Unbelievably, the NFL regular season is over and the playoffs are upon us. It seems like yesterday the first game of the 2024 season, Baltimore Ravens at Kansas City Chiefs, was kicking off. Football fans throughout the land should be excited for what’s on tap, beginning this Saturday. You may be asking yourself: when do the games start, where can I watch them and what are the point spreads? No need to worry. This NFL Playoff Schedule/Spreads edition has all the information anyone could possibly need.
Along with the information on the games, there are a few notes of interest sprinkled in here and there. FYI: all times listed are Eastern. Not wanting to wait another moment, let’s get right into it!
Saturday, January 11
Los Angeles Chargers at Houston Texans, 4:30 PM, CBS
Point Spread: LA Chargers -3 Over/Under 43.5
Notes: Head Coach Jim Harbaugh has the Chargers in the playoffs for the second time in three years. Los Angeles is still trying to erase the humiliating loss to Jacksonville in 2022 when they blew a 27-7 halftime lead in a 31-30 loss. Further, the Chargers are trying to win their first playoff game since 2018.
Meanwhile, the Texans enter the postseason having lost two of their last three games, both to playoff teams. Last season, Houston won their Wild Card Round matchup against Cleveland before losing to Baltimore. This is the first time since 2018 and 2019 that the Texans have been to the postseason in consecutive years.
Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens, 8:00 PM, Amazon Prime
Point Spread: Baltimore -9.5, Over/Under: 45.5
Note: The Steelers come into this game limping, having lost their final four games of the regular season. One of those was to the Ravens, losing 34-17, at Baltimore in week 16. After playing extremely well when he took over as the starter, Russell Wilson has really struggled down the stretch. For Pittsburgh to have any shot, he has to play like the Wilson we saw earlier in the year.
Sunday, January 12
Denver Broncos at Buffalo Bills, 1:00 PM, CBS
Point Spread: Buffalo -8.5, Over/Under: 47.5
Notes: Fortunately for Denver, the Broncos are back in the postseason for the first time since their Super Bowl championship run in 2015. Much of the reason has to be the outstanding play of rookie quarterback Bo Nix. However, he is not the only reason, as the Broncos bring in a solid defense and an experienced head coach. More importantly, being from Denver, the Broncos will not be affected by whatever Buffalo weather shows up Sunday.
On the other sideline, Josh Allen, in the running for regular season MVP, is looking for his first Super Bowl appearance. The Bills have been starving for a Super Bowl since losing four straight in the early 90’s. Playing at home should be a huge advantage for Buffalo.
Green Bay Packers at Philadelphia Eagles, 4:30 PM, FOX
Point Spread: Philadelphia -4.5, Over/Under: 46.5
Note: Clearly, at least in my view, no one should be making any predictions on this game until the status of quarterback Jalen Hurts is confirmed. As of this writing, Hurts is practicing and “looking sharp”. If Hurts plays, this NFL Playoff Schedule/Spreads edition confidently has Philadelphia as the clear favorite. Monitor the situation, both for Hurts and rival QB Jordan Love, who is hopeful to play Sunday, as of this moment.
Washington Commanders at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 8:00 PM, NBC
Point Spread: Tampa Bay -3, Over/Under: 50.5
Notes: Of all the Wild Card playoff games, this one has the highest point spread. Offense should be the order of the day in this contest. Quarterback Baker Mayfield set career highs in every important category. One worry, however, is he also threw the most interceptions in a season in his career. He will need to keep that under control for the Buccaneers to be successful Sunday.
On the other side of the field, rookie Jaylen Daniels repaid the Commanders’ confidence in selecting him second overall in this year’s draft. Daniels finished with 25 touchdown passes and scored six on the ground. In this game, Washington will look to turn a ton of playoff futility around, having not won a postseason game since 2005.
Monday, January 13
Minnesota Vikings at Los Angeles Rams, 8:00 PM, ESPN/ABC
Point Spread: Minnesota -1.5, Over/Under: 47.5
Notes: First and foremost, where will this game be played? As of this moment, it is still set for Los Angeles. However, as we all know, the LA area has been battling wildfires for a few days now. Leading into the game, wherever it is played, the focus will be on Sam Darnold. Will he be the quarterback that lit up the NFL all year or the one that looked lost against Detroit? Ultimately, the answer to that will go a long way in determining who wins.
As for the Rams, the team sat many of its starters in their last regular season game against Seattle. Will that decision have any effect on the players? We shall see.
The Final Word
Thank you for joining me for this NFL Playoff Schedule/Spreads edition! Follow me on X (formerly Twitter) @kevin62wilsea. Please feel free to share this article. Be sure to turn to bellyupsports.com for all the MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL happenings and the latest sports news!
