NFL '23-'24 Wild Card Weekend Predictions

The 2024 NFL Wild Card Round is upon us. The 2023 NFL Season saw a close playoff race conclude last week, and now only 14 teams remain eligible for Super Bowl 58. While the Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers enjoy their bye week, the other 12 teams will battle to reach next week's Divisional Round.

Saturday:

AFC #5 Cleveland Browns (-2.5) @ #4 Houston Texans: Saturday 4:30 P.M. ET

My Pick: Rookie sensation C.J. Stroud has looked incredibly poised, but Cleveland’s Joe Flacco has twin benefits in playoff experience and a superior defense. The Browns win and cover the spread as Stroud feels mental and physical pressure.

AFC #6 Miami Dolphins @ #3 Kansas City Chiefs (-3.5): Saturday 8:30 P.M. ET

My Pick: Potential sub-zero temperatures will impact Kansas City’s already questionable hands. Mike McDaniel’s multidimensional offense overwhelms an improved Kansas City defense in Tyreek Hill’s return to Arrowhead. Miami wins a cold, close game.

Sunday:

AFC #7 Pittsburgh Steelers @ #2 Buffalo Bills (-10): Sunday 1 P.M. ET

My Pick: Mason Rudolph’s resurgence stops in Buffalo against the #2 Bills. TJ Watt’s absence will be felt on the defensive side for the Steelers, but Bills turnover issues could keep the game close. Josh Allen and the Bills move into the Divisional Round but Rudolph’s momentum covers the spread for the Steelers.

NFC #7 Green Bay Packers @ #2 Dallas Cowboys (-7.5): Sunday 4:30 P.M. ET

My Pick: Dallas’ high-flying offense will be a major problem for the Packers. Green Bay’s offense isn’t reliably potent enough to hang, especially with Jordan Love’s playoff debut being on the road. Dallas has had a date with the Divisional Round circled for a while now and covers the spread in order to get there.

NFC #6 Los Angeles Rams @ #3 Detroit Lions (-3.5): Sunday 8:30 P.M. ET

My Pick: This game is the most important storyline of the week. Detroit’s former leader Matthew Stafford returns for the Lions’ first home playoff game since. Los Angeles’ diverse and powerful offense is part of a quietly confident team that will beat a Lions team that doesn’t have quite the same feel it did in the midseason. I’m predicting heartbreak in Detroit on Sunday.

Monday:

NFC #5 Philadelphia Eagles (-3) @ #4 Tampa Bay Buccaneers

My Pick: The sputtering Eagles haven’t looked like themselves in over a month. The Bucs, meanwhile, emerge from the NFC South race after winning 5 of their last 6. Despite Tampa’s momentum, the Eagles should muster up a win against an inferior roster. A possible upset.