The 2022 NFL postseason is here, and playoff odds are officially live! Who's projected to advance past Super Wild Card Weekend and into the Divisional Round? We break down the odds for each Wild Card matchup, and most importantly, what they all mean.
Saturday, January 14
No. 7 Seahawks vs. No. 2 49ers: 4:30 p.m. ET on Fox
Point spread: 49ers -10
Point total: 42.5
Moneyline: 49ers -490 (Bet $49 to win $10 profit if SF wins), Seahawks +380 (Bet $10 to win $38 profit if SEA wins)
Translation — what do the odds mean?
The 49ers are expected to totally demolish their divisional rivals, winning by 10 or more points (AKA a touchdown PLUS a field goal, minimum!). On one hand, the Niners do have home-field advantage and access to the overwhelming favorite for defensive player of the year Nick Bosa. On the other hand, the Seahawks have... hope, grit, and a sassy quarterback who's got his jollies this season from surprising us all game after game with his play on the field.
The 49ers did sweep the Seahawks in the regular season, outscoring them 48-20 in their two meetings this year, so they're certainly due! However, it feels like it would take a miracle up against a team that's scored 33 or more points in six of their last eight games with the league's top-ranked defense. Tough luck of the draw, Geno!
No. 5 Chargers vs. No. 4 Jaguars: 8:15 p.m. ET on NBC
Point spread: Chargers -1.5
Point total: 47
Moneyline: Chargers -122, Jaguars +104
Translation — what do the odds mean?
The Chargers are projected to win, but Vegas thinks this is going to be a close game... much closer than any of us would have ever guessed. Perhaps that has to do with the beating they took from the Jaguars earlier in the season. The Jaguars dominated the Chargers 38-10 back in Week 3, though we need to take that stomping with a grain of salt.
QB Justin Herbert had been fresh off a rib injury and didn't quite look right afterward, but now healthy, this game could play out much differently.
Sunday, January 15
No. 7 Dolphins vs. No. 2 Bills: 1 p.m. ET on CBS
Point spread: Bills -10.5
Point total: 43.5
Moneyline: Bills -590 (Bet $59 to win $10 profit if BUF wins), Dolphins +440 (Bet $10 to win $44 profit if MIA wins)
Translation — what do the odds mean?
In totally technical terms, the Bills are projected to issue the Dolphins an absolute butt-whooping. They're projected to win by 10 points — AKA, Vegas thinks they're set to win by more than a touchdown AND a field goal. We can also assume that Vegas does not project QB Tua Tagovailoa under center, as we continue to await updates following his latest concussion.
No. 6 Giants vs. No. 3 Vikings: 4:30 p.m. ET on Fox
Point spread: Vikings -3
Point total: 48.5
Moneyline: Vikings -166, Giants +140
Translation — what do the odds mean?
Vegas is expecting the Vikings to win by a field goal (3 points) or more. They're also not expecting a lot of quality defense to be played, considering they're projecting this to be the highest-scoring game in the Wild Card round. If you play DFS or are interested in player props, this could be the game to invest in.
No. 6 Raven vs. No. 3 Bengals: 8:15 p.m. ET on NBC
Point spread: Bengals -6.5
Point total: 43.5
Moneyline: Ravens +235
The translation — what do the odds mean?
The Bengals are projected to win by at LEAST a touchdown + an extra point. What the odds really tell us, however, is that Vegas probably doesn't expect Ravens starting QB Lamar Jackson to play as of Monday morning. Jackson has been out since Week 13 with a knee injury, and his backup, Tyler Huntley, is also injured.
Monday, January 16
No. 5 Cowboys vs. No. 4 Buccaneers: 8 p.m. ET on ESPN
Point spread: Cowboys -3
Point total: 45.5
Moneyline: Cowboys -152 (Bet $15.20 to win $10 profit if DAL wins), Bucs +128 (Bet $10 to win $12.80 profit if TB wins)
The translation — what do the odds mean?
The Cowboys are projected to win by a field goal or more... which again, is not nearly as big a margin of victory as you'd expect, considering they were just in play for the NFC's No. 1 seed prior to their Week 18 meltdown.
Neither of these teams is feeling particularly hot, but still, the Cowboys feel like they should have a bigger edge here. Since their Week 9 bye, they went 6-3, with two of those three losses coming in overtime.
