AP
Four tight contests and two potential blowouts.
That’s how oddsmakers are initially sizing up the six wild card matchups now that they are set following Week 18.
The upcoming games — spanning Saturday, Sunday and Monday — feature two slight home favorites, two small road favorites and two teams favored by more than a touchdown.
All odds courtesy of DraftKings.
No. 5 Chargers (11-6) vs. No. 4 Texans (10-7) odds (Saturday, 4:30 p.m.)
| Team | Spread | Odds | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chargers | -3 (-108) | -155 | o43.5 (-105) |
| Texans | +3 (-112) | +130 | u43.5 (-115) |
The oddsmakers are fading the Texans, who have not impressed this year. Quarterback C.J. Stroud did not build off his promising rookie season and the offense is down Tank Dell and Stefon Diggs. Los Angles overachieved in its first season with Jim Harbaugh, but everyone knows about the Chargers’ playoff history. If the Chargers can get constant pressure on Stroud, they can win this game and perhaps cover.
No. 6 Steelers (10-7) vs. No. 3 Ravens (12-5) odds (Saturday, 8 p.m.)
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steelers | +9.5 (-110) | +370 | o45.5 (-110) |
| Ravens | -9.5 (-110) | -485 | u45.5 (-110) |
These teams split their regular-season meetings, with the Ravens winning the most-recent matchup, 34-17, in Week 16. The big question here is the status of receiver Zay Flowers, who exited the Week 18 win over the Browns with a knee injury. Pittsburgh meanwhile, enters this game having lost four straight and has not cleared 20 points in any of those games. It’s hard to believe in the Steelers and Russell Wilson, but 9.5 points provides an easy path to a backdoor cover in a rivalry matchup.
No. 7 Broncos (10-7) vs. No. 2 Bills (13-4) odds (Sunday, 1 p.m.)
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broncos | +8.5 (-108) | +340 | o47.5 (-110) |
| Bills | -8.5 (-112) | -440 | u47.5 (-110) |
The Bills welcome Bo Nix to Buffalo for this intriguing matchup. Denver had a penchant for tallying pick-sixes this season and Allen can sometimes make a bad throw or two, but this is a tough matchup for a rookie making his first playoff start. The Bills went 8-0 at home this season, although they only escaped with a three-point win against the Patriots in Week 16. Denver can keep this one close.
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No. 7 Packers (11-6) vs. No. 2 Eagles (14-3) odds (Sunday, 4:30 p.m.)
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Packers | +4.5 (-105) | +170 | o46.5 (-105) |
| Eagles | -4.5 (-115) | -205 | u46.5 (-115) |
These teams faced each other in Brazil to open their seasons and now one of them will be heading home after the first round. The Packers entered the playoffs as No. 7 seed last year, but Jordan Love is not playing like he did last year and Christian Watson seems unlikely to play. The big question here is the status of Jalen Hurts and whether a two-week absence will lead to some rust, assuming he plays. Backing the Packers — who often lose tight games — at more than a field goal seems like a fine play.
No. 6 Commanders (12-5) vs. No. 3 Buccaneers (10-7) odds (Sunday, 8 p.m.)
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commanders | +3.5 (-118) | +150 | o50.5 (-105) |
| Buccaneers | -3.5 (-102) | -180 | u50.5 (-115) |
The Commanders and Jayden Daniels return to the playoffs to face Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers. This game has the highest Over/Under of the week at 50.5 and the expectation is points will be scored. There’s definitely the chance the Commanders can win this game, making them attractive here since you get the hook. The Buccaneers did trounce Washington, 37-20, at home in Week 1.
No. 5 Vikings (14-3) vs. No. 4 Rams (10-7) odds (Monday, 8 p.m.)
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vikings | -2.5 (-110) | -130 | o47.5 (-102) |
| Rams | +2.5 (-110) | +110 | u47.5 (-118) |
The slate concludes with a regular-season rematch of the Rams’ 30-20 win at home on “Thursday Night Football” in Week 8. The Rams are only one of two teams to beat the Vikings this season, with the Lions providing the two other losses. Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua both had big games in that win and they will have to be at their best to down the Vikings. Sam Darnold had a poor Week 18 and will have to flush that game quickly to avoid the Vikings being a one-and-done 14-3 team.
Why Trust New York Post Betting
Matt Ehalt has been picking against the spread since his childhood days when he entered his father’s newspaper pool and even took the top prize on more than one occasion. He specializes in NFL wagers and is quite successful with NCAA brackets.