The NFL playoff seedings are set after an exciting end to the regular season. Next weekend, the field will be trimmed from 14 to eight as Wild Card Weekend takes place on Saturday and Sunday. Under a revised playoff format, only the No. 1 seeds in each conference get BYEs. So instead of having an extra week to rest, Buffalo and New Orleans have to immediately prep for the postseason.
13 teams are looking to dethrone defending champion Kansas City, who finished 14-2 and is the No. 1 seed in the AFC, with 13-3 Green Bay taking the top seed in the NFC. That includes 7-9 Washington, who finished on top in a wacky NFC East race. Washington faces Tom Brady and Tampa Bay, who will be eager to fulfill their preseason hype. Several young quarterbacks will be after playoff success, but will there be one more Super Bowl run for Brady, Big Ben, Aaron Rodgers, or Drew Brees?
Here is a rundown of the six games that will kick off the postseason, with odds provided by Bovada.
Indianapolis Colts (11-5) at Buffalo Bills (13-3)
- Date: Saturday, January 9
- Time: Saturday, 1:05 PM ET
- Location: Orchard Park, New York (Bills Stadium)
- TV: CBS
Buffalo enters the playoffs on a six-game win streak and outscored their last three opponents 142-54. The Bills have one of the league’s best passing offenses behind QB Josh Allen and WR Stefon Diggs. The Colts have 25 takeaways (15 interceptions) and four pick-sixes this season. Running the ball could be key. Colts rookie Jonathan Taylor has run for 741 yards and seven scores in his last six games, with a franchise-record 253 against Jacksonville on Sunday. He faces a Buffalo defense that was 17th against the run. Indy’s run defense was second, while the Bills rushing offense was 20th.
Colts vs Bills Odds
- Spread: Indianapolis +7 (-120), Buffalo -7 (EVEN)
- Moneyline: Indianapolis +250, Buffalo -300
- Total: Over 52 (-110), Under 52 (-110)
Los Angeles Rams (10-6) at Seattle Seahawks (12-4)
- Date: Saturday, January 9
- Time: Saturday, 4:40 PM ET
- Location: Seattle, Washington (Lumen Field)
- TV: FOX
The home team won each regular-season meeting between these NFC West rivals, both of which were low-scoring affairs. The Rams could be without QB Jared Goff after thumb surgery prior to Week 17, but backup John Wolford fared well in his first NFL start. The Seahawks are 7-1 at home and were 6-1 overall to end the regular season. Seattle has had a winless postseason only once in seven trips during Russell Wilson’s career.
Rams vs Seahawks Odds
- Spread: Los Angeles +4.5 (-110), Seattle -4.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Los Angeles +180, Seattle -220
- Total: Over 42.5 (-115), Under 42.5 (-105)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (11-5) at Washington Football Team (7-9)
- Date: Saturday, January 9
- Time: 8:15 PM ET
- Location: Landover, Maryland (FedExField)
- TV: NBC
Washington has one of the best stories out there, as QB Alex Smith caps his remarkable comeback with a postseason trip. Their defense, however, enabled them to overcome a 2-7 start. The Bucs have won four in a row and are getting hot at the right time. Brady (1,137 yards, 10 touchdowns in his last three games) will face a unit that had 47 sacks and 16 interceptions. Tampa’s defense was no slouch, leading the league in run defense and finishing in the top five in sacks and takeaways.
Tampa Bay vs Washington Odds
- Spread: Tampa Bay -7.5 (-115), Washington +7.5 (-105)
- Moneyline: Tampa Bay -380, Washington +290
- Total: Over 46.5 (-110), Under 46.5 (-110)
Baltimore Ravens (11-5) at Tennessee Titans (11-5)
- Date: Sunday, January 10
- Time: 1:05 PM ET
- Location: Nashville, Tennessee (Nissan Stadium)
- TV: ESPN/ABC
The Titans sent the top-seeded Ravens out in the divisional round last season, which will not have been forgotten. Baltimore won their last five to get their shot at revenge. Lamar Jackson was back near his best down the stretch, and so was their defense, allowing only 30 points in three games after giving up 42 to Cleveland in Week 14. Will 2,000-yard rusher Derrick Henry have another big day against the Ravens? He ran for 133 yards and a touchdown in an overtime win in Baltimore in Week 11. He also had 195 yards in last season’s playoff upset.
Ravens vs Titans Odds
- Spread: Baltimore -3.5 (-110), Tennessee +3.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Baltimore -200, Tennessee +170
- Total: Over 54.5 (-110), Under 54.5 (-110)
Chicago Bears (8-8) at New Orleans Saints (12-4)
- Date: Sunday, January 10
- Time: 4:40 PM ET
- Location: New Orleans, Louisiana (Mercedes-Benz Superdome)
- TV: CBS
The Bears backed into the postseason despite losing to Green Bay on Sunday. They were 5-3 on the road, but none of those wins were against teams with winning records. Overall, Chicago was 1-6 against teams that posted a winning record. They did, however, take the Saints to overtime in a 26-23 home loss in Week 8. The Saints scored 85 points in their last two games but may be missing one of their biggest weapons. RB Alvin Kamara missed Sunday’s win over Carolina due to a positive COVID-19 test. His status for Wild Card Weekend is uncertain.
Bears vs Saints Odds
- Spread: Chicago +9.5 (-110), New Orleans -9.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Chicago +325, New Orleans -450
- Total: Over 47.5 (-110), Under 47.5 (-110)
Cleveland Browns (11-5) at Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4)
- Date: Sunday, January 10
- Time: 8:15 PM ET
- Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (Heinz Field)
- TV: NBC
The Browns are in the playoffs for the first time since 2002, and they face the team they beat to book that spot. Ben Roethlisberger was rested for Sunday’s game in Cleveland but will be ready to go for the Steelers’ first playoff game in three years. Cleveland has not won in their last 17 trips to Pittsburgh, including a 38-7 loss in Week 6. The Steelers were 7-1 at home, with their only defeat coming in Week 13 against Washington. Cleveland was 5-3 on the road but had only one win against another playoff team (41-35 at Tennessee in Week 13).
Browns vs Steelers Odds
- Spread: Cleveland +3.5 (-105), Pittsburgh -3.5 (-115)
- Moneyline: Cleveland +175, Pittsburgh -210
- Total: Over 47 (-105), Under 47 (-115)
All lines as of Monday, January 4 (11:00 AM ET). See Bovada for updated lines and odds.
