The NFL playoffs have commenced with the Wild Card Round schedule now established. The Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos secured the top seeds in their respective conferences, earning byes directly into the Divisional Round. Betting lines for the Wild Card games indicate that several road teams are favored, suggesting a possible reduced impact of home-field advantage in these initial matchups.
Playoff Seeding and Byes
The Seattle Seahawks obtained the top seed in the NFC, having entered the season with initial odds of +3000 to win the NFC and +6000 for the Super Bowl. In the AFC, the Denver Broncos secured the top seed, with initial odds of +1400 for the AFC and +3000 for the Super Bowl. Both teams will advance directly to the Divisional Round.
Wild Card Round Overview and Betting Analysis
The Wild Card Round features six matchups. Betting lines suggest four of the six road teams are designated as favorites. Analysts have categorized these games to include two matchups initially considered virtual toss-ups, three close contests within a field goal spread, and one matchup with a wider point spread.
Individual Matchup Details and Betting Spreads
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Los Angeles Rams (Road) vs. Carolina Panthers (Home)
The Los Angeles Rams are favored by 9.5 to 10 points on the road against the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers secured a 31-28 victory over the Rams earlier in the regular season at the same venue, when the Rams were 10-point favorites. The Rams held the highest Super Bowl odds for a portion of the season. -
Green Bay Packers (Road) vs. Chicago Bears (Home)
The Green Bay Packers are 1.5-point favorites on the road in Chicago. This contest marks the third meeting between the two teams within a six-week span. In their December regular season encounters, the Bears defeated the Packers 22-16 in overtime in Chicago, while the Packers won 28-21 in Green Bay. This game was initially considered a virtual toss-up, with minus-odds for both teams on the moneyline. -
Buffalo Bills (Road) vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (Home)
The Buffalo Bills are 1.5-point favorites against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Jacksonville. The Jaguars recorded two home losses during the regular season. This game was also initially categorized as a virtual toss-up, with minus-odds for both teams on the moneyline, before the Bills became 1.5-point favorites with -120 odds as of Monday morning. -
San Francisco 49ers (No. 6 Seed, Road) vs. Philadelphia Eagles (No. 3 Seed, Home)
The No. 3 seed Philadelphia Eagles are favored by 3.5 points at home against the No. 6 seed San Francisco 49ers. The Eagles experienced two home losses during the regular season. -
Los Angeles Chargers (No. 7 Seed, Road) vs. New England Patriots (No. 2 Seed, Home)
The No. 2 seed New England Patriots are favored by 3.5 points at home over the No. 7 seed Los Angeles Chargers. The Patriots concluded the season with a 14-3 record, with all three losses occurring at home. -
Houston Texans (No. 5 Seed, Road) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (No. 4 Seed, Home)
The No. 5 seed Houston Texans are favored by 3 points on the road against the No. 4 seed Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers sustained three home losses in the regular season.
Playoff Advancement Implications
Based on current betting lines, only two division winners—the No. 2 seed Patriots and the No. 3 seed Philadelphia Eagles—are favored to advance to the divisional round.