Crazy how time flies, with the NFL regular season already behind us and 18 teams that won’t play another snap of real football for another nine months. Regardless, in this league of survival of the fittest, it is the first weekend of the tournament, with Wild Card Weekend coming up real quick.
As we did during the regular season, we are going to continue our weekly preview of each slate and throw in a mixed bag of single bets and same game multis for the best matchups of the round.
Now, with the table set for our Wild Card analysis, there is nothing left to do but dig in.
The first game of the slate should be fairly straightforward for the visiting Rams, as they are set to take on the Carolina Panthers in their first playoff berth in what feels like a very long time. Of course, when talking about making the playoffs, you can never really scoff at a side because all you can do is get the job done. However, when it comes to Carolina, getting the job done did not require too much on their part, as their losing record of 8-9 was enough to clinch the NFC South.
In the first round, they have certainly drawn the short straw, as they take on the team who were my preseason Super Bowl dark horse and have lived up to that billing in the Los Angeles Rams. Starting with their defence, they have managed to turn mid-round picks into game wreckers on both levels of the field and are one of the tougher units to go against.
The issue for Carolina is that the defence is not even their biggest strength. That honour belongs to their head coach, quarterback, and wide receiver trio, which, when firing, is the most dynamic I can remember since Big Ben and Antonio Brown. The way Sean McVay is able to scheme up looks for Matthew Stafford, the future MVP, to throw to Puka Nacua is dangerously efficient, and I think when it comes to Sunday, that trio is going to torch the Panthers defence.
This game really needs no introduction from me, with two fierce division rivals that have had a big brother and little brother feel for the better part of two decades. However, this weekend is the Bears’ chance to announce a new era in this relationship and send Green Bay home packing in what was supposed to be a Super Bowl year for them.
- Colston Loveland 50+ Receiving Yards
- Jordan Love 225+ Passing Yards
- Chicago Bears To Win
The growth and maturation of Colston Loveland’s rookie season has been a joy to watch. After about six games, everyone was claiming the tight end to be a bust. Instead, he comfortably looks to be the most refined tight end of the class and certainly appears to be worth that draft selection in Ben Johnson’s offence. Because of his talent, Loveland has become much more featured throughout the season and has built quite the rapport with Caleb Williams, becoming his favourite option. So, in a game where I expect the middle of the field to be critical, give me Loveland to have a good day.
The Packers’ run game has been stifled in recent weeks, and that is exactly why you pay Jordan Love the kind of contract they did a couple of years ago. Coming into an away playoff game, I would expect the Packers to lean on their quarterback’s arm against a secondary that is there for the taking in my opinion, which should lead to him putting up some solid numbers through the air.
To close this one out, I am all in on the Bears. I think their head coach and quarterback are just special at what they do, and this group has something different about them. Throw in the fact that they are playing in front of a die-hard Soldier Field crowd that deserves some success for their team, they have to at least secure one win for the home faithful.
In terms of games, I am a complete neutral for this one, but it is the game of the slate for me, as we have two of the most physically gifted quarterback prospects of all time facing off, and both of them are seemingly playing some of their best football. Throw in the story of the Jaguars this season and what this playoff run means for the Bills, and this one has the makings of an instant classic.
- Josh Allen Anytime Touchdown
- Parker Washington 50+ Receiving Yards
- Over 51.5 Total Points
Off the top, you know the Bills are feeling the pressure in a big game when they start using Josh Allen in the run game. With this obviously being win or go home, you can expect the reigning MVP to be using his legs early and often during red zone visits. He isn’t the record holder for quarterback rushing touchdowns for nothing, and I would expect him to see opportunities to add to that tally this weekend.
For all that was made of Brian Thomas, Travis Hunter, and even Jakobi Meyers this season for the Jaguars’ pass catchers, the special one down the stretch has been Parker Washington. In the past four weeks, Washington has gone over 50 yards in each game, and with most of the defensive focus on BTJ and Meyers, give me Washington over that mark again.
I think, for this one, points will come in major flurries, with both offences having the identity and ability to take over games. For me, I don’t think the Bills will be able to stop Trevor Lawrence, and a similar sentiment applies to stopping Josh Allen, making the over on his total a solid play.
The last of the AFC Wild Card round is a very intriguing one, as both sides have good, or even elite, defences while having below average offences as a whole. Much of that comes down to talent, as the Texans have C.J. Stroud and Nico Collins, but they are susceptible to becoming one dimensional through the air. The Steelers, on the other hand, have slightly more talent on that side of the ball, with their running backs and offensive line proving to be very good this season, and Aaron Rodgers seemingly making the most of his limited targets.
For me, this game comes down to which offence can limit the number of negative plays inflicted by the opposing defence. That is because both sides have very daunting fronts against the pass and the run, while also having secondaries that can fly around at a high level.
In my opinion, I am going with the home underdog. This could be a last ride for the likes of Aaron Rodgers and even Mike Tomlin, meaning there could be added motivation for the Steelers. Throw in the fact they are in an almost decade long drought of playoff wins, and it feels like it might be time for them to turn the tide on that narrative.