BlueBet previews the NFL Wildcard Playoffs action below. Read on for our best bets per game and an overview of the feature games this week.
Tennessee Titans at Kansas City Chiefs
Date: Sunday 8:35 am. Venue: Kansas City
Odds: Chiefs $1.22, Titans $4.50
The Chiefs host the Titans on Sunday at Kansas City. We'll provide a betting preview of the game below.
Form Guide:
Tennessee are the 5 seed in the AFC after finishing with a 9-7 record. They beat the Jaguars 15-10 in Week 17 and now head to Kansas City.
The Chiefs finished the season with a four game winning streak and won the AFC West. Interesting though, they haven’t won a home playoff game since 1994.
Head to Head Record:
The Titans have won the last two against the Chiefs and they were both at Arrowhead Stadium.
Point Spread:
The Chiefs start as favourites in the spread markets, but we do fancy the Titans to cover. They’ve played in four straight games that have finished under 5 points. They also have a 5-1 ATS record when travelling to Kansas City. They have the defence to keep this close.
Best bet: Titans +8 ($1.92)
Total Points:
Judging by the 19-17 result in the last meeting, this figures to be low scoring in the playoffs. The Chiefs are 6-2 against the under and 5-1 against it at home. The Titans have gone 4-2 against the under on the road.
Best bet: Under 44.5 points ($1.89)
Tip:
Chiefs HT/FT ($1.50)
The Chiefs are just in better form at the moment, which is key coming into the playoffs. They should have more points in them and their defence can stand up against the Titans average offence.
Atlanta Falcons at Los Angeles Rams
Date: Sunday 12:15 pm. Venue: Los Angeles
Odds: Rams $1.33, Falcons $3.47
The Rams host the Falcons on Sunday at Los Angeles. We'll provide a betting preview of the game below.
Form Guide:
The Falcons made the playoffs with an impressive win over the Panthers in Week 17. They now travel across the country to LA and will attempt to defend their NFC title from last season.
With the division locked up, the Rams rested their starters last week. They went 4-4 at home this season and will need to be at their best against Atlanta.
Head to Head Record:
The two sides met last season and the Falcons thrashed them 42-14. They’ve also won 6 of the last 7 meetings.
Point Spread:
Considering the Falcons are 4-0 against the Rams, they should be able to cover the line. They’re also 5-2 ATS when playing the Rams. Their road form is decent with a 12-5 record since last season. Whereas the Rams are just 4-10-1 ATS at home and 4-11 straight up.
Best bet: Falcons +5.5 ($2.12)
Total Points:
Both defences average around 20 points allowed per game and we’re expecting the unders to salute. The Rams have gone 4-2 against the under at home. The Falcons are 5-0 against the under and 4-2 against it on the road.
Best bet: Under 48.5 points ($1.87)
Tip:
Falcons WIN ($3.47)
The Falcons are the darkhorse in the NFC and they’re huge value at $3.47 for victory. They have a great record against the Rams and playoff experience counts compared to the young Rams team.
Buffalo Bills at Jacksonville Jaguars
Date: Monday 5:00 am. Venue: Jacksonville
Odds: Jaguars $1.25, Bills $4.20
The Jaguars host the Bills on Monday at Jacksonville. We'll provide a betting preview of the game below.
Form Guide:
Buffalo earned a surprise wildcard berth with help in Week 17. They’re a poor road team (3-5) and the status of LeSean McCoy will be a major question mark.
Jacksonville has limped into the playoffs with two straight losses after clinching the AFC South. But they’re 6-2 at home and will be tough to beat.
Head to Head Record:
The Bills beat the Jaguars last season 28-21. They also won the last meeting in Jacksonville and have a 3-1 overall record against them since 2012.
Point Spread:
The Jaguars are a strong home team and we’re expecting their defence to keep the Bills quiet. They’re 4-1 ATS at home and have won five straight home games.
Best bet: Jaguars -7.5 ($1.85)
Total Points:
The total points depends on injured Bills running back LeSean McCoy. But they’re still 4-2 against the under and 6-3 against it on the road with him in the lineup. The Jaguars allow just 16 points per game on defence and we’re expecting a low scoring one.
Best bet: Under total points (TBA)
Tip:
Jaguars HT/FT ($1.53)
This isn’t the greatest playoff matchup but both sides will be fighting for victory. In the end, the Jaguars have been dominant at home this season and that should be enough. LeSean McCoy is injured for the Bills and they rely on him for points, so it's hard to see Tyrod Taylor beating the Jaguars in the air.
Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints
Date: Monday 8:40 am. Venue: New Orleans
Odds: Saints $1.34, Panthers $3.40
The Saints host the Panthers on Monday at New Orleans. We'll provide a betting preview of the game below.
Form Guide:
The Panthers couldn’t find their offence against the Falcons last week as they lost 22-10 and missed out on the NFC South title. They now head to New Orleans for a tough divisional playoff game.
New Orleans lost in the final minute after the Bucs but still won the NFC South. They’ve been a great home team this season (7-1) and will be ready for this divisional rivalry.
Head to Head Record:
The Saints are 3-1 against the Panthers and beat them at home this season 31-21.
Point Spread:
In the point spread, the Saints are the best bet. They have covered the line in 5 of the last 6 meetings with the Panthers. They’re also 5-0 straight up at home. The Panthers are just 1-4 ATS in New Orleans and looked poor last week.
Best bet: Saints -6.5 ($1.89)
Total Points:
The stats say overs for this matchup. They combined for 52 points in the early meeting here and we can see a similar result. The Saints have gone 6-1 against the over at home against the Panthers. They’re also 15-6 overall at home in their last 21 games. The Panthers are also 5-2 against the over in their last 7 games.
Best bet: Over 48.5 points ($1.94)
Tip:
Saints HT/FT ($1.72)
The Saints beat the Panthers at home by 10 points earlier this season and it’s hard to see them upsetting the trend. New Orleans are 7-1 at home and their defence will be too much for Cam Newton’s offence.
