NFL Playoff Picks Against The Spread 2022: Predictions ATS, Upsets For Wild-Card Games

Every home team is favored in the first round of the 2022 NFL playoffs, but a few road teams could end up winning outright. The Buffalo Bills and Los Angeles Rams were beaten at home in the regular season by their upcoming wild-card opponents. The Cincinnati Bengals and Dallas Cowboys host two of the hottest teams in the league.

Below are picks against the spread for all the first-round playoff games. Betting odds are from FanDuel Sportsbook.

Las Vegas Raiders (+6) at Cincinnati Bengals

If the Raiders can keep pressure on Joe Burrow, they’ve got a real chance to pull off the upset. Burrow has been sacked a league-high 51 times behind an offensive line that ranks 30th in ESPN’s Pass Block Win Rate. Pro Bowl defensive end Maxx Crosby and Yannick Ngakoue lead one of the NFL’s best pass rushes. Las Vegas is on a four-game winning streak.

Prediction ATS: Las Vegas

New England Patriots (+4) at Buffalo Bills

After splitting their two regular-season meetings, the AFC East rivals should play a very competitive game in the rubber match. The Patriots have proven they can move the ball on the ground against the Bills, totaling 371 rushing yards on 5.1 yards per attempt in the two matchups. Bill Belichick has gone 15 straight playoff games without losing by more than one score. New England won in freezing temperatures in Buffalo in Week 13, and it can do it again.

Prediction ATS: New England

Philadelphia Eagles (+8.5) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Prior to their Week 18 loss when they rested a bunch of starters, the Eagles were only defeated twice in nine games. Those losses came by a total of nine points. Without Antonio Brown and Chris Godwin, the Bucs might have some issues against Philadelphia’s top-10 defense. This could look similar to Tampa Bay’s eight-point win over Washington in last year’s wild-card round.

Prediction ATS: Philadelphia

San Francisco 49ers (+3) at Dallas Cowboys

With the better quarterback at home, the Cowboys should take care of business and beat the 49ers. Dak Prescott has 23 touchdowns, two interceptions and a 116.2 passer rating in eight home games, during which Dallas has averaged 36.4 points. Prescott has only been sacked 13 times at AT&T Stadium, and the Cowboys can neutralize a very good 49ers defensive line. Jimmy Garoppolo’s playoff resume leaves a lot to be desired.

Prediction ATS: Dallas

Pittsburgh Steelers (+12.5) at Kansas City Chiefs

The line is inflated because of the way the Chiefs embarrassed the Steelers in their 36-10 win over Pittsburgh in Week 16. Expect a better effort out of the Steelers, who have won three of their last four games and allowed 14 points or fewer in each of those victories. The Chiefs went 9-1 to end the season, though only four of those wins came by more than 10 points.

Prediction ATS: Pittsburgh

Arizona Cardinals (+4) at Los Angeles Rams

The Cardinals haven’t played particularly well since starting the season 7-0. Arizona is 1-4 in its last five games, including a 30-23 loss against L.A. Kyler Murray has struggled without DeAndre Hopkins, posting an average passer rating of 86.5 since Dec. 13. Led by the likes of Aaron Donald, Jalen Ramsey and Cooper Kupp, the Rams are the more talented team with a better head coach.

Prediction ATS: Los Angeles