With the end of the regular season, the playoffs are upon us. Let’s see what the Wild Card Weekend NFL betting lines and odds present and make our NFL picks and predictions for the first week of the playoffs.
NFL Playoff Picks, Predictions for Wild Card Weekend: Opening betting lines, odds, and scores
The arrival of Wild Card Weekends means the pressure on teams ratchets up even further. Some teams have already had to play in knock-out style games, but for others, this is their first experience of lose and be eliminated type play for the 2020 season. Take a look at the value in the Wild Card betting lines and odds and bet accordingly.
Analysis of each game can be found below the table. The Wild Card Weekend NFL odds below are from the William Hill Sportsbook.
This table is best viewed in landscape mode if you are using a mobile device.
NFL Wild Card Weekend Picks and Predictions: Saturday
Indianapolis Colts at Buffalo Bills (-6.5)
This is a fascinating matchup to kick off our Wild Card weekend. While the Colts appear to be a middle of the pack team in terms of rushing, they have had a lot of success recently. In the past five games, they have topped 100 rushing yards five times, going over 200 twice. Meanwhile, the Bills entered Week 17 tied for the fifth-most yards per attempt allowed in the run game.
One concern for the Colts is the way the Jaguars moved the ball through the air at times. While the Colts run defense has been good, they have allowed opponents to throw for over 300 yards four times in the past five games. The Bills should have enough on offense to win this game, but the Colts could control the ball and give them a scare.
NFL Wild Card Weekend Picks and Predictions: Buffalo Bills 27, Indianapolis Colts 23
Los Angeles Rams at Seattle Seahawks (-4.5)
So much about this matchup depends on the availability of Jared Goff. If Goff is under center and healthy, then the Rams have a chance to repeat their Week 10 victory. However, the Seahawks defense has continued to improve in the second half of the season. Week 17 was the first time they allowed over 20 points since their Week 11 matchup with the Arizona Cardinals.
It is hard to see how the Rams win this game without Goff. The Rams offense relies on the run game, and with Wolford under center, the Seahawks can key on that aspect of the game. We know the Seahawks can score 20 points even against good defenses, and that might be enough against a Rams offense that is struggling. Our pick for this NFL playoff game is for the Seahawks to win and cover the spread.
NFL Wild Card Weekend Picks and Predictions: Seattle Seahawks 24, Los Angeles Rams 14
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-7.5) at Washington Football Team
There is a lot to be intrigued about in this game. For as poor as Washington has been on offense, their defense is very good. They also have a defense that can cause Tom Brady trouble, as they are able to generate pressure all across their defensive line. The Buccaneers offense is clicking right now, but the defenses they have faced recently have been nowhere near the quality of this Washington group.
The problem for Washington revolves around how much offense they can generate. Even if their defense holds the Buccaneers to around 20 points, it is tough to be certain Washington can score more. Our NFL playoff prediction for this matchup is for the Buccaneers to win but not cover the spread.
NFL Wild Card Weekend Picks and Predictions: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20, Washington Football Team 14
Sunday Playoff Games: Picks, predictions, and betting lines
Baltimore Ravens (-3.5) at Tennessee Titans
It may seem odd to see the Ravens as favorites in this one, but their offense is firing on all cylinders. Additionally, we have seen the Titans struggling to stop opposing offenses. That puts a lot of pressure on the Titans’ offense to have to score on every drive. For the Titans to win this game, they likely need to score over 30 points.
For as good as the Ravens’ offense has been, the Titans’ offense is also very good. The Titans posted 173 rushing yards in their Week 11 matchup, and the Ravens’ offense is not set up to exploit the Titans’ weakness in the passing game. Our pick for this NFL playoff game is for the Titans to not only cover the spread but win the game.
NFL Wild Card Weekend Picks and Predictions: Tennessee Titans 33, Baltimore Ravens 30
Chicago Bears at New Orleans Saints (-9.5)
The Saints just managed to beat out the Bears last time out in Chicago. In New Orleans, the Saints should have a bigger advantage. The Bears offense has been rolling recently until they stumbled in Week 17. The Saints’ defense should be enough to keep the Bears’ offense under wraps. Additionally, the Saints are expected to get their main offensive weapons back this weekend.
With the Saints having the superior offense and defense, they should be able to win. However, the Bears’ defense is good enough that our prediction for this NFL playoff game is for the Bears to cover the spread.
NFL Wild Card Weekend Picks and Predictions: New Orleans Saints 27, Chicago Bears 20
Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers (-3.5)
This matchup brings a repeat of a Week 17 game, but with a difference. The Steelers will be back at full strength after giving some crucial players time to rest last week. That should bolster a defense that struggled against the Browns run game. However, the way the Steelers restricted the passing game is promising.
With the Steelers likely to get a more consistent offense with Ben Roethlisberger back under center, look for them to flip the result of the Week 17 meeting. This Wild Card betting line suggests this game will be close, and it is hard not to agree.
NFL Wild Card Weekend Picks and Predictions: Pittsburgh Steelers 24, Cleveland Browns 21
