CNN —

The NFL Playoffs have lastly arrived. The highly-anticipated Wild Card Weekend kicks off with two video video games on Saturday.

By the highest of the weekend, three teams might be eradicated and three teams might be one step nearer to the NFL’s largest stage.

Proper right here’s what to anticipate on Saturday:

Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers, 4:30 p.m. ET

The weekend begins in Santa Clara, California with the NFC West rivals Seahawks and 49ers. It is going to doubtless be the third meeting between the two teams this season, though merely the second time they’ve ever met inside the postseason.

Most apparently, the matchup choices two unbelievable quarterbacks that 18 weeks previously no person might have predicted might be on this place.

As a result of the successor to Russell Wilson, Seahawks’ quarterback Geno Smith stepped into the operate with low expectations. He not solely met these expectations, nevertheless surpassed them by posting career numbers in nearly every class.

At 32 years outdated, he earned his first Skilled Bowl bid and his first journey to the postseason in his 10-year career. He powered the Seahawks to a profitable season and secured the seventh and shutting NFC playoff spot.

Regardless of the consequence on Saturday, Smith is poised as a frontrunner for comeback participant of the yr.

On the opposing side is 2022’s “Mr. Irrelevant,” who reverse to the nickname, isn’t going to be rapidly forgotten.

Brock Purdy reluctantly earned the title as a result of the ultimate select in last yr’s draft. What 49ers executives didn’t know on the time was that the select would finally save their season.

The employees started the yr with three quarterbacks. After Trey Lance and Jimmy Garropolo suffered unlikely season-ending accidents, the keys had been handed to the rookie Purdy. The 23-year-old took the prospect in his stride, most important the 49ers to a super six wins in six video video games to wrap up the season.

Purdy has led the 49ers to a super six wins of their last six video video games. Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Photographs

If he’s able to proceed earlier the first spherical, the rise of Mr. Irrelevant will little doubt be one of many essential extraordinary tales of the entire season.

All circumstances considered, the stage is prepared for a 49ers victory.

Kyle Shanahan’s squad is healthful no matter a season full of accidents, has most likely the best defensive gadgets inside the league, and is utilizing a 10-game profitable streak. They’ve the experience, the experience, and the momentum wished to make a deep playoff run.

Whereas it’s pretty excellent that the underdog Seahawks have made it this far, it’s likely that their season ends proper right here.

Los Angeles Chargers at Jacksonville Jaguars, 8:15 p.m. ET

Every teams have a lot to indicate when the Jaguars host the Chargers on Saturday night time time.

Neither employees was anticipated to make the playoffs this season. Neither employees has seen the playoffs beforehand 5 years. Neither franchise has ever obtained a Super Bowl.

If the Jags make it out of the first spherical, they may flip into the first employees in NFL historic previous to win a postseason solely a season after ending with the league’s worst or tied-for-the-worst file.

Jags quarterback Trevor Lawrenve is making his postseason debut. Mike Carlson/Getty Photographs

This recreation is arguably primarily essentially the most evenly matched of the entire weekend.

Every teams hit their stride on the end of the frequent season, with the Jaguars ending on a five-game win streak and the Chargers profitable 4 of their closing 5. Every teams possess plenty of the league’s most promising youthful quarterbacks making their postseason debut, Trevor Lawrence, 23, and Justin Herbert, 24, respectively.

Herbert accomplished the frequent season ranked second in completions and transfer yards, and with 25 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

Herbert calls out safety sooner than the snap all through a recreation between the Chargers and the Denver Broncos. Dustin Bradford/Icon Sportswire/Getty Photographs

Lawrence, no matter an up-and-down season, set career highs in transfer yards and touchdown passes. He accomplished with 25 touchdowns and over the past 10 weeks of the season, led the AFC with a 104.6 passer rating.

In the long run, this recreation will likely be a high-scoring, back-and-forth affair. The Jaguars have the upper flooring recreation, nevertheless the Chargers have the upper passing recreation.

Neither safety is supplied to stop their opponents’ largest strengths. The tip results of this recreation will likely be decided by a single score or late-game mistake.

The way in which to Watch

Proper right here’s tips about the way to catch these teams and others all through the league in movement, from wherever you is perhaps.

Australia: NFL Recreation Go, ESPN, 7Plus

Brazil: NFL Recreation Go, ESPN

Canada: CTV, TSN, RDS, NFL Recreation Go on DAZN

Germany: NFL Recreation Go, ProSieben MAXX, DAZN

Mexico: NFL Recreation Go, TUDN, ESPN, Fox Sports activities actions, Sky Sports activities actions

UK: NFL Recreation Go, Sky Sports activities actions, ITV, Channel 5

US: NFL Recreation Go, CBS Sports activities actions, Fox Sports activities actions, ESPN, Amazon Prime