NFL odds, picks for Wild Card Round: Proven computer model backing Over in Cowboys vs. Seahawks

The latest NFL odds and spreads for Wild Card Weekend indicate there will be plenty of excitement across the board. In fact, all four games on the NFL Wild Card schedule are expected to be decided by one score, including Saturday’s opening matchup between the Colts and Texans (-1.5). In Saturday’s nightcap, the Cowboys (-2.5) will look to avenge their Week 3 loss against Russell Wilson and the Seahawks. The action doesn’t stop there, as Lamar Jackson leads the red-hot Ravens (-3) against Philip Rivers and the Chargers on Sunday. The opening round of the 2019 NFL Playoffs wraps up when the defending Super Bowl champions travel to Soldier Field to take on the Bears (-6.5) and their disruptive defense. The line has risen a full point in that game after opening at 5.5. With NFL odds and lines on the move ahead of kickoffs, you’ll want to check out the top NFL picks and Playoff predictions from SportsLine’s proven computer model before making any selections of your own.

SportsLine’s proprietary computer model went 176-80 straight up last season and beat over 95 percent of CBS Sports Office Pool players in 2016 and ’17. It also performed better than 98 percent of experts tracked by NFLPickWatch.com during that span. Additionally, it went 48-34 on A-rated picks against the spread last season, and $100 bettors who have followed it the past two seasons are up nearly $4,000.

The model has continued to nail its top-rated picks in 2018, entering the wild-card round on a blistering 16-6 run. For the season, it is now 30-15 on all top-rated picks, extending its two-year run to a strong 78-49. Anyone who has followed it is way up.

Now it has examined the latest wild-card round NFL odds and lines, simulated every snap 10,000 times, and its NFL picks and predictions are in. One of the top wild-card round NFL picks the model recommends: go Over (43.5) in Saturday’s showdown between the Cowboys and Seahawks. 

In the first meeting between these teams, Seattle’s defense held Dak Prescott and the Cowboys’ offense to just 13 points. However, Saturday’s game will be played at AT&T Stadium, where Prescott has completed over 72 percent of his passes for 1,995 yards, 14 touchdowns, and just three interceptions. At home, the Cowboys are averaging 25 points per game, while the Seahawks are averaging 24.7 on the road this season. 

And Seattle’s defense has been susceptible to giving up plenty of points in recent weeks. In fact, the Seahawks have allowed the Cardinals and 49ers, who rank in the bottom five in points scored per game, to score at least 24 in the last three weeks. The simulations project 45 total points in this matchup, so confidently lock in the Over. The model also says one side of the spread cashes well over 50 percent of the time.

Another one of the Wild Card Weekend NFL predictions from the model: the Over (41.5) hits in Eagles vs. Bears at Soldier Field at 4:40 p.m. ET Sunday. 

The total opened at 42 and has dropped a half-point since then as bettors have been hesitant to back the over in a matchup that features Chicago’s top scoring defense. The Bears are giving up a league-best 17.7 points, but the model has found value on the over since the Eagles are averaging almost 30 points in their past three contests with Nick Foles under center. 

Chicago also is averaging over 28 points on offense at home this season. The simulations project 43 total points to be scored in this NFC Wild Card game, so confidently lock in the over because there’s plenty of value on that selection this weekend. 

The model also has a strong pick against the spread for all four wild-card round matchups, and is calling for a top Super Bowl contender to go down hard this weekend, shaking up the NFL Playoff picture forever.

What NFL picks can you make with confidence during the wild-card round? And which top Super Bowl contender goes down hard? Check out the latest NFL odds below and then visit SportsLine to see which NFL teams are winning more than 50 percent of simulations, all from the model that has beaten 98 percent of experts over the past two years. 

Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans (-1.5, 48.5)
Seattle Seahawks at Dallas Cowboys (-2, 43.5)
Los Angeles Chargers at Baltimore Ravens (-3, 41.5)
Philadelphia Eagles at Chicago Bears (-6.5, 41.5)

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