NFL Wild Card Predictions for this Weekend

 

Now that the regular NFL season is over, we have the Super Bowl to look forward to. However, before we can get to the Super Bowl, we have to get through the NFL Divisional Round and before we can get to that round, we got the NFL Wild Card Round this weekend. Therefore, here are my top 2 NFL Wild Card Predictions for this Weekend.

According to football betting websites, the Wild Card Weekend is set to start in Houston and will wrap up in Los Angeles.

Last Sunday, the NFL revealed the schedule for the initial round of the playoffs, starting with the AFC's fourth-seeded Houston Texans facing the fifth-seeded Los Angeles Chargers on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. ET, broadcast on CBS.

The series of six games will continue until Monday night, when the Los Angeles Rams, the NFC's fourth seed, will host the team that loses in the Sunday night matchup between the Minnesota Vikings and the Detroit Lions, airing on ESPN/ABC at 8 p.m. ET.

2025 NFL Wild Card Predictions for Sunday, January 12, 2025

Commanders vs Buccaneers NFL Prediction on 1/12/2025 at 8:05 PM ET

The last match of Sunday’s NFL Wild Card round triple header will be between the Washington Commanders and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The sixth-seeded Commanders (12-5) are currently on a five-game winning streak and hold the third position in the league for rushing offense. In the recent game on Sunday, quarterback Jayden Daniels did not participate in the second half, yet Washington managed to score 20 points during his absence, ultimately securing a 23-19 victory on the road against Dallas.

Marcus Mariota linked up with Terry McLaurin for a five-yard touchdown pass with just three seconds left on the clock, securing a victory for Washington. In addition to this connection, Mariota also delivered a five-yard touchdown pass to Zach Ertz and contributed a five-yard rushing touchdown. McLaurin led the Commanders with a total of 62 receiving yards.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have secured four consecutive NFC South Division championships and are the sole team in the division to conclude the season with a positive point differential. The Buccaneers, seeded third with a record of 10-7, rank third in the NFL for total offense, averaging just under 30 points per game. On Sunday, Tampa Bay overcame a ten-point deficit at halftime to achieve a 27-19 victory at home against New Orleans.

Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels had to leave the game on Sunday due to leg discomfort, but he is anticipated to participate in the upcoming match. Data from Pay Per Head Bookie providers show that both offenses are among the top seven in the league, each averaging nearly 30 points per game. It is expected that the Buccaneers will manage to secure a victory at home in a contest that surpasses the total points line. Therefore, I predict the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be with a final score of 30-27.

Vikings vs Rams NFL Prediction on 1/12/2025 at 8:00 PM ET

Minnesota quarterback Sam Darnold struggled with accuracy, overthrowing multiple receivers in the end zone and concluding the game with 116 passing yards. All-Pro wide receiver Justin Jefferson managed only three receptions for 54 yards. Cam Akers led the Vikings in rushing with 65 yards, a performance that could have secured the team the top seed with a win.

football sportsbooks show that the Los Angeles Rams currently hold a record above .500 at home, guided by experienced quarterback Matthew Stafford, who has amassed 3,762 passing yards and 20 touchdowns this season. The Rams, with a record of 10-7, are ranked tenth in the league for passing offense, averaging 21.6 points per game. On Sunday, Los Angeles opted to rest several starters, resulting in the end of their five-game winning streak following a 30-25 defeat at home against Seattle.

Los Angeles offensive tackle Rob Havenstein is currently managing a shoulder injury but is anticipated to participate in the upcoming game. The Vikings are known for their aggressive blitzing strategy; however, this approach may not be effective against an experienced quarterback such as Stafford. Expect Puka Nacua to deliver an outstanding performance, potentially leading the Rams to the divisional round. Thu, I expect the Los Angeles Rams to win with a final score of 28-20.

Rams vs Bills NFL Betting Pick and Prediction for 12/08/2024

 

For Week 14 of the 2024-25 NFL season the Buffalo Bills and Los Angeles Rams matchup is looking good. Everyone except diehard Rams fans believe the Bills will defeat the Los Angeles Chargers. However, is it a good bet and can the underdog pull off an upset? Here is my analysis of this matchup with my Rams vs Bills NFL Betting Pick and prediction!

pay per head sportsbooks and bookmakers all have the Bills as the favorite team with a -198 money line. However, some bookies have been shifting the pointspread from 4.5 to 3.5 because of public opinion. Hence, those that were able to get an earlier pointspread were in luck. It is true hat the spread is not very high but it is not stopping sportsbooks from keeping a high money line on the Bills.

For the Rams, this matchup is especially important. This is because with a 6-6 record this season, they still have a chance to win the NFC West crown. In addition, they need the win to secure an NFL Wild Card spot.

Why the Buffalo Bills Will Win

The Buffalo Bills enter the field with an impressive record of 10-2 for the current season. In their most recent game, they faced the San Francisco 49ers, securing a decisive victory with a final score of 35-10. Quarterback Josh Allen completed 13 of 17 passes, accumulating 148 yards and throwing 2 touchdown passes, achieving a quarterback rating of 141.3 without any interceptions.

Khalil Shakir contributed significantly, averaging 7.5 yards per reception with a total of 30 yards on 4 catches. James Cook led the rushing attack for the Bills, carrying the ball 14 times for 107 yards, which translates to an impressive 7.6 yards per carry.

Throughout the game, the Bills executed 56 plays, resulting in a total of 372 yards. They ran the ball 38 times, amassing 220 yards and averaging 5.8 yards per carry. On the defensive side, the Bills allowed 153 yards on 27 rushing attempts, averaging 5.7 yards per carry. In terms of pass defense, Buffalo permitted 11 completions on 18 attempts for 86 yards, yielding a completion percentage of 61.1%.

Buffalo's offensive performance remains impressive, with an average of 29.6 points per game, placing them second in the league. Quarterback Josh Allen plays a crucial role, having accumulated 2,691 passing yards, 20 touchdowns, and only five interceptions.

According to GetSportsMedia.org, the Buffalo's defense stands out as one of the premier units in the league. This is because they only allow an average of only 18.7 points per game. Furthermore, it ranks as the sixth-best in the NFL. The Bills have recorded 28 sacks and 13 interceptions, showcasing their capacity to hinder rival offenses effectively. They are positioned eighth in passing defense and have shown resilience against the run, conceding 121.9 yards per game. Although injuries to players such as DeWayne Carter and Tommy Doyle may challenge their depth, this defensive unit continues to be a formidable force.

Why the Los Angeles Rams Will Win

Top football handicapping experts (Like me) sat the Rams have shown significant progress on both offense and defense. This is especially true on on the offensive side. Of course, a lot of it comes from the return of Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua to the lineup. Presently, the Rams rank 11th in EPA per drive and 12th in offensive success rate. This achievement underscores McVay's exceptional coaching ability, as Los Angeles boasts the top offense in the NFL in terms of early down success rate, despite facing numerous injuries during the season.

The Los Angeles Rams depend significantly on the capabilities of Matthew Stafford, who has accumulated 2,983 passing yards, along with 17 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Leading the receiving corps is Cooper Kupp, who has achieved 565 receiving yards and five touchdowns, while Kyren Williams contributes to the ground game with 926 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns.

Despite moments of impressive performance, the Rams' offense averages 21.2 points per game, placing them 20th in the NFL. Thus, it indicates a lack of consistency in their execution. In such cases, it is important for bookies to strategically prevent public opinion betting to run rampant in their sportsbook. This is because it could throw the odds one way making it difficult to even out.

On the defensive side, the Rams encounter difficulties, surrendering an average of 24.2 points per game, which ranks them 21st in the league. Their struggle to contain the run, allowing 144.1 rushing yards per game, has proven to be a significant weakness. Although they have managed to record 28 sacks and 10 interceptions, their challenges in critical situations have been apparent.

Buffalo Bills vs Los Angeles Rams Game Info

·         Date and Time: 12/08/2024 at 4:25 PM ET

·         Location: SoFi Stadium

·         Watch on: Fox Sports, NFL+, FUBO, YouTube TV

Bengals vs Chargers NFL Betting odds

Team	Pointspread	Total	MoneyLine
Buffalo Bills	-3.5.5 (-115)	O49.5 (-105)	-198
Los Angeles Rams	+3.5 (-105)	U46.5 (-115)	+166

 Bills vs Rams NFL Betting Pick

Bet on the Buffalo Bills at -3.5

Buffalo's exceptional offensive effectiveness, combined with their robust defensive strengths, offers a distinct advantage in this contest. The Rams' difficulties in defending against the run may create opportunities for James Cook to excel, while Josh Allen's accuracy will pose significant challenges for the Los Angeles defense. Therefore, the Buffalo Bills will be victorious and cover the spread with a final score of 31-20.