Odds and predictions for all NFL Wild Card Weekend games
By Jake Luppino
The NFL playoffs have arrived. Although our beloved Seattle Seahawks aren’t in them this year, three other NFC West teams did make it. With 6 games slated for this upcoming weekend, fans are going to have their eyes glued to the TV for three straight days.
With 2 games on Saturday, 3 Sunday and 1 Monday Night, fans will have ample time to get their bets in and even make up for some deficits as the weekend progresses.
As we have seen over the last couple of years in the NFL, it’s about getting hot at the right time. Last year, it was the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who caught fire towards the end of the season and had all the momentum entering the playoffs. Another crucial factor in all of this is health. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were also the healthiest of teams entering the playoffs last year.
But, styles make fights. Come playoff time, everyone’s record resets to 0-0. The past 18 weeks of football don’t nearly matter as much because every single play is enhanced in the postseason. While there are 6 total games, I am going to give you the odds on the two games I feel strongest about.
NFL Wild Card Odds
Cincinnati Bengals (-5.5) vs. Las Vegas Raiders
This may sound absurd, but the Las Vegas Raiders are one of the hottest teams as we enter the postseason. They are winners of four straight. Coming off their wild Sunday Night game in Week 18, expect Vegas to play with tremendous confidence. They are the joker card in this bracket. Currently, the WynnBet betting odds have the Bengals as a -5.5 favorite. Cincinnati has -240 moneyline odds, while Vegas sits at +195. The over/under for total points is set at 49 (-110 for the over/-110 for the under)
Betting the spread: If one were to bet on the Raiders (+5.5), in order to win, they’d have to lose by 5 or fewer points, or just flat out win the game.
Betting the moneyline: If one were to bet on the Raiders (+195), they would have to just flat out win. For every $100 bet, you win $195.
Prediction: As mentioned earlier, styles make fights. In this particular matchup, the Bengals offensive weakness is the Raiders defensive strength. Joe Burrow was the most sacked quarterback (55) in the regular season. No one has had more success when rushing four than the Las Vegas Raiders. Maxx Crosby and Yannick Ngakoue will have a chance to wreck this game. That is why at the very minimum, I have the Raiders covering the spread.
Los Angeles Rams (-4.0) vs. Arizona Cardinals
The rubber match between the Rams and Cardinals will cap off Wild Card Weekend on Monday Night. Both teams are coming off losses to divisional opponents and will look to catch their stride en route to making a Super Bowl run. The WynnBet betting odds currently have the Rams as a -4.0 favorite. Los Angeles has -200 moneyline odds, while Arizona has +165. The over/under for total points is set at 50 (-110 for the over/-110 for the under).
Betting the spread: If one were to bet on the Rams (-4.0), in order to win, they’d have to win by 5 or more points.
Betting the moneyline: If one were to bet on the Rams (-200), they would have to just flat out win. For every $200 bet, you win $100.
Next. 4 Seahawks who can't be relied upon for 2022 success. dark
Prediction: To me, this game is going to come down to coaching. This is Arizona’s first playoff appearance under Kliff Kingsbury and Kyler Murray. They will be without DeAndre Hopkins in going up against arguably the best corner in all of football, Jalen Ramsey. HB James Connor got banged up late in Week 18 and is questionable. While I do not trust Matthew Stafford, I just don’t think Arizona will have an answer for Cooper Kupp. I see Arizona getting out-executed on both sides of the ball. Rams by 10.