The 2023-24 NFL playoffs kick off this weekend with the wild card round within the AFC and NFC. The postseason now pits the very best squads in every convention towards one another for a spot in Tremendous Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas. Twelve teams will play in six games across three days this weekend, beginning Saturday afternoon within the AFC with the No. 5-seed Cleveland Browns heading on the street to tackle the No. 4-seed Houston Texans.
With rematches, reunions, and inclement climate on the schedule this weekend, the wild card spherical will not disappoint. Followers will certainly be glued to the motion, together with the very best anytime landing picks for this weekend.
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All odds courtesy of DraftKings and present as of Friday afternoon.
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Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (-120)
Saturday’s Chiefs-Dolphins game will possible be one of the coldest playoff games in NFL history. Present AccuWeather forecasts level to a wind chill dropping to minus 16 throughout the day with gusts exceeding 30 mph. Not precisely the very best climate for fireworks within the passing recreation. As an alternative, it’s going to possible be extra concerning the speeding assault on offense.
The Chiefs‘ speeding offense is much from the very best within the NFL. They’re twenty seventh league-wide in expected points added (EPA) per rushing play, based on nfelo information. However in a recreation like this, they will in all probability must lean on the bottom recreation and their protection in subzero temperatures. Search for Pacheco to interrupt via in what could possibly be a surprisingly low-scoring recreation this weekend.
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Buffalo Bills running back James Cook (+125)
Buffalo will not be as chilly as Kansas Metropolis this weekend however the Bills and Steelers are facing harsh weather as effectively. Greater than half a foot of snow is anticipated in Buffalo on Sunday with gusts approaching 50 mph. Once more, not the very best situations for quarterback Josh Allen and the Bills‘ passing assault.
The Payments’ speeding offense is way improved in 2023, rating third league-wide in EPA per rush. Prepare dinner made his first Pro Bowl this 12 months regardless of scoring simply two speeding touchdowns all season. He discovered the tip zone one other 4 occasions within the passing recreation. In situations that might lean the gameplan in the direction of extra runs and brief passes, search for Prepare dinner to attain.
Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (+170)
When the Browns beat the Texans in Week 16, extensive receiver Amari Cooper had his finest recreation of the 12 months: 11 catches, 265 yards, and two touchdowns. However Njoku had a landing as effectively and could possibly be arrange higher for fulfillment this weekend.
Houston will likely be with out security Jimmie Ward and, in contrast to in Week 16, high cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. could also be tailing Cooper the entire recreation to raised include him. That leaves the backbone of the protection open to assault by Njoku, who’s having fun with his finest stretch of the season because of quarterback Joe Flacco.
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Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (-170)
Dallas has arguably the deepest pass-catching corps the Packers have confronted since Green Bay‘s Week 15 loss to the Buccaneers. The Packers allowed touchdowns to David Moore and Mike Evans and let Chris Godwin tally 10 catches for 155 yards in that one. Per week later, D.J. Chark and Adam Thielen mixed for 12 catches, 192 yards, and two touchdowns in Green Bay’s last-second win over Carolina.
Lamb is enjoying higher than any of these extensive receivers this season. He is deservedly a first-team All-Pro in 2023 and has a ridiculous 11 whole touchdowns in his final 9 video games. Dallas is enjoying at dwelling the place they’re undefeated this season and the offense may put up a number of factors. Count on Lamb to guide the workforce in targets once more and sure discover the tip zone.
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (+105)
Evans tied for the league lead in receiving touchdowns within the common season with 13 however he hasn’t scored since Week 16 against Jacksonville. Fortunately, he is dealing with an Eagles protection that is allowed 29 touchdowns to extensive receivers in 2023. 13 of these 29 got here in Philadelphia’s final eight video games after their bye week and 10 of these 13 went to exterior receivers like Evans. By Monday evening, there will be loads of intrigue from 5 playoff video games within the books however Evans appears to be like poised to make it well worth the wait.