We have 6 games scheduled for the NFL’s Wild Card weekend to kick off the 2024-25 postseason, as we work toward Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans.
In 4 of the 6 games, we have a rematch. In fact, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens are in the same division, of course, and will meet for a third time Saturday. Those teams split the regular-season series 1-1, both straight up and against the spread (ATS). Familiarity breeds contempt, and that should certainly be the case in Round 3 in Charm City.
The other Wild Card game rematches feature the Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles, who opened the season in Week 1 down in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The Washington Commanders and Tampa Bay Buccaneers square off for a second time this season, and the Minnesota Vikings and LA Rams renew acquaintances, as well.
Let’s get back building that bankroll to have some extra loot to bet on Super Bowl LIX props and game outcomes.
After looking at BetMGM Sportsbook’s NFL Wild Card weekend odds, here is our “Winner winner chicken dinner” NFL parlay bet for the weekend to cash in on among SportsbookWire’s NFL expert picks and predictions.
FOOTBALL NEVER STOPS
Live games, analysis and more 7 days a week:Get ESPN+
Winner winner chicken dinner NFL parlay
WILD CARD WEEKEND
Odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of NFL odds. Lines last updated Friday at 9:13 p.m. ET. All games Sunday and ET unless noted.
Leg 1: STEELERS +9.5 (-110) at Ravens – Saturday, 8 p.m. (Prime Video)
The Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7) head into familiar territory to tangle with the Baltimore Ravens (12-5) in Saturday’s evening contest.
The good news is that Winter Storm Cora, affecting the Mid-Atlantic Friday night, will pull out of the area by Saturday morning, leaving cold and clear conditions. The forecast calls for a temperature near freezing at kickoff, with just a slight 5% chance of precipitation and winds from 10-12 mph. That could potentially affect the passing and kicking games.
This is the third meeting between the teams, and there are all kinds of interesting storylines.
First, the Steelers lost the final 4 games of the regular season, going just 1-3 ATS. That includes a 34-17 loss at Baltimore in Week 16 which ended up costing Pittsburgh any chance at a division title and home playoff game. Second, QB Lamar Jackson is just 2-4 in the postseason in his career, completing just 57.4% of his pass attempts with a 75.7 passer rating. But, this is his first go-around with MVP candidate RB Derrick Henry by his side.
The Ravens should be able to get the job done against familiar faces, but it’s hard to ignore past playoff failures. It’s also hard to trust a team on a 4-game skid, though. Still, these teams know each other well, and you can expect a hard-hitting, trash-talking, low-scoring battle which will be decided by a single score.
Leg 2: BILLS -9 (-110) vs. Broncos – 1 p.m. (CBS / Paramount+)
The Denver Broncos (10-7) travel to meet the Buffalo Bills (13-4) at Highmark Stadium in the early-window game Sunday.
For snow-game lovers, the forecast for suburban Buffalo is a drag. There is snow in the forecast for Saturday, as well as Monday through Thursday. The only day that is dry will be Sunday. Bummer. There is a passing chance of flurries, with temperatures right around freezing. Winds will be light at 6-8 mph, so not much to worry about on the weather front for this time of year in Western New York.
These teams did not meet during the regular season, 1 of 2 Wild Card games which aren’t rematches.
The Broncos slinked into the playoffs by edging out the Cincinnati Bengals and Miami Dolphins on the final weekend. They lost 2 of the final 3 games, going 1-2 ATS in those losses, both road games. Denver won 38-0 against Kansas City in Week 18, but the Chiefs powered down with the No. 1 seed and bye sewn up, so it’s a very misleading result.
The question you have to ask yourself going into this game, do you trust a rookie QB Bo Nix for the Broncos? Or do you trust an MVP candidate QB Josh Allen for the Bills? That should be a simple answer.
Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
Leg 3: VIKINGS -2.5 (-110) vs. Rams – Monday, 8 p.m. (ESPN / ABC / ESPN+)
The Minnesota Vikings (14-3) meet the LA Rams (10-7) Monday night at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.
This game was to be played at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, but due to the wildfires in LA, for safety purposes, the game was moved to a neutral-site venue.
It’s a tough deal for the Rams, as there is a lot to unpack here. First off, it’s human nature to think about loved ones dealing with real-world issues at home. Second, they won the NFC West, earned the home-field advantage, and now lose one of the only legs up they had against a 14-win Vikings team.
LA actually dealt the Vikings one of their 3 regular-season losses back in Week 8, winning 30-20 at SoFi Stadium, so don’t let anyone fool you that the change of venue is meaningless.
QB Sam Darnold and the Vikings never let up this season. Yes, they lost in Week 18 at Detroit in the Sunday Night Football season finale to tumble from the No. 1 seed to the 5 seed, but this is still a very dangerous team. Darnold and WRs Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison on the fast track in front of a less hostile crowd should make plenty of noise together.
PARLAY CARD
- STEELERS +9.5 (-110) at Ravens — Saturday
- BILLS -9 (-110) vs. Broncos — Sunday
- VIKINGS -2.5 (-110) vs. Rams — Monday (in Glendale, Ariz.)
Parlay payout: Bet $10 to profit $59.58 (payout = $69.58).
Try out the USA TODAY Parlay Calculator.
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.
Access more NFL coverage:
BetFTW | TheHuddle Fantasy Football | BearsWire | BengalsWire | BillsWire | BroncosWire | BrownsWire | BucsWire | CardsWire | ChargersWire | ChiefsWire | ColtsWire | CommandersWire | CowboysWire | DolphinsWire | EaglesWire | FalconsWire | GiantsWire | JaguarsWire | JetsWire | LionsWire | NinersWire | PackersWire | PanthersWire | PatriotsWire | RaidersWire | RamsWire | RavensWire | SaintsWire | SeahawksWire | SteelersWire | TexansWire | TitansWire | VikingsWire | DraftWire | TouchdownWire | ListWire
More NFL Picks and Predictions!
NFL Wild Card round odds update: Line moves for moneylines, spreads and Over/Unders
AFC Wild Card: LA Chargers at Houston Texans odds and lines
SportsbookWire’s NFL Wild Card picks: ML, ATS and O/U predictions for all games
