NFL Wild-Card Weekend Look-Ahead Odds | Hypothetical Betting Lines for NFL Playoffs

You can already get giddy for playoff action while sizing up the NFL Wild-Card Weekend look-ahead odds.

Several key clashes lie ahead this weekend, and we're evaluating those critical battles in our NFL Week 18 predictions. That includes 49ers-Seahawks for the NFC West, Ravens-Steelers for the AFC North, and Panthers-Buccaneers in a colossal NFC South tilt.

But you can capitalize on potentially more appealing Wild-Card Weekend lines now with these look-ahead odds, with all bets voiding if the matchup you wager on doesn't take place. Wild-Card Weekend takes place Jan. 10-12.

🏈 NFL Wild-Card Weekend look-ahead lines: NFC

NFL semifinal look-ahead odds via FanDuel as of Dec. 31.

Packers (-1.5) vs. Bears

It seems likely Jordan Love will be healthy for the wild-card round, which would bump this number further toward Green Bay. The bitter division rivals split their season series, though Love left early in the second matchup that Chicago won.

Early pick: Packers -1.5

Eagles (-3) vs. Packers

Love's health situation applies here too, as it does in every potential Packers matchup. But an equally significant factor could be the continued emergence of Saquon Barkley (120-plus rushing yards twice over his last four games) as he goes against a middling Packers run defense.

Early pick: Eagles -3

Rams (-4.5) vs. Bears

Chicago is the underdog in every hypothetical matchup, but this is the second-closest spread in any game involving the Rams.

Early pick: Rams -4.5

Rams (-1.5) vs. Eagles

The Eagles beat the Rams 33-26 earlier this season. That came way back in Week 3 when Philadelphia's defense was struggling, and now the unit is averaging 10 points allowed across its last three outings. Whether bettors believe that will continue against the mighty Rams is one major factor in potential movement, and Davante Adams' health is another.

Early pick: Rams -1.5

49ers (-1.5) vs. Bears

Currently, two of the three hypothetical matchups involving the Bears sit with them as the narrow +1.5 underdogs. The health of Bears wide receivers Rome Odunze and Luther Burden could impact both, but this one especially since the Niners boast such a potent offense.

Early pick: 49ers -1.5

Eagles (-2.5) vs. 49ers

Each possible matchup involving the Niners would move if they beat the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday and win the top seed in the conference, and by extension home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. But there's an especially massive impact here, as this is the only matchup in which San Francisco is an underdog. Combine that with the huge difference in playing conditions between chilly Philadelphia and Santa Clara, and the need to pounce if you like San Francisco here is clear.

Early pick: 49ers +2.5

Seahawks (-7.5) vs. Panthers

The Panthers are predictably steep underdogs in every matchup, and the hill here could get even tougher to climb if the matchup is made official. The Seahawks' stout run defense matches up well with the Panthers' 11th-ranked rushing offense, particularly at home.

Early pick: Seahawks -7.5

Seahawks (-6.5) vs. Buccaneers

Baker Mayfield has been struggling since suffering a shoulder/collarbone injury back in Week 12. This line could move slightly if he shows improved health and play, as heroism from him is surely what it would take for a massive road upset in Seattle.

Early pick: Seahawks -6.5

Rams (-9.5) vs. Panthers

This is the largest spread throughout all of the hypothetical matchups in either conference. It's tough to envision it moving much further and past the key number of -10. Los Angeles is well-positioned to throttle Carolina, but the Rams' run defense isn't quite as daunting as Seattle's unit.

Early pick: Panthers +9.5

Rams (-7.5) vs. Buccaneers

Much of the same thinking applies here regarding Mayfield, though perhaps even a bit more so against Los Angeles and its top-ranked offense averaging 30.1 points per game. The Bucs would need to earn their stunning upset in shooting fashion.

This is tied for the second-largest spread on the board.

Early pick: Rams -7.5

🏈 NFL Wild-Card Weekend look-ahead lines: AFC

See the latest NFL odds and our experts' NFL picks for every game this season.

Patriots (-3) vs. Chargers

There aren't as many hyothetical AFC matchups due to all the potential for shifting in Week 18. But this is the most intriguing line, as Justin Herbert seems set to sit this weekend, giving his hand injury a chance to mend.

Early pick: Chargers +3

Bills (-1.5) vs. Jaguars

The Bills losing a path to home-field advantage was massive. Instead, a warm-weather team like the Jacksonville Jaguars doesn't need to travel to frosty upstate New York. The Bills are still the narrow favorites in this case though, and the line could move a little more in their favor if Josh Allen's foot injury improves. With that in mind, jump on the home underdogs now if you anticipate a razor-thin affair.

Early pick: Jaguars +1.5

Texans (-3.5) vs. Steelers

The Ravens and Steelers clash on Sunday to determine who takes the AFC North crown. The Ravens are the -3.5 favorite in the Sunday Night Football odds. If Pittsburgh pulls off the upset, this line likely shifts further toward the Texans, as the mobility-challenged Aaron Rodgers would have to best a daunting Houston defense.

Early pick: Texans -3.5

Ravens (-1.5) vs. Texans

Whereas Houston is a -3.5 favorite against Pittsburgh even on the road, the best sports betting sites are giving the Ravens a larger home-field boost. Yet again, the health of a marquee quarterback is at play here. This line will no doubt move a little more toward Baltimore if Lamar Jackson plays in Week 18, even if he's still the less effective version of himself we've seen for much of this season.

Early pick: Texans +1.5

📊 Super Bowl odds

See the latest Super Bowl odds as The Big Game gets closer.

🤔 Is it worth betting on NFL Wild Card Weekend look-ahead odds?

No matter how sharp the market seems, overreaction is often baked into betting odds. That's especially true late in the season when every matchup is under a spotlight and bettors are eager.

That's why betting early can prove advantageous, especially if you expect an outlier result during Week 18 that could sway the actual odds significantly. If that happens, you're already sitting on a far more appealing line.

But the best aspect is that risk is mitigated somewhat because all bets are voided if the matchup you're betting on doesn't happen, and your money is refunded.