NFL Wild Card Weekend: NFC Betting Preview, Predictions & Odds

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers kick off their Super Bowl Championship defense this Sunday at home against the Philadelphia Eagles. That matchup along with the San Francisco 49ers vs. Dallas Cowboys and Arizona Cardinals vs. Los Angeles Rams make up this week’s NFC Wild Card Weekend betting card.

Philadelphia Eagles (+8.5) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-8.5)

Tom Brady continued to prove that age is just a number this season, leading the NFL in passing yards with 5,316 and in passing touchdowns with 43. As a result of Brady’s dominance, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (13-4-0) finished the regular season on a 7-1 straight up and 6-2 against the spread run. They averaged 33.1 points per game in those seven wins.

The Philadelphia Eagles (9-8-0) exceeded all expectations in 2021, compiling a winning record and making the playoffs in a year they were expected to be one of the worst teams in the NFL going through a rebuild. Prior to their season-ending 51-26 loss to the Dallas Cowboys with their starters resting, the Eagles were 6-1 SU and 4-2-1 ATS over their last seven games. A 28-22 loss to Tampa Bay at home earlier this season proves the Eagles can hang with the Buccaneers, but the playoffs are a different beast. Expect Tom Brady to do his thing and to lead Tampa Bay to a big win.

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San Francisco 49ers (+3) vs. Dallas Cowboys (-3)

The Dallas Cowboys (12-5-0) had an excellent season with 12 wins and a 13-4 ATS record that included a 5-1 SU and ATS record down the stretch. With that said, they also had the NFL’s second softest schedule to contend with, routinely racking up wins over terrible teams. The Cowboys can’t control who they play, but it will be interesting to see how they handle more stern competition in the postseason.

The San Francisco 49ers (10-7-0) went 7-2 SU and ATS over their last nine games in a stretch that included impressive road wins over the Cincinnati Bengals and Los Angeles Rams to secure their spot in the playoffs. This 49ers defense ranked third in the NFL in yards allowed with only 310 per game and ninth in points allowed with 21.5 per game. San Francisco’s strong defense and success against tough teams points to a potential upset in this one.

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Arizona Cardinals (+4) vs. Los Angeles Rams (-4)

The Los Angeles Rams (12-5-0) have dominated the Arizona Cardinals (11-6-0) to the tune of a 9-1 SU and 8-1-1 ATS record in the last 10 games between these two NFC West rivals. The Rams blew a 17-point lead against the 49ers last Sunday to snap a four-game win streak ahead of the postseason, but that loss should be easy enough to shake off. Arizona’s recent struggles go deeper than one game as the Cardinals are just 1-4 SU and ATS over their last five games after opening the season as one of the NFL’s best teams with a 10-2 SU and 9-3 ATS record.

It’s hard to make a case for the Cardinals here. They haven’t looked right in over a month. The Rams have been inconsistent this season and dropping this game wouldn’t be out of the question if Arizona suddenly finds its form, but Los Angeles always seems to bring its best against the Cardinals. Look for the Rams to continue their successful run over Arizona with a win and cover in this Monday night showdown.

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