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NFL Betting Predictions: Wild Card Weekend Opening Line Report and Picks

by Devon Rymarchuk - 1/11/2022

NFL predictions Scott Miller Tampa Bay Buccaneers Wild Card Weekend opening line report and picks

The 2021-22 NFL season ended in dramatic fashion as possibly the game of the year decided the final two playoff positions in the AFC, featuring the Los Angeles Chargers and Las Vegas Raiders. The Raiders, despite an incredible amount of controversy this year, have landed themselves a playoff position, for the first since time since 2002. It has been such an unpredictable season in the NFL with covid protocols, young players emerging as superstars, and veteran quarterbacks refusing to give up their reign on the league.

The 2022 playoff bracket features many exciting matchups in the wild card round; this is the first year with three wild card games in each conference. All home teams are favored in the wild card matchups, with the largest spread being the Kansas City Chiefs over the unlikely playoff attendee Pittsburgh Steelers at -12.5. The tightest spread is the San Francisco 49ers travelling to Dallas for a classic battle with the Cowboys, and Dallas is favored at -3.

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No. 7 Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7-1) at No. 2 Kansas City Chiefs (12-5)

Spread: -12.5 (Chiefs)

O/U: 46.5

The Pittsburgh Steelers were the most unlikely team to get into the playoffs, but yet again Mike Tomlin has found a way to keep his team playing into January. Will this be Big Ben Roethlisberger last game for a reason? His subpar quarterback play has been a constant joke throughout the media this year, and the Steelers will be the biggest underdog of the week as they head to Kansas City to face the Chiefs. The Kansas City Chiefs dominated the Steelers three weeks ago at home from the coin toss. The only chance the Steelers have to keep this game close will be from stingy defensive football. T.J Watt, linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers, tied the NFL sack record this season and will be relied on heavy to pressure Patrick Mahomes. We saw this year when the Chiefs struggled it was from consistent pressure on Mahomes to force him to make back decisions. Nevertheless, the Chiefs have won nine of their last 10 and have showed no sign of struggling. Despite a solid defense from the Steelers, I do not believe Pittsburgh’s offense will be able to keep pace with the Chiefs. I like the Chiefs to win and the Steelers to keep it within -12.5

Pick: Steelers +12.5

No. 6 New England Patriots (10-7) at No. 3 Buffalo Bills (11-6)

Spread: -4.5 (Bills)

O/U: 43.5

Even though Buffalo is at home, the crazy conditions of Buffalo in January may favor a very gritty Patriots squad. There is no doubt the Patriots game plan is very well known; try to get a lead early and limit Mac Jones from throwing the football. In week 13 the Patriots travelled to Buffalo and executed the strategy perfectly. In their second matchup 2 weeks later, Mac Jones showed he was unable to keep pace with Josh Allen. The Bills are built for gun slinger football against the top offensive teams in the league, and this is why the Patriots are such an interesting matchup. A team that relies on discipline from both their offense and defense and will win playing a style of football that may not be appealing to the masses. They are obviously coached by the best and most strategic coach in the business in Bill Belichick. This is the first meeting in the playoffs between these two since 1966, and a Buffalo win will prove they have really gotten over the Patriots curse. This is one of the hardest matchups of the week to pick, but I believe Buffalo will persevere Saturday night.

Pick: Under 43.5

No. 5 Las Vegas Raiders (10-7) at No. 4 Cincinnati Bengals (10-7)

Spread: -6.5 (Bengals)

O/U: 49.5

To go against the Las Vegas Raiders seems frightening. The Raiders have been fighting adversity all season. Their coach resigned because of inappropriate messages sent years ago. They lost their star receiver to prison and have won eight of their 10 wins by one possession or less. The Raiders have been written off by other teams and the league all season but refuse to quit. These two teams met in week 11, where Cincinnati won 32-13. The Raiders have their backs against the wall once again, with the Bengals are coming off a week where almost all starters were able to rest. Joe Burrow also looked like a top five quarterback down the stretch and has an offense filled with weapons. Will Joe Burrow be able to continue his dominance over the league and get his first playoff win?

Pick: Over 49.5

No. 7 Philadelphia Eagles (9-8) at No. 2 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (13-4)

Spread: -8.5 (Bucs)

O/U: 49

Jalen Hurts was able to will the Eagles into a playoff position by winning 6 of 7 down the last stretch of the regular season. Philadelphia did what they had to do to make the playoffs. However, as far as quality wins, they have just one win this season against teams above .500. The Eagles have not been able to compete this season with the elite teams of the NFL. Tom Brady’s apparent struggles against NFC East opponents should not come into play in this matchup. Also, despite having lost Chris Godwin and Antonio Brown late in the season, I do not see the defending champions losing this duel. The Buccaneers have an exceptional defense that will be able to stop the run-heavy Eagles and apply pressure to Jalen Hurts all game. Plus, with Brady throwing the ball, I am not convinced the Eagles can pull off this upset on the road.

Pick: Tampa Bay -8.5

No. 6 San Francisco 49ers (9-7) at No. 3 Dallas Cowboys (12-5)

Spread: -3 Cowboys

O/U: 50.5

Aikman vs Young? Try again, this time the classic matchup between NFC rivals features Jimmy Garoppolo vs Dak Prescott. In one of the most anticipated matchups of the week, these two powerhouses from the late 80’s and 90’s meet again three decades later. I also believe if you were to choose one upset next week, the 49ers are built to do so. Jimmy Garoppolo is 31-14 as a starter of the 49ers and has been tremendous in the latter half of the season. The Cowboys have one of the best offenses and defenses in football. Prescott has had some phenomenal games this season but has also looked banged up and inconsistent at times, I believe he will have the biggest influence on the game, depending which Dak shows up. After four straight loses weeks 2 to 6, Kyle Shanahan has showed off his offensive wizardry as the 49ers were one of the most dominant teams in the second half of the year, facing numerous must wins to make the playoffs.

Pick: 49ers +3

No. 5 Arizona Cardinals (10-7) @ No. 4 Los Angeles Rams (12-5)

Spread: -4 Rams

O/U: 50

The Cardinals, after a hot start, have lost a lot of confidence from the public. The departure of DeAndre Hopkins has seemed to disrupt the flow of the once dominant offense, and Arizona has not looked good since their week 12 bye, losing four of their last five. The Rams have loaded up on talent for a deep playoff run. A star-studded cast of the Rams will have their hands full with their divisional rival, but the Rams have looked a lot more consistent down the stretch. Matthew Stafford has had difficulties turning over the ball in the second half of the season, and if the Cardinals are to win, they have to force Stafford to make bad decisions. As a bonus, the Cardinals have been excellent on the road, losing only one game.

Pick: -4 Rams

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