2024 NFL Playoffs: Wild Card Weekend Preview and Betting Insights
As the calendar flips to January, the excitement of the NFL playoffs is palpable, and this year is no exception. The 2024 NFL Playoffs Bracket is officially set, and fans are gearing up for an action-packed Wild Card Weekend. This weekend will feature six thrilling games that will determine which teams advance to the divisional round. Awaiting the winners are the top-seeded Kansas City Chiefs and Detroit Lions, who have earned a bye and are eagerly watching to see who their next opponents will be.
The playoff action kicks off on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. Eastern with the No. 4 Houston Texans hosting the No. 5 Los Angeles Chargers. This matchup promises to be a nail-biter, with the Chargers slightly favored by 3 points. The evening continues with an AFC North showdown at 8 p.m. between the No. 3 Baltimore Ravens and No. 6 Pittsburgh Steelers in Baltimore. The Ravens are heavily favored by 9.5 points, but as any fan knows, anything can happen in a divisional rivalry game.
Sunday’s slate of games will finalize the AFC’s final four. The No. 2 Buffalo Bills will host the No. 7 Denver Broncos at 1 p.m. The Bills are favored by 9 points, but the Broncos are no strangers to playoff upsets. Later, the NFC takes center stage at 4:30 p.m. with the No. 7 Green Bay Packers visiting the No. 2 Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles are favored by 5.5 points, but the Packers have a history of rising to the occasion in the postseason.
The Sunday night game at 8 p.m. features the No. 3 Tampa Bay Buccaneers hosting the No. 6 Washington Commanders. The Buccaneers are favored by 3.5 points, but the Commanders have shown resilience throughout the season. The weekend concludes with a Monday night showdown at 8 p.m. on ABC, ESPN, and ESPN+ as the No. 4 Los Angeles Rams host the No. 5 Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings are slight favorites by 2.5 points, setting the stage for a thrilling conclusion to Wild Card Weekend.
Looking ahead, Super Bowl LIX is set to be played on Sunday, February 9, at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. As we anticipate the excitement of the playoffs, let’s take a closer look at the betting lines, spreads, and totals for all six Wild Card Weekend games, courtesy of ESPN’s Football Power Index (FPI) by ESPN Analytics. All times are listed as Eastern, and odds are current as of publication. For the most up-to-date odds, visit ESPN BET.
- Los Angeles Chargers -3 vs. Houston Texans
Saturday, 4:30 p.m., CBS, Paramount+
Money Line: Chargers (-150); Texans (+130)
Total: 43.5; Opened: 44.5
FPI favorite: Chargers by 0.9, 52.8% to win outright - Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens -9.5
Saturday, 8 p.m., Prime Video
Money Line: Steelers (+380); Ravens (-550)
Total: 45.5; Opened: 46.5
FPI favorite: Ravens by 9, 72.2% to win outright - Denver Broncos vs. Buffalo Bills -9
Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS, Paramount+
Money Line: Broncos (+380); Bills (-550)
Total: 47.5; Opened: 47.5
FPI favorite: Bills by 7.1, 68.1% to win outright - Green Bay Packers vs. Philadelphia Eagles -5.5
Sunday, 4:30 p.m., FOX
Line movement: Opened Eagles -3.5
Money Line: Packers (+200); Eagles (-240)
Total: 45.5; Opened: 46.5
FPI favorite: Eagles by 0.4, 51.2% to win outright - Washington Commanders vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers -3.5
Sunday, 8 p.m., NBC, Peacock
Money Line: Commanders (+150); Buccaneers (-175)
Total: 50.5; Opened: 49.5
FPI favorite: Buccaneers by 3.3, 58.3% to win outright - Minnesota Vikings -2.5 vs. Los Angeles Rams
Monday, 8 p.m., ABC, ESPN, ESPN+
Money Line: Vikings (-130); Rams (+110)
Total: 47.5; Opened: 47.5
FPI favorite: Vikings by 1.2, 53.9% to win outright
With so much on the line, this Wild Card Weekend is sure to deliver unforgettable moments and thrilling finishes. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a casual observer, the NFL playoffs are a spectacle not to be missed.
Originally Written by: ESPN
