More than half of the NFL is in offseason mode now, and a six-pack of wild-card playoff games awaits this weekend.
The latest: All six NFL playoff games will take place outdoors, making the weather forecasts a key thing to track this week. The action kicks off with two games on Saturday before a tripleheader on Sunday, featuring reigning MVP Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills vs. the red-hot Jacksonville Jaguars.
Check out the NFL wild-card schedule and our odds for the first-round matchups, concluding with a Monday nighter between the Houston Texans and Pittsburgh Steelers on Jan. 12.
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NFL wild-card schedule and odds
Los Angeles Rams vs. Carolina Panthers: Saturday, Jan. 10 (4:30 p.m. ET)
- The heaviest favourite of wild-card weekend is a road team that's travelling across the country on short rest. Interesting, isn't it? Especially considering the Panthers have already beaten the Rams straight up — as 10-point home dogs — this season.
- Still, there are some clear ways to see how the Rams have the edge. Led by MVP frontrunner Matthew Stafford, L.A. had the second-best point differential in the NFL this season (+172). Carolina (-69) is the only playoff team with a negative point differential.
- Overs have cashed in six straight Rams games, while unders are 5-1 in the Panthers' past six.
Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears: Saturday, Jan. 10 (8 p.m. ET)
- Saturday marks the third meeting between the historic rivals, with both teams winning and covering at home in the two prior matchups (both played in December).
- In their most recent matchup, Green Bay blew a 10-point lead in the final few minutes, which included coughing up an onside kick, in an overtime loss. The Packers had a significant time-of-possession advantage (+12:44) but failed to convert any of their five red zone trips into touchdowns.
- Since the start of December, Green Bay ranks 28th in the EPA per play on defence, according to RBSDM.com. The team's top pass-rusher (Micah Parsons) and run-stopper (Devonte Wyatt) both suffered season-ending injuries last month.
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Sunday's NFL wild-card schedule
Buffalo Bills vs. Jacksonville Jaguars: Sunday, Jan. 11 (1 p.m. ET)
- The Jaguars' freight train keeps on rolling. With a 34-point win in the regular season finale, Jacksonville is riding an eight-game win streak (SU and ATS) that includes a +153 point differential.
- At 12-5-0 ATS, the Jaguars were tied for the best ATS record in the NFL this season. Jacksonville is 7-1-0 ATS at home.
- Buffalo's Allen had some notable home/road splits this season. At home, he had a 16:4 TD-to-INT ratio and a 114.8 passer rating. On the road, he had a 9:6 TD-to-INT ratio and an 87.7 passer rating.
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San Francisco 49ers vs. Philadelphia Eagles: Sunday, Jan. 11 (4:30 p.m. ET)
- Philadelphia did earn a resume-building win in Buffalo a couple of weeks ago, but things have still been fairly grim down the stretch. The defending champs lost four of their final seven games outright as favourites.
- The 12-win Niners nearly nabbed the top seed in the NFC, but instead, they'll have to survive their toughest road test in months. San Francisco has won four straight road games by 10+ points, but none of those opponents made the playoffs.
Los Angeles Chargers vs. New England Patriots: Sunday, Jan. 11 (8 p.m. ET)
- Rookie-year Drake Maye really struggled vs. the Chargers in 2024 (12-of-22 passing, 117 yards), but things are different now. As a second-year player, Maye is in the MVP hunt after leading NFL passers in yards per attempt and completion percentage.
- Unders are 6-1-1 in the Chargers' past eight games. QB Justin Herbert did get a Pro Bowl nod, but his supporting cast is extremely limited. The Chargers are the only playoff team without either a 700-yard rusher or an 800-yard receiver.
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NFL playoffs: Monday Night Football matchup
Houston Texans vs. Pittsburgh Steelers: Monday, Jan. 12 (8:15 p.m. ET)
- The last game of wild-card weekend is expected to be a rock fight. Unders are 6-2 when the Texans are on the road, where C.J. Stroud has an 81.3 passer rating this season (compared to a 107.4 passer rating at home).
- Houston's defence is also arguably the best in the NFL and should travel well. Will Anderson, Danielle Hunter and Co. rank second in points allowed and first in yards allowed.
- After a two-game suspension, DK Metcalf will return to give the Steelers some much-needed life in the passing game. Aaron Rodgers averages just 6.1 yards per target (sixth percentile, per RotoWire), and served up a heavy dose of running back check-downs in Week 18.
- Historically, the Steelers have thrived as home underdogs. They're 12-6-1 ATS in that situation since 2021.
