{"id":819373,"date":"2025-01-12T23:11:56","date_gmt":"2025-01-13T05:11:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2025\/01\/12\/nfl-wild-card-predictions-picks-against-the-spread-for-sunday-monday-games-new-york-post\/"},"modified":"2025-01-12T23:11:56","modified_gmt":"2025-01-13T05:11:56","slug":"nfl-wild-card-predictions-picks-against-the-spread-for-sunday-monday-games-new-york-post","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2025\/01\/12\/nfl-wild-card-predictions-picks-against-the-spread-for-sunday-monday-games-new-york-post\/","title":{"rendered":"NFL Wild Card predictions: Picks against the spread for Sunday, Monday games &#8211; New York Post"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Football <\/p>\n<div>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/betting\/best-nfl-betting-sites\/\">NFL playoffs<\/a> march on with four more wild-card games over the next\u00a0two days, featuring MVP favorite Josh\u00a0Allen, 2,000-yard runner Saquon Barkley, likely Offensive Rookie of the Year Jayden Daniels and the 14-win Vikings facing the Rams <a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2025\/01\/09\/sports\/rams-vikings-moved-to-arizona-as-wildfires-wreak-havoc-on-california\/\">at a neutral site<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Let\u2019s dig back in:<\/p>\n<h2>Football SUNDAY\u00a0<\/h2>\n<p><strong>BUFFALO BILLS (-9) over Denver Broncos; Over 47:<\/strong> If there\u2019s one game that could get a little out of hand this weekend, this is probably the one.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Tough spot for Denver\u2019s rookie quarterback Bo Nix to make his playoff debut. The Bills were undefeated at home this season, but have a recent memory of the Broncos going into Orchard Park in 2023 and beating them, 24-22. So, they\u2019ll be on guard.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Josh Allen had an MVP-quality regular season, and Buffalo\u2019s entire 22-man starting crew is rested and healthy. The Broncos are healthy as well, but Nix\u2019s supporting cast on offense, outside of WR Courtland Sutton, isn\u2019t scary. And Denver\u2019s defense is respected, but don\u2019t forget it did allow 497 passing yards to Jameis Winston.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s Super Bowl or bust for the Bills, and <a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2025\/01\/07\/betting\/super-bowl-2025-odds-where-chiefs-lions-stand-entering-nfl-playoffs\/\">teams such as the Ravens and Chiefs<\/a> are in the way. But I don\u2019t think they\u2019ll take any chances with this one and will be looking to blow the Broncos out early.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><strong><em>Bills, 37-13\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<figure>\n<div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/nypost.com\/#\" aria-controls=\"nyp-slideshow-modal\" data-slideshow-modal=\"trigger\" title=\"Open a slideshow of all 3 article images.\" aria-label=\"Open a slideshow of all 3 article images.\" data-slideshow-slide-number=\"1\" data-slideshow-slides-total=\"3\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"885\" height=\"590\" src=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/01\/16-hands-off-running-back-96137073.jpg?w=1024\" alt=\"Football Saquon Barkley will play in the playoffs for the second time in his career.\"  ><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><figcaption>Saquon Barkley will play in the playoffs for the second time in his career. <span>Eric Hartline-Imagn Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (-4.5) over Green Bay Packers; Under 45.5:<\/strong> The Eagles\u2019 Jalen Hurts has missed the past two games <a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2025\/01\/08\/sports\/jalen-hurts-to-practice-in-eagles-playoff-boost-after-concussion\/\">before clearing concussion protocol Friday<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Green Bay\u2019s Jordan Love <a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2025\/01\/09\/sports\/packers-make-curious-practice-change-while-dealing-with-jordan-love-injury-concern\/\">was removed from Sunday\u2019s loss<\/a> to the Bears with an elbow injury but was progressing later in the week. He\u2019d be without WR Christian Watson, who suffered a torn ACL against Chicago.<\/p>\n<hr>\n<h2>Football Betting on the NFL? <\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Read our expert guide on <a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/betting\/how-to-bet-on-nfl-games\/\">how to bet on the NFL<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Check out the <a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/article\/best-nfl-betting-sites\/\">best NFL betting sites<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Get the <a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/article\/betmgm-sign-up-offer\/\">BetMGM Bonus Code<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr>\n<p>I think the Eagles offense can still function at a high level with a less-than-100-percent Hurts.<\/p>\n<p>Saquon Barkley won\u2019t rush for 260 yards against the Packers like he did in Week 1 in Brazil, but with him and A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, Dallas Goedert, strong trenches on both sides of the ball and loud fan support, I think the Eagles are the team that\u2019s bringing more to the party here.<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Eagles, 24-14\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<figure>\n<div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/nypost.com\/#\" aria-controls=\"nyp-slideshow-modal\" data-slideshow-modal=\"trigger\" title=\"Open a slideshow of all 3 article images.\" aria-label=\"Open a slideshow of all 3 article images.\" data-slideshow-slide-number=\"2\" data-slideshow-slides-total=\"3\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"885\" height=\"590\" src=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/01\/carries-27-yard-run-second-96268636.jpg?w=1024\" alt=\"Football Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers welcome Jayden Daniels and the Commanders on Sunday night.\"  ><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><figcaption>Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers welcome Jayden Daniels and the Commanders on Sunday night. <span>AP<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (-3) over Washington Commanders; Over 50.5: <\/strong>The Buccaneers may have had the most eventful season of any NFL team. They finished just 10-7 and needed a comeback against the Saints in Week 18 to secure the NFC South title.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>But their journey includes a 37-20 victory in Week 1 over these Commanders, in which they had no prior clue to what the Kliff Kingsbury-Jayden Daniels offense would look like.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>In Week 2, the Bucs won, 20-16, in Detroit, handing the Lions the first of their two losses for the season. Tampa Bay found a way despite getting out-gained 463-216 in yardage.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The Bucs had a four-game losing streak at midseason after WRs Chris Godwin and Mike Evans got injured in the same game, but Baker Mayfield turned it around after Evans came back to finish 6-1, as Bucky Irving turned into a force running the ball.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>I also believe coach Todd Bowles\u2019 decision to let Evans get his record-tying <a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2025\/01\/05\/sports\/mike-evans-cashes-3-million-incentive-on-buccaneers-final-play\/\">11th straight 1,000-yard receiving season<\/a> and $3 million when he could have called victory formation will go a long way with the Bucs players.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Daniels and his crew are dangerous as well, and the Bucs have some key injuries on defense. Mayfield is 2-2 in his prior playoff games \u2014 winning with the Bucs over the Eagles and Browns over the Steelers. He has 10 touchdowns and three interceptions in the four games.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>This one should be on full tilt all night.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Buccaneers, 35-31\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<figure>\n<div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/nypost.com\/#\" aria-controls=\"nyp-slideshow-modal\" data-slideshow-modal=\"trigger\" title=\"Open a slideshow of all 3 article images.\" aria-label=\"Open a slideshow of all 3 article images.\" data-slideshow-slide-number=\"3\" data-slideshow-slides-total=\"3\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"885\" height=\"590\" src=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/01\/hit-detroit-lions-safety-kerby-96303495.jpg?w=1024\" alt=\"Football Justin Jefferson and the Vikings lost the Rams earlier this season.\"  ><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><figcaption>Justin Jefferson and the Vikings lost the Rams earlier this season. <span>AP<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Minnesota Vikings (-1) over Los Angeles Rams; Under 48: <\/strong>The NFL moved this game from SoFi Stadium to Glendale, Ariz., because of the wildfires ravaging the Los Angeles area.<\/p>\n<p>Could that have an impact on one or both teams?.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The Vikings are the first 14-win wild-card team in NFL history, and many would call it a flaw in the NFL\u2019s system that they would have to play on the road vs. the 10-win Rams.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>There are some interesting layers to this matchup.<\/p>\n<p>Just two teams defeated the Vikings this season \u2014 the Lions twice and the Rams, 30-20, in Week 8 in L.A. Minnesota went on a nine-game winning streak after that.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The Rams have the Super Bowl-winning coach-QB combo of Sean Payton and Matthew Stafford. With Kyren Williams, they can try to match the damage the Lions\u2019 Jahmyr Gibbs did to the Vikings on the ground. And possibly Aaron Glenn\u2019s Lions defense showed the Rams pass rushers the way to get to Sam Darnold.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>But I think that is all addressed in the tiny spread, and I\u2019ll put my trust in a Vikings team that\u2019s mostly been great for four months.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><strong><em>Vikings, 24-20\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>LOCK OF THE WEEK: <\/strong>Steelers (Locks 9-9 in 2024).\u00a0<br \/><strong>LAST WEEK:<\/strong> 9-7 overall, 1-2 Best Bets.<\/p>\n<hr>\n<h2>Football Why Trust New York Post Betting<\/h2>\n<p>Dave Blezow\u2019s one of the longest tenured NFL handicappers at the Post with picks dating back 31 years. He won the Post\u2019s NFL betting standings in 2021 and the Playoffs most recently in 2023.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/rss\/articles\/CBMiswFBVV95cUxNNmliWFprYUM2LUdZYWpiN2hDeWVMV2NmbHFjVUJPU0NaaENWOFBGVzNPQWJENW4zMk14MmV4dEVxOHBnRDFneVR3VmdERFRMSWw4Y2FqZG9kWC1BQnFkdlZxR2ZKcWhlN0tfMXpRQ0hRMUowSHl0a0FXa21PaHE4cVh4QnV0WXZWZWZXbm5fMmhFQ0Z1LVFVOXNRTEFhTkxpYWt2Ui04clNpV3hKeTUtWTZEOA?oc=5\" class=\"button purchase\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read More<\/a> Lyndia Geddes<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The NFL playoffs march on with four more wild-card games over the next\u00a0two days, featuring MVP favorite Josh\u00a0Allen, 2,000-yard runner Saquon Barkley, likely Offensive Rookie of the Year Jayden Daniels and the 14-win Vikings facing the Rams at a neutral site. Let\u2019s dig back in: SUNDAY\u00a0 BUFFALO BILLS (-9) over Denver Broncos; Over 47: If<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":819374,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3790,1618,2134],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-819373","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-football","8":"category-picks","9":"category-predictions"},"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/819373","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=819373"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/819373\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/819374"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=819373"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=819373"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=819373"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}