Predicting Who Will Win the NFL Wild Card Games

From Tom Brady and the Patriots to Russell Wilson and the Seahawks, the Complex Sports team predicted all of the NFL wild card games.

By 
Jan 03, 2020
Tom Brady.
USA Today Sports

Image via USA Today Sports/Scott Galvin

Tom Brady.
USA Today Sports

Image via USA Today Sports/Scott Galvin

The NFL playoffs are here. After a grueling regular season, 12 teams remain and are vying for a chance to hoist the Lombardi trophy in February. Will Tom Brady and the Patriots turn it on and make another run? Can anyone beat Lamar Jackson and the Ravens? Who will come out of the NFC? So many questions on the horizon. The NFL playoffs are far and away one of the most exciting times in the sports year, and this season is especially fun, because it all seems very wide open. The Ravens are the current betting favorite to win it all, but the Chiefs, 49ers, and Saints are right there. 

After a long season of delivering y'all picks and winners week in and week out, the Complex Sports team is now ready to turn our focus to the playoffs. If you're wondering, Angel and myself tied for first with records finishing at 158-97-1 after 17 weeks. Zion came in third and Adam held the title of last place. All of that is behind us, though, and we're ready for some playoff action.

Not only are we giving you straight up picks for the Wild Card games, but we have all of our picks ATS for your betting pleasure, as well. So sit back and get ready for some NFL playoff action, and be sure to hit is on Twitter and let us know just how bad you think the picks are. 

Buffalo Bills vs. Houston Texans (-2.5)

Deshaun Watson.
Image via Getty/Otto Greule Jr./Stringer

Chopz - 

ATS: I’ll take the Texans to cover the points here. Most of the public money is on the Bills, which surprises me. Never easy for a young QB to go on the road to win their first playoff game. 

Straight Up: Texans take this at home. 

Adam - 

ATS: I’ve rolled with Deshaun Watson and the Texans a lot this season. He’s usually money as a road underdog and circumstances Saturday are exactly the opposite of that. But I’ll trust the QB with playoff experience over the one who has none. 

Straight Up: Texans

Zion - 

Straight Up: The Bills are a dangerous team playing with a nothing to lose mentality but I’ll take the Texans here.

Angel - 

ATS: The Texans have been wildly inconsistent but with JJ back and them playing at home with some playoff experience, they’ll cover this spread. I expect the Bills to give them a game.

Straight Up: Texans.

Tennessee Titans vs. New England Patriots (-5)

Tom Brady Bill Belichick Patriots Jets 2017
Image via USA Today Sports/Robert Deutsch

Chopz - 

ATS: I think this is way too many points here, so give me Titans +5. 

Straight Up: While I don’t think the Patriots cover the spread, I will take them to win the game straight up. I don’t see Ryan Tannehill going into New England and beating Hoodie and Tom. 

Adam - 

ATS: Vegas is dying for you to take the Titans. Five points are a ton in a playoff game. Take ‘em. 

Straight Up: Titans. Stop thinking the Patriots can just flip a switch. Not with that disaster of an offense.  

Zion - 

Straight Up: For just one more week, I think I’ll take the Pats experience. 

Angel - 

ATS: Patriots cover.

Straight Up: I want to pick the Titans, but I think the Pats have a bad taste in their mouth after that Dolphins loss. I’ll take the Pats at home.

Minnesota Vikings vs. New Orleans Saints (-8)

Image of Drew Brees
Image via Getty/Chris Graythen

Chopz - 

ATS: This seems like a high spread, even though the Saints are a very good team. You just never know in the playoffs, so I’ll go with Vikings +8. 

Straight Up: Much like the Pats game, I’ll go with the Saints to win outright, but not cover the spread. 

Adam - 

ATS: Drew Brees is 6-9 ATS in the playoffs. Kirk Cousins is 0-1. It’s too many points to pass up even if the QB battle shouldn’t be much of a battle. 

Straight Up: You have to be smoking dust to pick the Vikings to pull off the upset in the Superdome. 

Zion - 

Straight Up: Saints in a blowout. Drew Brees is on a mission. 

Angel - 

ATS: Vikings +8

Straight Up: New Orleans gets revenge and wins this one at home.

Seattle Seahawks vs. Philadelphia Eagles (+1.5)

Carson Wentz acknowledges photographer.
Image via USA Today Sports/Bill Streicher

Chopz - 

ATS: This is basically a pick em, so give me the… Eagles. Yup, a swerve. I think they pull the upset at home. 

Straight Up: Eagles take this one in an upset. 

Adam - 

ATS: In my book, the Eagles should be favored in this game. And Russell Wilson is only 7-6 ATS in the playoffs. So of course I’ll take the home dog. 

Straight Up: Can Seattle win this game? Of course. Should Seattle win this game? Maybe. Will Seattle win this game? Hell no. 

Zion - 

Straight Up: I’d be scared if I was a Seahawks fan but Russ will pull it out. 

Angel - 

ATS: Seahawks -1.5

Straight Up: The Eagles offense is depleted. Seattle wins this one easily.

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