The NFL playoffs open with the always-exciting “Super” Wild-Card Weekend.
With just six games on the board between Saturday and Sunday, the spreads and totals are drum tight and get even tougher as action comes in throughout the week.
Give your NFL Wild Card picks a fighting chance by getting the best number to support your opinion, whether that means snatching up the opening lines or waiting for market movement to buyback odds later.
Here are my favorite “Bet Now, Bet Later” lines and NFL picks for the Wild Card Round.
NFL predictions: Super Wild-Card Weekend bet now, bet later picks
- Chargers at Patriots (-3.5): Bet Now
- Packers at Bears (-1.5): Bet Later
- Rams at Panthers (Under 46.5): Bet Now
- 49ers at Eagles (Over 46.5): Bet Later
Los Angeles Chargers at New England Patriots (-3.5): Bet Now
Bookmakers opened the New England Patriots at an expensive -3 and quickly jumped to -3.5 with initial action on the home team. I don’t think this spread is done moving and could see support for New England pushing this line to the underrated key stop of -4.
Given New England rolled into the postseason with a strong showing in Week 18 – and the Los Angeles Chargers benched their first-teamers – recency bias is one of the many factors likely moving this line.
The Patriots present a tough test for a Chargers offense that has been stumped by quality stop units, struggling to put up points against Houston, Kansas City, Philadelphia, and Jacksonville in the second half of the schedule.
The Chargers also have to travel to the East Coast, which means playing outside in wintery weather. According to extended forecasts, that could mean rain, wind, and chilly temperatures in Foxborough.
If you like the Patriots, grab the -3.5 now and avoid the “no-man’s land” of -4 later. If it does drop to -3 at some point, you can bet New England again!
Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears (-1.5) Bet Later
The Chicago Bears opened between -1.5 and +1.5 on Sunday night, hosting the rival Green Bay Packers in the Wild Card Round. If you can’t get Chicago and the points right now, just wait a little while.
Chicago is coming off a home loss to Detroit, which should have soiled its chances of locking in the No. 2 seed if not for Philadelphia sitting its stars in Week 18. The Bears are now backing into the postseason on a two-game slide.
Green Bay, on the other hand, had to rest a roster ravaged by injuries in Week 18. The Cheeseheads had injuries on both sides of the ball, most notably a concussion to QB Jordan Love. But with two weeks to recover, he’ll be good to go for the Wild Card.
The Packers beat the Bears at Soldier Field back in Week 14, and Chicago returned serve with an OT win at Lambeau Field in Week 16 — but did so after Love left the game in the second quarter.
The betting public has had a tough time believing in the Bears this season, and that sentiment could continue in the playoffs. If you’re among those who like Chicago, be patient.
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Los Angeles Rams at Carolina Panthers (Under 46.5): Bet Now
These foes faced off not that long ago, with the Carolina Panthers stunning the Los Angeles Rams 31-28 in Week 13. That shootout blew the closing total of 45 out of the water and has this Wild Card number opening at 46.5 points.
Since that 31-point effort against the Rams (helped along by two interceptions and a pick-six), the Panthers have puttered along with offensive outputs of 10, 14, 17, and 23.
Los Angeles has issues in the secondary but faces a much tamer passing offense from Carolina, with QB Bryce Young passing for more than 200 yards just twice in the last six outings.
The Rams offense will lean into the run game after watching Tampa Bay march for 140 yards in a winning/losing effort versus Carolina in Week 18. Los Angeles rushed for 152 yards against the Panthers in Week 13. That will keep gains shorter and the clock ticking.
San Francisco 49ers at Philadelphia Eagles (Over 46.5): Bet Later
The look-ahead total for this possible Wild Card matchup was 47.5 O/U before the Philadelphia Eagles mailed it in against Washington in Week 18. Philadelphia benched most of the first-teamers, including all the offensive stars, and lost 24-17.
The San Francisco 49ers had a tough time moving the chains against Seattle in Saturday’s showdown for the No. 1 seed, mustering only 173 total yards and nine first downs, touching the football for just 22:12.
Those offensive duds could continue to pull this number down, which may move this total later in the week.
San Francisco faces a softer stop unit and one not as familiar as the Seahawks in this playoff opener. Quarterback Brock Purdy is OK after exiting Week 18 with a shoulder stinger, and the offense should have OL Trent Williams and WR Ricky Pearsall in action.
Philadelphia faces a “bend but don’t break” defense from San Francisco. The Eagles can do damage through the air and on the ground, averaging five points more at home than on the road.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
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