NFL Playoff Picks Against The Spread 2020: Predictions ATS For First-Round Games, Updated Odds

The betting line in every game on Wild-Card Weekend 2020 has moved in the direction of the road team. Both AFC home teams will have their work cut out for them. The NFC South champion is the biggest favorite on the schedule, while the NFC East champion is a slight home underdog.

Below are picks against the spread for every game in the first round of the 2020 NFL Playoffs, as well as updated betting odds at Las Vegas and online sportsbooks. Betting lines are courtesy of OddsShark.

Buffalo Bills (+2.5) at Houston Texans

Buffalo is the more reliable team with a better head coach and a much, much better defense. The return of J.J. Watt will only do so much to improve a unit that ranked second-to-last in opponents’ yards per play and 28th in total defense. The Bills finished the season in the top-four in just about every major defensive category. Josh Allen’s inaccuracy can be a problem against good defenses, but he’ll find ways to move the ball the same way he did against the softest part of Buffalo’s schedule. Deshaun Watson was bad in last year’s wild-card game, and he could struggle against a defense that even held Lamar Jackson in check.

Prediction ATS: Buffalo

Tennessee Titans (+5) at New England Patriots

Even though so many signs are pointing towards an early playoff exit for the Patriots, it’s hard to pick against New England at home in this situation. Is Ryan Tannehill actually going to beat Tom Brady and Bill Belichick in Foxborough with so much on the line? The Week 17 loss to the Miami Dolphins was an aberration. Defensive Player of the Year candidate Stephon Gilmore was roasted in that game. The cornerback will bounce back against Tennessee, as will the rest of the NFL’s No.1 defense. The defending Super Bowl champs have at least one win in them this postseason.

Prediction ATS: New England

Minnesota Vikings (+8) at New Orleans Saints

New Orleans might be the best team in the NFC, and they should win this game at home. But the Saints are laying too many points against a Vikings’ team that won’t go down easily. Too much emphasis is being placed on Minnesota’s Week 16 loss to the Green Bay Packers, which was only the team’s second defeat by more than a touchdown. Adam Thielen might be healthy for the first time in a couple of months, and the return of Dalvin Cook is big for the NFL’s No.8 scoring offense.

Prediction ATS: Minnesota

Seattle Seahawks (-1.5) at Philadelphia Eagles

The Seahawks are not good enough to be favored on the road against a division winner, even one that’s been as inconsistent as the Eagles. Philadelphia is dealing with a ton of injuries, but so is Seattle. The Seahawks are without their top three running backs, starting linebacker Mychal Kendricks and left tackle Duane Brown. Seattle only outscored its opponents by seven points in the regular season. Russell Wilson wasn’t able to get the Seahawks out of the first round a year ago, and he’ll face another tough task. Carson Wentz is playing just as well as Seattle’s quarterback during Philadelphia’s four-game winning streak.

Prediction ATS: Philadelphia