NFL Wild Card Schedule 2023: Teams, timings, TV channels and live stream

The 2022 NFL regular season has reached its conclusion, and it is that time of the year when the playoff picture is set and ready to go.

Here is the NFL Wild Card schedule for the season, the players to watch out for, and what to expect.

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The 2023 NFL Wildcard Playoff Schedule

AFC Conference

January 14

Jacksonville Jaguars (4) vs. Los Angeles Chargers (5) on Saturday, January 14 at 8:15 pm ET on NBC, Universo and Peacock at the Jaguars' stadium

January 15

Buffalo Bills (2) vs. Miami Dolphins (7) on Sunday, January 15 at 1:00pm ET on CBS, Paramount+ at the Bills' Stadium

Cincinnati Bengals (3) vs. Baltimore Ravens (6) on Sunday, January 15 at 8:15 pm ET on NBC, Universo and Peacock at the Bengals' Stadium

First Round Bye

Kansas City Chiefs (1) – First-Round Bye

NFC Conference

January 14

San Francisco 49ers (2) vs. Seattle Seahawks (7) on Saturday, January 14 at 4:30 pm ET on FOX, FOX Deportes at the 49ers' stadium

January 15

Minnesota Vikings (3) vs. New York Giants (6) on Sunday, January 15 at 4:30 pm ET on FOX, FOX Deportes at the Vikings' stadium

January 16

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4) vs. Dallas Cowboys (5) on Monday, January 16 at 8:15 pm ET on ESPN/ABC, ESPN2, ESPN+, and ESPN Deportes at the Buccaneers' stadium

First Round Bye

Philadelphia Eagles (1) – First Round Bye

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Players to Watch in the 2023 Wildcard NFL Playoff Schedule

Buffalo Bills (2) vs. Miami Dolphins (7)

Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills

Josh Allen is an NFL MVP frontrunner. The Wyoming University alum has something to prove in the 2023 postseason. Allen has had his best season in his young NFL career, quarterbacking the Bills to the second seed in a stacked AFC Conference. He and the Bills have a lot of motivation heading into the playoffs, as they will, no doubt, want to win it all for Damar Hamlin.

Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest in their Week 17 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals. The match was declared a no contest. With that, the Bills had any hopes of securing the first seed extinguished. However, Josh Allen and the Bills have a fire in their belly that can't be extinguished, and the Miami Dolphins seem to be the first in line.

Cincinnati Bengals (3) vs. Baltimore Ravens (6)

Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens are more like a toothless bulldog than a fierce Raven when Lamar Jackson isn't taking the field. The 2019 NFL MVP had an MVP-caliber season before succumbing to an array of injuries. However, Jackson ensured that he secured the Ravens' playoff spot by clinching a spot in the AFC Conference before he started missing games.

The playoffs have come, and the Ravens will be coming up against the Cincinnati Bengals in the Wild Card round. The Bengals have consistently swatted the Ravens since Joe Burrow assumed the starting QB slot, and Ravens fans will be hoping that Jackson's return will prove instrumental. The match will be played in the Bengals' backyard, so Lamar Jackson and his men will have their work cut out.

Jacksonville Jaguars (4) vs. Los Angeles Chargers (5)

Austin Ekeler, Los Angeles Chargers

The player in this battle of the trenches is Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler. Ekeler has been an asset for the Chargers since he burst onto the scene as an undrafted free agent. Looking at Austin playing week in and week out, you couldn't tell that he never had his name called in the NFL Draft.

Ekeler has been phenomenal for the Chargers all through the 2022 NFL regular season. He has showcased his dual-threat ability, being a menace on the ground and in the air. Ekeler is a great safety blanket for Justin Herbert and the Chargers, and he will be the biggest threat to the Trevor Lawrence-led Jacksonville Jaguars in the Wild Card round.

San Francisco 49ers (2) vs. Seattle Seahawks (7)

Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers

There was an outcry and significant outrage when the 2023 Pro Bowl list was announced, and Christian McCaffrey was left off of it. Players, coaches, and YouTube analysts questioned the exclusion of the former Carolina Panthers superstar from the game, and they aren't the only ones. McCaffrey was sensational for the Panthers, but he has found another gear following his move to a legit playoff contender in the San Francisco 49ers. Christian McCaffrey's addition has allowed the 49ers to use Deebo Samuel in his preferred slot receiver position, providing a next-level safety blanket for the rookie Brock Purdy. If the Seattle Seahawks want to make it past the Wild Card round, they will have to find a way to keep Christian McCaffrey quiet.

Minnesota Vikings (3) vs. New York Giants (6)

Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings

Before the 2022 NFL season began, several names were called out when the topic of the league's best wide receiver was brought up. Names like Devante Adams, Tyreek Hill, Stefon Diggs, and Cooper Kupp were brought up. However, it was common to see people ignore adding Justin Jefferson's. Jefferson clearly noticed the disrespect, and the year-three wide receiver proceeded to put up a historical season for a wide receiver.

The Vikings' WR1 flirted with Calvin Johnson's total receiving yards record all season long, and he single-handedly dragged the Vikings to the playoffs. Justin Jefferson has that dawg in him, and the New York Giants secondary will need to be on their toes when he's on the gridiron. Jefferson has the highest non-QB odds to win the league MVP award; that isn't something to be scoffed at.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4) vs. Dallas Cowboys (5)

Tom Brady, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Who else but the GOAT, a player that doesn't seem to be aging and someone that has more rings than every franchise in the NFL. Tom Brady is that guy, and he is appearing in yet another postseason, although the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been absolutely horrible to watch all season long. Most things need to be fixed in the Bucs' favor, asides from getting elite performances from their legendary QB.

At some point, it was looking like Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers would miss the playoffs for the first time in a long time. However, the 2022 NFL regular season has concluded, and the older number twelve made the postseason. Tom Brady will be coming up against a Dallas Cowboys team that he has schooled over the years, and you shouldn't count him out in the 2023 iteration of their rivalry.

The Final NFL Playoff Picture 2022-23

AFC Conference

1. Kansas City (14-3)

2. Buffalo Bills (13-3)

3. Cincinnati Bengals (12-4)

4. Jacksonville Jaguars (9-8)

5. Los Angeles Chargers (10-7)

6. Baltimore Ravens (10-7)

7. Miami Dolphins (9-8)

NFC Conference

1. Philadelphia Eagles (14-3)

2. San Francisco 49ers (13-4)

3. Minnesota Vikings (13-4)

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-9)

5. Dallas Cowboys (12-5)

6. New York Giants (9-7-1)

7. Seattle Seahawks (9-8)

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The 2023 NFL Super Bowl

The 2023 NFL Super Bowl will take place on Sunday, February 12, at 6:30 p.m. ET. The match will be held at the State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, the Arizona Cardinals' home stadium.

This year's Super Bowl game will be the first in three years that won't see the Super Bowl hosts compete in and win the Super Bowl. It is a marked departure from 2021, when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers won in Tampa, and in 2022, when the Los Angeles Rams won the big trophy in their backyard. This year will be different, as the Arizona Cardinals missed the playoffs entirely.

However, the home team's failure won't douse the excitement of what's set to be a thrilling Super Bowl. The game already has a mega superstar as a halftime performer, Rihanna, a multiplatinum-selling singer. The game will be a battle between two of the best teams in the NFL, and fingers crossed, it will be a classic.

There are some favorites to make it to the big game, with the Patrick Mahomes-led Kansas City Chiefs being the betting favorites. The Philadelphia Eagles also have a shot at their first Super Bowl in almost a decade. Meanwhile, we can never write off Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.