It is finally go time – the start of the NFL playoffs. The road to Super Bowl 56 begins today. Here are our Wild Card weekend betting predictions to help you cash some tickets.
Saturday, Jan. 15
4:30 p.m. (E.T.) No. 5 seed Las Vegas Raiders at No. 4 Cincinnati Bengals
The first game of our NFL wildcard weekend betting predictions has The Raiders (Just Win Baby) did what they had to do in an overtime thriller against the Los Angeles Chargers to secure a playoff spot. Conversely, Cincinnati rested most of their key players in week 18 ahead of this weekend’s matchup. The Bengals easily beat these Raiders 32-13 back in week 11. Bengals’ RB Joe Mixon slashed the Raiders for 123 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns in that contest. However, Vegas has won their last 4 games and playing great on both sides of the ball at the right time. I believe the Raiders keep it close enough to cover, even if Cincinnati wins.
Pick: Las Vegas Raiders + 5.5
8:15 p.m. (E.T.) No. 6 New England Patriots at No. 3 Buffalo Bills
These teams have already met twice this season, winning one game each. The Patriots limped into the playoffs, losing 3 of their final 4 games and surrendering an average of 31 points in those losses. The Bills are playing better of late, winners of their last 4 games after losses to the Patriots and Buccaneers in weeks 13 and 14. The Bills seem focused and ready to take the next step. It’s hard to beat a Bill Belichick team twice in a season (only has happened 6 times over his Patriots career), but the Bills are in a good position at home to do just that. It will be cold in Buffalo, which could slow things down as the weather is expected to be around 4 degrees at kickoff.
Pick: Buffalo Bills – 5, also lean under 44
Sunday, Jan. 16
1:00 p.m. (E.T.) No. 7 Philadelphia Eagles at No. 2 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The defending champs kickoff day 2 of our NFL wildcard weekend betting predictions. Tom Brady. Enough said. The G.O.A.T. is no stranger to the playoffs; this will be Brady’s 19th postseason appearance over his 22-year career. The Bucs are slightly short-handed with two of TB12’s favorite weapons out, wideouts Chris Godwin (knee) and Antonio Brown (whatever that was in week 17). Still, Brady’s old reliable TE Rob Gronkowski has had back-to-back 100 + yard receiving games to finish the regular season. Veteran RB Leonard Fournette is expected to play, which is welcome news to the Bucs. The Eagles have won 4 out of their last 5 games and will have RBs Miles Sanders (hand) and Jordan Howard (Covid-19) active. QB Jalen Hurts rushed for 2 TDs back in week 6 against these Buccaneers and will look to repeat that against a Buccaneers’ defense that has allowed the 4th most rushing yards to enemy quarterbacks. I fully expect the Eagles to compete, but Brady will find a way to advance in the end.
Pick: Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 5
4:30 p.m. (E.T.) No. 6 San Francisco 49ers at No. 3 Dallas Cowboys
This game is the one I am most excited to watch this weekend. The Cowboys are an impressive 6-0 against NFC East teams but 6-5 against teams outside their division. QB Dak Prescott and company have been exceptional the last 6 weeks of the season, averaging 34 PPG while only surrendering 18 PPG. However, the Cowboys will face a defense that finished 9th in the league against points allowed and T5 in sacks (48). On the other hand, Niners coach Kyle Shanahan has his team playing well at the right time. San Francisco definitely heads into the playoffs filled with confidence, having put up an average of 24.5 PPG over their last 6 games, including wins against playoff teams the Titans and Rams. This feels like a throwback to the great playoff games these two franchises battled it out back in the ’90s.
Pick: San Francisco 49ers Moneyline
8:15 p.m. (E.T.) No. 7 Pittsburgh Steelers at No. 2 Kansas City Chiefs
Credit the Steelers for fighting their way into the playoffs while giving up more points (398) than they actually scored (343). Credit the Chiefs from bouncing back after a sluggish 3-4 start to righting the ship to finish 12-5 and remind everyone that they are still capable of dominating. Pittsburgh QB Ben Roethlisberger and company are simply overmatched here (his words, not mine). But I do happen to agree. Expect Pittsburgh to run the ball with Najee Harris and make a few big plays to keep it close enough. The Chiefs will win but laying 12.5 points is too much for my taste in a playoff game.
Pick: Pittsburgh Steelers + 12.5, slight lean to the under 46.5
Monday, Jan. 17
8:15 p.m. (E.T.) No. 5 Arizona Cardinals at No. 4 Los Angeles Rams
Hmmm. This one is tough and here is why I think so – neither team is playing well heading into the playoffs. After starting 10-2, the Cardinals go into the playoffs losers of 4 of their last 5 games. What once seemed like a first-round bye is now a tough first-round matchup for Arizona. The Rams looked like a top contender to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl starting off 7-1. Matthew Stafford seemed like an M.V.P candidate, only throwing 4 INTs during that span. However, since that great start, Stafford has tossed 13 picks. Arizona’s defense is surrendering 24 PPG on average over their last 6 games, while the Rams gave up 18 PPG over that same span. Slight defensive edge to the Rams. This will be the season’s third meeting between these two teams, each winning one. I see a close one here with neither team taking control. This pick is based strictly on who is getting the points.
Pick: Arizona Cardinals + 4
Enjoy the games and remember to bet responsibly
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