Sunday’s NFL Wild Card games are a study in contrast. The first game features two teams who aren’t that familiar with each other; the second is a clash between NFC South rivals. And judging by the Super Bowl 52 odds online, that second game might produce yet another Wild Card champion. Here’s a quick preview of Sunday’s schedule for everyone who’s looking to bet on NFL action this weekend.

 

Buffalo Bills at Jacksonville Jaguars (1:05 PM ET, CBS)

Sunday’s first Wild Card matchup features two teams who haven’t made the playoffs in a long time. It’s been 10 years for the Jaguars (10-6 SU, 9-7 ATS), who are the AFC South champions and the No. 3 seed in their conference; they have the second-best defense in the league, and a top-five offense in terms of points. The Bills (9-7 SU, 9-6-1 ATS) were fortunate to make the playoffs for the first time since 1999, sneaking in at the last moment with the No. 6 seed.

Jacksonville is starting to move up the Super Bowl 2018 odds list, checking in at +1800 as we go to press, while the Bills have sunk to +10000. And the Jaguars have moved from –8 to –9 on Sunday’s NFL playoff odds board. You’ll also find a total of 39, the lowest of the four Wild Card games. Cloudy skies and temperatures in the low 50s are expected at EverBank Field.

 

Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints (4:40 PM ET, FOX)

The NFC South isn’t anyone’s doormat. This division has been roughed up in seasons past, but not this year – they’ve got three teams in the playoffs, and two of them will collide when the Saints welcome the Panthers to the Superdome. Each team went 11-5 SU and 9-7 ATS during the regular season, but the Saints swept Carolina 2-0 SU and ATS in divisional play to earn the NFC South title and the No. 4 seed in the conference, leaving the Panthers with the No. 5 seed.

The Saints are picking up steam on the NFL betting lines. They’re now in sole possession of fourth place on the Super Bowl 52 odds at +750, and they’re 7-point home favorites for Sunday’s contest, up from –6 at the open. The total of 48 points may seem unusually low for a game at the Superdome, but it reflects the improvements New Orleans has made on defense this year – although both regular-season games against the Panthers went over the posted total. We’ll see if they can make it three straight on Sunday.

 

*Odds as of January 5, 2018