Week 18 of the NFL season has concluded, but the journey to the Super Bowl has just begun. The full Wild-Card Weekend schedule was announced at the conclusion of the Sunday Night Football game between the Buffalo Bills & Miami Dolphins, which determined the last couple of matchups for the weekend.
The Baltimore Ravens secured the AFC’s top seed and opted to rest many key players in their recent game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Using a similar strategy, the San Francisco 49ers (having clinched the top seed in the NFC) rested several starters in their final game against the LA Rams.
Both teams will enjoy a bye next weekend, which means no action from these two. Give ‘em a week. They’ll also hold home-field advantage throughout the NFL Playoffs.
Wild-Card Weekend will kick off on Saturday and continue through Monday night, so plenty of action to be had this weekend. Below are the games’ opening lines & the schedule for the upcoming games:
Saturday, January 13
Cleveland Browns (11-6) vs. Houston Texans (10-7)
NRG Stadium, Houston
4:30 p.m. ET on NBC
Betting Odds: Browns favored by 2.5 points (movement from 1.5)
The Texans secured their playoff spot with a win over the Indianapolis Colts and clinched the AFC South title following the Jacksonville Jaguars’ loss. They will host the Browns, who ended their season with a loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.
Miami Dolphins (11-6) vs. Kansas City Chiefs (11-6)
Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
8:15 p.m. on Peacock
Betting Odds: Chiefs favored by 3.5 points
Kansas City, having secured its eighth consecutive division title, will host a home playoff game against the Dolphins. Miami, after leading their division for most of the season, lost to the Buffalo Bills in Florida.
Sunday, January 14
Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7) vs. Buffalo Bills (11-6)
Highmark Stadium, Orchard Park, New York
1 p.m. on CBS
Betting Odds: Bills favored by 9.5 points
The Steelers earned their playoff spot with a win over the Ravens and will face the Bills, who secured the AFC East title with a victory over the Dolphins.
Green Bay Packers (9-8) vs. Dallas Cowboys (12-5)
AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
4:30 p.m. on Fox
Betting Odds: Cowboys favored by 7 points
The Cowboys, after a win over the Washington Commanders, clinched the NFC East and the No. 2 seed in the NFC. They will host the Packers, who secured the final playoff spot in the conference by defeating the Chicago Bears.
Los Angeles Rams (10-7) vs. Detroit Lions (12-5)
Ford Field, Detroit
8:15 p.m. on NBC
Betting Odds: Lions favored by 3 points
The Lions, winning their first divisional title in 30 years, will host a playoff game in Detroit for the first time since 1994 against the Rams, featuring a return of former Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford. A win for the Lions would be their first in the postseason since the 1991 season.
Monday, January 15
Philadelphia Eagles (11-6) vs. Tampa Bay Bucs (9-8)
Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida
8:15 p.m. on ESPN
Betting Odds: Eagles favored by 3.5 points (movement from 1.5)
The Buccaneers secured the NFC South title with a win over the Carolina Panthers and will host the Eagles, who lost their NFC East lead in December and suffered a defeat to the New York Giants.
Which teams will be upset in Round 1 of the NFL Playoffs?
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