The NFL playoffs are right here, and Wild Card Weekend guarantees to ship loads of drama.
Whether it’s star quarterbacks going through off, underdog groups trying to pull off upsets or key betting angles to discover, we’ve acquired you coated with the whole lot it’s good to know heading into the motion.
Click right here to leap to a sport:
DEN@BUF | GB@PHI | WAS@TB | MIN@LAR
Denver Broncos @ Buffalo Bills (-9) [Total: 46.5]
Storyline of the Game: Bills trying to put an finish to the upstart Broncos
It’s been almost a decade because the Broncos final reached the postseason, a run that culminated in Denver hoisting the Lombardi Trophy.
Sean Payton’s squad enters the playoffs with one thing to show after dropping two of their last three regular-season video games. Their lone victory throughout that stretch got here towards a Kansas City crew resting its starters, leaving questions on Denver’s type heading into the postseason.
Meanwhile, the Bills start their playoff push with sights set squarely on the Super Bowl. Quarterback Josh Allen has been dominant on Wild Card Weekend all through his profession, boasting a 4-1 file and a stellar 91.3 total PFF grade in these matchups. Buffalo will depend on their MVP-caliber chief to set the tone on this extremely anticipated showdown.
Matchups to Watch: Broncos RG Quinn Meinerz vs Bills DI Ed Oliver
The Broncos’ turnaround this season owes a lot to the distinctive play of their offensive line, which completed as PFF’s second-highest-ranked unit. Guard Quinn Meinerz was the centerpiece of that success, incomes a formidable 87.8 total grade — the second-best amongst guards — and securing a spot as a PFF second-team All-Pro.
Ed Oliver has been a constant pressure for the Bills’ defensive entrance, delivering the ninth-highest pass-rush grade amongst defensive tackles (79.0) and posting a strong 12.8% pass-rush win fee.
Betting Trends
Currently sitting among the many prime 4 groups in Super Bowl betting odds (+600), Buffalo enters this Wild Card matchup as a 9-point favourite at dwelling. When favored by six or extra factors this season, the Bills have been inconsistent, posting a 3-3 file towards the unfold (ATS).
Denver, in the meantime, tied for the NFL’s finest cowl fee in the course of the common season at 70.6% (12-5 ATS). However, all 5 of their ATS losses got here as highway underdogs, a development they’ll look to reverse on this high-stakes contest.
QB Bo Nix, Denver Broncos: Over 1.5 Passing TDs (+141)
Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix completed the common season sturdy, incomes an 80.3 passing grade from Week 10 onward. During that stretch, he threw 21 of his 29 whole landing passes, surpassing 1.5 touchdowns in seven of eight video games. With the Bills rating thirty first in crew protection grade (42.9), Nix ought to have loads of alternatives to take advantage of Buffalo’s secondary.
Additional News:
Denver clinched a playoff spot regardless of managing the NFL’s highest lifeless cap cost at $91.27 million.
Bills extensive receiver Amari Cooper has reportedly returned to the crew after lacking Week 18 resulting from a private matter.
Teams have requested permission to interview Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, Broncos senior personnel govt David Shaw and Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady.
Green Bay Packers @ Philadelphia Eagles (-4.5) [Total: 45.5]
Storyline of the Game: Banged-up Packers hope to redeem Week 1 loss
The Packers enter the postseason underneath important stress after ending the common season on a two-game skid and shedding two key offensive contributors within the course of. Wide receiver Christian Watson suffered a torn ACL in Week 18, whereas quarterback Jordan Love exited with an elbow damage, leaving his standing for Wild Card Weekend unsure.
Meanwhile, the Eagles weathered Jalen Hurts’ absence and are primed for his return as they put together for his or her playoff marketing campaign. Despite narrowly lacking the NFC’s prime seed, Philadelphia stays one of many league’s prime groups, with only one loss since Week 7.
Matchups to Watch: Eagles WR A.J. Brown vs Packers S Xavier McKinney
A matchup between two second-team PFF All-Pros in A.J. Brown & Xavier McKinney.
Brown didn’t let an early-season damage maintain him again, ending with a stellar 91.6 receiving grade, tied for the second-highest amongst qualifying extensive receivers. Despite lacking 4 video games, the Eagles’ standout tallied 33 receptions of 15 or extra yards, rating fifth within the NFL.
McKinney capped off his spectacular marketing campaign with an interception in Week 18, tying for the league lead with eight on the season. This efficiency contributed to his elite 90.0 protection grade, making him one in every of simply 4 gamers to surpass the 90.0 threshold this 12 months.
Betting Trends
Philadelphia boasts one of many NFL’s finest against-the-spread (ATS) data this season at 11-6, notably excelling when favored by fewer than six factors (6-3 ATS). However, their efficiency at Lincoln Financial Field has been extra middling, with a good 4-4 ATS file at dwelling.
Green Bay has struggled just lately in betting markets, failing to cowl in its final two video games. Still, it has proven postseason resilience, because it pulled off a straight-up win as 7-point underdogs towards Dallas within the wild-card spherical final 12 months.
In their Week 1 matchup, the Eagles secured a straight-up victory and coated as 1.5-point dwelling favorites, setting the stage for an intriguing rematch within the playoffs.
RB Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles: Over 10.5 receiving yards
Barkley’s pursuit of two,000 speeding yards formed a lot of Philadelphia’s offensive sport plan late within the season, resulting in a lowered goal share for the star operating again within the passing sport. With that milestone now within the rearview mirror, anticipate Barkley to see elevated involvement as a receiver. This shift aligns nicely with a matchup towards a Green Bay protection that ranks twenty eighth within the league in receiving yards allowed per move play.
Additional News
Packers extensive receiver Christian Watson (knee) is believed to have suffered a torn ACL within the common season finale.
Eagles operating again Saquon Barkley joined elite firm, changing into the ninth participant in NFL historical past to surpass 2,000 speeding yards in a single season.
Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts has cleared concussion protocol and returned to observe this week.
Packers quarterback Jordan Love (elbow) was restricted in observe however stays hopeful to play on Sunday.
Eight PFF All-Pro picks will take the sector on this matchup, which would be the most of wild-card Weekend.
Teams have requested permission to interview Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore for head coach vacancies.
Washington Commanders @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-3) [Total: 50]
Storyline of the Game: Can the Commanders shake playoff woes?
In Dan Quinn’s debut season as head coach, the Commanders delivered their second-best regular-season file in franchise historical past. Now, Washington units its sights on securing its first postseason victory since 2005 – a sport that, coincidentally, got here towards the Buccaneers.
While the NFC South has been a frequent goal of criticism, the Buccaneers stay a crew constructed for postseason success. They clinched their fourth consecutive division crown and enter Wild Card Weekend with important expertise. Under Todd Bowles, Tampa Bay holds a .500 file in two wild-card matchups, together with a commanding 32-9 victory over the Eagles final season.
Matchups to Watch: Buccaneers WR Mike Evans vs. Commanders CB Marshon Lattimore
This would be the final time we see this bitter rivalry play out on the sector. Lattimore could also be sporting a brand new jersey and coping with a nagging hamstring damage, however that received’t diminish the dangerous blood between him and Evans.
The Bucs receiver earned the fourth-highest offensive grade on the place this season (89.0) on his method to breaking NFL data. Evans ranks eighth in goal fee going through man protection, one thing Washington performs at a top-five clip within the NFL.
Betting Trends
Both the Commanders and Buccaneers have confirmed their mettle in betting markets this season, every overlaying double-digit video games. However, each have faltered down the stretch, failing to cowl in Week 18 and dropping two of their final 4 towards the unfold. Washington, particularly, has struggled on the highway, failing to cowl in away video games since Week 9.
The final time these two groups confronted off, Tampa Bay secured a decisive 37-20 win on their dwelling discipline, comfortably overlaying as four-point favorites.
RB Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Over 28 speeding and receiving yards (-113)
This line looks like an overreaction to White’s lack of utilization within the Buccaneers’ regular-season finale, the place he logged zero touches. White has been a essential piece of Tampa Bay’s offense and has persistently delivered, surpassing this yardage mark in 14 of his 16 video games this season. Moreover, he faces a Washington protection that struggles to include the run, rating thirtieth in yards earlier than contact per rush try (1.8). This units up nicely for White to bounce again with a productive efficiency.
Additional information
Buccaneers WR Mike Evans recorded his eleventh consecutive 1,000-yard receiving season, tying Jerry Rice for probably the most in NFL historical past.
Commanders CB Marshon Lattimore (hamstring) stays on monitor to return this week.
The Titans have requested permission to interview Buccaneers assistant normal supervisor John Spytek for his or her vacant normal supervisor place.
Buccaneers OC Liam Coen and Commanders OC Kliff Kingsbury have obtained interview requests for head teaching alternatives.
Minnesota Vikings (-1) @ Los Angeles Rams [Total: 47.5]
Storyline of the Game: Rams intention to reap the benefits of dwelling turf
After falling wanting claiming the division title and NFC’s prime seed with a Week 18 defeat, the Vikings now hit the highway to start their postseason journey. They intention to erase the sting of their final Wild Card Weekend look in 2022, a house loss to the Giants and arrange a possible Divisional Round rematch with Detroit.
The Rams, in the meantime, overcame a rocky 1-4 begin to seize a division title and punch their playoff ticket. Their late-season surge earned them the fourth-highest crew offense grade (83.8) since December.
Matchups to Watch: Rams ED Jared Verse vs Vikings LT Cam Robinson
Winner of PFF’s Defensive Rookie of the Year, Verse earned a top-10 grade amongst all edge defenders this season, highlighted by a improbable 83.7 pass-rush grade. Verse’s 77 pressures this season path solely Nick Bosa’s 80 for many by a rookie rusher of their first common season.
Since his commerce to Minnesota, Robinson struggled at instances to persistently meet threats off the sting, incomes a 67.8 move block grade. He surrendered a ten.9% stress fee after a tricky stretch to finish the 12 months. Over the final three video games, Robinson has allowed 22 pressures and three sacks.
Betting Trends
Minnesota boasts one of many NFL’s top-five cowl charges this season (68.8%; 11-5-1 ATS), however their success has been extra restricted on the highway, the place they maintain a 4-3-1 ATS file. Meanwhile, the Rams have excelled as dwelling underdogs, tying for the league lead with a 4-2 ATS mark in such video games throughout 2024.
The final assembly between these two groups got here in Week 8 in Los Angeles, the place the Rams secured a 30-20 victory and coated as 2.5-point dwelling underdogs.
WR Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams: Over 46.5 Receiving yards (-114)
Kupp has been calm down the stretch, however this week’s matchup with Byron Murphy Jr. might get him again on monitor. In 86 profession receiving snaps towards Byron Murphy Jr., Cooper Kupp has recorded 267 receiving yards (3.10 yards per route run).
Additional News
NFL officers are carefully monitoring wildfires within the Los Angeles space, however the Rams-Vikings sport at present stays on schedule.
The Vikings have signed quarterback Daniel Jones to the energetic roster forward of their wild-card matchup.
The Los Angeles Rams have activated security John Johnson III off of IR, designating him to return.
Rams operating again Blake Corum (arm) has been positioned on IR, ending his season.
Multiple groups have requested permission to interview Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores and quarterback coach Josh McCown for vacant head coach positions.