Kerby Joseph of the Detroit Lions became the first player ever to intercept Aaron Rodgers three times in one regular season, picking off what may have been the last pass in Rodgers’ storied career. The four-time MVP will not be in the postseason this year after the Packers failed to turn a 4-8 start into a storybook finish. The Lions beat the Packers at Lambeau Field in a game the Packers needed to win to clinch a playoff spot. The Lions had already been eliminated, but they put together a smothering effort on defense and got just enough offense to eke out the 20-16 victory. Now that the playoff picture is complete, let’s break down the schedule for the wild card round as you start to think about how to manage your NFL betting.
NFL News: The Playoff Picture after Week 18 Wild Card Round Schedule
NFC Bye: Philadelphia Eagles
AFC Bye: Kansas City Chiefs
→ Saturday, January 14
Seattle Seahawks (+9.5) at San Francisco 49ers (4:30 pm ET, FOX)
The Seahawks gritted out a 19-16 win over the L.A. Rams in Week 18 and then sweated out Detroit’s win over Green Bay to scoot into the wild card. They have a dangerous offense, led by quarterback Geno Smith, who has DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett running routes, and tailback Kenneth Walker III. The defense can be porous, and it has been especially generous the second half of the season. But can they at least cover this big spread against a 49ers team led by a third-string quarterback?
L.A. Chargers (-2.5) at Jacksonville Jaguars (8:15 pm ET, NBC)
When the Ravens lost, the Chargers were locked into the fifth seed. Chargers coach Brandon Staley had said he would rest his starters if this happened, but he played them anyway, only to watch Mike Williams ride a cart into the locker room with a back injury. Sometimes Staley’s bold moves pay off, and at other times they backfire. Trevor Lawrence and Justin Herbert are two young, skilled quarterbacks making their playoff debuts.
→ Sunday, January 15
Miami Dolphins (+10) at Buffalo Bills (1:00 pm ET, CBS)
We don’t know if Tua Tagovailoa (concussion protocol) or Teddy Bridgewater (finger dislocation) will be available for the Dolphins in this game, but Skylar Thompson led the Dolphins to a win over the Jets to get into the playoffs. That final score (11-6) likely won’t suffice for Miami up in Buffalo, as the Bills have the motivational story of Damar Hamlin’s amazing recovery to drive them.
N.Y. Giants (+3) at Minnesota Vikings (4:30 pm ET, FOX)
The Vikings might have the best offensive talent on paper in the NFC, with wide receivers Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen, tight end Tyler Hockenson and tailback Dalvin Cook. However, with quarterback Kirk Cousins, meltdowns in crucial moments have been common, as we saw this year against Dallas and Green Bay. The Giants rested Daniel Jones, who has come into his own this season, and Saquon Barkley has had a solid year. The Vikings might be the most fragile favorite in this round of the playoffs.
Baltimore Ravens (+5.5) at Cincinnati Bengals (8:15 pm ET, NBC)
These two teams met in Week 18, with the Bengals rolling, 27-16. The Ravens did not have quarterback Lamar Jackson, though, and the knowledge that the teams would face each other the next week anyway may have blunted the Ravens’ resolve. The Bengals came in with plenty of motivation after having the league adopt rules that would not guarantee them a home game in the wild card round despite having won the AFC North. The Bengals have more tools on offense, particularly in the passing game, and their defense remains underrated.
→ Monday, January 16
Dallas Cowboys (-3) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8:15 pm ET, ABC/ESPN)
Tom Brady is 7-0 in his career against Dallas, including a 16-6 win in Week 1 this season. The Cowboys have not won a road playoff game in 30 years. Occasionally, the Cowboys get up for a key opponent, as they did against the Vikings and in their Christmas Eve win over Philadelphia, but all too often they play down to the opposition. The Buccaneers have a stout running defense and a quarterback who has shown a lot more mental toughness in his career than has Dak Prescott.
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