NFL Wild Card Weekend Odds and Predictions: Best Picks Against the Spread
The Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles earned the top seed in the AFC and NFC, respectively, and are off this week. Here’s a look at each wild card game – and each is a regular-season rematch.
Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers, Saturday
The Seahawks were one of the big surprises in the NFL this season at 9-8. They needed a win on Sunday over the Los Angeles Rams to earn the NFC’s final wild card spot and then a Detroit upset victory in Green Bay in the Sunday night game. Seattle did beat LA 19-16 in overtime on 32-yard field goal from Jason Meyers – after he missed a potential winner at the end of regulation – and the Lions did stun the Packers at Lambeau Field. San Francisco, the NFC’s No. 2 seed, swept Seattle fairly easily in the regular season.
Pick ATS: Seattle (alternate line of +10.5)
Los Angeles Chargers at Jacksonville Jaguars, Saturday
Prime-time game. The Jaguars have become the rare team to pick No. 1 overall in the NFL Draft and make the playoffs in the same season. They were 3-7 at one point but ended the season on a five-game winning streak, beating Tennessee 20-16 on Saturday in Week 18 to earn the AFC South title. The Chargers were locked into the AFC’s No. 5 seed ahead of Sunday’s game in Denver yet head coach Brandon Staley opted to play his starters for quite a while and saw two of his best players, receiver Mike Williams and defensive end Joey Bosa, get injured. He is being publicly massacred for that decision. Not clear yet on their status. Jacksonville was a 38-10 winner at the Chargers in Week 3.
Pick ATS: Jacksonville
Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills, Sunday
Miami needed a home win over the New York Jets on Sunday and a New England loss in Buffalo to earn the AFC’s final wild card spot. The Fins did their part by an ugly score of 11-6 starting third-string rookie QB Skylar Thompson due to injures to Tua Tagovailoa and Teddy Bridgewater. Not clear if either will be ready for this one. Buffalo earned the AFC’s No. 2 seed with its seventh straight win, 35-23 over New England in the team’s first game since safety Damar Hamlin collapsed and nearly died in a Week 17 game in Cincinnati that was eventually canceled. These teams split this season, each winning close at home.
Pick ATS: Miami (if Tua or Bridgewater)
New York Giants at Minnesota Vikings, Sunday
Neither team had anything to play for in Week 18 as the Giants were locked into the NFC’s No. 6 seed and the NFC North champion Vikings were essentially locked into the No. 3. They won in Chicago and New York lost in Philadelphia while sitting several key players. Minnesota beat visiting New York 27-24 in Week 16 on Greg Joseph’s franchise-record 61-yard field goal as time expired.
Pick ATS: Minnesota (alternate line of -2.5)
Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday
Prime-time game and the second week in a row the AFC North rivals play in the Queen City. The Ravens rested many starters Sunday in a 27-16 loss. The big question is whether QB Lamar Jackson will return for this one from his knee injury. He hasn’t played since Week 13 but did help lead a 19-17 win over the Bengals in Week 5. Cincinnati is the AFC’s No. 3 seed as it looks to repeat as the conference champion.
Point spread: Bengals -6.5
Dallas Cowboys at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Monday
The NFL added a Monday night game for the first time last postseason. The Cowboys looked horrible Sunday in a lopsided loss at Washington, but in reality had little to play for. Neither did Tampa Bay on Sunday as it was locked into the NFC’s No. 4 seed as the South Division champion. Tom Brady played a little more than one quarter in a 30-17 loss in Atlanta. The Bucs won 19-3 in Dallas in Week 1.
Pick ATS: Tampa Bay (alternate line of +3.5)
