Wildcard Football
NFL Playoffs Pending
So it’s been a Super Wild-Card weekend for a while now, but this year’s group of games has the potential to be a memorable batch. It features a mix of perennial underdogs making the playoffs like the Browns, Texans and Lions, and some familiar faces squaring off against former teams. Several of the teams playing this weekend had a glorified bye week in the final week of the season. The Browns, Rams and Chiefs each rested starters with playoff spots locked up. Others, like the Texans, Bills, Steelers and Packers battled for their playoff lives in the final week of the season, and will come in hoping to carry over momentum of week 18.
Our Picks:
Cowboys vs Packers – 9.30pm GMT
Pick: Cowboys -7.0 @10/11
No coach has more pressure on them than Mike McCarthy this week. He’s 1-2 in the postseason with Dallas, and his former team is visiting Jerry World. Jordan Love enjoyed an amazing first season as a starter, but the Packers were 4-5 S/U on the road this season despite his 94.6-percent passer rating in that situation. Dak Prescott should have more success with CeeDee Lamb. Green Bay’s defense has improved against the run, but there are too many holes in the secondary. Dallas’ pass rush will be a difference-maker. The Cowboys were 8-0 S/U at home this season, too.
Lions vs Rams – 1.15am GMT
Pick: Lions ML @20/33
The Lions were the best team against the spread this season at 12-5, and they were 3-1 S/U and 4-0 ATS in their past four games. The Matthew Stafford return game will be overwhelming, and the Rams have allowed just 86 rushing yards per game through a four-game winning streak. Detroit has 115 rushing yards or more in their home victories this season, and they should be able to lean on that to keep Jared Goff, who has a 107.9 passer rating at Ford Field, comfortable enough to avoid turnovers. Sam LaPorta (knee) is a tough injury, but that means more targets for Amon-Ra St. Brown. For all the talk about Dan Campbell’s fourth-down calls, the Rams have a 61.9-percent conversion rate on fourth down with Sean McVay. Keep an eye on that.
Bills vs Steelers – 9.30pm GMT
Pick: Over 37.5 @10/11
We think the Bills win but gone with the over for value.
This is the fourth playoff meeting between these teams. Buffalo won its past five games, but four of those victories were one-score games. The Bills were 1-5 ATS when favored by more than seven points. Still, they will be a popular pick in this spot given how Josh Allen is 3-1 S/U as a starter against the Steelers. T.J. Watt (knee) also might be out, and Pittsburgh still has an unsettled quarterback situation with Mason Rudolph and Kenny Pickett. The Steelers were 5-0 S/U as an underdog of three points or more this season. Pittsburgh hangs around here, too.
Buccaneers vs Eagles – 1.15am GMT (Monday)
Pick: Eagles -3.0 @10/11
The Eagles have lost five of their past six games, and they have a -8 turnover ratio in that stretch. The Buccaneers won five of their past six games and had a +4 turnover ratio. If Baker Mayfield gets hot, then Tampa Bay could put the Eagles out here. A.J. Brown (knee) also will need to be watched throughout the week. Jalen Hurts’ first playoff career start at Tampa Bay did not go well two years ago. In another game where fourth-down calls could be interesting, Philadelphia (73.0%) and Tampa Bay (66.7%) have the top two percentages. The Eagles bounce back, but it’s a risky pick given their injuries.
The National Football League is a professional American football league that consists of 32 teams, divided equally between the American Football Conference and the National Football Conference.
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