The NFL playoffs have begun and it is time to start the method of crowning a champion. Tremendous Wild Card Weekend featured a number of thrilling matchups as we have already seen the Packers stun the Cowboys, the Lions win a playoff sport for the primary time in 32 years, and extra. Now we’re right down to the ultimate two Monday video games of opening weekend, together with the Steelers and Payments enjoying in a sport that was moved attributable to inclement climate in Buffalo. Which groups will rise to the event and which can falter? That is what we’re right here to discover.
As we do each week, we have collected all the most effective picks and playing content material from CBSSports.com and SportsLine and put them in a single place so you may get picks in opposition to the unfold from our consultants CBS Sports activities, in addition to extra characteristic content material for each sport, together with performs from high SportsLine consultants and the SportsLine projection mannequin, our employees’s finest bets and extra. Prepared? Let’s soar in.
All NFL odds by SportsLine consensus odds.
What picks are you able to make with confidence in Tremendous Wild Card Weekend? Go to SportsLine as its unimaginable mannequin simulates each NFL sport 10,000 instances and is nicely over $7,000 for $100 gamers in high NFL picks since its inception.
Pittsburgh Steelers at Buffalo Payments
Time: Monday, four:30pm ET (CBS, Paramount+)
Open: Payments -10, O/U 36.5
“TJ Watt was dominated out for this sport, which places a extreme dent in Pittsburgh’s probabilities to disrupt Josh Allen and pull off the upset. With out Watt, the Steelers are 1-10, permitting a median of six extra factors per sport and have half as many sacks per sport. In the meantime, the Payments who received the AFC East in Week 18 and jumped as much as the No. 1 seed. 2 is an enormous growth as a result of they’re a a lot superior crew at dwelling than they’re on the street, which incorporates Allen’s play. The Payments’ quarterback is finishing 67.6 p.c of his passes and has a 102.four passer score at Highmark Stadium, in comparison with a 65.four completion share and an 83.Zero score on the street. He is additionally thrown for extra touchdowns and fewer interceptions at dwelling Translation: The Steelers will get the most effective model of Allen on this sport, which is a terrifying thought for his or her hopes shifting ahead.”
Tyler Sullivan is not intimidated by the large quantity, he likes the Payments on Sunday afternoon. To learn the breakdown of every sport this week, click on Right here.
“The Steelers are caught with the dreaded seventh seed. On the subject of the NFL playoffs, that is just about the kiss of demise. For the reason that NFL playoff discipline expanded to 14 groups in 2020, there have been six video games involving seven seeds, and never solely did the seven seeds go Zero-6 in these video games, they misplaced them averaging 12.2 factors per sport.
“Even when I throw that info out the window, there’s one factor I am unable to throw out the window, and that is the truth that the Steelers will not be with out TJ Watt, who suffered a Grade 2 MCL sprain in Week 18.
“Often after I choose in opposition to the Steelers, it is as a result of I do not belief their offense, however this week, I believe their protection goes to allow them to down. Watt has been with the Steelers since 2017, and each time he is missed a Recreation, it has been just about the kiss of demise. In the event you’re recording at dwelling, that is two kisses of demise for the Steelers in a single sport, which seems like too many kisses of demise to beat.
“Watt has missed 11 video games in his profession, and the Steelers have gone 1-10 in these video games. When he is on the sector, you need to be accountable on a regular basis, however when he isn’t there, the Steelers protection falls aside. When Watt is on the sector, the Steelers have surrendered simply 19.eight factors per sport in his profession, however when he isn’t there, that quantity has grown to 26.three.
“The Steelers have additionally averaged greater than twice as many sacks per sport (three.three to 1.5) when Watt is on the sector as when he isn’t. If there’s one participant the Steelers could not afford to lose for this sport, it is Watt.
“The one means the Steelers are going to win this sport is that if Mason Rudolph pulls off a miracle, however after profitable three straight video games to finish the common season, they must be out of miracles by now. Proper? KOREA?!?!”
John Breech has the Payments profitable this matchup, however he takes the Steelers to cowl the unfold. To learn the breakdown of every Tremendous Wild Card Weekend sport, click on Right here.
Philadelphia Eagles at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Time: Monday, eight:15pm ET (ABC/ESPN, attempt free)
Open: Eagles -1.5, O/U 44.5
“If I have been to rank all six wild-card video games by viewing, I am not even positive I would put this one on the checklist. We have got an Eagles crew that is completely blowing up going up in opposition to a Buccaneers offense that is collapsing, and you already know what, now that I am saying all that out loud, this sport is likely to be so unhealthy it is truly good . That is basic wreck tv!
“On the one hand, you will have the Eagles, who have been 10-1 heading into December, however then misplaced 5 of six video games to finish the season. I am not precisely positive what the issue is in Philadelphia. , however I can assume of some: Their protection has been unhealthy, their offense is struggling, and the gamers appear to have misplaced religion within the teaching employees. That appears like a recipe for whole collapse.
“If the Eagles have been enjoying another person, I would robotically choose in opposition to them, however the Buccaneers are the one crew they COULD beat. Over the previous two weeks, the Bucs offense has fully disappeared. That they had an opportunity to win the division title in Week 17, however managed to attain simply 13 factors in a loss to the Saints. Every week later, they managed to attain precisely 9 factors in opposition to the worst crew in soccer (the Panthers).
“These groups are each going within the incorrect course and when it comes right down to it, it is virtually inconceivable to choose. The Eagles are 5-1 this yr when dashing for 140 yards or extra, however I’ve a tough time seeing them. he hit that quantity in opposition to a Buccaneers protection that surrendered the fifth-most within the NFL this yr.
“The Eagles have hit all-time low so many instances this yr that I virtually dwell there, and if you happen to dwell at all-time low, I am unable to choose you to win.”
John Breech takes the Bucs to upset Jalen Hurts and the defending NFC champions. To learn the breakdown of every Tremendous Wild Card Weekend sport, click on Right here.
Earlier than making picks Eagles vs. Buccaneers or every other NFL Wild Card predictions, it is advisable see which facet Matthew Severance is on. Severance is a well-connected author and high-volume handicapper who has labored within the trade since 2005 and has turn out to be certainly one of SportsLine’s high consultants in a number of sports activities. He enters Tremendous Wild Card Weekend 49-28 (+1018) in all NFL picks. He’s additionally a tremendous 20-7-1 in his final 28 picks in video games involving the Eagles (+1202). Anybody who adopted him is far increased.
We are able to inform you he is closing in on the purpose totals, however to see his official choose for this primetime playoff matchup, head over to SportsLine.