NFL Wild Card Weekend: Best Bets & Props from our NFL Staff
Written by: Daniel Collins
Last Update: Sat Jan 10, 2026, 9:59 am ET
Read Time: 9 minutes
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Well, we have made it. The NFL Playoffs are here and Wild Card Weekend should be the beginning of what promises to be an incredible month leading up to Super Bowl 60.
The playoffs begin and there are some fantastic matchups this weekend and lots of money to be made.
Below, our Team here at Betting News is going to give their BEST BETS for the Wild Card Weekend NFL Slate. Whether it is a Spread, Moneyline, Total or Player Prop, this is your go to article every week for our team's favorite bets!
Here is the Squad's Record in the Regular Season:
(129-87 of All Picks -120 or better odds)
Daniel Collins (SPJ): 14-4
Chef T: 9-9
Nate Hornung (Shaggy): 9-9
Colby Marchio: 9-9
John Hyslop (Slop): 8-10
Varun Sharma (Sauce): 13-5
Brad Blakemore (Betzky): 13-5
Danny Burke: 11-7
Kate Constable: 7-11
Adam Kaufman: 13-5
Tristan Vieira (Trizzy): 13-5
Sukh Brar: 8-10
Now let's dive in to the Betting News Experts' Best Bets for NFL Wild Card Weekend!
All Odds available at Lucky Rebel, the industry leader in the Sports betting Market.
Daniel Collins' (SPJ) (14-4) Wild Card Weekend Best Bet
Feed Keenan
Keenan Allen o33.5 Receiving yards (-115)
I can't believe this line is so low for Justin Herbert's favorite target. I know he hasn't been as prolific as we are used to seeing, but Allen is still Herbert's go to guy and in a win or go home game, I fully expect Keenan to be busy.
Not only has Allen hit this line in 3 of his last 4 games but he has hit this in 6 straight playoff games, his only miss in the post season coming all the way back in 2014.
I lean with the Chargers to keep this game close on the road in New England and think that the Herbert-Allen connection should play a big part in LA's success.
Chef T's (9-9) Wild Card Weekend Best Bet
Dawson Knox over 19.5 Receiving yards (-115)
This is a clean, low bar and he's cleared it in 4 of his last 5. Jacksonville has been one of the softest defenses in the league against tight ends, so the matchup is doing a lot of the work here. At 19.5, you're basically asking for one decent chunk play or a couple quick grabs and this can cash before halftime.
Nate Hornung's (9-9) Wild Card Weekend Best Bet
Houston/Pittsburgh Under 38.5 (-115)
While the Steelers went 7-9-1 to the under this season, the Texans were 10-6-1 and have a VERY good defense. Certainly one capable of holding a 42 year old Aaron Rodgers led Pittsburgh to minimal scoring. The Texans' defense is second in the league in yards and points allowed, but offensively they aren't there. Houston is No. 16 in points per play, No. 24 in yards per play and No. 23 in third down conversions and TDs per game.
Not to mention they are third worst in red zone scoring percentage, having to settle for a field goal over half the time. As for the Steelers, I don't have much faith in them putting up points, even at home. Plus getting Stroud outside in the elements could hinder the passing game.
Ultimately, I see 17-20 points winning this game, so while it will be sweaty, we should stay under 38.5.
Colby Marchio's (9-9) Wild Card Weekend Best Bet
Can Josh Allen come up big on the road?
Josh Allen Interception (+115)
I was initially looking to fade the Bills in this spot based on how well the Jaguars have played over the last couple of weeks. Add in the now-or-never narrative surrounding Josh Allen and the Bills, and the setup is there.
I do like the Jaguars, but I found a bigger cushion at a better price with this angle. I'll be on Allen to throw an interception this weekend at +115. If the Jaguars are going to stay in this game, I think it comes from mistakes by Allen. The veteran quarterback has turned the ball over in five of his six years making the playoffs, and Jacksonville is second in takeaways this season.
John Hyslop's (8-10) Wild Card Weekend Best Bet
Blake Corum 50+ Rushing Yards (+140)
Let's not overthink this one. The Rams are going to motorboat the Panthers on Saturday. Like bad.
When that happens, they'll just keep the ball on the ground the whole time. It won't even be fun to watch. In fact, the only way it will be fun to watch is if we have Blake Corum 50+ rushing yards. There is no chance this loses.
Varun Sharma's (13-5) Wild Card Weekend Best Bet
Travis Etienne Jr.o 64.5 Rush Yards (-110)
With all the weapons the Jaguars have, I'm turning to Travis Etienne. The Bills rush defense is ranked 28th in the league, allowing 136.2 rush yards per game and 5.1 yards per carry (30th).
This will be Liam Coen's first playoff game as a head coach and I think the best way to approach this game is to attack the Bills weakness. The Jaguars can maintain possession, keep Josh Allen off the field and help take control of this game early.
Etienne's averaging 65.1 rush yards per game this year and 4.3 yards per carry. The last time he played the Bills he finished with over 70 yards on the ground and this will be the back's second trip to the playoffs.
Etienne played in two playoff games, averaging 85.5 rush yards per game and 5.7 yards per carry. This week on their home field and up against one of the worst run defenses in the league; it just feels like the perfect spot to run it down their throats.
Brad Blakemore's (13-5) Wild Card Weekend Best Bet
Jim Harbaugh and the Chargers look to upset New England
Chargers +3.5 (-115)
I just can't get myself to trust New England knowing that they have only won two games against playoff teams.
These teams feel very similar in scheme and quality of defense. While Drake Maye has been magical this season, I believe a more experienced Herbert to perform and manage their game plan on the road. If the Chargers top 10 ranked defense can slow down the Pats and frustrate Maye, they should be able to keep this game close.
Danny Burke's (11-7) Wild Card Weekend Best Bet
Bears / Packers 1st Half Under 23.5 (-115)
Chicago has notoriously been a slow 1st half offense and will look to establish the run in the beginning stages of this game. And while the Bears defense has been vulnerable, they do perform well in the red zone. Each of their first two meetings stayed under this total and I'm expecting that trend to continue.
Kate Constable's (7-11) Wild Card Weekend Best Bet
Will Caleb Williams continue to perform well against a division rival?
Bears +1.5 (-115)
The Bears come into this matchup as the healthier and more complete team. Offensively, Chicago has real versatility. They can lean on the run game to control tempo or push the ball through the air.
Yes, the defense isn't airtight. Let's not pretend it is. But it doesn't have to be perfect. This unit has shown it can create takeaways, especially against a Packers offense that has been streaky and mistake-prone. If Chicago wins the turnover battle again, they're not just covering.
They're beating Green Bay for the second time this season.
Adam Kaufman's (13-5) Wild Card Weekend Best Bet
Patriots -3.5 (-110)
Because, of course.
MVP candidate (favorite?) Drake Maye is 10-0 straight up in his young career as a favorite of at least a field goal, winning by an average of 17 points. That includes 8-2 against the spread.
Justin Herbert, meanwhile, has some demons to exercise after stating his playoff resume 0-2, completing only 52% of his passes in a pair of lopsided losses.
Over the last decade, dome teams are a mere 1-14 on the road in the postseason when temperatures are below 50 degrees. This is an evening game in the northeast. It's gonna be cold.
I'll take the Pats to stay hot.
Tristan Vieira's (13-5) Wild Card Weekend Best Bet
Rams -10.5 (-110)
Looking to get back in the win column Saturday and I'm taking a big favorite here. Despite winning the first match up out right, sportsbooks still felt comfortable giving double digits to a fiesty Panthers team. Rams did not finish the season strong and Stafford had arguably his worse game of the year.
With a healthy Adams, I expect the Rams to start firing on all cylinders. Give me the big road favorite here to kick off the playoffs.
Sukh Brar's (8-10) Wild Card Weekend Best Bet
Aaron Rodgers & the Steelers look to upset Houston on Monday Night
Aaron Rodgers o32.5 Passing Attempts (-125)
This could be the final game of the gunslingers profound Hall of Fame career. He's going down absolutely slinging that thing right?
Houston allows the 7th least completions per game but are 16th in attempts against at 31.6. Teams try to beat this defence with the pass. Down the stretch of the season Rodgers hit this line in 4/5 games and Pittsburgh was also 4-1. In the loss against Cleveland, he only had 168 passing yards, but had 39 attempts. We could see a similar situation play out here.
I'm taking the great to toss around that pigskin one last time on Monday night. I don't know if he can be victorious so I'm going with the attempts.
Enjoy NFL Wild Card Weekend!
You can also check out more free picks & analysis from every Wild Card Weekend Matchup!
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Daniel Collins is a sports fanatic and data-driven bettor. He has expertise in the NFL, NBA, and NHL. He’s a big fan of the Titans #titanup, Predators #predators and Arsenal #coyg. If he isn’t watching, betting on or writing about sports, he loves the outdoors, traveling, strong coffee and delicious food. You can follow him on X @SweatpantJesus. Peace and Love
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