The NFL Wild Card Weekend is upon us, and it’s shaping as much as be an exhilarating begin to the postseason! DJ Stewart and Kelcey Coyne, from the Excessive Low Sports activities Podcast, are right here to provide our NFL Playoffs betting picks and predictions for the tremendous wild card spherical!
Chargers vs Texans
DJ: We’re going to start out with the Chargers taking over the Texans, the 4 seed taking over the 5 seed, which is historically a really attention-grabbing matchup. The Chargers, because the 5 seed, are favored -3 and a -150 moneyline over the Texans, at +130.
I’m not gonna lie, I’m really extra stunned the Chargers aren’t favored by extra. And I feel a part of that’s as a result of the final time we noticed Justin Herbert and the Chargers within the playoffs, they choked a 27 level result in an AFC south division winner. So which may have one thing to do with it. However do you bear in mind the final time the Texans appeared good whenever you watched them? The final time I bear in mind is once they performed the Payments again in early October. So I’m gonna take the Chargers and I’ll take the -3 or the cash line. Some books may even provide you with -2.5 for mainly the identical factor. So the sphere purpose will get it for you. I’m gonna take the Chargers on this one and I feel they cowl.
Chargers Cowl -3 unfold: -105
The Chargers are guided by their offensive line and guided by the run sport and their run sport and their offensive line are wholesome. So it’s going to be a troublesome one for the Texans. So yeah, I’m, I’m with you. I’m not gonna go along with the unfold right here. I’m gonna go straight to the cash line, -150 for the Chargers. As a lot as I hoped I may persuade myself of the Texans, I didn’t.
Chargers Moneyline: -150
Steelers vs Ravens
DJ: Subsequent up, we obtained the Steelers taking over the Ravens. The Ravens are a -9.5 level favourite and -550 moneyline and Steelers at +380. Oddsmakers give the Ravens a 72% to win outright. This one’s form of attention-grabbing as a result of it’s the polar reverse of the matchup. We simply talked in regards to the away crew. When was the final time the Steelers appeared good? Nicely, the final time they performed the Ravens, arguably, which they received. The issue is that they performed the Ravens in between that point and so they misplaced by double digits. Whereas the Ravens have been. I feel cooking could be an understatement at this level. They’ve been excellent.
Kelcey: I feel that is going to be loads nearer to the primary matchup the place it’s going to be an in depth sport. I don’t suppose this can be a blowout kind of sport. I’ve been flawed in regards to the Steelers within the playoffs earlier than. I used to be flawed in regards to the Steelers this complete season. So I’m going to go forward and say I apologize to Steelers followers, I used to be flawed. I feel this sport will depend on who can get their passing sport going extra effectively. Russell Wilson is just not a man you need to actually tempt within the playoffs to get sizzling as a result of as a lot as I’ve once more given him the stick proper not too long ago, he’s a playoff winner, he wins within the playoffs and that’s one thing that the Steelers haven’t had as a quarterback shortly and I feel there are occasions the place he can do one thing and be impactful and make performs. On the flip aspect you could have two-time MVP, probably three-time MVP Lamar Jackson on the opposite aspect and it’s only a matter of him getting environment friendly and stepping into the offense. I feel that is going to be one the place you take a look at prefer it must be extra aggressive than the +380 +550 odds that it’s providing you with.
DJ: Each single checkbox factors to the Ravens. Nevertheless, the Steelers nonetheless have Mike Tomlin and Russell Wilson within the playoffs, in an AFC north matchup, as underdogs. After which the Ravens, who within the playoffs minus final 12 months in opposition to Houston, have had a tough go for essentially the most half. I’m nonetheless going to take the Ravens to win however I do suppose the Steelers will discover a method to cowl minus 9 and a half. They’ll lose like they’ll lose like 21 to 17 one thing like that.
Steelers Cowl +9.5.
KC: I feel I agree with you, I’m choosing the Steelers to cowl, however for me, I. I feel it’s nearer to the eight and 9 level vary. I simply don’t love -9.5. So if this drops to love a seven and a half by sport time, then I modified my reply. However I’m gonna say Steelers cowl for now. However Ravens would win it
Steelers Cowl +9.5.
Payments vs Broncos
DJ: Talking of spreads that you simply don’t like, we obtained Kelcey’s boy, Bo Nix, and the Denver Broncos taking over the Buffalo Payments. The Payments are -9 level favorites with a moneyline at -550. The Broncos getting +380 moneyline. Kelcey, how do you are feeling about Bo in his first NFL playoff sport?
Kelcey: He jogs my memory of what quarterbacks was once coming into the league is one of the simplest ways I can describe it, the place they had been seasoned in faculty after which introduced in. He clearly had an entire further season below his belt, however he was nonetheless seasoned in faculty to return in and be prepared for lots of this. And let’s not child ourselves. He performed loads of massive video games in faculty. He is aware of the way to play in these video games. Sadly, for him, he is perhaps going up as one of many hottest groups and hottest quarterbacks proper now in Josh Allen. MVP candidate Josh Allen appears to be enjoying essentially the most environment friendly soccer he’s performed in a pair years. Good luck Bo, this can be a powerful process.
DJ: Completely, and defensively, my goodness, once they’re on, they’re excellent. Patrick Surtain II is the Defensive Participant of the Yr, and If it’s not him, it’s a theft. I don’t want to listen to any whining and complaining like final 12 months, it’s clearly PS2. This being stated, I’m going to take Denver to cowl +9. The Payments must be favored by each metric doable, however I feel the protection will discover a method to maintain it simply shut sufficient, particularly if Amari Cooper doesn’t play. I don’t suppose they may win and I don’t suppose it’ll be all that shut till the ultimate rating.
Broncos cowl +9
Kelcey: Buffalo, man, that’s a troublesome crew to go up in opposition to. However whenever you’re weighing the 2 right here, there’s a possibility for the Broncos to sneak in and get a win right here. Am I going to choose them? No. Am I going to choose them to cowl the unfold? Additionally no. Give me Buffalo to cowl outright
Payments cowl -9
Eagles vs Packers
DJ: Subsequent up, we’ve got the should-be MVP for my part, Saquan Barkley, and the Eagles taking over the Inexperienced Bay Packers. Eagles are -5 level favorites after opening as -3 favorites now that Jalen Hurts is cleared to go. Packers +200 moneyline and Eagles minus 230. A rematch of the week 1, Friday evening sport in Brazil. This one performed within the Larger Continental 48, so we don’t have to fret about that this time.
Kelcey: It is a enjoyable sport and that is going to be a very completely different kind of sport than we noticed in Brazil. From the standpoint of each of those groups are completely different. They’ve figured loads of their issues out. The Eagles did precisely what we requested them to do, which is put your rookie corners on the market and allow them to be taught so that they’re prepared for the playoff time. On the flip aspect, I don’t know what Jordan Love did, however he forgot the way to throw picks once more. And it’s nice. Seeing the Packers and what they do with Josh Jacobs, Jordan Love and people receivers, they’re all weapons.
DJ: The whole lot factors to the Eagles, however I obtained a sense in regards to the Packers. I don’t know what it’s. Their run protection permits fewer than 100 yards per sport, so that they’re about seventh within the league. I’m just a little anxious in regards to the lack of Jaire Alexander, however they haven’t had him in a very long time anyway and so they’ve nonetheless been doing what they’ve been doing. That run sport is so weirdly dynamic. Matt LaFleur is so good at designing run performs, he’s like a mad genius. The lack of Christian Watson does fear me just a little bit. Simply that skill to simply fly down the sphere like a gazelle. We’re gonna take the Packers with the upset. In case you don’t need to contact that cash line, I don’t blame you. However we’re hammering +5.5.
Packers cowl +5.5
Kelcey: Nicely, I’ve already sacrificed my delight as a Cowboys fan, however I suppose no matter’s left, I’m sacrificing it right here. I agree with loads of what you stated in regards to the Packers. I simply, I’m going again to what I stated, I stated in regards to the Chargers and I’ll say it once more. Run the ball, grind them out on protection. And proper now within the NFC, pretty much as good because the Packers are doing each of these issues, the Eagles are higher at it. And that’s the place I’m going right here, the place the Eagles are going to have the ability to grind it out. Give me the Eagles right here to win the sport at -240 odds and canopy.
Eagles Cowl -5.5
Buccaneers vs Commanders
DJ: Subsequent up, we’ve got the Washington Commanders taking over the Tampa Bay Buck. The Bucs, the house crew and a -3.5 level favourite on this one. I’m going to maintain mine quick and candy. I feel the Bucs are a greater crew. They’re at residence. They’re wholesome. I like that we’ve got Mike Evans vs. Marshawn Lattimore within the playoffs although. I’m simply going to presume these two are ejected. So I’m. I’m not counting these two. I feel the Buccaneers run sport with Bucky Irving and Rashaad White goes to discover a method to get it completed. Commander’s protection, whereas a lot improved, continues to be spotty. When Baker is within the kitchen, they’re excellent. So I’m gonna take the Bucs. I feel they may cowl -3.5. The whole lot factors to them in that offense. When it will get going, it’s completely ridiculous. Like that offense when it’s cooking, it’s completely dynamic.
Buccaneers Cowl -3.5
Kelcey: Baker has by no means misplaced a wildcard playoff sport in his profession. He’s 2-0 in them. So give me the Commanders to win on this one. I’ll go Jayden Daniels with an upset. I like Baker. I like the Bucs. I simply. One thing feels particular about Jayden Daniels and it appears like he’s gonna show it. Terry McLaurin, regardless of the unhealthy output in week 17, horrible output for my fantasy crew. I nonetheless suppose there’s loads to return again right here for the Commanders. So give me the Commanders to tug my upset for the week right here and win this one.
Commanders Cowl +3.5, moneyline
Rams vs Vikings
DJ: Final, however not least, the 14-win Vikings because the fifth seed go on the highway to LA (In Arizona) to tackle the 10-win Rams as -2.5 level favorites. Vikings moneyline at -130 and the Rams at +110. The Rams did beat them once they matched up earlier within the 12 months and so they received fairly comfortably too. Matthew Stafford is such a veteran and superior quarterback that may take care of Brian Flores’s dynamic protection that destroys so many inexperienced quarterbacks. The Vikings have been superior all season, however the Rams are absolutely wholesome and rested, so I’ll take them to not solely cowl +2.5 however to win outright. McVey has probably the greatest teaching timber, and that features Kevin O’Connell. The Rams expertise will make the distinction on this sport.
Rams Cowl +2.5, moneyline
Kelcey: You realize, Sam Darnold in California has just a little little bit of a repute of being a California child. When he involves California to play, particularly Southern California, he’s completely different. I’m going to take the Vikings on this one. The Rams received earlier this 12 months, but it surely’s exhausting within the NFL for issues to repeat themselves.
Vikings Cowl -2.5, moneyline.
Recap
DJ – Chargers -3, Steelers +9.5, Broncos +9, Packers +5.5, Buccaneers -3.5, Rams +2.5
Kelcey – Chargers -3, Steelers +9.5, Payments -9, Eagles -5.5, Commanders +3.5, Vikings -2.5
Bear in mind, at all times wager responsibly and inside your means.