Lions. What a time to be alive. It was a prosperous week in Week 18 for NFL picks as well, as we finished with our absolute best straight-up picks record of the season at 13-3.

As we progress into the playoffs, expecting the unexpected has become the norm in the NFL this season. Before we get into the picks, let’s take a look at our overall playoff bracket in both the AFC and NFC.

AFC playoff bracket 2023

(1) Kansas City Chiefs: BYE

(7) Miami Dolphins at (2) Buffalo Bills

(6) Baltimore Ravens at (3) Cincinnati Bengals

(5) Los Angeles Chargers at (4) Jacksonville Jaguars

NFC playoff bracket 2023

(1) Philadelphia Eagles: BYE

(7) Seattle Seahawks at (2) San Francisco 49ers

(6) New York Giants at (3) Minnesota Vikings

(5) Dallas Cowboys at (4) Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Without further ado, let’s get into our NFL picks and predictions for these 2023 NFL playoffs, starting with the Wild Card round.

Wild Card Byes: Kansas City Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles

2023 NFL picks, score predictions for Wild Card Round of NFL playoffs

NFL picks; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) after the game against the New England Patriots at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports /

(AFC no. 7) Miami Dolphins at (AFC no. 2) Buffalo Bills

The Miami Dolphins found a way to squeak into the playoffs after almost watching their chances disappear down the stretch. At one point this season, it looked like Miami was bound to be an unstoppable force with the way their offense was playing. Then they acquired Bradley Chubb at the NFL trade deadline, and it was seemingly all roses from there on paper.

And then they started losing games. Unfortunate injury luck at the QB position caused the Dolphins to have to run Skylar Thompson out there for a must-win scenario in Week 18, and they found a way to get the job done.

So what happens now? Is Tua Tagovailoa going to play in this Wild Card matchup against the Buffalo Bills? Teddy Bridgewater? Skylar Thompson again?

Dare I even say, Mike Glennon?

The Buffalo Bills have to be feeling pretty good about their chances going into the playoffs, even though they have been given some fits by the Dolphins this season including being handed one of their few losses by Mike McDaniel’s crew. I don’t think this is a straightforward pick by any stretch but I do think the Bills are going to progress to the next round.

Prediction: Bills win 29-22

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