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Playoff football, baby. We’ve finally made it.

After a successful regular season in which I went 55-51-2 with my best bets for +4.37 units, it’s time to turn the page to Super Wild Card Weekend. So, with six intriguing games on the schedule this weekend, let’s check out the betting odds for every matchup and go through my best bets for the first round of the NFL Playoffs.

NFL Super Wild Card Weekend odds

Saquon Barkley runs the ball against the Vikings.
Saquon Barkley of the New York Giants runs with the ball against the Minnesota Vikings | David Berding/Getty Images

Saturday, Jan. 14

4:30 p.m. ET: Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers
Spread: 49ers -9.5
Total: 42.5

8:15 p.m. ET: Los Angeles Chargers at Jacksonville Jaguars
Spread: Chargers -2.5
Total: 47.5

Sunday, Jan. 15

1 p.m. ET: Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills
Spread: Bills -13.5
Total: 43.5

4:30 p.m. ET: New York Giants at Minnesota Vikings
Spread: Vikings -3
Total: 48.5

8:15 p.m. ET: Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals
Spread: Bengals -8.5
Total: 40.5

Monday, Jan. 16

8:15 p.m. ET: Dallas Cowboys at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Spread: Cowboys -2.5
Total: 45.5

All betting odds courtesy of FanDuel as of 1/12.

NFL Super Wild Card Weekend picks: Best bets and teaser of the week

New York Giants +3

We saw these two teams face off just three weeks ago, and the Vikings escaped at the very last second thanks to a 61-yard Greg Joseph field goal in overtime. I think this is by far the most evenly matched game of the wild-card round.

By that logic, the underdog has to be valuable in this spot. I’ve been looking forward to being able to fade the Vikings in the playoffs all season, and we’re finally here. Give me the G-Men, and don’t be surprised if they pull off the outright upset.

Cincinnati Bengals vs. Baltimore Ravens under 40.5

Since Lamar Jackson went down with his knee injury in early December, the Ravens have gone 5-1 to the under. During that stretch, Baltimore’s games have finished with an average of just 27.2 total points.

John Harbaugh knows the only chance he has of keeping this game close is to keep the score in the 20s or 30s, so I’m expecting a rock fight on Sunday night.

Teaser of the Week: Cincinnati Bengals -2.5/Tampa Bay Buccaneers +8.5

Without Lamar Jackson (and maybe Tyler Huntley) on Sunday night, the Ravens don’t stand much of a chance against the Bengals. I could see Cincinnati easily covering this number, but bringing the spread down below three is my favorite teaser leg of the wild-card round.

The second teaser leg that immediately jumped out to me was the Buccaneers. This game should come down to the wire, and I wouldn’t be surprised if the Bucs pull off the upset, so pushing them up through the key numbers of three and seven is about as good as it gets.

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Staff Writer

Jack Dougherty

Writing professionally since 2015, Jack Dougherty spent six years as a sportswriter with publications such as GoPSUSports.com, the Centre Daily Times, and the Associated Press before joining Sportscasting in 2020. He covers the NBA, the NFL, and the world of golf extensively and has added expertise on any team located in or around his hometown of Philadelphia. Yes, that includes the Philadelphia Eagles, the Philadelphia 76ers, and Philadelphia Phillies.

When Jack isn’t writing about sports, he’s watching them or playing them as he regularly heads to the gym for some pickup basketball or the golf course to hit the links. He’s also an avid participant in the sports betting scene who worked at a casino sportsbook for a year and learned the ins and outs of the industry before bringing his expertise to Sportscasting with one excellent gambling recommendation after another.