The 2024 regular NFL season is a wrap. We now know the teams who have secured a spot in the postseason and the beginning of what they hope will be a journey to Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans.
Wild Card weekend is my favorite football weekend of the year. So many intriguing games and storylines set to play out. Let’s look at some of the best games.
Saturday, January 11
Pittsburgh Steelers @ 
Baltimore Ravens
The Steelers have rather stumbled their way into the playoffs. After last weekend’s 19-17 defeat to the Bengals they have no lost four straight, not the type of form you want to have at this time of the year. In that game, as they have for most of the year, the Steelers defense kept them in it but Russell Wilson and the offense just couldn’t get it done. They will need to show far more on the road against a Baltimore defense that has really improved in recent weeks.
Unlike their opponents, the Ravens come into this playoff game with lots of momentum. Lamar Jackson has had a stellar season, and is firmly in the running to win this third MVP award. Derrick Henry has been an inspired free agent signing while their defense has got better as the season has gone on. These two teams are very familiar with each of course, with the Ravens defeating Pittsburgh 34-17 in November, while the Steelers won the other game between the two earlier this season.
I think the Ravens have all of the momentum and at home I think Lamar and co will get the win.
Ravens to win moneyline @ -500
Sunday, January 12
Denver Broncos @ 
Buffalo Bills
The Broncos faced a simple scenario last week, win and you’re in. Win they did, and although it was against a Kansas City Chiefs team that was without their stars, they did it convincingly. In the 38-0 drubbing Bo Nix, who has been outstanding in his rookie year, threw for 321 yards and four TDs while Courtland Sutton, who has really come to the party recently, had 98 receiving yards and a TD. It marks a successful year for these Broncos and head coach Sean Peyton, and they will fancy their chances in Buffalo.
The Bills lost at the Patriots in week 18 but they chose to rest all of the key players. A lot of the talk with the Bills has been around whether QB Josh Allen will win his first MVP award, but he is more interested in reaching a Super Bowl, and rightly so. It was expected that Buffalo may regress slightly this year, losing Stefon Diggs and not having a top class receiver. But Allen has been excellent and their running game with James Cook has also massively improved. They look more well rounded.
This could be close, but I think the Bills will edge in what will no doubt be a cold Buffalo.
Bills to win moneyline @ -470
Green Bay Packers @ 
Philadelphia Eagles
A lot of Packer fans would have been worried at the sight of QB Jordan Love going off injured in their defeat to the Bears last week. He said after the game he had no feeling in his throwing arm but should be ready to face the Eagles, but it is something to monitor this week. With Love healthy, the Packers are an excellent team who can run over you with Josh Jacobs or kill you through the air. Love has been consistent this year and with an ever improving defense this young, exciting team have caught the eye.
A lot of people in NFL circles believe the Eagles have the best roster in the NFL. When you look at in on paper it is hard to argue. An offense featuring QB Jalen Hurts, receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith and the best running back in football in Saquon Barkley is hard to stop. Add to that a defense with the likes of Nakobe Dead, Cooper DeJean and breakout star Zack Baun and they will be tough. And yet, there is just something that leaves you wanting more when you watch them.
This is so so tough to call. The Eagles have the stars to really take this game away from Green Bay. But, I am going bold and tipping the Packers to pull of a shock on the road.
Packers to win moneyline @ +180
Monday, January 13
Minnesota Vikings @ 
L.A Rams
It felt like the Vikings were involved in a playoff game last week, going to Detroit with the NFC North title and conference 1 seed on the line. They came up short, meaning they will get no rest and face the really daunting task of traveling to LA to take on a Rams team that caught fire in the second half of the season. In the defeat to the Lions, Sam Darnold and the offense had plenty of trips to the end zone but just couldn’t punch it in, either turning it over on downs or settling for field goals. They couldn’t really get Justin Jefferson going and there wasn’t much going on on the ground either, worrying signs.
The Rams will go into this game healthy after resting their big players for their home defeat to the Seahawks to finish the regular season. They knew they had already sewn up the NFC West before that game, and after a terrible start with losses and injuries, Sean McVay and his team got healthy and have been one of the best teams in the second half of the year. The Rams have also beaten Minnesota fairly recently at this stadium, which may play a part in this one.
Although the Vikings have had a superb season, coming so close to winning the conference, I think the Rams will beat them.
Rams moneyline @ +110
Wild Card Parlay Picks
I love this stage of the playoffs. Football on all weekend, there is always one or two shocks as well. Will the teams who rested starters benefit form that or will they be a bit rusty? Will the pressure get to the likes of the Lions who will have had a bye and came so close to making the Super Bowl last season?
I have gone for two upsets here, with the underdog Packers and Rams coming out on top in their games. There is nothing left to do now but sit back and enjoy wild card weekend.
If you want to have a go at creating your own parlay and seeing what returns you could get, you can use our free parlay odds calculator.
