The GridironAI Betting Model has locked in its top value plays for Wildcard Weekend of the NFL season. Using advanced analytics, player performance trends, and line-movement data, these are David's best bets for this week.
David does the research and uses our models so you don't have to. Sunday picks will come out on Sunday morning.
Wildcard Saturday Picks
| Pick | Opponent | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Carolina Panthers +10.5 | vs LA Rams | 2.5U |
| Chicago Bears +1.5 | vs Green Bay Packers | 2U |
| Pick | Line | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Panthers/Rams Over 45.5 | Game Total | 0.5U |
| Bears/Packers Over 44.5 | Game Total | 1U |
This first game is gut wrenching to bet. An 8-9 team in the playoff is just disgusting. This Panthers team stinks. Bryce Young is 4'11", 70 pounds, and should not be an NFL QB. Yet somehow, I'm going to bet them this game. The Panthers beat the Rams in November. The Rams are a much better home team, and are on the road laying 10.5 points. I don't think the Panthers will win again, but 10.5 points is just too many. Defensively, these teams are pretty even - middle of the pack is most categories. Carolina had a good plan for putting pressure on Matthew Stafford last time they played, and that resulted in Stafford having his worst game of the season with 3 turnovers. The big difference with these teams is on offense. The Rams have the number 1 offense in both yards and points per game, whereas the Panthers offense ranks 6th to last in yards and points per game. The Panthers are middle of the pack with their rushing attack, and that was one of the factors that helped them beat the Rams last time. They ran the ball 40 times, and Bryce Young only threw the ball 20 times. The less Bryce Young has to do, the better for the Panthers. Like, I said, this bet pains me because I hate this Panthers team, but I think it's the right side. 80% of the GridironAI spread models like the Panthers to cover with 10.5 points. The GridironAI team scoring model projects 52 total points, 28-24 in favor of the Rams, which implies value on the over 45, and supports our play on the Panthers +10.5. There's a 50% chance of rain during the game, which could impact things (wet conditions tend to hurt scoring).
The oldest rivalry in the NFL, should be a great primetime game. The line opened Bears -1.5, and has now flipped to Packers -1.5. These teams have played twice in the past 6 weeks, splitting their series. Both games came down the final play. The Bears have the better offense, especially in their rushing attack. For the Packers, Jordan Love will be making his first start in 3 weeks, so there could be some rust there. While the Bears offense has strong numbers, they tend to start games slow and rally from behind. You can't play catchup and survive in the playoffs. The Bears defense is their biggest liability. They rank 4th to last in yards per game. But they make that up with turnovers, where they lead the league with 33 forced turnovers. The Packers defense is still without Micah Parsons. This should be another great game that could come down to the final play. Given coaches tendency to play for the win with a 2 point conversion at the end of the game, rather than kicking a PAT for a tie and OT, I want the 1.5 points in my pocket. 53% of the GridironAI spread models like the Bears with 1.5 points. The GridironAI team scoring model projects 48 total points (27-21 Bears), which implies value on the over 44.5 and supports our side with the Bears.
GridironAI Edge
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All odds current as of publication. Make sure you shop around at different sports books to get the best odds and line to maximize your return. Always wager responsibly.