NFL Wild Card Weekend Ignites with Doubleheader, Alongside Key NBA Matchups and Expert Betting Insights for Saturday, January 10

The grueling 18-week NFL regular season concludes, ushering in the highly anticipated Super Wild Card Weekend with a doubleheader scheduled for Saturday, January 10. Football enthusiasts are set for two intriguing rematches from the season’s latter stages, featuring the Los Angeles Rams against the Carolina Panthers, followed by a storied NFC North rivalry renewed in the postseason as the Chicago Bears host the Green Bay Packers. Beyond the gridiron, a full slate of NBA, NHL, and college basketball action is also on the docket, providing a diverse array of sports betting opportunities. All times are Eastern.

NFL Wild Card Round: Saturday’s Key Showdowns

Los Angeles Rams at Carolina Panthers

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• Time: 4:30 p.m. ET
• Location: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC
• TV: FOX
• Stream: Fubo (try for free)

The opening contest of the NFL playoffs pits the Los Angeles Rams against the Carolina Panthers in a significant NFC Wild Card clash. The Rams, once considered a dominant force in the NFC, experienced a late-season stumble that saw them lose contention for both the NFC West title and the coveted No. 1 seed. This decline notably began with a surprising 31-28 road loss to the Panthers in late November, a game where quarterback Matthew Stafford threw two critical interceptions. Los Angeles subsequently lost two of its final three regular-season games, impacting their playoff positioning.

Conversely, the Carolina Panthers, despite finishing the regular season with an 8-9 record, secured the NFC South crown and the No. 4 seed by virtue of tiebreakers over division rivals like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Atlanta Falcons. Their upset victory over the Rams earlier in the season proved pivotal in their divisional pursuit, demonstrating their capability to challenge higher-seeded opponents.

Heading into this playoff rematch, the Rams are positioned as substantial 10.5-point favorites on the road, a testament to their perceived overall strength and potential return to full health for key offensive players. Despite the large spread, the SportsLine Projection Model, which simulates every NFL game 10,000 times, identifies value in backing the underdog Panthers on the money line, predicting a Carolina victory in 24% of simulations. SportsLine expert Emory Hunt also leans towards Carolina, advising a play on the Panthers to cover the 10.5-point spread. Hunt stated, "On paper, the Rams should easily cover this spread against Carolina. But in actuality, the Panthers have the confidence from beating Los Angeles earlier in the year and comes in with that type of energy for this matchup." This perspective highlights the psychological edge and momentum Carolina might carry into the contest.

Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears

• Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
• Location: Soldier Field, Chicago, IL
• TV: Prime Video

The second Wild Card game of Saturday night features one of the NFL’s most storied rivalries: the Green Bay Packers versus the Chicago Bears. While these teams have met over 200 times throughout their history, this marks only the third postseason encounter, adding immense stakes to their latest chapter. Their two regular-season matchups this year were decided by razor-thin margins, hinting at another dramatic playoff battle.

In Week 14, the Packers secured a 28-21 victory over the Bears, with the outcome sealed in the final seconds by an interception of quarterback Caleb Williams in the end zone. The Week 16 clash proved even more tumultuous, as the Bears mounted a thrilling fourth-quarter comeback, scoring 13 points in the final period, including 10 in the last two minutes. An improbable onside kick recovery then forced overtime, where Williams connected with wide receiver DJ Moore for a deep touchdown to clinch the win for Chicago. Notably, the home team prevailed in both regular-season contests.

As the NFC North champions, the Chicago Bears earned the right to host this pivotal playoff game. However, oddsmakers have designated the Green Bay Packers as slight favorites, a reflection perhaps of the perceived miraculous nature of Chicago’s last victory. The SportsLine Projection Model anticipates another closely contested game, with the Bears covering the 1.5-point spread in 54% of simulations, earning a ‘B’ grade.

Regarding player props, SportsLine expert R.J. White suggests the "Under 46.5 receiving yards" for rookie Chicago tight end Colston Loveland. White’s rationale considers the return of receiver Rome Odunze from injury, which could dilute Loveland’s target share. White explained, "He’s had two huge games the last two weeks but had more than 40 yards only four times previously in an offense that likes to spread it around with its top four players between 652 and 713 receiving yards. The Packers are a team to attack with receivers, as they’ve allowed the sixth fewest yards per game to tight ends at 44.6 yards despite seeing the 14th most tight end targets." This insight suggests a strategic defensive advantage for Green Bay against the tight end position.

NBA Best Bets: Saturday’s Marquee Matchup

San Antonio Spurs at Boston Celtics

• Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
• Location: TD Garden, Boston, MA
• TV: NBA League Pass
• Stream: Fubo (try for free)

On the hardwood, a potential NBA Finals preview unfolds as two of the league’s top teams, the San Antonio Spurs and the Boston Celtics, square off. The San Antonio Spurs enter the game with an impressive 26-11 record, positioning them as a strong contender for the top spot in the Western Conference, currently trailing only the Oklahoma City Thunder. They have also demonstrated solid recent form, winning six of their last ten outings.

The Boston Celtics, with a 24-13 record following a recent victory over the Toronto Raptors, hold the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference. Boston has maintained a high level of performance throughout the season, consistently demonstrating their championship aspirations with their star-studded roster. The SportsLine Projection Model strongly favors the Celtics in this contest, picking them on the money line. Boston wins in 68% of the model’s simulations, earning a rare and significant ‘A’ grade for its confidence in the outcome.

Looking Ahead: Sunday’s Marquee NFL Wild Card Matchup

Buffalo Bills at Jacksonville Jaguars

• Time: 8:20 p.m. ET
• Location: EverBank Stadium, Jacksonville, FL
• TV: CBS
• Stream: Paramount+

One of the most anticipated matchups of the entire Wild Card Weekend is scheduled for Sunday night, featuring the No. 3-seed Jacksonville Jaguars hosting the Buffalo Bills. The Jaguars have undergone a remarkable transformation under new head coach Liam Coen, improving from a four-win season in 2024 to an impressive 13-4 record and an AFC South championship in 2025. Jacksonville enters the postseason on a formidable eight-game winning streak, showcasing their formidable momentum.

The Buffalo Bills, while securing a playoff berth with a 12-5 record, experienced what some might consider a slightly inconsistent or underperforming year relative to their high expectations. With prominent AFC quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, and Lamar Jackson absent from this specific playoff field, this postseason presents arguably the best opportunity for Bills quarterback Josh Allen to lead his team to a Super Bowl appearance for the first time in his career.

This matchup presents a compelling "strength versus strength" dynamic. The Bills boast the NFL’s No. 1 rushing attack, a cornerstone of their offensive philosophy. Conversely, the Jacksonville Jaguars led the league in run defense, allowing a mere 85.6 rushing yards per game. This clash of dominant forces promises an intense battle in the trenches.

The SportsLine Projection Model gives the Jaguars a slight edge to cover the 1.5-point spread, doing so in 52% of simulations. SportsLine expert Brady Kannon, meanwhile, recommends a play on the "Under 51.5" for the game’s total points, which is the highest total among the six Wild Card games. Kannon’s reasoning hinges on the expected emphasis on the running game by both teams. "The running game should be featured heavily in this contest — for both teams," Kannon asserted. "Buffalo’s defense is vulnerable against the run and Buffalo’s offense is excellent utilizing the run. Rushing the football takes time off the clock. The running game plus public perception has me staying Under the total." This analysis suggests a grind-it-out affair that could see fewer points than anticipated.

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