Sharp or Square - NFL Wild Card Weekend Bets: Packers-Bears, Rams-Panthers, Bills-Jaguars, Patriots-Chargers, Niners-Eagles, Texans-Steelers

Jan 7, 2026

Join professional sports gambler Simon Hunter as he teams up with Chad Millman for insights on NFL Wild Card Weekend. They dive into betting picks for high-profile matchups, including the key matchup between the Rams and Panthers, and the historic rivalry of the Packers and Bears. Hunter discusses injuries impacting line movements and provides a compelling analysis of the Bills-Jaguars game. Plus, hear their thoughts on potential futures and parlay strategies, making this the ultimate guide for playoff betting excitement!

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ADVICE

Back Rams If Adams Status Unclear

Consider betting the Rams at -10 against the Panthers if Devontae Adams is questionable because Simon sees value in the Rams as a stronger team.
Take the under on the Rams-Panthers total (46.5) given outdoor playoff trends and potential cold conditions.

INSIGHT

Playoff Inexperience Hurts QBs

First-time starting quarterbacks in playoff games perform poorly ATS; Simon cites a historical 20-39-1 spread record favoring veterans.
That trend influenced caution on bets for Bryce Young, Caleb Williams, and Drake Maye.

ADVICE

Prefer Outdoor Unders In Wild Card

Lean unders in outdoor wildcard games: historically outdoor unders win at a high rate, especially when totals exceed 41.
Use weather and cold-adjustment reasoning when pricing playoff totals.

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The betting slate for 2026 NFL Wild Card Weekend is here, and betting expert Chad Millman is joined by professional sports gambler Simon Hunter to discuss every game for this opening round of the NFL Playoffs!Together the duo provide initial betting picks and predictions for the Wild Card games, covering both spreads and totals as their free SHARP OR SQUARE PRO FOOTBALL PICK 'EM CONTEST continues throughout the playoffs at https://sharporsquare.thevolume.com/

Today's betting action starts with two huge Saturday matchups, as Bryce Young and the Carolina Panthers play host to Matt Stafford and the favored L.A. Rams. Then in the nightcap, Jordan Love returns for the Green Bay Packers as they square off against Caleb Williams and the rival Chicago Bears in frigid Soldier Field.

Moving on to betting picks and predictions on the Sunday slate, we hear our duo's opinions on Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills as they hit the road to battle the Jacksonville Jaguars with red-hot quarterback Trevor Lawrence. In the City of Brotherly Love, Jalen Hurts and the reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles defend their crown against Brock Purdy and the San Francisco 49ers. And on Sunday night, coach Jim Harbaugh and captain Justin Herbert lead the L.A. Chargers to Foxboro to take on Drake Maye and the New England Patriots.

And finally, today's episode wraps up with a breakdown of Monday's game between the Houston Texans and Pittsburgh Steelers, as C.J. Stroud looks to hand Mike Tomlin yet another Wild Card defeat. Plus, we hear Simon's favorite NFL playoff futures and longshot bets! #Volume

0:03:00 - START

0:13:20 - LA RAMS VS. CAROLINA PANTHERS

0:23:30 - GREEN BAY PACKERS VS. CHICAGO BEARS

0:32:55 - BUFFALO BILLS VS. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

0:38:35 - SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS VS. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

0:45:30 - LA CHARGERS VS. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

0:55:55 - HOUSTON TEXANS VS. PITTSBURGH STEELERS

1:04:50 - FAVORITE NFL PLAYOFF FUTURES & LONGSHOT BETS

-- All lines provided by Hard Rock Bet

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