The NFL playoffs are right here, and Wild Card Weekend guarantees to ship loads of drama.
Whether or not it’s star quarterbacks going through off, underdog groups trying to pull off upsets or key betting angles to discover, we’ve obtained you coated with all the things you must know heading into the motion.
Click on right here to leap to a recreation:
DEN@BUF | GB@PHI | WAS@TB | MIN@LAR
Denver Broncos @ Buffalo Payments (-9) [Total: 46.5]
Storyline of the Recreation: Payments trying to put an finish to the upstart Broncos
It’s been practically a decade because the Broncos final reached the postseason, a run that culminated in Denver hoisting the Lombardi Trophy.
Sean Payton’s squad enters the playoffs with one thing to show after dropping two of their closing three regular-season video games. Their lone victory throughout that stretch got here in opposition to a Kansas Metropolis group resting its starters, leaving questions on Denver’s kind heading into the postseason.
In the meantime, the Payments start their playoff push with sights set squarely on the Tremendous Bowl. Quarterback Josh Allen has been dominant on Wild Card Weekend all through his profession, boasting a 4-1 document and a stellar 91.3 total PFF grade in these matchups. Buffalo will depend on their MVP-caliber chief to set the tone on this extremely anticipated showdown.
Matchups to Watch: Broncos RG Quinn Meinerz vs Payments DI Ed Oliver
The Broncos’ turnaround this season owes a lot to the distinctive play of their offensive line, which completed as PFF’s second-highest-ranked unit. Guard Quinn Meinerz was the centerpiece of that success, incomes a powerful 87.8 total grade — the second-best amongst guards — and securing a spot as a PFF second-team All-Professional.
Ed Oliver has been a constant power for the Payments’ defensive entrance, delivering the ninth-highest pass-rush grade amongst defensive tackles (79.0) and posting a strong 12.8% pass-rush win price.
Betting Traits
At the moment sitting among the many prime 4 groups in Tremendous Bowl betting odds (+600), Buffalo enters this Wild Card matchup as a 9-point favourite at house. When favored by six or extra factors this season, the Payments have been inconsistent, posting a 3-3 document in opposition to the unfold (ATS).
Denver, in the meantime, tied for the NFL’s finest cowl price through the common season at 70.6% (12-5 ATS). Nonetheless, all 5 of their ATS losses got here as street underdogs, a pattern they’ll look to reverse on this high-stakes contest.
QB Bo Nix, Denver Broncos: Over 1.5 Passing TDs (+141)
Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix completed the common season robust, incomes an 80.3 passing grade from Week 10 onward. Throughout that stretch, he threw 21 of his 29 complete landing passes, surpassing 1.5 touchdowns in seven of eight video games. With the Payments rating thirty first in group protection grade (42.9), Nix ought to have loads of alternatives to use Buffalo’s secondary.
Further Information:
Denver clinched a playoff spot regardless of managing the NFL’s highest useless cap cost at $91.27 million.
Payments broad receiver Amari Cooper has reportedly returned to the group after lacking Week 18 on account of a private matter.
Groups have requested permission to interview Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, Broncos senior personnel govt David Shaw and Payments offensive coordinator Joe Brady.
Inexperienced Bay Packers @ Philadelphia Eagles (-4.5) [Total: 45.5]
Storyline of the Recreation: Banged-up Packers hope to redeem Week 1 loss
The Packers enter the postseason underneath vital strain after ending the common season on a two-game skid and shedding two key offensive contributors within the course of. Huge receiver Christian Watson suffered a torn ACL in Week 18, whereas quarterback Jordan Love exited with an elbow harm, leaving his standing for Wild Card Weekend doubtful.
In the meantime, the Eagles weathered Jalen Hurts’ absence and are primed for his return as they put together for his or her playoff marketing campaign. Regardless of narrowly lacking the NFC’s prime seed, Philadelphia stays one of many league’s prime groups, with only one loss since Week 7.
Matchups to Watch: Eagles WR A.J. Brown vs Packers S Xavier McKinney
A matchup between two second-team PFF All-Execs in A.J. Brown & Xavier McKinney.
Brown didn’t let an early-season harm maintain him again, ending with a stellar 91.6 receiving grade, tied for the second-highest amongst qualifying broad receivers. Regardless of lacking 4 video games, the Eagles’ standout tallied 33 receptions of 15 or extra yards, rating fifth within the NFL.
McKinney capped off his spectacular marketing campaign with an interception in Week 18, tying for the league lead with eight on the season. This efficiency contributed to his elite 90.0 protection grade, making him considered one of simply 4 gamers to surpass the 90.0 threshold this yr.
Betting Traits
Philadelphia boasts one of many NFL’s finest against-the-spread (ATS) information this season at 11-6, notably excelling when favored by fewer than six factors (6-3 ATS). Nonetheless, their efficiency at Lincoln Monetary Area has been extra middling, with an excellent 4-4 ATS document at house.
Inexperienced Bay has struggled just lately in betting markets, failing to cowl in its final two video games. Nonetheless, it has proven postseason resilience, because it pulled off a straight-up win as 7-point underdogs in opposition to Dallas within the wild-card spherical final yr.
Of their Week 1 matchup, the Eagles secured a straight-up victory and coated as 1.5-point house favorites, setting the stage for an intriguing rematch within the playoffs.
RB Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles: Over 10.5 receiving yards
Barkley’s pursuit of two,000 dashing yards formed a lot of Philadelphia’s offensive recreation plan late within the season, resulting in a diminished goal share for the star working again within the passing recreation. With that milestone now within the rearview mirror, anticipate Barkley to see elevated involvement as a receiver. This shift aligns effectively with a matchup in opposition to a Inexperienced Bay protection that ranks twenty eighth within the league in receiving yards allowed per go play.
Further Information
Packers broad receiver Christian Watson (knee) is believed to have suffered a torn ACL within the common season finale.
Eagles working again Saquon Barkley joined elite firm, changing into the ninth participant in NFL historical past to surpass 2,000 dashing yards in a single season.
Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts has cleared concussion protocol and returned to observe this week.
Packers quarterback Jordan Love (elbow) was restricted in observe however stays hopeful to play on Sunday.
Eight PFF All-Professional alternatives will take the sphere on this matchup, which would be the most of wild-card Weekend.
Groups have requested permission to interview Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore for head coach vacancies.
Washington Commanders @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-3) [Total: 50]
Storyline of the Recreation: Can the Commanders shake playoff woes?
In Dan Quinn’s debut season as head coach, the Commanders delivered their second-best regular-season document in franchise historical past. Now, Washington units its sights on securing its first postseason victory since 2005 – a recreation that, coincidentally, got here in opposition to the Buccaneers.
Whereas the NFC South has been a frequent goal of criticism, the Buccaneers stay a group constructed for postseason success. They clinched their fourth consecutive division crown and enter Wild Card Weekend with vital expertise. Below Todd Bowles, Tampa Bay holds a .500 document in two wild-card matchups, together with a commanding 32-9 victory over the Eagles final season.
Matchups to Watch: Buccaneers WR Mike Evans vs. Commanders CB Marshon Lattimore
This can be the final time we see this bitter rivalry play out on the sphere. Lattimore could also be carrying a brand new jersey and coping with a nagging hamstring harm, however that gained’t diminish the dangerous blood between him and Evans.
The Bucs receiver earned the fourth-highest offensive grade on the place this season (89.0) on his option to breaking NFL information. Evans ranks eighth in goal price going through man protection, one thing Washington performs at a top-five clip within the NFL.
Betting Traits
Each the Commanders and Buccaneers have confirmed their mettle in betting markets this season, every overlaying double-digit video games. Nonetheless, each have faltered down the stretch, failing to cowl in Week 18 and dropping two of their final 4 in opposition to the unfold. Washington, particularly, has struggled on the street, failing to cowl in away video games since Week 9.
The final time these two groups confronted off, Tampa Bay secured a decisive 37-20 win on their house discipline, comfortably overlaying as four-point favorites.
RB Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Over 28 dashing and receiving yards (-113)
This line looks like an overreaction to White’s lack of utilization within the Buccaneers’ regular-season finale, the place he logged zero touches. White has been a essential piece of Tampa Bay’s offense and has persistently delivered, surpassing this yardage mark in 14 of his 16 video games this season. Furthermore, he faces a Washington protection that struggles to include the run, rating thirtieth in yards earlier than contact per rush try (1.8). This units up effectively for White to bounce again with a productive efficiency.
Further information
Buccaneers WR Mike Evans recorded his eleventh consecutive 1,000-yard receiving season, tying Jerry Rice for essentially the most in NFL historical past.
Commanders CB Marshon Lattimore (hamstring) stays on observe to return this week.
The Titans have requested permission to interview Buccaneers assistant common supervisor John Spytek for his or her vacant common supervisor place.
Buccaneers OC Liam Coen and Commanders OC Kliff Kingsbury have obtained interview requests for head teaching alternatives.
Minnesota Vikings (-1) @ Los Angeles Rams [Total: 47.5]
Storyline of the Recreation: Rams purpose to make the most of house turf
After falling wanting claiming the division title and NFC’s prime seed with a Week 18 defeat, the Vikings now hit the street to start their postseason journey. They purpose to erase the sting of their final Wild Card Weekend look in 2022, a house loss to the Giants and arrange a possible Divisional Spherical rematch with Detroit.
The Rams, in the meantime, overcame a rocky 1-4 begin to seize a division title and punch their playoff ticket. Their late-season surge earned them the fourth-highest group offense grade (83.8) since December.
Matchups to Watch: Rams ED Jared Verse vs Vikings LT Cam Robinson
Winner of PFF’s Defensive Rookie of the Yr, Verse earned a top-10 grade amongst all edge defenders this season, highlighted by a incredible 83.7 pass-rush grade. Verse’s 77 pressures this season path solely Nick Bosa’s 80 for many by a rookie rusher of their first common season.
Since his commerce to Minnesota, Robinson struggled at instances to persistently meet threats off the sting, incomes a 67.8 go block grade. He surrendered a ten.9% strain price after a tricky stretch to finish the yr. Over the past three video games, Robinson has allowed 22 pressures and three sacks.
Betting Traits
Minnesota boasts one of many NFL’s top-five cowl charges this season (68.8%; 11-5-1 ATS), however their success has been extra restricted on the street, the place they maintain a 4-3-1 ATS document. In the meantime, the Rams have excelled as house underdogs, tying for the league lead with a 4-2 ATS mark in such video games throughout 2024.
The final assembly between these two groups got here in Week 8 in Los Angeles, the place the Rams secured a 30-20 victory and coated as 2.5-point house underdogs.
WR Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams: Over 46.5 Receiving yards (-114)
Kupp has been cool down the stretch, however this week’s matchup with Byron Murphy Jr. might get him again on observe. In 86 profession receiving snaps in opposition to Byron Murphy Jr., Cooper Kupp has recorded 267 receiving yards (3.10 yards per route run).
Further Information
NFL officers are carefully monitoring wildfires within the Los Angeles space, however the Rams-Vikings recreation at present stays on schedule.
The Vikings have signed quarterback Daniel Jones to the energetic roster forward of their wild-card matchup.
The Los Angeles Rams have activated security John Johnson III off of IR, designating him to return.
Rams working again Blake Corum (arm) has been positioned on IR, ending his season.
A number of groups have requested permission to interview Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores and quarterback coach Josh McCown for vacant head coach positions.
