2020 NFL Wild Card Round Preview: Betting Odds, Announcers, Rankings & More
Despite more than a few hiccups, the NFL made it through their regular season. Next up is the postseason, one like we’ve never seen before; the league added two playoff teams this year (and beyond), making it seven from each conference. All the matchups are set, the odds are out, and it’s surely going to be an exciting weekend filled with playoff games. Below, you can see a preview of each game along with the odds and television info. All the Wild Card Round odds listed below were found at Sports Betting Dime.
AFC
#7 Indianapolis at #2 Buffalo
Date: Saturday, Jan. 9
Time: 1:05 p.m. ET
TV: CBS
Line: Buffalo -6.5
O/U: 51
Indianapolis: Scoring offense (#9), defense (#11)
Buffalo: Scoring offense (#2), defense (#16)
Announcing team: Ian Eagle, Charles Davis & Evan Washburn
Notes: This is one of the more interesting matchups of the opening weekend. Buffalo will be hosting their first playoff game in what seems like forever — their last home playoff game was in 1996 — while Philip Rivers is going to be starting his first playoff game for a team not named the Chargers.
#5 Baltimore at #4 Tennessee
Date: Sunday, Jan. 10
Time: 1:05 p.m. ET
TV: ABC/ESPN/ESPN2/ESPN+/Freeform
Line: Baltimore -3.5
O/U: 54
Baltimore: Scoring offense (#7); defense (#2)
Tennessee: Scoring offense (#4); defense (#24)
Announcing Team: Steve Levy, Brian Griese, Louis Riddick & Lisa Salters (ESPN/ABC); Tedy Bruschi, Matt Hasselbeck, Keyshawn Johnson, Booger McFarland, Rex Ryan (ESPN2); Laura Rutledge, Doug Kezirian, Joe Fortenbaugh, Tyler Fulghum, Mina Kimes, Dan Orlovsky, Marcus Spears (ESPN+); Jesse Palmer, Maria Taylor (Freeform)
Notes: This is a rematch of last year’s AFC Divisional Round game, which the Titans won 28-12, and another showcase for Lamar Jackson to prove he can win the big game. Despite being the road team, the Ravens are the favorite. Also, it should be noted that Dez Bryant will be making his return to the postseason; whenever he gets in on the playoff action, sparks fly, so he could add to what’s already one of the year’s best stories. ESPN is broadcasting this game all over the place, too, including Freeform. Yeah, you read that right. Jesse Palmer, former NFL quarterback and The Bachelor cast member, will be on the Freeform call along with Maria Taylor.
#6 Cleveland at #3 Pittsburgh
Date: Sunday, Jan. 10
Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
TV: NBC
Line: Pittsburgh -6
O/U: 47
Cleveland: Scoring offense (#14), defense (#21)
Pittsburgh: Scoring offense (#12), defense (#3)
Announcing team: Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth & Michele Tafoya
Notes: These teams are moving their long rivalry into the playoffs, and the league thinks enough of it to put it in the best timeslot — Sunday, primetime. This will be Baker Mayfield’s first-ever playoff game and the Browns’ first since 2002. You’ve gotta be happy for the Browns fanbase. Quarterbacks making their first playoff start don’t do well historically and the Browns have only covered once in their last five games vs. Pittsburgh.
NFC
#6 LA Rams at #3 Seattle
Date: Saturday, Jan. 9
Time: 4:40 p.m. ET
TV: FOX
Line: Seattle -3.5
O/U: 42
LA Rams: Scoring offense (#23), defense (#1)
Seattle: Scoring offense (#8), defense (#15)
Announcing team: Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Erin Andrews & Tom Rinaldi
Notes: The line on this game is adjusting to the news that Jared Goff has returned to practice for the LA Rams. He’s still listed as questionable, per NFL.com, leaving the other option at QB as John Wolford, the former AAF standout. It’s anyone’s guess what the better option is — banged-up Goff or healthy Wolford. Goff has the experience and all but never forget his playoff passer rating is a well-below-average 73.6.
#5 Tampa Bay at #4 Washington
Date: Saturday, Jan. 9
Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
TV: NBC
Line: Tampa Bay -8
O/U: 44.5
Tampa Bay: Scoring offense (#3), defense (#8)
Washington: Scoring offense (#25), defense (#4)
Announcing team: Mike Tirico, Tony Dungy & Kathryn Tappen
Notes: Despite finishing 7-9, the Washington Football Team will be hosting a playoff game. The storylines are rampant for Tampa Bay-Washington, highlighted by Alex Smith’s unbelievable comeback. That said, backup Taylor Heinicke took first-team reps on Thursday and there’s a good chance both quarterbacks get some time under center on Saturday night. Smith along with top wideout, Terry McLaurin, and top running back, Antonio Gibson, are listed as questionable. Like Philip Rivers, this will be Tom Brady’s first playoff game with anyone besides the Pats…and I can’t wait. One of his biggest weapons, Mike Evans, had a scary-looking injury in Week 17 but he returned to practice on Thursday (limited) and will be a game-time decision.
#7 Chicago at #2 New Orleans
Date: Sunday, Jan. 10
Time: 4:40 p.m. ET
TV: CBS/Nickelodeon/Prime
Line: New Orleans -10
O/U: 47
Chicago: Scoring offense (#22), defense (#14)
New Orleans: Scoring offense (#5), defense (#5)
Announcing team: Jim Nantz, Tony Romo, Jay Feely & Tracy Wolfson (CBS); Noah Eagle, Nate Burleson, Gabrielle Nevaeh Green & Lex Lumpkin (NICK); Hannah Storm, Andrea Kremer (Prime)
Notes: If you thought the Freeform broadcast was strange, you should know that this game has an alternate broadcast on Nickelodeon that’s geared toward kids and families and features Nick stars Gabrielle Nevaeh Green and Lex Lumpkin. There’s also an Amazon Prime version with an all-female booth. As far as the game is concerned, this is the biggest spread of the Wild Card Round and probably the game folks are least excited for (at least in my opinion).
All announcer information courtesy of Awful Announcing.