The Regular Season in the NFL may well be over, but for seven teams in each conference, the Bet365 NFL American footballseason is just about to begin. That is because this weekend sees the start of the end of season playoffs with Wildcard Weekend, which kicks off the playoffs eventually leading to Superbowl LV in Tampa, Florida on February 7.

The top two seeds from each conference, the Kansas City Chiefs of the AFC and the Green Bay Packers of the NFC, receive a bye for their efforts in the regular season and move straight into the Divisional Round next weekend. The remaining six teams in each conference battle it out this weekend in three Wildcard games, with only the winner of each progressing.

The ‘one and done’ nature of playoff games makes it so exciting for fans and of course, many want to have a bet on the outcome of the games. In the UK, the NFL is certainly very popular nowadays and if you want to enjoy a bet on the outcome of the Wildcard Weekend matches, but need to sign up with a site to do so, then let me point you in the direction of a great value deal for new customers via the latest bet365 New Player Bonus.

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Let’s now preview each of the six games this coming weekend in the Wildcard Round of games and give you our tips for who we think will win and what the best value bets to make are on each of the matches.

NFL Wildcard Weekend Fixtures

Saturday 9th January 2020

  • Indianapolis Colts (11-5) @ Buffalo Bills (13-3) (6.05pm)

Last weekend, Colts fans were cheering on the Bills as they put the Miami Dolphins to the sword and in doing so, knocked the Dolphins out of the playoffs, allowing the Colts in. Now the Colts plan to knock out the team that did them a favour last weekend in order to further their own playoff hopes.

The Colts are a solid team in all three areas of the game, whereas the Bills are decent on defense and special teams but have a truly explosive offense that has been racking up plenty of points in recent games and in Josh Allen, have a quarterback likely to be the face of the franchise for many years to come.

I do think the Colts will push the Bills a lot harder than many people are expecting and that this game may well be close heading into the fourth quarter, but I am backing the Bills to get the job done and pick up the win they need here.

Money Line Bet – Take the Bills to win at 10/31.

  • Los Angeles Rams (10-6) @ Seattle Seahawks (12-4) (9.40pm)

The first of two Wildcard matches between divisional rivals sees NFC West duo the Rams and Seahawks clash for the third time this season. They have won one game each, both winning on their home patch and that tends to suggest Seattle have the advantage here with this game being held in that city.

The Seahawks also have much the better recent form heading into this game compared to the Rams who have won just half of their last six games. Included in that run is that other defeat to Seattle. The Seahawks didn’t have as much possession as the Rams in either of those games but still pushed them hard in one and won the other.

That Seattle defense may well be the reason why they end up with another win here as I am backing them to get the better of the Rams. Russell Wilson will ensure they get just enough points on offense to get the job done.

Money Line Bet – Back the Seahawks to land the win at 1/2.

  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers (11-5) @ Washington Football Team (7-9) (1.15am Sun)

The NFC East was something of a laughing stock in the NFL with four poor teams and the best of that sorry bunch was Washington, although I don’t think many people expect their Playoff hopes to be extended into next weekend with their Wildcard match against the Buccaneers coming up.

Bruce Arians team invested heavily in some big name veterans including quarterback and six-time SuperBowl winner Tom Brady to lead the team in the hope of landing a SuperBowl shot either this or next season. With the weapons they have on offense, they should be able to achieve that here.

The Bucs defense isn’t quite so great but they won’t need to be against a Washington offense that is probably the poorest part of the team. I don’t expect this to be a close one and I think the Bucs win it at a canter.

Money Line Bet – Back the Buccaneers to win at 4/17.

Sunday 10th January 2020

  • Baltimore Ravens (11-5) @ Tennessee Titans (11-5) (6.05pm)

Last season in the playoffs, the Number 1 seeded Ravens were beaten by the Tennessee Titans. They met again this season in Baltimore and the Titans Derrick Henry scored a rushing touchdown in Overtime to clinch the win. It’s fair to say that the Ravens probably didn’t want to face the Titans again this week.

However, the Ravens are in good form and have got quarterback Lamar Jackson back in top form. He should have plenty of chance to shine against a Tennessee defense that has been extremely porous this season.

The problem for the Ravens is that the Titans offense is a juggernaut and stopping them will be key. However with a genuine 1-2 threat at wide receiver, tough tight ends and the best running back in the NFL, QB Ryan Tannehill has plenty of weapons at his disposal. This will be a very close one and may go down to the wire but I think the Titans will just about steal it once again.

Money Line Bet – This will be a close one but back the Titans to edge it at 6/4.

  • Chicago Bears (8-8) @ New Orleans Saints (12-4) (9.40pm)

Chicago just about fell into the playoffs as despite losing to Green Bay last week, the fact Arizona lost to the Rams meant that the Bears just about qualified for the playoffs. However, their prize of a trip to New Orleans to face Drew Brees and the Saints, means that this involvement may be short-lived.

Brees return from a nasty rib injury has been a timely one for the Saints, one of the few teams who can go blow-for-blow with some of the offensive powerhouses in these playoffs and in Alvin Kamara and Taysom Hill, they have other offensive playmakers who can make a big difference in games too.

The Bears defense is the key here, if they can get at Brees and put him out of his comfort zone, they could make things difficult, but I can’t see the Saints allowing that to happen and if Brees has time, I’d expect him to lead the Saints to a comfortable win.

Money Line Bet – Take the Saints to go marching on with a win here at 4/12.

  • Cleveland Browns (11-5) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4) (1.15am Mon)

These two AFC North rivals will meet once again this season after having met last week in the same stadium. The Browns defeated a second string Steelers team in that game to clinch a playoff spot, but they will be facing the first choice offense, defense and special teams this time around.

I am not unduly convinced by the Steelers offense, one 30 minute spell against the Colts apart, they have been very poor in the main over the last four games and if Ben Roethlisberger can’t get that rhythm and flow back, they may struggle to score points here.

Mind you, I feel the Browns will also struggle against a solid Pittsburgh defense here too and I feel this will be a low scoring, hard and sometimes brutal game but that the Steelers will do just enough to claim the win.

Money Line Bet – The Steelers won’t buckle so back them here at 4/11.

*All odds shown were correct with bet365 Sport as of 10am on Wednesday 6th January