32 teams have been condensed down to 14 and from here on out it is win or go home in the NFL playoffs for the 2024 season.
While Kansas City and Detroit are able to rest and recuperate this weekend having already booked their spot in the Divisional Playoffs, we have six enticing encounters across three days coming up.
First up is a trio of AFC games with the North and West divisions heavily represented and the headline game is without a doubt Baltimore taking on Pittsburgh.
Then it is the NFC’s turn starting with a repeat of the Week 1 clash in Brazil between the Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers.
We’ve got our previews and best bets for every game below so read on and see what we are backing.
It wouldn’t be a Wild Card round without some combination of AFC second tier competitors facing off and the Houston Texans are staples in the game that can only really be described as an very light appetiser for things to come.
A 6-2 start for the Texans was not able to be capitalised on as some high profile injuries depleted their offence and forced CJ Stroud to take a step back in his development.
Meanwhile, you have a Chargers team that managed to finish the season looking much better than their 11-6 record as the Jim Harbaugh instant turnaround paid dividends once again.
The only way Houston is going to have a chance in this game is to keep the scoring down in the high teens and contain LA’s offence.
However the balance that LA can bring to the table does tip the scales in their favour, and you know Jim Harbaugh will have been on the phone to brother John whose Ravens demolished the Texans 31-2 on Christmas Day on the back of 251 rushing yards.
Even if Houston can contain the Chargers limited ground game, the resources they will have to devote to slowing down the backs will not help their pass defence, who will be sweating bullets about keeping pace with rookie sensation Ladd McConkey.
The Georgia product has been a consistent contributor to the Chargers all season and will win enough matchups to hit his yardage totals and make him a worthwhile option in the market.
That balance will be enough to give the Chargers their first playoff win in six years and move them onto the Divisional Round.
LA Chargers to Cover -3 @ $1.94
Ladd McConkey Over 73.5 Receiving Yards @ $1.88
SGM: J.K. Dobbins Over 61.5 Rushing Yards & Anytime Touchdown @ $3.31
Despite going into this game on a four game losing streak, the Pittsburgh Steelers should not be automatically dismissed.
Every bit of criticism that is being levelled at them is justified, with some horrendous showings over the last month including a 34-17 loss in Baltimore in Week 16.
They cannot score and their once feared defence just cannot make a game changing play and the line of 10 points in favour of the Ravens is justified.
But it’s a playoff game against their biggest rivals at the moment and that may be the only team to bring the best out of them even in their current funk.
However they could put together the game of a lifetime, and still struggle against a Ravens team that has been ruthless over the last month.
Since their Week 14 bye, the Ravens have gone 4-0, scored 35, 34, 31 and 35 and won those games by an average of 23 points.
That is because of the play of Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry with the dynamic duo poised for a big month ahead.
While Jackson has had his struggles with the Steelers in the past, this looks like it might be the year for him to go on the run, and any chance the visitors are being given is more blind hope than anything else.
Expect Henry to lead the way with a big day on the ground as the Ravens grind one out and dismiss their opponents, ensuring at least a trip to Buffalo next week if not another home game.
Baltimore to Cover -10 @ $1.94
SGM: Derrick Henry 100+ Rushing Yards & 2+ Touchdowns @ $4.88
SGM: Lamar Jackson 200+ Passing Yards, 2+ Touchdown Passes, Over 48.5 Rushing Yards @ $4.72
The vibes are high in Western New York state with the Bills coming off one of the more enjoyable losses in franchise history.
With nothing on the line, Sean McDermott rolled out the backups and their backups, losing to the remnants of the Patriots team and in the process, costing New England the first overall draft pick.
However the time for hijinks and hilarity is over, with a trip to the Super Bowl very much expected given the Bills were the only team to beat the Chiefs in a game with stakes.
Josh Allen is going to win his first NFL MVP award, and he will not be interested in going one and done in January.
With Allen as the starter, the Bills have gone 4-1 on Wild Card Weekend, with their first loss coming in overtime in Houston in Allen’s first postseason game.
However it might not be completely automatic for all four quarters against a tough Denver team that had to scrap to get into the playoffs.
The big concern with the Broncos though is that they did start to show some vulnerability down the stretch, losing to the Chargers and Bengals on the road before getting in in Week 18 against a resting Chiefs team.
Considering the Broncos have had to expend so much energy just to get into the playoffs, there is every chance that the trip to the east coast might be asking a bit much for them.
We should see plenty of points with Josh Allen capable of going off on any play and the Broncos have scored 24 or more points in their last seven games.
Expect plenty of Buffalo’s heavy hitters on offence and James Cook could join Allen in having a big day on the ground.
SGM: Buffalo to Cover -6.5 & Over 47 Poitns @ $2.85
James Cook 70+ Rushing Yards @ $2.60
James Cook & Josh Allen 2+ Combined Touchdowns @ $2.30
The NFC playoffs kick off in Philadelphia and there is one big assumption that has to be made heading into this game.
Jalen Hurts has not played since the first quarter in a Week 16 loss to Washington after suffering a concussion, but the assumption is that he will be able to return to the lineup for this game, knowing that they could afford to play it conservatively with him last weekend.
What is the big unknown is what sort of shape Hurts will be in after being limited for the last few weeks and it could force the Eagles to lean heavily on Saquon Barkley.
That might not be the worst strategy though, with the rushing title winner amassing 132 total yards and three touchdowns when these teams faced off in Brazil.
Jordan Love had a decent game in his own right that night, throwing for 260 yards and a pair of touchdowns but he did leave the game with an injury that knocked him out for a couple of weeks.
He could be in for another rough afternoon against a defence that has improved on the back end over the last few weeks while the Packers receivers are short staffed.
The Packers are too good to get blown out here, with five of their six defeats coming by five points or less, but it feels like their main hope for the upset is that the Eagles are a bit off the pace on offence and that allows them to jump out to an early lead and not get run down.
Not that it is something I would be willing to put real money on.
Get ready for a big day for Saquon Barkley as he runs the Eagles into the next round of the playoffs.
Philadelphia to Win by 1-13 Points @ $2.25
Saquon Barkley 100+ Rushing Yards @ $1.80
Saquon Barkley 2+ Touchdowns @ $3.80
Washington has the best chance of all three NFC underdogs of pulling off an upset, but it all comes down to the performance of one star player.
Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels has been a revelation for the Commanders, guiding them to a 12-5 record and their first playoff game since losing to Tampa Bay in the Wild Card round of the 2020 season.
However he is going to have to shoulder a heavy workload against a Tampa side that as a whole has far more talent at their disposal and they have the advantage of the players being together for a lot longer.
The Bucs have won six of their last seven to turn a 4-6 start into a fourth straight NFC South title and the work to get Mike Evans another 1000 yard season really showed how much better this team makes the individuals on it.
Tampa’s biggest worry is Baker Mayfield capitulating in a heap but they do have a strong defence and ground game that can punish the league’s 30th ranked rushing defence.
Which could play into the hands of rookie back Bucky Irving who rushed for 1122 yards on the season.
Tampa Bay to Cover -3 @ $1.90
SGM: Bucky Irving 80+ Rushing Yards & Anytime Touchdown @ $2.49
SGM: Mike Evans 75+ Receiving Yards & Anytime Touchdown @ $3.13
The biggest unknown in this game has nothing to do with the four quarters set to play out on the field, but whether or not the Southern California wildfires will force the game to be moved to Arizona.
**UPDATE** Game has been moved to State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
The market cannot split these two teams and there is a good case for both here.
Minnesota is the better team top to bottom with a loaded offence and an aggressive defence, but they had a horror show in Detroit last week which is why they are playing in this game and not watching the Lions.
Sam Darnold in particular was well below the level he had played at for most of the season and he will have to have a response here for the Vikings to get back on track.
Meanwhile, LA is undergoing a revitalisation of the roster with the aging veterans Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp hoping for one more run.
While the youngsters such as Puka Nacua and Kyren Williams, as well as Jared Verse, Braden Fiske, Kobie Turner and Byron Young ready to emerge on both sides of the ball.
If the Vikings can atone for last week’s loss, they will win this one, possibly quite comfortably but the concern over Sam Darnold makes this a risky pick.
Instead, whoever wins is going to have to be pushing 30 points which brings the over into play and makes it a far better bet than trying to force something in the result.
Over 48 Points @ $1.94
SGM: Aaron Jones, Cam Akers, Kyren Williams 150+ Rushing Yards + Jones, Akers 2+ Combined Touchdowns @ $3.35
SGM: Justin Jefferson & Puka Nacua 75+ Receiving Yards Each @ $2.39
2023
After 18 weeks and 272 games, the field is down to 14 teams as the NFL Playoffs kick off with Wild Card weekend.
San Francisco and Baltimore will be able to sit back and watch as they have earned a bye, while six other teams will be sent packing.
It’s reunions aplenty across both conferences with plenty of familiar faces including Tyreek Hill returning to Kansas City, Mike McCarthy facing Green Bay and Matthew Stafford’s return to Detroit.
The field is wide open in the race for Super Bowl LVIII and we’ve got our previews and best bets for all six Wild Card games here!
We may as well call this the Houston Texans memorial timeslot because in each of their seven playoff appearances, they have received the early Sunday (AEDT) kickoff at NRG Stadium.
In those games they have defeated Cincinnati in 2011 and 2012, lost to Kansas City in 2015, beat Oakland in 2016, lost to the Colts in 2018 and most recently needed overtime to get by the Bills in the 2019 season.
Useless trivia aside, this is going to be an interesting game between two teams whose talent isn’t quite at an elite level but you wouldn’t count them out from going on a run either.
Houston has well and truly overachieved this season with rookie quarterback CJ Stroud starring in his debut campaign, but this Browns defence has been feasting on opposing offences pretty much all season.
That defence is what swings this game in favour of the visitors for me, Stroud will have his moments moving the ball but asking him to do it all on his own just feels like a bridge too far.
I like the Texans to keep it close but the experience of Joe Flacco might come in handy in the crunch time.
Given it’s the playoffs it’s also worth adding in a couple of player markets to add in some extra value and a couple of options stand out above all others in this game.
One of the most impressive players on Cleveland’s offence this season has been tight end David Njoku catching 81 passes for 882 yards and six touchdowns, and I’ll back him to have another solid outing.
For a bit of insurance on the Texans side I’ll back Stroud to have a productive day, throwing for 275 yards and a pair of touchdowns, numbers he has hit in five of his eight home starts and a mark he will likely have to meet if Houston is to have any hope.
Cleveland to Win by 1-13 Points @ $2.25
SGM: David Njoku 45+ Receiving Yards and Anytime Touchdown Scorer @ $3.25
SGM: CJ Stroud 275+ Passing Yards and 2+ Passing Touchdowns @ $3.44
Get ready for a whole lot of weather talk ahead of this game, the forecast in Kansas City is for temperatures that can only really be described as stupidly cold.
At the time of publish, the forecast for Saturday night local time is for a minimum of -21oC with winds in the range of 22km/h but the good news is they aren’t expecting much if any snow.
No matter how you spin it, it’s a tough situation for Miami to head into made even worse knowing they could have had a home game this weekend if they didn’t blow the AFC East by going 2-3 down the stretch.
On top of that, they have had to scramble to find defensive reinforcements after a brutal Week 18 game against Buffalo saw a depleted defence take some more hits.
If that wasn’t enough, their practice report through two days does not exactly inspire confidence that their offence will be close to 100% with several key players including Tyreek Hill, Raheem Mostert, Jaylen Waddle and a number of offensive linemen all listed with various ailments.
Kansas City has been a shell of themselves all season long but if there was ever a time for Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce to go on a run, this is it.
Combine that with stud rookie receiver Rashee Rice and the reliable Isiah Pacheco out of the backfield and Kansas City should control this one and keep Miami’s offence under the thumb.
Kansas City to Cover -4.5 @ $1.90
SGM: Isiah Pacheco 60+ Rushing Yards, Travis Kelce 45+ Receiving Yards, Rashee Rice 60+ Receiving Yards @ $4.54
Former Packers coach Mike McCarthy has certainly landed on his feet as he prepares to host his former team in the playoffs.
Considering the recent history of both franchises when it comes to frustrating and heartbreaking playoff exits, this one is probably not getting decided until the end of the fourth quarter, probably in controversial circumstances.
It’s tough, if not impossible to back against Dallas at home however, with the Cowboys going 8-0 at AT&T Stadium and averaging an impressive 37.375 points per game under the roof, so if they keep that trend up the over looks like a solid choice.
Just making the playoffs is impressive for the Packers who were supposed to be in a rebuilding year but finished the year off with three straight wins to get in.
I’m expecting both quarterbacks to put on a show and I’ll back them to combine for 600 yards, with Prescott leading the way and Love forced to throw to keep pace.
Two weeks ago CeeDee Lamb had a career day against Detroit and if Prescott is going to go off here, the primary receiver should be in for another big performance.
Dallas to Win and Over 51.5 Points @ $2.30
Dak Prescott/Jordan Love 600+ Pass Yards Combined @ $3.00
SGM: CeeDee Lamb 100+ Receiving Yards & Anytime TD Scorer @ $2.51
For the first time in its 21 year history, Ford Field will be hosting a Detroit Lions NFL playoff game (it was the venue for Super Bowl XL in February 2006).
It’s fair to say this is going to be the most raucous atmosphere of all six venues this weekend as the Lions are at home in the postseason for the first time since January 1992, which was also the last time they won a postseason contest.
Since then they have played in eight road playoff games and failed to break through, and they will have their work cut out for them here.
If all of those stats were not enough to make for a big occasion, leading the LA Rams into this game is former Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford, who spent 12 seasons in the Motor City and played in three of those playoff defeats.
As for how this one is going to unfold, this is definitely the game to hammer the overs with both teams stacked on the offensive side of the ball and scoring 30 might not be enough to win this game.
LA has their trio of weapons for Stafford, with receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nakua plus running back Kyren Williams all enjoying strong seasons and if the Rams are moving the ball, it will be with it in their hands.
The same applies for Detroit with the dynamic running back duo of David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs, plus star receiver Amon-Ra St Brown who are more than capable of making up for the loss of rookie tight end Sam LaPorta.
Finding a winner in this game is tough, because there is a case for both sides and after three decades of bad luck, the Lions have to be due.
However one big factor looms in favour of the Rams, Sean McVay spent years coaching Goff and knows how to make him unravel which might not mean much early, but as the game goes on it increases the likelihood of a back breaking mistake.
LA Rams to Win @ $2.40
Over 51.5 Points @ $1.90
Rams SGM: Stafford 275+ Passing Yards, Kyren Williams 80+ Rushing Yards, Puka Nakua 75+ Receiving Yards, Cooper Kupp 60+ Receiving Yards, Williams/Nakua/Kupp 2+ TDs @ $7.16
Lions SGM: Goff 250+ Pass Yards & 2+ TDs, Montgomery/Gibbs 100+ Rush Yards Combined, St Brown 75+ Rec Yards & Montgomery/Gibbs/St Brown 2+ TDs @ $4.91
Mike Tomlin has had his share of critics over his time in Pittsburgh, especially in the last few seasons but his refreshing honesty is always something to admire.
Especially when he opted not to make TJ Watt’s availability for this game a lingering story, ruling out the NFL’s sack champion at the start of the week.
That moved the line all the way out to Buffalo -10, easily the biggest of the weekend and there isn’t much of a case for the Steelers to even cover.
As dysfunctional as Buffalo has been this season, you have to give them plenty of credit for a five game winning streak to make the playoffs.
After spending most of the season on a tight leash, Josh Allen finally has the freedom to let loose for better or worse as we saw in Miami last week, throwing for 359 yards, running for 67 and also throwing three picks and losing a fumble as well.
To get the Bills to the Super Bowl he is going to have to be Superman, and with the extra half second the absence of Watt provides, he should tear up this Steelers defence.
Buffalo to Cover -10 @ $1.90
SGM: Josh Allen 250+ Passing Yards, 2+ TD Passes, Over 38.5 Rushing Yards @ $7.84
SGM: James Cook 60+ Rushing Yards, James Cook/Josh Allen 2+ TD’s Combined @ $3.96
An instant classic this is not as the NFC South champions by default host the reigning NFC champions whose Super Bowl hangover has hit hard in the last few weeks.
If their late season collapse wasn’t bad enough, blowing the top seed in the playoffs, then seeing so many key players go down with injury last week would have hoisted the red flags over the Eagles chances.
To their credit, Tampa has been a pleasant surprise this season, but their late season 5-1 run to make the playoffs featured three wins over teams that are looking for a new head coach and just the one win over another playoff team.
But this still remains a highly competitive team that can cause problems for a defence that has seemingly forgotten how to make a stop.
Baker Mayfield should have a good day regardless of the outcome against a depleted Eagles defence and his yardage numbers look very low, even with him battling injuries.
As much as I want to take Tampa here, I’m going to have to give Philadelphia one more shot because they are too damn good to keep playing this poorly.
And on the plus side, if they do lose here the stories to come out of the locker room about the post Super Bowl dysfunction since February are going to be awesome.
Philadelphia to Cover -3 @ $1.90
Jalen Hurts 2+ TDs @ $3.60
Baker Mayfield 250+ Passing Yards @ $2.15
WINNERS MULTI: Cleveland, Kansas City, Buffalo, Dallas, LA Rams and Philadelphia to Win @ $13.20
2022
32 has become 14 as we get ready to kick off the playoffs for the 2022 NFL season.
The third edition of the expanded Wild Card Weekend brings us six games with very different storylines attached to them.
There’s a pair of divisional rivalries headlining this weekend with NFC West rivals San Francisco and Seattle kicking off the weekend before Baltimore and Cincinnati face off for the second weekend in a row.
Elsewhere, despite a (by his standards) sub par season Tom Brady will gear up for his 20th postseason as the Buccaneers begin their campaign against the Dallas Cowboys.
There are no second chances at this time of year, it’s win or go home and the pressure is as high as it has been all season.
We’ve got you covered with our previews and best bets for every game on Wild Card Weekend below so read on and see who we are backing!
Despite many prognosticators tipping the Seahawks to be a disaster in 2022, they managed to surprise everyone not in their locker room and will play on Wild Card Weekend.
Unfortunately for them, they’ve landed with a matchup against not only a team they have lost to twice already this season, but the form team in the NFC.
San Francisco has won their last 10 games, despite starting the final pick in April’s draft Brock Purdy for the last five weeks with Jimmy Garoppolo succumbing to injury.
It helps that the rookie has been surrounded by one of, if not the best defence in the NFL as well as a plethora of playmakers on offence.
Midseason acquisition Christian McCaffrey has revitalised the running game since his trade from Carolina but the Seahawks won’t be able to focus on slowing him down with the return of receiver Deebo Samuel as well as the return to form of George Kittle.
San Francisco won the Week 2 game in the Bay Area by a score of 27-7 before heading up to Seattle in Week 15 to record a 21-13 that was made to look a lot closer than it was by a late Seahawks touchdown.
We’re going to back the 49ers to cover the line for our first play in the game as well as taking George Kittle as an anytime touchdown scorer since he has managed to find the end zone seven times in the last four weeks.
Then for a Same Game Multi, we’ll start with the 49ers to cover a reduced -6.5 line before backing McCaffrey to have another big day.
He has topped 60 rushing yards in four of his last six weeks, is averaging over 100 per game against Seattle and has topped 30 receiving yards in five of his last six games as well.
Back San Francisco to Cover -9.5 @ $1.90
Back George Kittle Anytime TD Scorer @ $2.45
SGM: San Francisco to Cover -6.5, Christian McCaffrey 60+ Rush Yards, 30+ Receiving Yards & Anytime TD @ $4.75
Plenty has changed since these teams faced off at the end of September, a game where the Jaguars blew out the Chargers in Los Angeles by a score of 38-10.
For starters, Justin Herbert is coming into this game healthy and clear of the rib injury that he suffered in Week 2 against Kansas City.
On the other side Trevor Lawrence is dealing with an ailment of his own, although the toe injury hasn’t really hampered him in the last few weeks.
With a pair of talented young quarterbacks on both sides, this is potentially the start of a long playoff rivalry between two sides that will be desperate to climb up the rankings and join the AFC’s elite.
Over their last seven games the Chargers have gone 5-2 and that Week 17 defeat in Denver does come with the asterisk of Brandon Staley pulling his starters in the fourth quarter with the game still in the balance.
It does not seem like we are heading towards a blowout one way or another but it does seem like we are going to see plenty of offence.
Justin Herbert has thrown for over 300 yards in three of his last six starts and was on his way to topping it before being withdrawn against the Broncos.
Jacksonville’s defence is very much boom or bust and they may struggle to contain the variety of weapons on the Chargers roster.
It will put the pressure on Lawrence to keep up with Herbert and while he should be able to keep them close, LA just has the difference makers that should give them the edge.
Back the LA Chargers to Win by 1-13 Points @ $2.45
Justin Herbert 300+ Pass Yards @ $2.20
SGM: Over 42.5 Points Austin Ekeler and Keenan Allen Anytime TD Scorers @ $4.28
There is a reason we didn’t include this AFC East matchup in our introduction of marquee divisional rivalries this weekend.
Miami is reportedly tracking as one of the biggest underdogs in the Wild Card round in NFL history and frankly, it’s tough to make a case that they will even be close to the Bills by the end of the first quarter.
Even though they found a way to push Buffalo to the bring in Week 15, eventually going down 32-29 in a back and forth epic, the Bills are on a mission this weekend.
Starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa will miss this game after suffering a concussion against Green Bay on Christmas Day while backup quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is also unlikely to feature due to a hand injury.
That thrusts rookie Skylar Thompson into the picture for the biggest game of his career and the results of his play so far have been nothing short of appalling.
That’s not boding well for a Dolphins team chasing their first playoff win since 2000, especially when you consider what Buffalo is playing for.
You saw how quickly they jumped out of the blocks against New England and with the continuing positive updates on Damar Hamlin, the Bills crowd is going to be going ballistic if they can start as fast as they did in Week 18.
Buffalo won their Wild Card game last season 47-17 and a similar bludgeoning of a different division foe is on the cards here.
Back Buffalo to Cover -13 @ $1.90
Back James Cook Anytime TD Scorer @ $3.25
SGM: Josh Allen 300+ Pass Yards & 3+ Pass Touchdowns @ $5.16
Out of all six games this weekend, this is far and away the toughest one to get a read on in terms of who to back.
Minnesota should be a slight favourite at home and the market has installed them as such, but as we saw in Week 16, the Giants can give them all sorts of problems on their day.
Not to mention that whatever malaise was impacting them around Thanksgiving seems to have been somewhat lifted as we approached the playoffs.
Brian Daboll gave some of his key players a rest last week so the likes of Saquon Barkley should be well rested to come in and tear up the Vikings defence.
Combine that with a lethal Vikings offence in its own right and it looks like we are going to see a very high scoring contest.
There’s nothing that I’m feeling that strongly about in terms of a winner (though I’ll tip Minnesota if I have to take a side) and instead I’m going to build my plays around plenty of points with a pair of superstars shining.
Back Over 48 Points @ $1.90
SGM: Saquon Barkley 70+ Rushing Yards, 15+ Receiving Yards, Anytime TD @ $3.16
SGM: Justin Jefferson Over 92.5 Receiving Yards & Anytime TD Scorer @ $3.05
Seven days after they met at the same venue, Cincinnati and Baltimore will face off with a whole lot more on the line at Paycor Stadium this week.
That Week 18 contest was over and done with by halftime with the Bengals racing out to a 24-7 lead at the break, before the Ravens closed the gap thanks to the right foot of Justin Tucker in the second half.
At full health, this would be the game of the round between these fierce AFC North rivals but with the Ravens likely missing star player Lamar Jackson through injury, this may not be the contest fans are hoping for.
Backup Tyler Huntley is also limited in practice and no sure thing to start the game at the time of publish, although you would expect him (or a 60% Jackson) to find a way to tough it out here.
But it is tough to back against Joe Burrow who might be the most confident quarterback in the league in a very crowded field.
He has enjoyed some of the best games of his career against Baltimore and as the Bengals set their sights on another Super Bowl appearance, they should take care of business here.
Back Cincinnati to Cover -8.5 @ $1.90
SGM: Cincinnati to Win, Joe Burrow 275+ Pass Yards & 3+ TD Passes, Ja’Marr Chase Over 80.5 Receiving Yards & Anytime TD @ $6.00
SGM: Cincinnati to Win, Joe Mixon 50+ Rushing Yards & Anytime TD Scorer @ $3.28
It’s the ultimate head over heart dilemma heading into this game, which many of you may be wondering how the 8-9 Buccaneers won hosting rights for.
Having won their division, Tampa Bay earned a home game and the NFC’s fourth seed, while the Cowboys finished just behind the Eagles in the NFC East, which meant they could finish no higher than the five spot.
On the balance of the season it should be a no-contest with Dallas clearly the better team when you compare the roster and the game footage.
But there is one intangible that cannot be ignored at this time of year: Tom Brady.
Results wise this has been the worst year of his career but despite an apparently highly dysfunctional Buccaneers locker room, he still managed to throw for almost 4700 yards and only nine interceptions.
In a game like this, his 23 years of experience has to count for something, as does Dallas’ recent history of playoff capitulations.
The numbers might be pointing towards the Cowboys, but ask anyone who has backed against Brady in the playoffs in recent years, he tends to make you regret it.
Back Tampa Bay to Win @ $2.15
Back Mike Evans Anytime TD Scorer @ $2.45
Back Tom Brady 3+ Touchdown Passes @ $2.40
2021
The NFL Playoffs kick off this weekend with 14 teams hoping to lift the Vince Lombardi Trophy at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles in about a month’s time.
Green Bay and Tennessee have earned the weekend off after finishing as the top seed in the NFC and AFC respectively while six teams will see their seasons brought to a sudden end in the ruthless win or go home nature of the postseason.
If you missed it earlier in the week, check out our NFL Playoffs Preview where we run through the strengths and weaknesses of every team that made the postseason.
Four of this weekend’s six games are rematches of regular season contests including two which feature divisional rivals playing for the third time.
We’ve run the numbers, looked at the (digital) game tape and analysed the markets to find our best bets for the coming games.
Read on for our previews and best bets for every NFL Wild Card game this weekend.
The biggest variable when predicting this game is finding out how much energy the Las Vegas Raiders have left in the tank.
After such a dramatic ending to their season and having to back up for a Saturday game, nobody should be surprised if the Raiders are a little bit flat out of the gates against Cincinnati.
Anyone who has watched the Bengals this season knows how dangerous they can be, especially if that connection of Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase gets going.
Those two would have watched Justin Herbert light up the Raiders secondary last week and thought they could be in for a very big day if given the opportunity.
While there is always the chance of Cincinnati’s young team not being ready for primetime mentally and freezing in the playoff spotlight, it is not something I would expect to happen.
Back Cincinnati to Cover -5.5 @ $1.90
SGM: Joe Burrow 250+ Passing Yards & 3+ TD Passes @ $2.99
SGM: Ja’Marr Chase and Joe Mixon Anytime TD Scorers and Chase 75+ Receiving Yards @ $4.53
Just like when these teams faced off in Orchard Park in early December, the weather is looking like it will be the dominant storyline heading into the game.
An arctic chill will descend on Western New York setting the stage for one of the coldest games in the stadium’s history as the Bills host their first full capacity playoff game since 1996.
They will be buoyed by their Week 16 win in New England where Josh Allen was the star of the show, throwing for three touchdowns and accounting for 378 of the Bills 428 total yards on the day.
He will need to be at his best however despite being in his fourth season in the North-East, he still has shown signs of struggling in cold weather.
Despite going 4-1 in games under 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4.4 Celsius) Allen has only thrown for 205 yards per game with nine touchdowns and four interceptions, a significant drop off from when the weather is more palatable.
Where he will be able to win this game is with his legs, so be prepared for Allen to run against a slow Patriots front that has had its issues with mobile quarterbacks.
New England will run Damien Harris a lot so I’ll back a productive game from him as that is their path to victory however Allen will be the best player on the field and is shaping up as the difference maker as Buffalo records a statement win, edging out their scrappy division rival.
Back Buffalo to Win by 1-13 @ $2.40
Back Josh Allen Anytime TD Scorer @ 2.90
SGM: Damien Harris 70+ Rush Yards & Anytime TD Scorer @ $3.40
The reigning Super Bowl champions will host their first home playoff game since January 6, 2008, when they lost to the New York Giants 24-14… assuming you don’t count last year’s Super Bowl of course.
Either way, they will have a vocal crowd behind them when they take on the Eagles and are heading into this game with the second biggest line in their favour of the weekend.
On paper this should be no contest with the Buccaneers a much stronger side in spite of a handful of injuries depleting their pass catching corps.
They do still have Mike Evans and Brady’s old reliable Rob Gronkowski to call on with the latter absent for their 28-22 win in Philadelphia earlier this season.
Defensively this will come down to how well Tampa can contain Philadelphia’s run game that has been the catalyst for the Eagles strong finish to the year.
While their 7-2 record is impressive, it does also come with a slight caveat they did not beat a single team that made the NFL Playoffs.
Philadelphia might keep it close against a Tampa side that is patching over some cracks but this should be the Bucs’ day to shine.
Back Tampa Bay to Cover -8.5 @ $1.94
Back Rob Gronkowski Anytime TD Scorer @ $2.40
Back Jalen Hurts Anytime TD Scorer @ $3.75
You will hear plenty of references this week to this game being a throwback to the early 1990’s.
After all it will be the first time these sides have met in the playoffs since the NFC Championship in January 1995, which was won on the day by San Francisco 38-28.
With how both of these sides are setup, a similar scoreline could very well be on the cards in this one as we have two offences that are more than capable of putting up points when they need to.
Dallas has scored for fun this season, breaking 40 points on five occasions, however that has been at least partly due to necessity with a playmaking, all or nothing defence giving up plenty going the other way.
That could be music to the ears of Kyle Shanahan who has one of the best offensive weapons in the league in Deebo Samuel, who Dallas will no doubt try to stop but there are legitimate questions over whether or not they will be able to.
There is a strong possibility that 30 points will be the bare minimum score require to win this game and the over looks very tantalising.
As does backing the visitors outright, following their gritty effort to make the postseason, winning seven of their last nine.
San Francisco is battle tested, Dallas is flashy, this is shaping up as the potential game of the weekend.
Back San Francisco to Win @ $2.35
Back Over 51 Points @ $1.90
SGM: Deebo Samuel and Amari Cooper Anytime TD Scorers @ $4.60
Arrowhead Stadium will be cold, clear and most importantly loud as the Chiefs try to reach a third straight Super Bowl while also ending the career of Ben Roethlisberger.
The Chiefs are deservedly the biggest favourites of the weekend in a game that should be over by the end of the first quarter.
Even with injury clouds over a couple of difference makers on offence, it is tough to see a way Pittsburgh will be able to score more than the 10 points they registered in their Week 16 defeat at this same venue.
An early Chiefs lead might also cause the scoring to slow down a bit as Kansas will feel very confident in their defence’s ability to protect a two score advantage, especially if Pittsburgh is missing Najee Harris.
In the touchdown market, Patrick Mahomes looks well over the odds given his scrambling ability and tendency to run it in from close range.
He has only ran for two scores this season, however he has four from eight postseason starts, including the first touchdown in Super Bowl LIV two years ago.
At that price it’s worth a shot.
Back Kansas City to Cover -13 @ $1.98
Back Under 46.5 Points @ $1.90
Back Patrick Mahomes Anytime Touchdown Scorer @ $5.60
For the first time, the NFL will have a playoff game on Monday night as the Rams host the Cardinals at the Super Bowl stadium.
At different times throughout the year, Arizona and Los Angeles have looked like the best team in the league however there are major question marks over each team.
Arizona has looked nothing like the team that started the season 7-0 but finished the year on a 4-6 run as injuries have robbed the offence of its explosiveness.
The Cardinals’ star receiver DeAndre Hopkins is set to miss this game and that has really limited their gameplan as it has allowed the opponents to tee off on slowing down their running game.
Los Angeles has the difference makers on both sides of the ball to swing a playoff game and their two midseason acquisitions Odell Beckham Jr and Von Miller were brought in for games like this.
Add in the NFL’s receiving leader Cooper Kupp and a pair of elite defenders in Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey and you have all the ingredients for a Rams win.
Back LA Rams to Cover -4 @ $1.90
Back Over 49.5 Points @ $1.94
Back James Conner Anytime TD Scorer @ $2.25
2020
The NFL’s expanded playoff format has offered up an absolute feast of Wild Card action this weekend with not four, but six games to choose from.
The Buffalo Bills will be hoping to keep momentum rolling when they kick things off at home against the Colts on Sunday, followed by another NFC West battle between the Seahawks and the Rams for the second time in two weeks.
Meanwhile, on Monday, another triple-header awaits featuring a rematch of last year’s divisional round game between the Titans and Ravens, capped off with the Browns making their first playoff appearance since 2002 against the Steelers.
This is always one of the most unpredictable weekends on the entire NFL calendar, and with plenty of markets to choose from, you can find our complete 2021 Wild Card Preview below!
Close to 7,000 fans will be in attendance at Orchard Park on Sunday as the Bills host their first playoff game in 25 years.
An MVP-like season from Josh Allen helped lead Buffalo to an impressive 13-3 record, but the job is far from over as the Bills now hope to win their first playoff game since 1995.
Standing between the Bills and history is the Indianapolis Colts, a dangerous team likely playing with a chip on its shoulder after just missing out on the AFC South crown last week following Tennessee’s late win over Houston.
The Colts have arguably been one of the top defensive sides all season, which poses an interesting matchup against a red-hot Bills offence that has scored 30+ points in each of its last three games.
On the flip side, the Colts have also held their own offensively this year ranking ninth in points scored, so you could certainly argue that Frank Reich’s side is almost the complete package.
It might sound obvious, but much of this game will boil down to who can win the red zone battle.
Defensively, the Bills have been vulnerable in this area of the field ranking sixth in points allowed, while the Colts can sometimes struggle to convert red zone opportunities into touchdowns.
There’s no denying the Bills are a serious Super Bowl chance this year, but this Colts front seven shapes up to be one of their toughest tests of the entire season.
We’ve seen Indy cause problems for elite QB’s like Aaron Rodgers this year, so if Indy can apply pressure and make Josh Allen force some throws, they should be right in this.
Tip: Back the Colts to Cover the Line (+6.5 Points) @ $1.90
The Seahawks have opened as the -4 favourites as they prepare to host the Rams for the second time this season.
Seattle secured the NFC West crown two weeks ago with a win over Sean McVay’s side, but this still shapes up to be one of the most difficult games to try and pick from a betting perspective.
The uncertainty surrounding Jared Goff, who could potentially miss his second straight game with a thumb injury, largely explains the $1.52 about Seattle head-to-head.
Backup John Worfold did just enough to steer the Rams to a playoff berth last week with a win over Arizona, but it’s difficult to see LA matching Seattle on the scoreboard if Goff doesn’t start.
In all likelihood this game boils down to whether the Rams can ride their defence to another win.
LA caught a break last week with Kyler Murray leaving the game injured, but that doesn’t take away from the fact they held a dynamic Cardinals offence to just seven points.
Russell Wilson is as dangerous as they come, especially in the playoffs, but the Seahawks have hardly been the juggernaut we thought they might be way back in September.
San Francisco proved last week that if you take D.K. Metcalf out of the equation, Seattle starts to look a little suspect on the offensive side of the ball.
Wilson has also had a few turnover issues at times this season, which the Rams did well to exploit when they defeated Seattle 23-16 back in Week 10.
All of this points towards a low-scoring game, even if the total is set at 42.5 points.
Twelve of LA’s games have gone under this year, while the Seahawks have failed to put up more than 23 points in each of their last three games.
Tip: Under 42.5 Total Points @ $1.90
The Washington Football Team is back in the playoffs for the first time since 2015 after securing the NFC East crown last week with a win over the Eagles.
After finishing the season 7-9, it’s no surprise to find WFT as +8 underdogs heading into this Wild Card matchup against the Bucs, but there is a case to be made for Ron Rivera’s side if the defence can do the talking.
Chase Young declared last week that he was coming for Tom Brady, and if he gets his wish, the Bucs might be in some trouble.
The main reason Washington even finds itself in this position is due to their fierce defence.
WFT finished the regular season ranked sixth in sacks and fourth in fewest points allowed, a combination that could make life difficult for this high-powered Bucs offence if Washington’s pass rush can slow Brady down.
Of course, Washington will need to find points somewhere, and although Alex Smith’s comeback story is quite easily one of the best in sports, it’s difficult to see Washington keeping this game close if the defence doesn’t fire.
Backing Washington to win or even cover might be a tad ambitious, but backing their defence to hold the Bucs to a slim total is certainly in the realm of possibility.
Tip: Bucs Under 26.5 Total Points @ $1.88
The Ravens will be out for revenge on Monday when they face the Titans in the playoffs for the second year in a row.
It appears the bookies are all-in on Baltimore winning comfortably with a -3 line set, but if their previous Week 11 meeting was any indication, we should be in for a shootout.
After knocking off the Ravens in last year’s divisional round, the Titans added more misery this season by winning on a walk-off Derrick Henry touchdown in overtime.
The two sides combined for 54 points that day, but it’s fair to say a lot has changed since then.
Firstly, the Ravens were in the midst of their COVID outbreak during the midway point of the season, so it’s tough to read too much into Lamar Jackson’s numbers against Tennessee when they last met.
Second, Baltimore has looked almost unstoppable over the last month rattling off five consecutive wins over Dallas, Cleveland, Jacksonville, the Giants and Cincinnati, while the Titans barely survived their game against Houston last week after being destroyed by the Packers the week before.
Henry dominated Tennessee earlier in the year as the Ravens continuously blitzed, but there’s a good chance defensive coordinator Don Martindale has learned his lesson.
Last year’s divisional loss was also something Lamar Jackson stewed on all offseason, so you just know he’s going to be amped up for this game.
There’s no doubt this game should be a high-scoring classic, but the Ravens do look a good bet purely due to the revenge angle based on recent form.
Tip: Back the Ravens to Cover the Line (-3 Points) @ $1.90
The Saints have opened as double-digit favourites as they prepare to host the 8-8 Chicago Bears on Monday.
Even after losing to the Packers in a blowout last week, the Bears still managed to sneak into the playoffs as they prepare to face a red-hot Saints team that has won two straight games by double digits.
Drew Brees seems to be returning to full strength, and considering this might be his last real shot at winning another Super Bowl, it wouldn’t be surprising if he finished with some big numbers.
Star wide receiver Michael Thomas is eligible to play for the first time since Week 14, and although the Saints are playing it safe with Alvin Kamara, all signs point towards him starting at running back.
Defensively the Bears are no slouch, but they do look outmatched heading into this game.
The Bears really haven’t beaten anyone of note since their win over Tampa Bay way back in October and there’s also the added risk of Mitch Trubisky turnovers to factor in.
You might not know it, but the Saints have been a tough team to throw the ball against this year ranking fifth in fewest yards allowed.
Providing Kamara starts, this looks to be the safest bet of the weekend.
Tip: Back the Saints to Cover the Line (-10.5 Points) @ $2.02
The Browns qualified for the playoffs for the first time since 2002 last week with a dramatic win over the Steelers, but things have really taken a turn for the worst ever since.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski won’t be on the sidelines to coach his team after testing positive during the week – a tough pill to swallow as the Browns now find themselves drifting out to +6 in betting.
Even with Stefanski absent, it was difficult to get too carried away about Cleveland’s chances after just squeaking by against Mason Rudolph and the rest of the Steelers’ understrength roster last week.
To be fair, Pittsburgh has hardly been impressive in the second half of this season, but they should be much better off with Ben Roethlisberger and a handful of key defenders returning.
Home field advantage is also a key factor in this game.
The Browns haven’t won in Pittsburgh since 2003, while their complete lack of playoff experience might see that record extended even further.
This has been a significantly important season for Cleveland and there’s no doubting they’ve improved drastically on last year.
Baker Mayfield could keep the Browns in this game providing he keeps his emotions in check, but with no Stefanski and the Steelers well-rested, a win seems a tough ask.
Tip: Back the Steelers 1-13 @ $2.40
2020
Some consider Wild Card weekend to be the crown jewel of the postseason and with four highly anticipated games on offer, it’s hard to disagree.
After an epic conclusion to the regular season between the Seahawks and 49ers, there is only a short five day break ahead of Sunday’s AFC doubleheader between the Texans and Bills, followed by the Patriots and the Titans from Foxboro.
Monday’s NFC slate also holds value with the Saints hosting the Vikings, followed by an almost even money game between the Eagles and Seahawks from Philly.
Nothing beats playoff football, so if you’re searching for some winners, be sure to read our entire 2020 NFL Wild Card Weekend Preview below.
Two of the seasons best betting plays are in action on Sunday as the Bills find themselves as +3 underdogs heading to Houston.
Buffalo’s loss to the Jets last week cemented the Bills at 10-6 after head coach Sean McDermott chose to rest a handful of his starters. The Bills will also be eager for revenge after losing to the Texans 20-13 on the road last season.
Houston also comes into this game well-rested after losing in blowout fashion to the Titans last week. The Texans stuck to their season script by winning two straight games followed by a loss, which does suggest another Houston victory is instore this week.
Before you go loading up on the Texans though, it’s worth keeping in mind that the Bills are 4-1 against the spread following a previous loss and 6-2 on the road.
Buffalo’s defence has also been outstanding against the pass allowing the fourth-fewest yards against. That could pose a few problems for a Texans team that ranks only middle of the pack offensively through the air.
On the flip side, the Texans also rank fourth in passing yards allowed, which could lead to the Bills passing the ball a lot more than we’ve grown accustom to. With Buffalo’s elite defence in mind and their strong numbers against the spread, it’s worth taking the Bills to Cover.
Tip: Back the Bills to Cover the Line (+3 Points) @ $1.92
The Patriots will play in the first round of the playoffs for the first time since 2009 after losing a stunner to the Dolphins last week at home.
Not surprisingly, the bookies still have faith in the defending champs though, favouring New England by -4.5 points in this 2018 Divisional Round rematch.
The Titans, meanwhile, will relish their underdog tag on the road in Foxboro. Tennessee’s midseason turnaround has earned coach Mike Vrabel a worthy mention in the Coach of the Year conversation, while the Titans’ 5-3 record on the road is also worth factoring in.
Tennessee has lost two of its last three games against the Patriots, although the Titans will take faith in the fact they beat New England 34-10 when these two sides met last year.
As far as Sunday’s game goes though, there are a number of things to consider.
Firstly, Bill Belichick’s disciples have had the upper hand over their former mentor with Bill O’Brien and Brian Flores both earning wins over the Patriots this year. Considering Vrabel is a former Patriots player, it wouldn’t be shocking to see the Titans give New England a run for their money.
Second, Tennessee’s defence has allowed an average of only 17-points on the road this year, largely due to the fact they’ve allowed the seventh-fewest third down conversions to opponents.
Last but not least, plenty has been made of the Patriots’ passing game this year – especially with Julian Edelman nursing injuries – but New England still ranks eighth in passing yards and seventh in total points scored.
Overall, it’s difficult to see the Patriots losing this game, but it’s also hard to see the likes of Derrick Henry and Ryan Tannehill going down without a fight.
Tip: Back the Patriots to Win & the Patriots Under 24 Total Points @ $4.10
Anyone else got a sense of dejavu?
The Saints and the Vikings meet on Sunday in a rematch of 2018’s unforgettable Miracle in Minneapolis with a trip to the Divisional Round on the line.
New Orleans has been installed as -7.5 favourites with home-field advantage, but with a 4-4 record against the spread at home this year, it’s worth diving deeper into this one.
The Vikings head to the Superdome well-rested after Mike Zimmer chose to rest a handful of his starters during last week’s loss to the Bears. Word is star running back Dalvin Cook is expected to return this week, leaving the line looking a little generous in the Saints’ favour.
Minnesota has struggled without Cook losing back-to-back games to close out the regular season, but with that said, the Vikings still rank sixth in the league in rushing yards and touchdowns.
On the flip side, the Saints have been one of the league’s best teams against the run allowing the fourth-fewest yards and only 13 touchdowns. New Orleans has also been a tough team to convert against on third down holding teams to the sixth-lowest conversion percentage in the league.
The Saints have covered in two of their last three games against Minnesota, which spells further bad news for a Vikings team that went 4-4 on the road during the regular season. Minnesota hasn’t won at the Superdome since 2008, so it’s worth backing the Saints to extend that streak even further.
Tip: Back the Saints to Cover the Line (-7.5 Points) @ $1.96
The events that led to this game have been nothing short of entertaining.
Philly find themselves in the playoffs for the third straight year after reclaiming the NFC East last week against the Giants, while Seattle, on the other hand, had a chance to skip the Wild Card round entirely if only they’d beaten the Niners (and the refs) at home.
Looking ahead, this has the makings to be the most entertaining game of the weekend, if not the entire playoffs.
Made up of second stringers and Carson Wentz, the Eagles are a bag of bones right now that nobody – not even the bookies – are giving a chance. And as for the Seahawks, well… what can you say about a team that has now lost two straight games?
Philadelphia has opened as +2 underdogs with home-field advantage, but you might want to go all-in on the Eagles to win this game outright for one simple reason: their tight end game.
Seattle’s defence was shredded last week by the Niners, and we should see the same happen again this week if Wentz can hook up with Zach Ertz or his replacement Dallas Goedert.
The Seahawks have allowed the second-most yards to opposing tight ends this year, while Seattle’s run defence will also have its hands full with emerging stars Boston Scott and Miles Sanders.
Say what you will about the Eagles and their injuries, but like 2017, this team has a distinct underdog feel to it. With four wins from their last five, it’s worth backing Philly to keep the momentum rolling.
Tip: Back the Eagles to Win @ $2.10
2019
Four big games over two huge days – there’s nothing like Wildcard Weekend in the NFL.
After the regular season reached boiling point last week, expect the unexpected as all eight teams look to move one step closer to the Super Bowl.
Among those teams, the Philadelphia Eagles – last year’s champions. But can Philly really pull off the unthinkable for the second year in a row?
Be sure to check out our entire 2019 NFL Wild Card Weekend Preview below!
Even after posting an 11-5 record good enough to claim the third seed in the AFC, the Texans will still meet their division rival in the Wild Card round this weekend.
The 10-6 Colts are perhaps the most dangerous team in the playoffs, and as their 33-17 domination over the Titans last week suggests, Indianapolis are capable of piling on points in a hurry.
Since these two are more than familiar with eachother, it’s worth revisiting their match ups this season. In Week 4, well before the Colts had established themselves as a winning team, let alone a playoff contender, the Texans held on for a narrow 37-34 victory behind a huge 169-yard, one touchdown game from wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins.
Fast forward to Week 14, and it was the Colts on the right end of a three-point victory, defeating the Texans on the road 24-21 thanks to a huge 399-yard, two touchdown game from quarterback Andrew Luck.
So what does that all mean?
Other than each game being decided by as little as three-points, don’t get too carried away dreaming about an offensive shootout. Both of these teams know how to play defence, and as it just so happens, the Texans and the Colts rank Top 10 in takeaways this season.
Unfortunately for Houston though, there’s one problem: the offensive line. Houston have allowed the most sacks (62) of any NFL team this season, and with a 0-4-1 record at the line against the Colts in their last five games, failing to protect the quarterback should see the Texans’ brilliant season come to abrupt end.
Tip: Back the Colts To Win @ $2.05
It’s the crown jewel of Wild Card Weekend, and we should be in for some good ol’ fashioned smashmouth football between two of the league’s top defensive sides.
The Seahawks held on for a nail-biting 27-24 home win over the Cardinals last week, but they required all four quarters and a last second field goal to defeat one of the league’s worst teams.
As for Dallas, winning their 23rd division championship a fortnight ago was worth celebrating, but after an equally narrow 36-35 win over the Giants last week, they too have plenty of questions left to be answered.
For Seattle, there’s no doubt the Seahawks look very flukey and very beatable. Sure, they held on for a huge win over the Chiefs at home a fortnight ago, but Seattle’s 4-4 record on the road leaves plenty to be desired.
The Cowboys, on the other hand, have home field advantage to their name, which makes a world of difference with a 7-1 record inside Jerry World. Better yet, Dallas’ defensive unit has allowed the sixth fewest points this year and the fifth-fewest rushing yards, which should be enough to contain Russell Wilson in the pocket.
Seattle aren’t one-dimensional, but they are very dependent on Wilson, who by all accounts should figure in the MVP discussion. You could say the same about Dallas and Ezekiel Elliott, but going up against a Cowboys side that are 6-1-1 at the line in their last eight games, the lack of a consistent running game should hurt the Hawks’ chances.
Tip: Back the Cowboys To Cover The Line (-1 Point) @ $1.90
The best defence against one of the top scoring sides, what more could you ask for?
On one hand Baltimore’s dramatic two-point win over the Browns last week earned them the right to the AFC North crown, but on the other, it secured home-field advantage against the Chargers.
Los Angeles will be sweating on Melvin Gordon’s health after sustaining an ankle injury last week, but all reports suggest the star running back expects to make the trip to Baltimore. It’s good news following on from the Chargers’ 23-9 victory over the Broncos last week, but LA will need to rely on more than just Gordon, Philip Rivers and their talented receiving trio this week.
On defence the Chargers have allowed the eighth-fewest rushing and passing yards this season, and they’ll be relying on plenty of pocket pressure from defensive end Joey Bosa to get the job done against the Ravens.
Bosa has played in just seven games this season, but his presence has been felt around the ball. The former first round draft pick has 5.5 sacks and 18 tackles to his name, which should come in handy against an elusive and agile quarterback like Lamar Jackson.
Defence has carried the Ravens this far, but it nearly cost them last week against Cleveland. With a rookie quarterback at the helm and no go-to wide receivers to rely upon, it’s hard to look past the Chargers and their 7-1 road record.
Tip: Back the Chargers To Win @ $2.15
After posting a 12-4 record on their way to their first NFC North title since 2010, are the Bears actually legit?
If you’ve been tossing up on Chicago being a ‘contender’ or a ‘pretender’ this season, you’re not alone. We should find out this week at Soldier Field though, as Chicago prepare to face last year’s Super Bowl champs.
The Eagles snuck into the playoffs thanks to a 24-0 thumping over the Redskins on the road last week. The status of starting quarterback Nick Foles looked a little cloudy after taking a shot to the chest in the third quarter, but the good news is last year’s unthinkable Super Bowl MVP is set to start on Monday.
For the Bears, things are heating up at the right time, particularly on the ground game. As far as consistency goes, running back Jordan Howard has been the exact opposite, but his 109-yard, two touchdown effort against a stingy Minnesota defence last week was an encouraging sign.
It goes without saying, but if Chicago can rely on the running game, look out. It takes the pressure off Mitchell Trubisky, who’s passing skills are questionable at best, and it should also wear out the Eagles’ defence – a unit that has allowed the sixth-fewest passing yards all season.
This game is tough to call, mainly due to the quarterback position. Can Trubisky be trusted? And how healthy is Nick Foles?
There’s no doubt the Eagles are way over the odds at this price, and it’s worth remembering the Bears are 2-6 in their last eight games against the Eagles at home. With plenty to think about, the Points market is probably your best bet.
Tip: Back Under 41 Total Points @ $1.90
2018
The 2018 NFL Playoffs are finally here and we are set for four massive games this weekend.
Wild Card Weekend is always one of the most anticipated events on the NFL schedule and this year in particular is packed full of massive games.
We have had plenty of success with our NFL Tips during the NFL Regular season and we are confident that will continue in the NFL Playoffs, so don’t miss out on our NFL Playoffs Wild Card Weekend tips below.
The Kansas City Chiefs are the shortest-priced favourites in the opening weekend of the NFL Playoffs.
It has been an up and down season for the Chiefs, but they were able to secure the AFC West with four straight wins to finish the season and on their day their offence is one of the most explosive in the NFL.
The Chiefs have won six of their past nine games as home favourites and they have covered the line in each of these victories.
The Tennessee Titans scraped into the NFL Playoffs with their narrow win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in the final weekend of the season and they would need to go to another level to beat the Chiefs.
It has been the Titans defence that has gotten them to this stage of the season and their offence would need to step-up significantly for them to make a deep run.
The Titans have lost their past three games as away underdogs and their record against the line is not much better.
This is a game that Kansas City should win comfortably and they can cover the line in the process.
Back Kansas City To Beat The Line (-6 Points)
The Los Angeles Rams have been one of the big improvers in the NFL this season and they will start this clash with the Atlanta Falcons as clear favourites.
Los Angeles face the biggest challenge of their season to date against the Falcons and they do look a touch under the odds at their current price.
The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum has hardly been a happy fortress for the Rams and they have won only four of their games at home this season, while they are a team that has very little NFL Playoffs experience.
Atlanta secured their place in the NFL Playoffs with a win over the Carolina Panthers last weekend and we saw last season that they are a side that is more than capable of winning in the post-season.
The Falcons have won five of their past eight games on the road as well as their past four games against the Rams.
This is an offence that can be close to unstoppable when they get hot and there is nowhere near as much between these two sides as the current betting market suggests.
Back Atlanta To Win @ $3.60
This is a huge occasion for both the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Buffalo Bills.
Jacksonville are back in the NFL Playoffs for the first time since 2007 – after winning the AFC South for the first time – and they will go into this clash with the Bills as clear favourites.
The Jaguars did lost their past two games of the regular season and they have produced some poor efforts this season, but they generally do produced their best football in front of their home fans.
They have won five of their past six games as home favourites for a big profit and they are 4-2 against the line in this scenario.
Buffalo ended the biggest post-season drought in American sports with their emotional win over the Miami Dolphins in week 17 and that may have been their Grand Final.
The Bills have won two of their past six games as away underdogs for a profit, but they are only 2-1-3 against the line in this scenario and they have struggled when they have faced the top sides in the NFL this season.
This is a huge opportunity for Jacksonville to make a deep NFL Playoffs run and they should prove too strong for the Bills.
Back Jacksonville To Beat The Line (-8 Points)
This is a massive game between these NFC South rivals.
The improvement of the New Orleans Saints defence has been one of the most underrated stories in the NFL this season and they could be the team to beat in the NFC.
New Orleans have been particularly strong in front of their home fans this season and they have won all seven of their games as home favourites, while they are 5-2 against the line in this scenario.
Add in the fact that the Saints comfortably beat the Carolina Panthers twice this season and it is easy to see why they will start this clash as clear favourites.
Carolina won six of their last eight games to get back into the NFL Playoffs and they are a team that is capable of brilliance on their day.
The Panthers have won three of their past five games as away underdogs for a big profit and they have beaten some of the best teams in the NFL this season.
The betting play that really stands out in this is the Over in our Total Points betting market.
Backing the Over in games involving either of these teams has been a profitable betting play all season long and 12 of the past 16 games between the sides played at Mercedes-Benz Superdome have gone over.
Back Over 48 Points
2017
The 2017 NFL Playoffs finally get underway this weekend and we are set for four outstanding games of football.
Wild Card Weekend often produces some of the best football of the entire NFL Playoffs and all four games this weekend have the potential to be absolute rippers.
There have been a great deal of upsets throughout the NFL regular season and that doesn’t look likely to end in the Playoffs, which means that there is plenty of excellent value available this weekend.
The Houston Texans finished on top of the AFC South, while the Oakland Raiders claimed a wildcard after being narrowly denied the AFC West title.
There is no doubt that the injury suffered by Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr a fortnight ago has completely changed the complexion of this game as the Raiders would likely have started as narrow favourites.
Instead it is the Texans that will start this clash as clear favourites and they are extremely tough to beat in this scenario.
Houston have won all six of their games as home favourites this season for a clear profit and they are 3-1-2 against the line in this scenario.
Oakland won four of their six games as away underdogs this season, but they did so with Carr under centre and I just don’t think that either Matt McGloin or Connor Cook are capable of leading their team to a playoff victory.
Back Houston To Beat The Line (-3.5 Points)
The Seattle Seahawks won the NFC West, while the Detroit Lions scored a wildcard after losing to the Green Bay Packers in the game that decided the NFC North.
Seattle have been inconsistent throughout this season, but they are a team that is perfectly suited to Playoffs football and they have an abundance of big-game experience.
The Seahawks will start this clash as dominant favourites and they have won seven of their past eight games in this scenario, while they are 4-1-3 against the line.
Detroit head into the NFL Playoffs on the back of three losses and they take very little momentum into the post-season.
The Lions won three of their seven games as away underdogs this season, but their record against the line is identical for a clear loss.
This is a game that the market looks to have got just about right and I am happy to stay out from a betting perspective.
No Bet
The Pittsburgh Steelers won the AFC North once again, while the Miami Dolphins produced an outstanding second half of the season to claim a wildcard.
Pittsburgh have won seven games in a row since their loss to the Dallas Cowboys in a thriller and they go into this clash as clear favourites.
The Steelers have won six of their past seven games as home favourites for a clear profit and they are 4-3 against the line in this scenario.
Miami’s transformation in the second half of the season has been fairly remarkable, but that are still up against it in this clash.
The Dolphins have won three of their seven games as away underdogs this season for a narrow profit and they are 4-3 against the line in this scenario.
Pittsburgh should be able to get the job done, but it should be closer than the current market suggests and the Dolphins are a great bet to cover the line.
Back Miami To Beat The Line (+10 Points)
The Green Bay Packers beat the Detroit Lions in the final game of the regular season to win the NFC North, while the New York Giants were quick to secure a wildcard.
Green Bay have finally started to find their mojo in the second half of the season and they go into this clash as clear favourites.
The Packers have won five of their seven games as home favourites this season for a narrow loss, but they have proven to be a winning proposition against the line in this scenario.
New York have played some excellent football this season, but they have generally struggled to win as away underdogs and they have taken out just one of their past five games in this scenario.
This game could end up being a shootout and if that is the case I would much rather be on side with Aaron Rodgers than Eli Manning.
Back Green Bay To Beat The Line (-4.5 Points)