Sports Betting

Sportsbooks Eye Bigger NFC Playoff Handle

Posted on: January 4, 2026, 10:50h.

Last updated on: February 11, 2026, 09:10h.

Written by

Mark Keast Mark is a long-time, seasoned journalist, as a writer and editor, working for several Toronto daily newspapers, then moving over to the digital arena, covering both sports and business. Over the past few years he moved over to the gaming arena, specifically covering the igaming industry in Canada for several platforms, as well as writing on sports betting.

Wild Card schedule set for next weekend as Broncos and Seahawks earn byes
Sportsbooks expect Bills versus Jaguars to drive a lot of the betting action
Caesars Sportsbook says it expects to need the Rams and Packers to falter in Round 1

The NFL Wild Card schedule is set, with the Houston Texans heading to Pittsburgh to play the Steelers in the AFC, after Pittsburgh beat Baltimore 26-24 tonight in a thrilling game, down to a last second field goal miss by Ravens kicker rookie Tyler Loop, to knock the Ravens out of the playoffs.

Bud Dupree #48 and Del’shawn Phillips #53 of the Los Angeles Chargers tackle RJ Harvey of the Denver Broncos during today’s game at Denver. The Broncos won 19-3 to secure the AFC’s top playoff seed. (Image: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

In the AFC, the No. 7 L.A. Chargers are in New England to take on the No. 2 Patriots (Sunday at 8 p.m. EST), the No. 6 Buffalo Bills are in Jacksonville to play the No. 3 Jaguars (Sunday at 1 p.m. EST). The Denver Broncos earned the No. 1 seed and bye. The No. 5 Texans play the No. 4 Steelers Monday at 8 p.m. EST.

In the NFC, the Seattle Seahawks have the No. 1 seed and bye. The No. 7 Green Bay Packers are in Chicago to take on the No. 2 Bears (Saturday at 8 p.m. EST), with the No. 6 San Francisco 49ers in Philadelphia to take on the No. 3 Eagles (Sunday at 4:30 p.m. EST). The No. 5 L.A. Rams are in Carolina to play the No. 4 Panthers (Saturday at 4:30 p.m. EST).

Seahawks and Broncos Earn Byes

We will see the Rams as a big favorite against the Panthers despite losing to them in Charlotte a few short weeks ago,” said Joey Feazel, Head of Football at Caesars Sportsbook. “Packers versus Bears is going to drive a lot of action, and the Eagles versus 49ers will also be a game with a lot of bets and eyeballs on the game. On the AFC side, we expect the Bills and Jaguars to drive a lot of action.

“We expect to need the Rams and Packers to falter in round 1 and expect there to be more handle on the NFC side of the playoffs for the first round.”

Early NFL Betting Odds

On the DraftKings Moneyline the Rams are -600, Panthers +440; Packers -115, Bears -105; Bills -118, Jaguars -102; Eagles -192, 49ers +160; Patriots -185, Chargers +154, Texans -162, Steelers +136.

On the FanDuel Moneyline the Rams are -620, Panthers +460; Packers -108, Bears -108; Bills -116, Jaguars -102; Eagles -192, 49ers +160; Patriots -210, Chargers +176, Texans -166, Steelers +140.

“Saturday, with the low-scoring game and both underdogs getting across the line, was good for the book. Sunday was a mixed bag of results with a lot of meaningless games taking place,” said Feazel.

Mark is a long-time, seasoned journalist, as a writer and editor, working for several Toronto daily newspapers, then moving over to the digital arena, covering both sports and business. Over the past few years he moved over to the gaming arena, specifically covering the igaming industry in Canada for several platforms, as well as writing on sports betting.