NFL Picks Against the Spread: Wild Card Weekend Playoff Games
Before the Wild Card round of the 2025 NFL playoffs kicks off, let’s have some fun by taking a look at the lines for this weekend’s postseason games.
You can CLICK HERE for straight up NFL picks without regard to the spread. You can find all of the NFL betting lines via FanDuel.
My overall record is 133-136-3, which is well behind the collective BGN community at 149-120-3. Feel free to fade my advice and lean into the community’s selections instead.
Here are suggestions when trying to beat the odds.
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (-3) at HOUSTON TEXANS: I’ve been beating the “The Texans are frauds” drum for some time now. Houston ranks 16th in point differential and DVOA. They’re 1-5 against playoff teams this season with a point differential of -66. In fairness, the Chargers haven’t fared much better; they’re 2-5 against playoff teams with both wins coming against the No. 7 seed in the AFC. But I’ll take my chances with Jim Harbaugh, Justin Herbert, and the Chargers defense. I would seriously regret putting faith in the Texans. PICK: Chargers -3
Poll
Which bet do you like more?
71%
28%
591 votes total
Vote Now
PITTSBURGH STEELERS at BALTIMORE RAVENS (-9.5): Betting against Mike Tomlin as an underdog is dangerous. And Lamar Jackson is no stranger to underperforming in the playoffs. But the Steelers just don’t look like they have answers right now and the Ravens very much do. PICK: Ravens -9.5
Poll
Which bet do you like more?
50%
Steelers +9.5
(316 votes)
49%
629 votes total
Vote Now
DENVER BRONCOS at BUFFALO BILLS (-8.5): The Broncos won’t win this game but their defense could make it competitive and allow Denver to cover this spread. PICK: Broncos +8.5
Poll
Which bet do you like more?
35%
64%
591 votes total
Vote Now
GREEN BAY PACKERS at PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (-4.5): The Packers are 2-5 against playoff teams this season. Their wins came over Houston and a Los Angeles team missing both Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp. The Packers mostly kept their losses competitive, so, I could see them managing to cover this spread. But I like the Eagles to find a way to win the game. And it’s quite possible that the NFL’s top-ranked defense shuts down Jordan Love and this Packers offense. Betting against Saquon Barkley also doesn’t feel wise. The Packers having a good run defense hardly guarantees that they’ll be able to stop him. PICK: Eagles -4.5
Poll
Which bet do you like more?
12%
87%
661 votes total
Vote Now
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS at TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (-3): History is working against Jayden Daniels here. Quarterbacks making their first playoff start against a quarterback with previous playoff experience are just 18-37-1 against the spread. Daniels doesn’t look like a typical rookie and the Commanders have some magic going on. But Baker Mayfield and this Bucs offense can get hot. PICK: Buccaneers -3
Poll
Which bet do you like more?
36%
Commanders +3
(220 votes)
63%
Buccaneers -3
(379 votes)
599 votes total
Vote Now
MINNESOTA VIKINGS (-2.5) at LOS ANGELES RAMS: The Rams don’t have a true home field advantage after having to relocate to Arizona. Still, they deserve to be favored here. Sam Darnold is making his first playoff start against a team that was able to stifle him earlier this season. Matthew Stafford is the better bet in this situation. Also, the Vikings have been a very lucky team this year in many regards. They’re due for some regression. PICK: Rams +2.5
Poll
Which bet do you like more?
47%
52%
570 votes total
Vote Now
