NFL Wild Card Betting Preview and Prop Bets
Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers
Saturday 14th January – Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA – 9:30 PM
Odds
Moneyline: 49ers – 2/11 with bet365 | Seahawks – 4/1 with William Hill
Spread: 49ers -9.5 – 10/11 with Bet UK | Seahawks +9.5 – Evens with SkyBet
Over/Under: Under 42 – 10/11 with 888 Sport | Over 42 – 10/11 with Unibet
The first matchup of Wild Card Weekend is a divisional matchup, as the 9-8 Seahawks travel to the 13-4 Niners. The Niners did the double over the Seahawks in the regular season, winning both matches fairly comfortably with scores of 27-7 and 21-13. But the playoffs are a different beast, and it’s very difficult to beat the same team three times in a season, no matter how good a roster is.
Seahawks at 49ers Picks
Moneyline: 49ers – 2/11 with bet365
Spread: Seahawks +9.5 – Evens with SkyBet
Over/Under: Under 42 – 10/11 with 888 Sport
Brock Purdy will be leading the 49ers at QB in his first NFL playoff game. The Seahawks will be hoping the occasion is too big for him, and will need that to be the case to have a realistic shot in this one. Star running back Christian McCaffrey had 130 total yards in the most recent matchup between these two, whilst tight-end George Kittle had 93 yards and two touchdowns. They are the Niners best offensive players in positions the Seahawks have the most problems against – the Seahawks have the third-worst run defence in the NFL and allow an average of 4.9 yards a carry. In contrast, the Niners have the second-best run defence in the NFL and have contained stud rookie Kenneth Walker in the regular season games.
The Niners have shown vulnerability in the passing game towards the end of the regular season, and Geno Smith will need to have a mistake-free game, hitting star wideouts Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf consistently if they are to best the 49ers in this one. Whilst Seattle at 4/1 does seem great value, the Niners should still progress to the divisional round – but don’t be surprised if this is only a one-score game and the Seahawks cover.
Seahawks at 49ers Prop Bets
George Kittle Anytime Touchdown – 13/10 with Betway
Tyler Lockett Over 61.5 Receiving Yards – 5/6 with PaddyPower
Geno Smith Over 0.5 Interceptions – 5/7 with bet365
LA Chargers at Jacksonville Jaguars
Sunday 15th January – TIAA Bank Field, Jacksonville, FL – 1:15 AM
Odds
Moneyline: Chargers – 4/6 with BetVictor | Jags – 23/20 with Betway
Spread: Chargers -2.5 – Evens with SBK | Jags +2.5 – 20/21 with Parimatch
Over/Under: Under 47.5 – 10/11 with Coral | Over 47.5 – 10/11 with Unibet
The Jags secured their place in the playoffs and the AFC South title with their Week 18 win over the Titans. It’s been a remarkable turnaround for the Jags under Head Coach Doug Pederson, going from the worst team in the NFL under Urban Meyer, to a playoff berth. Trevor Lawrence is starting to look like the QB he was touted to be, and Travis Eienne is developing into one of the best backs in the league. The Chargers have been second-fiddle to the Chiefs in the AFC West once again this year, but a 10-win season is nothing to sniff at, especially considering their injury woes all year. However, questions have been asked of Brandon Staley after he left the starters in for nearly all four quarters in a meaningless Week 18 game against the Broncos. Mike Williams is now questionable against the Jags after he picked up a back injury, with pundits wondering why he was still on the field in the first place.
Chargers at Jaguars Picks
Moneyline: Jags – 23/20 with Betway
Spread: Jags +2.5 – 20/21 with Parimatch
Over/Under: Under 47.5 – 10/11 with Coral
Whilst their pass defence is good, the Chargers have a bottom-five run defence in the NFL. Etienne and the Jags will be seeking to capitalise on that, hoping they can create favourable situations and leaning on play-action for when Lawrence does have to throw the ball. The Jags have the fifth-worst passing defence in the NFL, and when he has his full arsenal of weapons, Herbert can damage any team through the air. But with Mike Williams questionable and not at 100%, this frees the defence to double-up on Keenan Allen, with Ekeler the only other real threat to deal with.
Jacksonville will be rocking on Saturday night for their first playoff game since the AFC Championship in 2017. If the Chargers can nullify the Jags’ ground game and Mike Williams is healthy, then expect them to go through. But at the moment both of those seem unlikely and seem to be playing out in the Jags favour.
Chargers at Jaguars Prop Bets
Travis Etienne Over 77.5 Rushing Yards – 22/25 with Bet UK
Justin Herbert Under 283.5 Passing Yards – 22/25 with Unibet
Austin Ekeler Anytime Touchdown – 8/13 with Betfred
Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills
Sunday 15th January – Highmark Stadium, Buffalo, NY – 6:00 PM
Odds
Moneyline: Bills – 1/8 with 888 Sport | Dolphins – 7/1 with Betfred
Spread: Bills -13 – 17/20 with Bet UK | Dolphins +13 – Evens with bet365
Over/Under: Under 43.5 – 10/11 with Coral | Over 43.5 – 10/11 with Betway
It was a highly emotional and quite remarkable Week 18 for the Bills in their win over the Patriots on Sunday. An opening kick-off return touchdown seemed written in the stars following the awful incident involving Damar Hamlin against the Bengals, but two return touchdowns in a single game was just ridiculous. Meanwhile, even with their third-string quarterback, the Dolphins secured their spot in the wildcard round with a win over the hapless Jets.
Dolphins at Bills Picks
Moneyline: Bills – 1/8 with 888 Sport
Spread: Bills -13 – 17/20 with Bet UK
Over/Under: Under 43.5 – 10/11 with Coral
It will be Skylar Thompson once again at quarterback for the Dolphins, with Tua Tagovailoa ruled out following his third concussion of the season, and back-up Teddy Bridgewater out with a hand injury. Even with two star receivers in Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill, it’s tough to see anything but a Bills win this weekend. Thompson has averaged just 128 passing yards in the two games he’s seen action in, throwing for just one touchdown and three picks with a QBR of just 27.3. He’s against one of the top defences in the NFL, with the Bills ranking 9th in pass defence and 4th in the run game.
Offensively, the Bills are one of the best in the NFL. They’re top ten in both the run and pass game, and Josh Allen has a plethora of weapons at his disposal and one of the best receivers in the NFL in Stefon Diggs. A 13 point spread is massive for a playoff game, but this one could get quite ugly. If the Dolphins do somehow leave Buffalo with the win, it’ll be one of the biggest playoff shocks in recent memory.
Dolphins at Bills Prop Bets
Stefon Diggs Anytime Touchdown – Evens with William Hill
Josh Allen Over 260.5 Passing Yards – 5/6 with PaddyPower
Josh Allen Under 50.5 Rushing Yards – 10/11 with bet365
New York Giants at Minnesota Vikings
Sunday 15th January – U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN – 9:30 PM
Odds
Moneyline: Vikings – 3/5 with Coral | Giants – 13/10 with Betfair
Spread: Vikings -3 – 10/11 with Bet UK | Giants +3 – 9/10 with 10Bet
Over/Under: Under 48 – 10/11 with Unibet | Over 48 – 10/11 with Ladbrokes
It’s been an enigma of a season for the Vikings, who at times have looked like the best and worst team in the NFL. For the Giants, first year Head Coach Brian Daboll is a leading candidate for Coach of the Year. Given the talent on the Giants roster, it’s quite remarkable he’s led them to the playoffs in his rookie Head Coaching season. Outside of Saquon Barkley, there’s very little starpower on the Giants offence and it’s still debatable whether Daniel Jones is a franchise quarterback. Daboll has crafted a stingy defence and an offence that does enough to win in close games. But when putting these two rosters side-by-side, the talent disparity is quite clear.
Giants at Vikings Picks
Moneyline: Vikings – 3/5 with Coral
Spread: Vikings -3 – 10/11 with Bet UK
Over/Under: Under 48 – 10/11 with Unibet
The Vikings should win this game. Justin Jefferson is the best wide receiver in the NFL, Dalvin Cook is one of the better running backs in the league, and T.J. Hockenson and Adam Thielen are great supporting pieces. Kirk Cousins has thrown for the most yards in his career this season, but has also thrown the most picks in his career as a Viking. The Giants will need to bait Kirk into bad decisions and interceptions if they are to overcome the talent gap and home-field advantage Sunday night.
The Giants need to establish the run game, both through Saquon and Daniel Jones, otherwise their chances are very slim. The Vikings will be stacking the box and trying to force Jones to win the game with his arm, which has never been his strong suit. If the Giants can force a couple of turnovers and keep it a one score game heading into the fourth quarter, they have every chance of progressing to the divisional round. For the Vikings, it’s about not beating themselves. If they can have a mistake free game, they’re onto the next round.
Giants at Vikings Prop Bets
Kirk Cousins Over 279.5 Passing Yards – 20/23 with Betway
Dalvin Cook Anytime Touchdown – 17/20 with Bet UK
Daniel Jones Over 6.5 Rushing Attempts – 20/29 with bet365
Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals
Monday 16th January – Paycor Stadium – Cincinnati, OH – 1:15 AM
Odds
Moneyline: Bengals – 3/14 with SBK | Ravens – 4/1 with William Hill
Spread: Bengals -9.5 – 10/11 with SkyBet | Ravens +9.5 – 10/11 with Betway
Over/Under: Under 40.5 – 10/11 with Unibet | Over 40.5 – 10/11 with bet365
It’s the Ravens against the Bengals in back-to-back weeks, following their Week 18 affair in which the Bengals claimed the AFC North title. But with Lamar Jackson still out with a knee injury, these games lack the usual intensity you’d fine in an AFC North rivalry game. With usual back-up Tyler Huntley also struggling, third-string quarterback Anthony Brown started against the Bengals on Sunday. Whilst he did throw for 286 yards, he didn’t record any touchdowns and threw two interceptions with a QBR of 46.2. Huntley is now throwing again in practice and will be starting if healthy enough, but either option is not ideal for the Ravens.
Ravens at Bengals Picks
Moneyline: Bengals – 3/14 with SBK
Spread: Bengals -9.5 – 10/11 with SkyBet
Over/Under: Under 40.5 – 10/11 with Unibet
The Bengals are rightful favourites. It’s hard to see the Ravens winning in Cincinnati regardless of if it’s Huntley or Brown starting at QB. Joe Burrow has had another phenomenal season, and Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins are gamechangers at receiver. The defence is good enough to take them on a deep playoff run and should be able to handle Huntley or Brown.
For the Ravens to have any chance, they need turnovers and favourable field positions. J.K. Dobbins and Mark Andrews were rested for their Week 18 matchup, and both will need to have massive games and relieve the pressure for whoever starts at quarterback for the Ravens. Otherwise, this will be a rough one for the Ravens.
Ravens at Bengals Prop Bets
Ja’Marr Chase Over 76.5 Receiving Yards – 5/6 with SkyBet
Joe Burrow Over 265.5 Passing Yards – 5/6 with PaddyPower
J.K Dobbins Over 61.5 Rushing Yards – 10/11 with bet365
Dallas Cowboys at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tuesday 17th January – Raymond James Stadium – Tampa, FL – 1:15 AM
Odds
Moneyline: Cowboys – 4/6 with PaddyPower | Bucs – 23/20 with 888 Sport
Spread: Cowboys -2.5 – 10/11 with QuinnBet | Bucs +2.5 – 19/20 with Bet UK
Over/Under: Under 45.5 – 10/11 with Coral | Over 45.5 – 10/11 with Betway
The NFC South is back to being a dumpster fire again, as the Bucs clinched the division and made the playoffs despite having a losing record at 8-9. Meanwhile, the Cowboys won 12 games in the best division in football. They’ve scorded 40+ points five times this season and everything points to a Dallas win on recent form. But they lost to the Bucs 19-3 in Week 1 and playoff football is a different beast.
Cowboys at Bucs Picks
Moneyline: Bucs – 23/20 with 888 Sport
Spread: Bucs +2.5 – 19/20 with Bet UK
Over/Under: Under 45.5 – 10/11 with Coral
History tells us it’s not wise to bet against Tom Brady in the playoffs. Despite the losing record, there is a ton of talent on this Bucs roster. Brady is Brady, Mike Evans is a stud, Chris Godwin is one of the best number two receivers in the league, and it’s time for Playoff Lenny again. Whilst not on the level of their Superbowl run a couple of years ago, the defence is still stout and flies around the field. The big key for the Bucs is the offensive line and not giving up penalties, which have been issues all season.
Despite the Cowboys good season, I’m still leaning towards the Bucs. Home-field advantage is massive in the playoffs, and the Cowboys have looked vulnerable at times in the second half of the year. It was an ugly end to the regular season in their Week 18 loss to the Commanders, despite most starters playing the majority of the game. Dak Prescott has shown he’s still mistake-prone, and the Cowboys will need to get Ezekiel Elliot and Tony Pollard involved early. CeeDee Lamb is a great number one receiver, but outside of him and the running backs, their options are fairly limited. If this was any other quarterback on an 8-9 team, I’d be taking the Cowboys. But Brady has been here and done it so many times, and still has the supporting cast to get it done one more time.
Cowboys at Bucs Prop Bets
Leonard Fournette Anytime Touchdown – 27/20 with Unibet
Dak Prescott Over 0.5 Interceptions – 6/10 with William Hill
Tom Brady Over 1.5 Passing Touchdowns – 20/29 with bet365
