NFL WILD-CARD PICKS: Only one underdog will have its day in opening round

Published Jan 10, 2025  •  Last updated 0 minutes ago  •  2 minute read

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) celebrates a touchdown with head coach Sean McVay. AP Photo

The lines are from Covers.com and the home teams are in CAPs.

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L.A. Chargers -3 over HOUSTON

We’ve been waiting for weeks to bet against this scuffling Texans team in the playoffs and the time is here. The Chargers have a good squad, a good coach and the momentum rolling into the playoffs. The Texans just don’t have the firepower on offence to get it done.

BALTIMORE -9.5 over Pittsburgh

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This is a closer call than it might seem. While this rivalry usually is settled by a field goal or less, these teams are heading in opposite directions. The Steelers have run out of steam with Russell Wilson and the offence struggling down the stretch while Lamar Jackson and the Ravens have been running wild. While history says we might regret it, we’ll lay the points.

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BUFFALO -8.5 over Denver

Despite how good the pieces are for the Broncos defence, it simply hasn’t held together against the league’s best offences. And while having a shutdown corner like Patrick Surtain Jr. is nice, the Bills have a balanced offence without a real WR1 to eliminate. Bo Nix has far exceeded expectations in his rookie season, but it ends here in a chilly blowout.

PHILADELPHIA -4.5 over Green Bay

Jalen Hurts has returned to practice after missing two weeks in concussion protocol. The Packers on the other hand are dealing with their own injury issues, including Jordan Love. While it was all the way back in Week 1 and the game took place in Brazil, the Eagles beat the Packers by five and should be able to do it again.

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TAMPA BAY -3 over Washington

The Commanders only have a single one-score loss this season and came it back in Week 1 – to the Buccaneers. Even in defeats against some solid teams, Washington has kept it close, which makes getting a field goal very enticing. Rookie QBs, no matter how well they played in the regular season, also have an awful record against experienced playoff starters, which doesn’t bode well for Jayden Daniels this time around.

L.A. RAMS +1 over Minnesota

The Rams essentially gave themselves a bye to face last week by sitting everyone for this matchup. The Vikes, on the other hand, scrapped it out with the Lions and fell short. We wouldn’t be surprised if Sean McVay picked up a few tips for dealing with Minnesota and could put them to good use. Expect the Rams to give an emotional response too, to the wildfires in California that moved this game to Arizona.

Last week: 9-7

This season: 138-131-3

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