The Wild Card Round is set, and the 2024 NFL Playoffs have officially begun.
These games will decide six teams that reach the Divisional playoffs, where they’ll join the Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers on the road to Super Bowl LVIII.
Wild Card action begins on Saturday, with the Cleveland Browns facing the Houston Texans, and wraps up Monday when the Philadelphia Eagles clash with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
This makes for what should be a dramatic few days, so here are our NFL Wild Card round picks and best bets based on the latest NFL odds, ahead of what is usually one of the most dramatic weekends in the NFL schedule.
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NFL Wild Card Round Schedule
Saturday
AFC: Cleveland Browns vs Houston Texans
AFC: Miami Dolphins vs Kansas City Chiefs
Sunday
AFC: Pittsburgh Steelers vs Buffalo Bills
NFC: Green Bay Packers vs Dallas Cowboys
NFC: Los Angeles Rams vs Detroit Lions
Monday
NFC: Philadelphia Eagles vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers
L.A. Rams vs Detroit Lions
Sunday’s NFL game features an exciting clash as Matthew Stafford faces his former team, the Detroit Lions.
Expect an offensive showcase, with coaches Ben Johnson and Sean McVay preparing dynamic plays, hinting at a high-scoring game with total points expected in the 50s.
The Rams, with their top-tier offence, are set to exploit the Lions’ weaker defence. Stafford, Kyren Williams, Cooper Kupp, and Puka Nacua are likely to be instrumental.
The Rams have an impressive track record, having won seven of their last eight games, averaging over 31 points in recent matches.
The game also spotlights Jared Goff against his previous team. The Rams’ defence, led by Aaron Donald and Kobie Turner, has been strong against the run, which is key to restricting Detroit’s Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery.
Historical trends in the Wild Card Round suggest an advantage for the Rams, particularly against the spread.
This matchup, expected to be a close, high-scoring affair, sees the Rams in a favourable position, contrasting with a Detroit team that showed earlier season strength.
Betting insights lean towards the Rams, considering Detroit’s narrow win history during the regular season and that looks to be the best pick again in this one.
Pick: Rams +3.5 @ 1.76
Green Bay Packers vs Dallas Cowboys
The upcoming playoff clash between the Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys promises to be a high-scoring spectacle.
Dallas boasts a robust offence, consistently delivering high scores, while Green Bay, under Jordan Love, has also been performing impressively.
Packers fans are notably critical of defensive coordinator Joe Barry, while the Cowboys’ defence has shown vulnerabilities, particularly against top-20 DVOA teams, allowing an average of 25.75 points in games against such offences.
The Packers have recently been on a streak with ‘overs’, hitting them in six consecutive games before their playoff-securing win against the Bears.
Notably, they average 25.3 points in away games, the fourth-highest in the NFL. Conversely, Dallas excels at home, averaging 37.4 points per game, the highest in the league, with a 5-3 ‘over’ record at AT&T Stadium.
Despite the pressure of a playoff game in Dallas, Jordan Love’s consistent performance throughout the season suggests he could handle the challenge.
The game is expected to be a close, high-scoring affair, making it a must-watch for NFL fans.
Pick: Over 50 Points.5 @ 1.84
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
In Week 3, the Eagles outshone the Buccaneers, leading in possession and yardage.
As they meet again, the Eagles are likely to dominate the trenches, given the Buccaneers’ offensive line issues and the Eagles’ strong defence, particularly against middle runs.
The Buccaneers’ home offence has been weaker, while Philadelphia’s defence, though not at its strongest, could still exploit Tampa Bay’s weaknesses.
Tampa Bay’s defence, ranking decently in key metrics, faces an Eagles offence dependent on passing.
However, Jalen Hurts has struggled against Todd Bowles’ defence, showing more interceptions than touchdowns and a low completion rate.
Injuries to Eagles players like Hurts, A.J. Brown, and DeVonta Smith could impact their offensive capability. Additionally, Baker Mayfield’s performance, hindered by injury, could influence the game.
The matchup leans towards a lower-scoring outcome, considering the Buccaneers’ season trend and Wild Card Round patterns.
With early betting showing a tendency towards a lower total, this game could be a defensive battle, influenced by season trends and player injuries.
Pick: Under 44.5 Points @ 1.79
NFL Wild Card Round Picks & NFL Best Bets
Rams +3.5 @ 1.76 vs. Lions
Packers vs Cowboys Over 50.5 Points @ 1.84
Eagles vs Buccaneers Under 44.5 Points @ 1.79
*Odds subject to change.
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