2023 NFL picks, score predictions for Wild Card Round

(AFC no. 5) Los Angeles Chargers at (AFC no. 4) Jacksonville Jaguars

For my money, this might be the premier matchup of Wild Card Weekend. The Jacksonville Jaguars won the AFC South against the Tennessee Titans over the weekend in miraculous fashion.

Let’s break it down and reminisce.

Joshua Dobbs dropped back to throw and Rayshawn Jenkins — suddenly the hero of the Jaguars’ defense these days — hit him from behind and popped the ball loose. The ball came out of Dobbs’ hand just before it started moving forward, and the officials smartly let the play continue as the Jaguars scooped the ball up and scored, taking a fourth-quarter lead in a defensive battle.

The fact that Jacksonville’s defense has been coming up big lately should be lost on no one. The fact that Doug Pederson has experience coaching in these big moments should be lost on no one.

If we’re simply making NFL picks and predictions on this game based on the better coach, I think it’s the Jaguars in a landslide. The Los Angeles Chargers have played much better football this year for Brandon Staley, especially in close games, but the way the Chargers approached Week 18 could be their downfall.

They let all their starters play until late in the game against Denver and it might have cost them Mike Williams in this game. That could loom large.

Ultimately, I see the Jaguars capitalizing on opportunities they missed against the Titans offensively. I see this being a back-and-forth game with twists and turns throughout, ultimately with the Jaguars sending the Chargers to an early playoff exit.

Prediction: Jaguars win 27-24