We finished off the regular season with a strong showing, going 3-1 and leaving us with a solid NFL betting record for the year. Let’s build on that with four 2018 Wildcard Round NFL Picks. We should be in for a couple of blowouts and a couple of close ones. Which one is which? Read on, my friends.
2018 Wildcard Round NFL Picks
Tennessee Titans at Kansas City Chiefs (-8)
The Titans won all season in ugly fashion, and they’ll have to muck it up here if they want to compete. But the problem is that KC is back on track. They had a midseason swoon but have recovered with strong play the last few weeks. The Chiefs are a veteran team that’s hungry for playoff success. Andy Reid should have a cakewalk with his inexperienced counterpart. Give me the Chiefs and lay the points. KC’s home crowd will be rocking.
Atlanta Falcons at Los Angeles Rams (-6.5)
The Rams are high-flying and deserve a ton of respect on the football betting side of things. But Atlanta is still the reigning NFC champion. They’ve flown under the radar this season and have much more experience. Do we really have a ton of faith in Goff going to the Super Bowl? Add in the fact that this isn’t much of a home field advantage for LA and I have a few reasons to take the points. Give me the Falcons.
Buffalo Bills at Jacksonville Jaguars (-8)
Here you have two inexperienced playoff teams with not much recent history. The Jags are a defensive-first, run the ball team, and they do it well. Buffalo is a scrappy team that also runs the ball. The issue is that Shady McCoy is banged up. I don’t like that whatsoever. Give me the home team who didn’t have to play their best players late last week. Lay the points and take Jax.
Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints (-7)
What a game this will be. I’m surprised the early spread was a full touchdown. After all, Carolina has the more recent playoff history and were in the Super Bowl just two years ago. The Panthers can absolutely match up with the Saints, provided they can slow down Kamara sufficiently. Drew Brees has had a great season, but I don’t see him blowing out an opponent that he’s seen twice already this season. It’ll be a close game, so give me the points and Carolina.
Last Week: 3-1
Season: 37-30-1
Matthew Ross is a sports commentator and a radio host on TSN 690 Radio in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Follow him @MatthewWords.