After 18 long weeks of the regular season, the playoffs are here, and it’s time to make NFL Wild Card predictions.
With the expanded playoff field, there’s a full weekend of intriguing matchups to look ahead to, and our NFL Wild Card expert predictions are here to break it all down for you.
When you’re ready to make free NFL Wild Card predictions of your own, make sure to stick on Sportzino! With moneyline NFL odds, totals, spreads, and player props, Sportzino has everything you need for NFL Wild Card predictions.
The Best 5 Expert Picks for the NFL Wild Card
Game 1: Chargers at Texans
- Spread: Chargers -3 (-105)
- Moneyline: Chargers -160/Texans +125
- Over/Under: 42.5
- Time: January 11 at 4:30 p.m. ET
After losing Stefon Diggs, Tank Dell, and multiple offensive linemen over the course of the season, the Texans’ offense is limping into the playoffs. After finishing 22nd in total offense, Houston will find it tough to muster much of anything against the Bolts’ defense.
The Chargers, meanwhile, have shown their commitment to the running game all season long and will be able to shorten this game as needed. Expect a low-scoring, efficient win for L.A.
Pick: Under 42.5 (-110)
Game 2: Steelers at Ravens
- Spread: Ravens -9 (-110)
- Moneyline: Steelers +340/Ravens -500
- Over/Under: 43.5
- Time: January 11 at 8:00 p.m. ET
After a promising start, the Steelers flatlined down the stretch and entered the playoffs on a four-game losing streak. Facing the biggest spread this weekend, they have little hope of an upset, and even worse, keeping it within two scores seems unlikely. Against one of the league’s best teams, Baltimore, with a double threat of Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry capable of seeing out games, will go up big and not look back.
Pick: Ravens -9 (-110)
Game 3: Packers at Eagles
- Spread: Eagles -4.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Packers +180/Eagles -240
- Over/Under: 45.5
- Time: January 12 at 4:30 p.m. ET
Two teams in the top 10 in total offense will meet on Sunday in Philadelphia, and despite that, there’s a modest total of 45.5 on the board. With Green Bay’s defense collapsing in recent weeks, it’ll need Jordan Love and the offense to take on a greater burden.
While the Pack should do just that offensively, the Eagles can match them—or better them—on a possession by possession basis.
Pick: Over 45.5 (-110)
Game 4: Commanders at Buccaneers
- Spread: Buccaneers -3 (-125)
- Moneyline: Commanders +130/Buccaneers -165
- Over/Under: 50.0
- Time: January 12 at 8:00 p.m. ET
Similar to the matchup in Philly, the night game on Sunday will feature a pair of top-10 offenses. Baker Mayfield and Jayden Daniels have proven capable of fireworks this season and are happily dragged into high-scoring games.
With both defenses highly suspect, this game will be offense-heavy and go over the total as a result.
Pick: Over 50.0 (-110)
Game 5: Vikings at Rams
- Spread: Vikings -1 (-110)
- Moneyline: Vikings -115/Rams -110
- Over/Under: 47.5
- Time: January 13 at 8:00 p.m. ET
It was all in front of the Vikings just a few days ago, with the chance at a bye and the No. 1 seed. Instead, deflated, they must head to L.A. to face a tough Rams team with plenty of experience. With the veteran, calm, and cool Matthew Stafford on one side and an already frazzled Sam Darnold on the other, I’m happy to back the Rams to play close with Minnesota and pull off an upset.
Pick: Rams +1 (-110)
NFL Wild Card Predictions and Picks
NFL Player Prop Predictions: Packers at Eagles
- Spread: Eagles -4.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Packers +180/Eagles -240
- Over/Under: 45.5
- Time: January 12 at 4:30 p.m. ET
In big moments, your best players need to show up in a major way. As Saquon Barkley embarks on his first genuine shot at a Super Bowl, I’d expect him to do just that. The likely Offensive Player of the Year went over 116 scrimmage yards in all but four games this year, and he will do so again in the playoffs.
Pick: Saquon Barkley Over 116.5 total yards (-120)
NFL Score Predictions: Chargers at Texans
- Spread: Chargers -3 (-105)
- Moneyline: Chargers -160/Texans +125
- Over/Under: 42.5
- Time: January 11 at 4:30 p.m. ET
This is the matchup we most expect to go under the total despite the low number, and similarly, we don’t expect many scores at all. Just two weeks ago, the Texans failed to score a single point on offense, and a field goal-only game seems reasonable in this scenario. We might hit four touchdowns, but we’re happy to take the under on the total score of 4.5.
Pick: Under 4.5 total touchdowns (-125)
NFL Moneyline Predictions: Commanders at Buccaneers
- Spread: Buccaneers -3 (-125)
- Moneyline: Commanders +130/Buccaneers -165
- Over/Under: 50.0
- Time: January 12 at 8:00 p.m. ET
This is going to be a great, closely contested game, but a couple of factors have us comfortably going with the Bucs. The first is Baker Mayfield, who not only has a playoff win already under his belt but also has countless big moments compared to a rookie in Jayden Daniels. With the Bucs also counting on a little home-field advantage, expect the NFC South champions to advance.
Pick: Buccaneers (-165)
NFL Against the Spread Predictions: Packers at Eagles
- Spread: Eagles -4.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Packers +180/Eagles -240
- Over/Under: 45.5
- Time: January 12 at 4:30 p.m. ET
With the exception of possibly the banged-up Lions, the Eagles are the best team in the NFC playoff picture. Repeatedly down the stretch, we saw the Packers’ true level as they fell against better teams like the Vikings and Lions. However, a Week 18 loss to the Bears is the real cause for concern as it came with playoff positioning still to be formed.
For a team to fall so flat in such a big spot—against a rival, no less—to then go on the road into Philadelphia is foreboding. With the Eagles’ ability to put teams away on the back of Saquon Barkley, we are expecting a double-digit win for Philly over the Packers.
Pick: Eagles -4.5 (-110)
