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

by Spencer Toth - 1/6/2025

NFL betting predictions Wild Card Weekend opening line report Baker Mayfield Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The NFL playoffs are here, and this year’s postseason is poised to be one of the most exhilarating in recent memory. One of the most effective strategies to stay ahead of the NFL sportsbooks is by exploiting the opening lines. The closing lines are often very sharp, but the oddsmakers can occasionally leave a tantalizing spread dangling on the opening lines. In the regular season finale, we went 1-1-1 against the spread to bring our season total to 28-18-2. The Arizona Cardinals took care of business, easily covering the (-3) point spread in their blowout. Our lone loss was on the Chiefs (+10), who couldn’t keep it close against a motivated Broncos team. Finally, we took the Commanders (-4), and they pushed in their 23-19 victory. The spread swelled up to -7 points at kickoff, giving another example of why locking in the opening lines can make a massive impact. 

Before we get into the opening line picks for Wild Card Weekend, here are the biggest storylines from the final week of the regular season. 

  • Bengals miss out: Despite winning their regular season finale, the Bengals will be watching the postseason from their couch. A five-game win streak to close out the year wasn’t enough after the Bengals started 0-2 for the third consecutive season. 
  • Hope for Bryce Young: As the Falcons watched their playoff chances evaporate in their 44-38 loss to the Panthers, there was a shred of optimism from the Panthers faithful. Bryce Young threw 7 touchdowns and no interceptions in his final three games of the season and is finally starting to look like the number one overall pick for Carolina. 
  • Saquon sits: One of the biggest storylines was that Saquon Barkley didn’t suit up to chase the NFL rushing yards record. The Eagles had already locked up the #2 seed heading into Week 18 and now have a date with the Packers on Sunday afternoon. 
  • Broncos are back: The Kansas City Chiefs resting their starters certainly contributed to the Broncos' 38-0 demolition. However, that shouldn’t overshadow what the Broncos have done to get back to the playoffs for the first time in seven years. Rookie quarterback Bo Nix will have a tough task in Buffalo. However, regardless of that result, this will have been a successful season. 
  • Titans are on the clock: Thanks to a meaningless Patriots victory, the Titans have secured the first overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft. Tennessee is desperate for a new quarterback and will have their choice of any signal caller in April. 
  • Vikings show cracks: Despite the Lions turning the ball over four times, the Vikings were unable to find the end zone on Sunday night. They are still 14-3 but have slipped down to the #5 seed and will be forced to hit the road against the Rams with their season on the line. 

The NFL playoffs have arrived, but the goal remains the same. By making our Wild Card picks early in the week, we can secure the best lines and odds for a trio of mouth-watering matchups. 

Doc’s Sports offers NFL expert picks for every game on our NFL predictions page.

Game 1: Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens 

Opening Line: Baltimore Ravens (-9.5)

The home team won both of the regular season matchups between these two teams, and it’s hard to overlook the Ravens this week, too. The beginning of the NFL playoffs will ensure teams pile on the points whenever they can, and I expect the Ravens to beat the Steelers by double digits. Pittsburgh’s offense was rejuvenated when Russell Wilson was thrown under center, but that appears to have worn off. Wilson’s mobility is completely gone, and he can no longer step into throws like he did earlier in his career. A strong Steelers defense could keep things close for a while, but the Steelers haven’t scored 20 points in a month and are averaging just 14.2 PPG during their four game losing skid. Baltimore is better on both sides of the ball, and Lamar Jackson is playing better than he did in either of his previous MVP campaigns. Jackson and Derrick Henry will be a force to be reckoned with in the playoffs and will allow the Ravens to eventually pull away against the Steelers. This is a spread that could certainly climb to -10 or -10.5 in the coming days. A 10-point margin of victory is the 4th most common number in the NFL, making this a pick that must be locked in immediately.

Pick: Baltimore Ravens (-9.5) 

Game 2: Green Bay Packers at Philadelphia Eagles

Opening Line: Philadelphia Eagles (-4.5)

The Eagles had the privilege of resting their starters in Week 18 and will be ready to go for their playoff showdown against the Packers. Jalen Hurts is progressing through concussion protocol, and this pick hinges on the assumption he will play. The Eagles would likely be closer to -6 point favorites if Hurts is confirmed to start, and we will take a risk by locking in this pick early in the week. Green Bay saw both Jordan Love and Christian Watson go down with injuries in their regular season finale. Love is expected to be back in action, but the loss of Watson is devastating to the Packers receiving corps. These two teams met in Brazil back in Week 1, and one of their seasons will be ending against the same opponent it started with. The Eagles edged out the Packers in that game, and Philadelphia has gotten more dominant as the season has progressed. Their rookies have stepped up to fill their holes on defense, and the offense hasn’t missed a beat since losing Jason Kelce to retirement. The Eagles have home-field advantage, they are the hotter, healthier team. This is a more than reasonable spread. Lay the points before the public realizes how big of a mismatch this Wild Card game is. 

Pick: Philadelphia Eagles (-4.5)

Game 3: Washington Commanders at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Opening Line: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-3)

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers snuck into the playoffs after winning five of their final six games of the season. Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers took down the Commanders 37-20 to start the season, but this Washington team is a much different team now. Despite finishing in the sixth seed, the Commanders 12-5 record is their best since 1991 and 2 wins better than their hosts. Washington hasn’t allowed 37 points again since that Week 1 meeting against the Buccaneers, and their offense has exploded into one of the best units in the league. Jayden Daniels got some rest in Week 18 and is looking to become the first rookie quarterback to play in the Super Bowl. Overnight, he has transformed Washington into contenders and will pick up the first playoff win of his career against the Buccaneers. Tampa Bay has a strong offense with Baker Mayfield under center, but we can’t trust their defense to slow down Daniels. Tampa Bay probably deserves to be slight home favorites against the Commanders, but a full three points is too many to leave on the table. It would surprise no one if the Commanders were to win this game outright, and the insurance of a full three points may not be available for long. 

Pick: Washington Commanders (+3)

Season Record: 28-18-2

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