"The NFL playoffs are upon us and the matchups are set. Things kick off Saturday with the Los Angeles Rams at the Carolina Panthers, followed by the Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears. On Sunday, Jacksonville hosts Buffalo, San Francisco heads cross country to play Philadelphia, and New England looks to defend its home turf against the LA Chargers. Wild-card weekend wraps up Monday as the red-hot Houston Texans hit the road to face the Pittsburgh Steelers."
"Here's a number that has persisted and continues to blow my mind: on plays that are not turnovers, the Bears defense has allowed 0.17 EPA per play, third-worst in the NFL. To be clear, that's third-worst even in comparison to non-turnover plays for all other teams. Add in another underrated number -- that Jordan Love ranks third with a 73.4 QBR this season -- and a Micah Parsons-less Packers defense, and I think there will be points in this divisional playoff battle."
The NFL wild-card matchups are set, starting Saturday with the Rams at the Panthers and Packers at the Bears. Sunday features Jaguars at Bills, 49ers at Eagles, and Patriots against the Chargers, with Monday closing wild-card weekend as the Texans visit the Steelers. Early DraftKings odds are noted and subject to change. Betting leans include a home Bears win and cover based on defensive opportunism and balanced play-calling, an over 45.5 in Packers-Bears due to Bears' high non-turnover EPA allowed and Jordan Love's strong QBR, and a Jaguars tempo-based advantage at home challenging Buffalo's pace.
Read at ESPN.com
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