NFL Wild Card Weekend: Bold Picks for Upsets That Could Shake the Playoffs

Final Thoughts

NFL Wild Card Weekend is notorious for teams playing spoiler and making things interesting. There are multiple big favorites that have paths to having a difficult weekend, which has helped create some value bets worth considering. 

Green Bay Packers vs. Dallas Cowboys (-7.5)

The Green Bay Packers look to have found their franchise quarterback in Jordan Love. A big reason the Packers were able to qualify for the postseason was because of how Love performed down the stretch. It's warranted that the Dallas Cowboys are the favorite by a touchdown and a hook in this matchup, but that doesn't mean we're comfortable in backing the home side. The odds suggest the Cowboys win this matchup and advance to the divisional round, but we like the Packers to cover the number and are also sprinkling some Green Bay moneyline action at +310. 

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Buffalo Bills (-10)

The Buffalo Bills finished the regular season red-hot, and with their Week 18 win in Miami, they were able to capture the AFC East. This Bills team has been one that's been hard to get right this season. They've picked up multiple statement wins but have also notoriously played down to their competition. If things fall right for Buffalo, there's definitely a world where they blow out the Pittsburgh Steelers in this matchup. Still, we're not comfortable in that world, especially not with a Mike Tomlin-coached team. Ten points are too many here, and although we won't be backing the Steelers on the moneyline, we're content with them keeping this a single-digit affair. 

Miami Dolphins vs. Kansas City Chiefs (-4)

It's been a tough stretch run for the Miami Dolphins and Kansas City Chiefs. The Dolphins enter this matchup on the road with plenty of injuries but should see the return of Jaylen Waddle and Raheem Mostert, a pair of explosive weapons on offense. The Chiefs have had trouble finding consistency with their offense, but they've also notoriously gotten up for playoff games in the Patrick Mahomes era and found ways to win. Despite Kansas City being the defending champs, there's something about this team that's just been off this season. Time will tell if they can flip the switch in January. We'll have some small action on the Dolphins to win this outright at +172 on the moneyline, but our main attention will go toward Miami covering the four points and keeping this a field goal game. 

Final Thoughts

NFL Wild Card Weekend is notorious for teams playing spoiler and making things interesting. There are multiple big favorites that have paths to having a difficult weekend, which has helped create some value bets worth considering.