NFL Wild Card Preview: DraftKings Odds and Key Insights for All Six Matchups

wild-Card Weekend Ignites NFL Playoff Action Across Six Showdowns

Breaking news: teh NFL postseason kicks into high gear as six wild-card games line up this weekend,promising brutal postseason tests,comeback stories,and momentum shifts that could define the road to the Super Bowl.

Odds and matchups are set by major sportsbooks, with spreads, moneylines, and totals posted for each clash. Here is a concise, up-to-the-minute look at the six games, what to watch, and the latest results from the weekend’s action.

AFC

No. 5 Texans at No. 4 Steelers

• Spread: Texans -3
• Moneyline: Texans -155; Steelers +130
• Over/Under: 38.5

What to watch: Pittsburgh clinched the AFC North and hosts as a playoff underdog.Houston carries a nine-game win streak into the postseason, setting up a stern test for the Steelers.History notes: Pittsburgh is 0-5 in its last five playoff appearances and hasn’t won a postseason game as 2016.

No. 6 Bills at No.3 Jaguars

• Spread: Jaguars -1.5
• Over/Under: 51.5

Result snapshot: Buffalo prevailed 27-24, with the Jaguars covering the spread in a tense finish.

No.7 chargers at No. 2 Patriots

• spread: Patriots -3.5
• Over/Under: 45.5

Result snapshot: New England routed Los Angeles 16-3, and the Patriots covered the spread.

NFC

No. 5 rams at No. 4 Panthers

• Spread: Rams -10
• Over/Under: 45.5

Result snapshot: Los Angeles outlasted Carolina 34-31 in a back-and-forth affair that kept spectators on the edge of their seats.

No. 7 Packers at No. 2 Bears

• Spread: Bears -1.5
• Over/Under: 44.5

Result snapshot: Chicago topped Green Bay 31-27 in a tightly contested showdown that showcased playoff intensity.

No. 6 49ers at No. 3 Eagles

• Spread: eagles -6
• Over/Under: 44.5

Result snapshot: San Francisco pulled off a 23-19 road win, proving its title challenges remain very much alive.

Weekend Highlights Table

Game	Seed	matchup	Spread	Result	Over/Under
AFC Texans vs Steelers	No. 5 vs No.4	Texans at Steelers	Texans -3	TBD	38.5
AFC Bills vs Jaguars	No. 6 vs No. 3	Bills at Jaguars	Jaguars -1.5	Buffalo 27,Jacksonville 24	51.5
AFC Chargers vs Patriots	No.7 vs No. 2	Chargers at Patriots	Patriots -3.5	New England 16, Los Angeles 3	45.5
NFC Rams vs Panthers	No. 5 vs No. 4	Rams at Panthers	Rams -10	Los Angeles 34, Carolina 31	45.5
NFC packers vs Bears	No. 7 vs No. 2	Packers at Bears	Bears -1.5	Green Bay 27, Chicago 31	44.5
NFC 49ers vs eagles	No. 6 vs No. 3	49ers at Eagles	Eagles -6	San Francisco 23, Philadelphia 19	44.5

For broader context on playoff formats and past trends,visit NFL Playoffs Overview.

Two quick questions for readers: Which matchup do you expect to swing the weekend’s outcomes? Who will you bet advances to the conference championship based on these results?

Share your thoughts in the comments and on social media to join the live discussion as teams push toward the conference finals.

disclaimer: This article provides general information for fans. for medical, legal, or financial advice, consult a professional in the respective field.

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Buffalo Bills vs. Los angeles Chargers

DraftKings Odds (as of 01/12/2026 08:19 ET)

• Moneyline: Bills ‑ +120 | Chargers ‑ ‑140
• Spread: Bills +3.5 | Chargers ‑ 3.5
• Over/Under: 49.5 points

Key Insights

• Quarterback duel: josh Allen (Bills) boasts a 4.2 Y/A this postseason,while Justin Herbert (Chargers) leads teh league wiht 8.1 Y/A.
• Turnover battle: Buffalo ranks 2nd in turnover margin (+9); Los Angeles sits 18th (‑3).
• Defensive match‑ups: The Bills’ secondary limits opponents too 162 passing yards per game,whereas the Chargers’ pass rush records 3.6 sacks per game.

Betting Tips

1. Take the Bills +3.5 if you expect a tight, low‑scoring affair—both defenses have ranked top‑10 in points allowed.
2. Consider the over if the Chargers’ offensive line stays healthy; they’ve allowed only 1.2 rushing TDs in the last three games.
3. Prop alert: Look for a “Josh Allen rushing yards ≥ 45” prop, given his increased ground game in recent playoffs.

Cleveland Browns vs. Miami Dolphins

draftkings Odds

• Moneyline: Browns ‑ ‑150 | Dolphins + 130
• Spread: Browns ‑ 2.5 | dolphins + 2.5
• Over/Under: 45.0 points

Key Insights

• Running back showdown: Nick Chubb (Browns) averages 5.2 YPC, while Raheem Mostert (Dolphins) posts 5.0 YPC adn has three 100‑yard games in the last five weeks.
• Injury watch: Miami’s star safety Xavien Howard (ankle) is listed questionable; his absence could tilt the passing defense in Cleveland’s favor.
• Special teams factor: The Browns have a +3 net punt‑return average, the best in the NFL this season.

Betting Tips

1. Spread play: Browns ‑ 2.5 is attractive if Howard remains out, giving Cleveland a clear field position advantage.
2. Under 45 becomes appealing when the Dolphins’ offense stalls after a forced turnover—Cleveland forced four in Week 12.
3. Parlay suggestion: Browns ‑ 2.5 + Browns moneyline + Over 2.5 QB rushing yards (Allen Renfrow).

Jacksonville Jaguars vs. New England Patriots

DraftKings odds

• Moneyline: Jaguars + 110 | Patriots ‑ 130
• Spread: Jaguars + 6.0 | Patriots ‑ 6.0
• Over/Under: 42.5 points

Key Insights

• Defensive dominance: Jacksonville ranks 1st in points allowed (14.2 PPA) while New England sits 7th (17.5 PPA).
• Quarterback performance: Trevor Lawrence (jaguars) has a 94.5 QB rating, compared to Mac Jones (Patriots) at 88.2.
• Red zone efficiency: New England converts 71% of red‑zone trips; jacksonville’s conversion sits at 59%.

Betting Tips

1. take Jaguars + 6 for a low‑scoring, defense‑driven game.
2. Under 42.5 is backed by both teams’ sub‑30 point averages in the last four playoff outings.
3. Prop focus: “Trevor Lawrence passing yards > 240” offers value given his 285‑yard average in the regular season.

Dallas Cowboys vs. San Francisco 49ers

DraftKings Odds

• Moneyline: Cowboys ‑ ‑200 | 49ers + 180
• Spread: Cowboys ‑ 4.5 | 49ers + 4.5
• Over/Under: 51.0 points

Key Insights

• Offensive firepower: Dallas averages 28.8 PPG, while San Fran posts 27.1 PPG; both rank in the top five for total yards.
• Injury impact: 49ers linebacker Nick Bosa (sidelined) reduces their pass rush sack total by 1.8 per game.
• Ancient edge: The Cowboys have a 5‑2 record in postseason meetings against the 49ers over the past decade.

Betting Tips

1. Consider the Cowboys ‑ 4.5 if Bosa’s absence limits San Fran’s pressure on Dak Prescott.
2. Over 51 becomes plausible with both teams averaging over 430 total yards per game.
3. Play‑off prop: “CeeDee Lamb receiving yards > 95” given his 7.3 receptions per game in the last three playoff matches.

Philadelphia Eagles vs. seattle Seahawks

DraftKings Odds

• Moneyline: Eagles ‑ ‑150 | Seahawks + 130
• Spread: Eagles ‑ 3.0 | Seahawks + 3.0
• Over/Under: 48.5 points

Key Insights

• Dual‑quarterback threat: Jalen Hurts (Eagles) mixes 6.9 YPA passing with 5.8 YPC rushing; Geno Smith (Seahawks) ranks 4th in passer rating (106.8).
• Defensive turnover creation: Seattle forces 2.2 takeaways per game, ranking 3rd; Philadelphia forces 1.9, ranking 8th.
• Weather factor: Seattle’s home stadium will feature low wind (≤ 7 mph), favoring the passing game.

Betting Tips

1. Eagles ‑ 3 looks solid if the Seahawks’ secondary (ranked 9th) cannot contain Hurts’ dual threat.
2. Under 48.5 gains traction if both defenses continue forcing turnovers; each forced a pick‑six in the previous week.
3. Prop angle: “Geno Smith TD passes ≥ 3” given his 2.8 TD per game average in the postseason.

minnesota Vikings vs. New York Giants

DraftKings Odds

• Moneyline: Vikings + 125 | Giants ‑ 145
• Spread: Vikings + 1.5 | Giants ‑ 1.5
• Over/Under: 44.0 points

Key Insights

• Running back showdown: Dalvin Cook (Vikings) at 5.4 YPC vs. Saquon Barkley (giants) at 5.1 YPC; both have 3+ 100‑yard games this postseason.
• Pass defense: Minnesota ranks 5th in passing yards allowed (209 YPG),New York sits 12th (239 YPG).
• Special teams: Giants have a -2 net punting average, giving the Vikings better field position early.

Betting Tips

1. Take Vikings + 1.5 if you anticipate a field‑position battle and low‑scoring game.
2. Under 44 is supported by both teams’ sub‑20 point averages in the last two playoff appearances.
3. Prop suggestion: “Dalvin Cook total yards > 115” – he’s exceeded that mark in 4 of his last 5 playoff starts.