NFL Wild Card betting tips, predictions & 38/1 accumulator

Cleveland Browns at Houston Texans predictions 

(9.30pm Saturday, Sky Sports Main Event)

The Texans ended a four-season exile from the play-offs by winning the AFC South in a shootout against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 18. Outstanding rookie quarterback CJ Stroud delivered another emphatic performance to combine with receiver Nico Collins to edge their team over the line. 

But, DeMeco Ryans’ men now face a top-notch Browns defence, which ranked first overall in the NFL in the regular season. Cleveland are particularly strong against the pass, placing Stroud and his wideouts under the spotlight.

Browns quarterback Joe Flacco is enjoying a renaissance in the twilight of his career, ushering the franchise back into the post-season, and Houston know how dangerous he can be. He threw for 368 yards and three touchdowns in the Browns’ win over the Texans in December at NRG Stadium.

Stroud will need to respond score for score unlike his stand-in against Cleveland that day, Davis Mills, who cracked under the pressure. That may play into the hands of a Cleveland defence that feasts on the pass. 

We’re backing the Browns to hold Stroud under 245.5 passing yards in the contest at odds of 10/11 with bet365.

Miami Dolphins at Kansas City Chiefs predictions

(1am Sunday, Sky Sports NFL)

The reigning champion Chiefs are playing in the Wild Card Round for only the second time since Patrick Mahomes became the team’s starter in 2018. Kansas City were underwhelming in the second half of the campaign, posting a 4-4 record after their bye week. 

Mahomes and his offence struggled for fluency; even his connection with Travis Kelce was not quite as efficient as in past seasons. It could play into the hands of a Miami team that stuttered over the line themselves.

The Dolphins allowed the Buffalo Bills to snatch the AFC East title from under their noses in Week 18 and have a poor record against play-off teams this season, winning one of five games. 

The contest is also predicted to be played in freezing conditions, further strengthening the Chiefs’ hands against the sun-loving Dolphins. We’re backing Kansas City to take care of business and cover a 3.5-point spread with the bet paying out if KC win by four points or more.

Miami Dolphins at Kansas City Chiefs Tip: Kansas City Chiefs -3.5 – 17/20 BetMGM

Pittsburgh Steelers at Buffalo Bills predictions 

(6pm Sunday, Sky Sports NFL)

The Bills have a potential banana skin against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Wild Card Round. Sean McDermott’s men are the overwhelming favourites, facing third-string quarterback Mason Rudolph and a Steelers defence without star linebacker TJ Watt. 

Watt’s knee injury against the Ravens was a bitter blow for a Pittsburgh team that battled its way into the post-season. With Watt sidelined and facing a mediocre Steelers offence, Buffalo should ease their way into the Divisional Round, although it’s never straightforward with Josh Allen at quarterback.

The Bills won six straight to reach the play-offs and win the AFC East title, but Allen’s play has been up and down. He threw two interceptions in the final game of the regular season against Miami, taking his tally to 18 for the season, and has thrown at least one interception in 14 of the Bills’ 17 games. 

If Pittsburgh are to compete, they’re going to need turnovers, and we’re backing them on betting apps to pick off Allen at least once.

Green Bay Packers at Dallas Cowboys predictions

(9.30pm Sunday, Sky Sports Main Event)

The Dallas Cowboys’ 16-game winning run at home should be put to the test by an improving Green Bay Packers team that won its final three games of the regular season to sneak into the play-offs.

The Packers have kicked on in the second half of the campaign with quarterback Jordan Love, in particular, looking very strong. Love, in his first season as a starter, finished second only to Dallas QB Dak Prescott for touchdown passes thrown in the regular season.

Betting sites expect plenty of points in this one and Green Bay’s defence, which has let the team down at times this season, is set to be stretched by a Cowboys team averaging over 38 points per game at home.

The Packers will likely focus on slowing down Dallas’ devastating passing attack, to the detriment of the fifth-worst run defence in the league that’s allowing 4.4 yards per carry on average. 

We could, therefore, see Cowboys running back Tony Pollard have a big game, as he did the last time the sides met when he had 115 rushing yards.

Pollard looked good in the Week 18 win over Washington, rushing for 70 yards on 17 carries, the sixth time this season he’s had over 60 yards on the ground.

Los Angeles Rams at Detroit Lions prediction

(1.15am Monday, Sky Sports NFL)

Few NFL games will have as compelling a storyline as the Rams’ trip to Detroit this weekend. It sees former Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford, who spent 12 seasons in Motor City, return to Detroit for the first time since being traded to the Rams. 

The other part of that 2021 trade saw QB Jared Goff go the other way and the former No 1 overall pick has rebuilt his career in Detroit since being dumped by the Rams. 

Goff now leads a high-powered Lions offence, but his aspirations of revenge may be dented by a struggling Detroit defence that’s given up over 300 passing yards in each of its last three games.

Teams have been able to move the ball freely against Detroit and Stafford may enjoy his return to Detroit given the talent LA have at wide receiver in Cooper Kupp and rookie sensation Puka Ncua.

On the other side of the ball, if any coach knows the strengths and weaknesses of Goff and how to unsettle him, it’s his former mentor, Rams coach Sean McVay. 

LA finished their season winning seven of their final eight games, while after a hot start, Detroit’s form down the home stretch was a little patchy. 

The Rams are lively underdogs and we’re backing them at +3.5 on the handicap, meaning the bet will win if LA are victorious outright or lose by three points or less.

Los Angeles Rams at Detroit Lions Tip: Rams +3.5 – 20/23 with BoyleSports

Philadelphia Eagles at Tampa Bay Buccaneers prediction

(1.15am Tuesday, Sky Sports Main Event)

Wild Card weekend wraps up with the reigning NFC champions Philadelphia heading to Tampa Bay to face the Buccaneers, who are 2.5-point home underdogs.

The Eagles' Super Bowl odds have collapsed after they finished the regular season with six defeats in seven games and they have injury issues on offence going into this game. Therefore, there’s a temptation to back the Bucs, who won five of their final six games to capture the NFC South title.

These two teams seem to be heading in different directions, but Tampa Bay have concerns over the fitness of quarterback Baker Mayfield, while they were easily beaten 25-11 by Philly earlier in the season.

Mayfield’s ankle injury limits his movement and may force him to get rid of the ball quickly on passing downs in the face of a good Philly pass rush.

Get free bets on the NFL

new betting sites for the chance to earn some free bets.

BoyleSports are offering new customers the chance to get £20 in free bets for wagering £10 on Wild Card weekend. All you have to do is sign up via your mobile device and place a minimum deposit of £10.

You then have to place a £10 bet on the 6/1 odds on the Buffalo Bills and Dallas Cowboys each to score four touchdowns or more in their respective matches. 

Once your wager settles, you'll receive £20 in free bets and a payout if the bet is successful. BoyleSports also provide a £10 UK casino credit as part of its welcome offer.

Before signing up for BoyleSports or any other betting site, remember to read the terms and conditions of the welcome offer and if you are betting on the NFL, please do so responsibly.

Chris is an experienced sports betting writer who has worked with most major bookmakers and national media outlets, such as Racing Post and ITN. He covers a wide range of sports with his favourites being NFL, rugby, football and Formula 1.