Wild Card NFL Picks

All betting lines from bet365.com (Updated Jan. 10)

Los Angeles Rams (12-5) @ Carolina Panthers (8-9)

On paper, the Rams should dominate this game having the playoff experience and pedigree in their favor. However, the Panthers have been strong at home this year with a 5-3 record and averaging 20.8 PPG. I don't know that the offense will have enough to keep up with the Rams, but it wouldn't surprise me if this ends as a one score game. Pick: Rams, 28-20.

Line: Rams -10

ML: Rams

Spread: Panthers

Green Bay Packers (9-7-1) @ Chicago Bears (11-6)

I think a lot of people see this as a favorable matchup for the Packers, but the Bears have given them headaches in both matchups this year. What I've noticed with this Bears team is they're never out of the fight and Caleb Williams always seems to come up with some 4th-quarter magic and he will do the same here. Pick: Bears, 23-20.

Line: Packers -1.5

ML: Bears

Spread: Bears

Buffalo Bills (12-5) @ Jacksonville Jaguars (13-4)

The Bills have won five straight wild card games, but have not won a road playoff game in 32 years. Everything has lined up for the Bills to make a deep run in the AFC this season, considering Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson are at home watching from their couch. You can't sleep on this Jags team that boasts one of the best offenses in the NFL, but if ever there was a time for Josh Allen to shine, it starts this weekend. Pick: Bills, 26-23.

Line: Jaguars -1.5

ML: Bills

Spread: Bills

San Francisco 49ers (12-5) @ Philadelphia Eagles (11-6)

The Niners have been one of the most resilient teams all season long, fighting through key injuries on both sides of the ball. They showed some struggle last week against the Seahawks and that was a bit of a red flag for me with a tough road draw in Philadelphia this week. I think the Eagles are about to turn it on and I like the points here. Pick: Eagles, 27-20.

Line: Eagles -6

ML: Eagles

Spread: Eagles

Los Angeles Chargers (11-6) @ New England Patriots (14-3)

This is an intriguing matchup as Jim Harbaugh is building a juggernaut with the Chargers, while Mike Vrabel has made an immediate impact in his first season coaching the Patriots, guiding this team to an AFC East title. There has been a lot of talk about the Pats not being battle tested this year, but I think Drake Maye will come away with a win in his playoff debut. Pick: Patriots, 24-20.

Line: Patriots -3.5

ML: Patriots

Spread: Patriots

Houston Texans (12-5) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7)

The Steelers heroically came back to beat the Ravens in primetime last week to book their ticket to the playoffs and will try to ride that wave against the Texans. This should be a battle of defenses, as the Texans' offense has sputtered a little bit at times this year and the defense, led by Will Anderson, has been what's carried them. Will Aaron Rodgers have enough magic in him to pull out a playoff win? Pick: Texans, 24-19.

Line: Texans -3

ML: Texans

Spread: Texans

Results

Week 18

ML: 8-8

ATS: 4-12

Overall

ML: 173-99 (63.6%)

ATS: 138-132-2 (50.7%)