NFL playoff picks, odds, predictions: Finest bets from our staff of specialists for Wild Card Weekend

The street to Tremendous Bowl LX is underway. After 18 weeks of regular-season motion, there are simply 12 groups that also have their desires of hoisting a Lombardi Trophy alive, and eight of them will start their playoff run over the ultimate two days of Wild Card Weekend. Because the No. 1 seeds within the Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos sit again and revel in their first-round byes, the remainder of the playoff pool has begun throwing haymakers in hopes that they’ll attain Santa Clara, California, for an opportunity to win a title. 

As we do each week all through the season, CBS Sports activities and SportsLine have compiled our specialists’ greatest picks in a single place that approach you may get picks in opposition to the unfold whereas additionally testing further characteristic content material for every recreation, together with performs from prime SportsLine specialists and the SportsLine Projection Mannequin, greatest bets from our employees, survivor picks and extra.

Stick to CBS Sports activities by the NFL playoffs as we break down each recreation and storyline by essentially the most intriguing a part of the season.

All NFL odds through DraftKings Sportsbook.

Buffalo Payments at Jacksonville Jaguars

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET on CBS (Stream on Paramount+)

Jaguars +1.5: “Josh Allen is 0-4 on the street in his playoff profession, whereas Sean McDermott is 0-5. As a corporation, the Payments’ final street playoff win got here again within the 1992 AFC Championship in Miami in opposition to the Dolphins. In the meantime, the Jags are stout at EverBank Stadium, ending the common season with a 7-1 straight-up dwelling report. As for the nitty-gritty of this recreation, I believe the Jaguars are well-equipped to assault Buffalo’s greatest weak spot. The Payments gave up 5.1 yards per carry this season, which was the third-worst mark in the complete NFL. Jacksonville has proven an eagerness to run the soccer when given the chance, so this might be a robust day on the bottom for Travis Etienne. Buffalo turns into a shocking one-and-done.” — CBS Sports activities NFL author Tyler Sullivan on why he likes the Jaguars to tug off the upset over Buffalo. To see all of his picks for Wild Card Weekend, click on right here. 

San Francisco 49ers at Philadelphia Eagles

Sunday, 4:30 p.m. ET on Fox (Stream: Fubo — strive totally free) 

Eagles -5.5: “The Eagles are available in with a dominating protection, whereas the 49ers have a very good offense. That is the matchup that may determine the sport. The 49ers protection has struggled all 12 months, whereas the Eagles offense has as nicely. One thing has to offer. I believe the Eagles offense will get it going some right here in opposition to the 49ers protection. Search for an enormous recreation from Saquon Barkley. On the opposite aspect, I search for the Eagles to restrict Brock Purdy and the 49ers offense. The Eagles get it going some on offense and advance to the subsequent spherical.” — CBS Sports activities Senior NFL analyst Pete Prisco on why he has Philly profitable and overlaying over the Niners. To see all of Prisco’s Wild Card Weekend picks, click on right here.

49ers +4.5: “The Niners had been red-hot earlier than getting stonewalled within the remaining week of the season by the Seahawks. They need to get Trent Williams and probably Ricky Pearsall again for this recreation, which ought to assist them transfer the ball in opposition to Philly’s protection higher than they did in opposition to Seattle. Nonetheless, San Francisco remains to be extremely banged up on either side of the ball, however significantly on protection. I do know the Eagles are maybe essentially the most untrustworthy offense within the league, however I like them to have the ability to get one thing going in opposition to this San Francisco unit that has allowed offenses to maneuver the ball with consistency even earlier than dropping Tatum Bethune (along with Fred Warner, Nick Bosa and extra) for the season. I do not really feel absolutely comfy backing a staff that may look so listless, so usually, however that is why I am choosing the Eagles to win and never cowl.” — CBS Sports activities NFL author Jared Dubin on how he sees this playoff matchup between Philly and San Francisco unfolding. To see the remainder of his picks, click on right here.

Los Angeles Chargers at New England Patriots

Sunday, 8 p.m. ET on NBC

Wanting so as to add some DFS lineups to your Wild Card Weekend? Permit SportsLine’s Mike McClue show you how to formulate the absolute best lineup for this “Sunday Evening Soccer” matchup between the Chargers and Patriots. McClue is a legendary skilled DFS participant with greater than $2 million in profession winnings. Anybody who has been following him is approach up. Now, McClue has set his sights on this playoff matchup and has recognized some key gamers you should embody in your lineups. To see who they’re, go try SportsLine. 

Patriots +3.5: “I’ve many extra questions surrounding Justin Herbert’s potential to ascend within the playoffs. The Chargers QB is 0-2 in his playoff profession, they usually’ve been some fairly damning defeats. The primary noticed Herbert and the Chargers blowing a 27-0 result in the Jaguars through the 2022 playoffs. The second got here final 12 months when he threw 4 interceptions in a loss to Houston after tossing simply three picks over the complete common season. Till Herbert exhibits me one thing completely different, I am going to fade him.” — CBS Sports activities NFL author Tyler Sullivan on why he likes New England to win and canopy on Sunday night time. To see all of his picks for Wild Card Weekend, click on right here. 

Houston Texans at Pittsburgh Steelers

Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET on ESPN (Stream: Fubo — strive totally free) 

We wrap up the primary spherical of the NFL playoffs in Pittsburgh, and there isn’t any individual extra certified to have you ever finish the weekend on a excessive word than R.J. White. The SportsLine knowledgeable has been on a 37-20-1 roll (+1455) over his final 58 picks involving the Steelers. Now, he is revealed his greatest wager for this Monday night time showdown in opposition to Houston. We will inform you he is leaning Over the 39.5 whole, however to see his official choose for this recreation, you will have to go to SportsLine.

Steelers +3: “The Texans have the most effective defenses within the league and that may be an issue for a Steelers offense that’s simply OK. Aaron Rodgers does have plenty of playoff expertise, which issues. He additionally will get again DK Metcalf on this one, which is massive. The Steelers offensive line has additionally been good as of late. The Texans offense has been higher throughout a nine-game profitable streak, however it will come all the way down to Houston’s offensive line in opposition to the Steelers’ entrance. That is an issue. Search for the Steelers to pressure some errors by C.J. Stroud as Pittsburgh advances behind its defensive entrance in a playoff upset.” — CBS Sports activities Senior NFL analyst Pete Prisco on why he has Pittsburgh upsetting Houston as a house underdog. To see all of Prisco’s Wild Card Weekend picks, click on right here.

Los Angeles Rams at Carolina Panthers

Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET on Fox (Stream: Fubo — strive totally free)

Panthers +10: “Being one of many worst playoff groups has truly labored out pretty nicely for these unhealthy groups over the course of NFL historical past. The one three playoff groups with a worse level differential than the Panthers ALL WON THEIR OPENING ROUND GAME, together with the 2010 Seahawks, who beat the Saints within the notorious Beast Quake recreation. Of the 4 earlier division winners which have made the playoffs with a dropping report, two of them gained within the wild-card spherical, together with the 2014 Panthers. Did I simply speak myself into choosing an upset? I didn’t, however I do suppose this recreation might be a lot nearer than most individuals expect.” — CBS Sports activities NFL author John Breech on why he has Carolina overlaying in opposition to the Rams on Saturday. To see all of his Wild Card Weekend picks, click on right here.

Which picks are you able to make with confidence over Wild Card Weekend? And which contenders goes down exhausting? Go to SportsLine, as its unbelievable mannequin simulates each NFL recreation 10,000 instances and is up nicely over $7,000 for $100 gamers on top-rated NFL picks since its inception.

Rams +10.5: “Huge unfold, however the Rams have a few issues to show right here. Again-to-back losses in Weeks 16-17 landed them with a wild card, which after all means their street to the Tremendous Bowl is a bit harder. Then, this can be a revenge recreation for the Rams, as they had been upset by the Panthers in Carolina in Week 13. … Regardless of the playoff berth, it isn’t just like the Panthers are driving excessive. They fell to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers within the regular-season finale, and wanted the Atlanta Falcons to save lots of them. I’d like to see the forever-doubted Bryce Younger play the function of spoiler and rookie phenom Tetairoa McMillan cube up this Rams secondary, however I do not suppose it is within the playing cards this week.” — CBS Sports activities NFL author Jordan Dajani on why he has L.A. overlaying the large unfold, 31-20. To see his different picks, click on right here.

Inexperienced Bay Packers at Chicago Bears

Saturday, 8 p.m. ET on Prime Video

Packers -1.5: “This week, the Bears potential to run the soccer goes to be much more vital as a result of you do not need wish to put Caleb Williams in a scenario the place he has to hold the offense. I am not saying that Williams cannot do it, however I’m saying that just about each quarterback making his first profession playoff begin tends to wrestle and Williams is making his first profession playoff begin. Final 12 months, Bo Nix and Sam Darnold had been each making their first profession playoff begins within the wild card spherical and each quarterbacks received blown out. The Packers would have pulled off the season sweep if not for a miracle onside kick restoration by the Bears in Week 16 and though Inexperienced Bay did not get the win then, I do suppose they get the win right here, changing into simply the second seventh seed ever to tug out a win.” — CBS Sports activities NFL author John Breech on why he has Inexperienced Bay taking down Chicago. To see all of his Wild Card Weekend picks, click on right here.