NFL Wildcard Weekend

Before we dig into Wildcard Weekend, we're thrilled to report that the Buffalo Bills' Damar Hamlin has been discharged from the hospital after more than nine days under doctors' care. Hamlin was discharged from Buffalo General Medical Center/Gates Vascular Institute, having been transferred there after being hospitalized to a Cincinnati-area hospital following his collapse during the week 17 Monday Night Football game. It's tremendous news that Hamlin is now back at his home in Buffalo with his family. We'll keep you apprised of any new developments, but, right now, it appears Damar is on the track to recovery.

In other news, the Chicago Bears have secured the number one draft pick in the 2023 NFL Draft! Following their loss to the Minnesota Vikings in week 18, Bears fans were waiting with bated breath for the outcome of the Houston Texans vs. Indianapolis Colts game (Houston losing would have kept them in the number one draft spot). Well, former Bears' Head Coach Lovie Smith delivered for Bears fans, as he called for a two-point conversion after Houston scored to bring it within one. Houston converted and held on to win, giving the Bears the number one pick! Lovie Smith was promptly fired after the game (sad face emoji).

Now, onto Wildcard Weekend. It was a crazy finish to Week 18 for a number of teams fighting for a playoff spot and positioning. The Jaguars came from behind to beat the Titans and win the AFC South, the Dolphins beat the Jets and secured a playoff spot after the Patriots lost and the Seahawks managed to sneak in after the Lions beat the Packers on Sunday Night Football. Wildcard Weekend promises a lot of great action. Here's the schedule (odds courtesy of DraftKings sportsbook; check the SB Intel individual Game Pages for the latest moneylines, spreads, totals and alt lines. Quickly find the best lines using the NFL Game Boards):

• NFC: (7) Seattle Seahawks at (2) San Francisco 49ers (-9.5), 3:30 pm CT, Saturday, January 14th

San Francisco has relied on rookie Brock Purdy since Jimmy Garoppolo went down with an injury, and he's been more than serviceable. Although it's their defense that has carried them to the current 10-game win streak. Seattle has managed to limp their way into the playoffs, and while Geno Smith's career resurgence has been commendable this year, they've taken a step back on offense, scoring less than 17 points per game over their last four. Even with some mild weather concerns, it's tough to see how Seattle scores enough to keep up with San Francisco.

As a side note, over the last 10 years, the spread has only come into play in 12% of wild card matchups, so if you like a favorite to advance, consider the spread (and possibly some higher alt spreads) in addition to the moneyline.

• AFC: (5) Los Angeles Chargers (-2.5) at (4) Jacksonville Jaguars, 7:15 pm CT, Saturday, January 14th

Jacksonville won their division and thus gets to host this playoff game, despite Los Angeles having a better record. The momentum is certainly with the Jaguars, and second-year signal caller Trevor Lawrence has been playing great ball as of late. The Chargers may have wanted to have rested their starters, as it looks like wide receiver Mike Williams will be out this week after suffering an injury in the (mostly) meaningless week 18 game). Considering the travel, the lack of wide receiver talent outside of Keenan Allen and Josh Palmer and how well Jacksonville has been playing recently, don't be surprised to see an upset in the second game of the weekend.

• AFC: (7) Miami Dolphins at (2) Buffalo Bills (-13.5), 12:00 pm CT, Sunday, January 15th

Skyler Thompson, that's where we're at. Miami starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa suffered another concussion a couple weeks ago and is now likely done for the season. Backup Teddy Bridgewater is dealing with his own ailments, leading the Dolphins to turn to rookie Skylar Thompson out of Kansas State. Thompson's play has been abysmal in his short stint, and he's going up against one of the better defenses in the Buffalo Bills. Because of the week 17 game cancellation, the Bills were not afforded the opportunity to get the number one seed and the bye, but this feels close. Josh Allen and the AFC's most potent offense should cruise past a beleaguered Dolphins squad.

• NFC: (6) New York Giants at (3) Minnesota Vikings (-3), 4:30 pm CT, Sunday, January 15th

Here we are, the New York Football Giants are in the playoffs! Feels like a long time since the Giants were in the postseason, and first-year Head Coach Brian Daboll should be proud of what he's accomplished with what can only be described as the Little Giants on offense. Daniel Jones has managed to guide the Giants to a 9-7-1 record and a wild card spot, despite the dearth of talent at the receiver position. Saquon Barkley may need to put this team on his back and hope they can ride him to glory, as the Vikings have the best young receiver in the game on the other side. Kirk Cousins tends to fold when the bright lights come on, but this being an afternoon game, don't be surprised to see a few heroics from Cousins and the Vikings to move on.

• AFC: (6) Baltimore Ravens at (3) Cincinnati Bengals (-8.5), 7:15 pm CT, Sunday, January 15th

This will be the third time this season that Baltimore and Cincinnati have squared off, the latest of which just came in the last week of the regular season. While they have split the series so far this year, the Ravens will likely be without veteran (and perennial all-pro) Lamar Jackson. Without Jackson Baltimore has been unable to surpass 17 points in any of the last six games. The Bengals are trending the other way, putting up yards and points in bunches since the midway point of the season. In the AFC, it likely comes down to the Chiefs, the Bills and, to many, the Bengals. With that in mind, how do you overcome the explosiveness from Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Joe Mixon? This could get ugly.

• NFC: (5) Dallas Cowboys (-2.5) at (4) Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 7:15 pm CT, Monday, January 16th

This is the first year that the NFL has scheduled a Wild Card game for a Monday night, and we're kind of glad (more football days!). The Cowboys didn't exactly inspire confidence coming into the postseason, having dropped their season finale against division rivals the Washington Commanders. Dak Prescott has also thrown the most interceptions in the league this year at 14. If that continues, Tampa Bay's defense should have a field day. On the other hand, the big question is can Tom Brady and co. keep the offense humming? While it was refreshing to see the explosiveness we've come to know from a Tom Brady offense in week 18, the Buccaneers have been anything less than impressive this season. If we get a vintage Tom Brady game, however, and he can connect with Godwin and Evans downfield, we could be looking at another deep playoff run for the GOAT.

That's all for now for NFL Wildcard Weekend, but we'll keep you updated throughout the weekend and Monday with all the latest NFL news, matchups and scores. Keep an eye on our social media pages for all the latest, as well as updates on the NBA, NHL and NCAA basketball. We'll have some plays sprinkled throughout, and for more on implied probabilities, chances to win, best lines and more, check out the tools on SB Intel. If you're looking for more advanced tools, we want to hear from you. Contact us at Info@SportsBettingIntel.com and learn how the sharps are using advanced data modeling and analytics to get an edge.