NFL spread picks, Wild Card Weekend: Can the Broncos and Chargers remain elite ATS in the playoffs?
In an absolutely stunning turn of events, the NFL regular season has concluded with each of our six panelists well above .500 against the spread on the year.
So of course it’s time to press our luck even further and start picking postseason games against spread.
The Wild Card round features a number of teams our experts all had trouble fading this season, including the Denver Broncos, Pittsburgh Steelers and Los Angeles Chargers, who went a combined 35-16 ATS.
Let’s see who was brave enough to continue picking them as (mostly) underdogs this weekend.
Tail (or fade) responsibly!
All odds via BetMGM
| Name | Last Week | YTD |
| Blake Schuster | 10-5-1 | 151-115-5 |
| Christian D’Andrea | 6-9-1 | 141-125-5 |
| Robert Zeglinski | 8-7-1 | 140-126-5 |
| Charles Curtis | 8-7-1 | 139-127-5 |
| Prince Grimes | 8-7-1 | 136-130-5 |
| Cory Woodroof | 8-7-1 | 136-130-5 |
Los Angeles Chargers at Houston Texans (Saturday)
Opening Line: Chargers -2.5
Blake Schuster: Chargers -3
This is a brutal line but tailing Harbaugh at all costs has been a steadfast rule of mine for the majority of the year and it’s paid off. I can’t deviate now.
Prince Grimes: Texans +3
It’s been a rough year for CJ Stroud and Houston’s offense but I respect the team’s defense enough to take the points.
Charles Curtis: Chargers -3
I’m a little nervous with this one, but the Texans are mediocre. The Chargers have the kind of swagger you like to see in a playoff dark horse.
Cory Woodroof: Texans +3
The Chargers are the most overrated team in the NFL this season. Houston will be able to handle business at home.
Robert Zeglinski: Chargers -3
The Texans lost their last two games against relevant teams by a combined score of 58-21. Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell ain’t walking through that door. This game firmly deserves the sleepy Saturday afternoon slot of the weekend.
Christian D’Andrea: Chargers -3
Even if Quentin Johnston’s Week 18 arrival was a mirage it shouldn’t matter. Jim Harbaugh’s defense is a terrible matchup for the Texans’s foundering blockers.
Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens (Saturday)
Opening Line: Ravens -8.5
Blake Schuster: Steelers +10
I do not expect the Steelers will win this. But Mike Tomlin teams don’t get embarrassed like this in big games and already have one win over the Ravens.
Prince Grimes: Steelers +10
Pittsburgh’s last two playoff games say they won’t cover this giant spread. I’m hoping their familiarity with Baltimore snaps that streak of double-digit losses.
Charles Curtis: Ravens -10
I’ve bet the Steelers to cover a lot this year and it’s backfired. Despite a third AFC North matchup here, I don’t see the Steelers getting close here.
Cory Woodroof: Ravens -10
The Steelers are excellent at making the playoffs. After that? Um.
Robert Zeglinski: Ravens -10
Everything about the Steelers’ dispiriting finish to the season — in which they lost four straight games in convincing fashion — makes me extremely concerned about Mike Tomlin’s team against a bona fide Super Bowl contender. Tomlin’s magic touch aside, it’s time to fade the Black and Gold.
Christian D’Andrea: Ravens -10
Russell Wilson has been the league’s second-worst quarterback over the last month.
Denver Broncos at Buffalo Bills
Opening Line: Bills -8.5
Blake Schuster: Bills -9
I’d take Denver in a heartbeat if this game were in Colorado.
Prince Grimes: Bills -9
There aren’t many tougher environments for a rookie QB in his playoff debut than playing on the road in Buffalo. Good luck, Bo Nix.
Charles Curtis: Bills -9
A BIG spread but Denver coming East in the Western New York cold makes me think this will be a blowout.
Cory Woodroof: Broncos +9
I think the Bills win this game by a touchdown after a close three-and-a-half quarters. I just don’t think they’ll cover.
Robert Zeglinski: Bills -9
Denver is clearly on the rise and here to stay but it’s also a young team that needs much more firepower before it can hang with the likes of apex Josh Allen. Let’s talk more in 2025.
Christian D’Andrea: Broncos +9
The Bills haven’t blown out many good teams at home this year and the Denver defense will be both used to the cold and able to limit some of Josh Allen’s biggest plays.
Green Bay Packers at Philadelphia Eagles
Opening Line: Eagles -3.5
Blake Schuster: Eagles -4.5
Toyotathon officially concluded on January 6, 2025. Do with that information what you must.
Prince Grimes: Packers +4.5
Jalen Hurts is back at practice but his extended absence was a little worrisome. Could there be rust?
Charles Curtis: Packers +4.5
I hate this pick, but there’s some part of me that thinks the Toyotathon Merchant will do just enough to cover here.
Cory Woodroof: Eagles -4.5
I don’t like Green Bay’s defense against Saquon Barkley. Not one bit.
Robert Zeglinski: Eagles -4.5
Shoutout to Caleb Williams and Cairo Santos for sending Green Bay to visit the NFC’s second-best team on the road in the first round.
Christian D’Andrea: Eagles -4.5
The Packers ain’t beat no one PAAAAWWWWLLLLL.
Washington Commanders at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Opening Line: Buccaneers -3
Blake Schuster: Commanders +3
Sooner or later the Bucs’ injuries are going to catch up to them. Now feels like a good time.
Prince Grimes: Buccaneers -3
Washington hasn’t played great ball the last few weeks leading into the playoffs.
Charles Curtis: Commanders +3
A rookie QB on the road? Yikes. But this one will come down to the final minutes.
Cory Woodroof: Commanders +3
The Bucs are maddeningly inconsistent. The Commanders are hot. This will be close, but I’ll take Washington in the upset.
Robert Zeglinski: Buccaneers -3
Good line, to be honest. Baker Mayfield is leading a buzzsaw Tampa Bay offense that might make a dark horse Super Bowl run by itself. Washington is probably an offseason’s worth of acquisitions away from actually winning these kinds of games.
Christian D’Andrea: Buccaneers -3
Washington’s defense is the concern, not Jayden Daniels… but also, the Bucs can bring enough pressure to harass him.
Minnesota Vikings at Los Angeles Rams (Monday, in Phoenix)
Opening Line: Vikings -2.5
Blake Schuster: Rams -1
Tough draw for the Vikings. Next time win the division, Minnesota.
Prince Grimes: Vikings +1
I refuse to believe Minnesota’s 14-win season was such a fluke that they lose in the first round.
Charles Curtis: Rams -1
The Sam Darnold vibes are officially a problem.
Cory Woodroof: Rams -1
The Vikings lose a heartbreaker. Sean McVay’s guys have been here before.
Robert Zeglinski: Rams -1
The Rams are the pretty team that wins on flash over substance most games. They could get overwhelmed against squads who are stacked in the trenches. That does not really apply to the Vikings, who also don’t have the distinct coaching advantage they usually do with Sean McVay roaming the L.A. sideline.
Christian D’Andrea: Vikings +1
The Rams have done a great job figuring out their offensive line, but haven’t faced a defense like Brian Flores’s technicolor coat of many explosions.