by Matt Fischer
The playoffs are now just hours away and that means we’ve got to start strategizing for how we’re going to win big betting the NFL playoffs this Wildcard Weekend! Here’s how to bet every NFL game this weekend:
Las Vegas Raiders at Cincinnati Bengals (Saturday)
The Raiders having played such a high stakes OT game Sunday night and having to travel for this one makes me think this could become a shootout. The Raiders’ front four is banged up and without pressure on Joe Burrow and plugging the holes to keep Joe Mixon from breaking out, this game is gonna see a lot of points.
My Pick: Over 48.5
New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills (Saturday)
This is the biggest game Buffalo has hosted in decades. The Patriots have been the beasts of the AFC East until Buffalo supplanted them last season and then repeated as division champions this year. After a tough loss in Buffalo earlier this season to New England, I think the Bills blowout the Patriots Saturday night and advance in the NFL Playoffs.
My Pick: Buffalo Bills -4.5
Philadelphia Eagles at Tampa Bay Bucs (Sunday)
I think this game gets ugly. The Eagles surprised people this season getting to the playoffs but their reward is traveling to the reigning Super Bowl Champs. The Bucs defense is the difference in this game as their pressure keeps Jalen Hurts from getting comfortable and the Bucs cruise to the next round by at least two touchdowns.
My Pick: Tampa Bay Bucs -8.5
San Francisco 49ers at Dallas Cowboys (Sunday)
I think this game is a toss-up. San Francisco brings in the momentum of a comeback victory that secured their playoff spot. Dallas has sputtered down the stretch. The Cowboys lost the two games against playoff teams they’ve played since Dak Prescott returned on Thanksgiving so I’m staying away from them in this game. I’ll go with the underdog in an upset.
My Pick: San Francisco 49ers +3
Pittsburgh Steelers at Kansas City Chiefs (Sunday)
This is a huge spread for a NFL playoff game. You just don’t see double digit spreads much in the playoffs yet this game warrants that. Kansas City has been playing great in the second half of the season while Pittsburgh has a negative scoring margin for the season. Weather could impact this game making it lower scoring and with it being Big Ben’s last game with the Steelers, I expect him to hang in there until the end and see this as a backdoor cover type of game.
My Pick: Pittsburgh Steelers +12.5
Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Rams (Monday)
Division foes collide on Monday Night Football this week in a do or die wildcard showdown. With such familiarity I expect this game to go to the wire. Can you trust Matt Stafford? This will be the most pressure filled game of his career. The Rams traded away a lot to get him and if he can’t lead this to a playoff win at home, it’s going to be a great disappoint. I think Kyler Murray keeps this one within a field goal.
My Pick: Arizona Cardinals +4
Get our data driven NFL predictions throughout the playoffs right here at SportsFormulator.com.