NFL Wild Card Weekend 2018: Updated Odds, TV Schedule and Predictions

Six of the eight NFL wild-card teams (and eight of the 12 playoff teams) didn't make the postseason last year. That massive turnover should make for intriguing playoffs, which kick off when the Tennessee Titans and Kansas City Chiefs meet in an AFC wild-card tilt.

Here's a look at the schedule, alongside some spreads and over/under totals via OddsShark. Then, we'll follow that up with some quick picks for the quartet of games.

Wild-Card Schedule and Odds

Saturday, 4:35 p.m. ET on ESPN/ABC: No. 5 Tennessee Titans at No. 4 Kansas City Chiefs (-8, 44.5 O/U)

Saturday, 8:15 p.m. ET on NBC: No. 6 Atlanta Falcons at No. 3 Los Angeles Rams (-5.5, 48 O/U)

Sunday, 1:05 p.m. ET on CBS: No. 6 Buffalo Bills at No. 3 Jacksonville Jaguars (-9, 39.5 O/U)

Sunday, 4:40 p.m. ET on Fox: No. 5 Carolina Panthers at No. 4 New Orleans Saints (-7, 47.5 O/U)

Predictions

Titans at Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs have lost two games at home by a combined 12 points this season. Overall, they've won six of eight in Arrowhead Stadium and have never given up more than 20 in any single contest.

The Tennessee Titans, who lost three of their last four to close the regular season, have struggled on offense, scoring 20.9 points per game (19th in the NFL). The Titans are also a below .500 team on the road (3-5), so the clear edge goes to Kansas City in this one.

It's hard to call this one a blowout, especially considering the fact that the Titans are adept at stopping the run (only 3.6 yards per carry allowed this year). If they can prevent Chiefs star rookie Kareem Hunt from getting in a groove, then Tennessee has a shot.

That being said, Kansas City has two tough mismatches for any team in tight end Travis Kelce and wideout Tyreek Hill. It seems like they swap their monster performances week after week and help carry the team to victory.

The Chiefs will win this one and move on to face the New England Patriots.

Pick: Chiefs 27, Titans 13

Falcons at Rams

Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley and Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones are the stars in this Saturday night main event, but keep an eye out for some other players who can step up and have big games.

A few names to consider include Rams wideouts Sammy Watkins and Cooper Kupp, Falcons wide receiver Mohamed Sanu and backup running back Tevin Coleman.

Watkins has six touchdowns since November 5, which is second on the team in that time span behind Gurley. Kupp was first on the team in targets with 95 and could be quarterback Jared Goff's security blanket in this game. Sanu is a steady possession receiver who hauled in a career-high 67 passes this year.

The wild card is Coleman, who backs up starter Devonta Freeman. Somehow, Coleman always seems to find a way into the end zone despite limited touches. He accrued 11 scores last year and followed that up with eight more this season.

Both teams have loads of offensive talent, and that should be on display here. In the end, give the edge to the home team in a great game.

Pick: Rams 27, Falcons 24

Bills at Jaguars

If Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy's sprained ankle heals well enough for him to play and be effective on Sunday, then his team has a shot at pulling off the upset. If McCoy is limited or can't go, then it's hard to see a path for Buffalo to win its first playoff game since 1995.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network provided an update on Friday, noting that it's expected McCoy will play. But will he able to handle a full workload, or will he split carries with Mike Tolbert and Marcus Murphy? Will McCoy's ankle be able to hold up? Will he improve, or will he have a setback?

Obviously, the hope is that McCoy is a full go, but failing that, the Jaguars should be able to neutralize the Bills offense thanks to an incredible pass defense that was second in sacks (55) and first in quarterback rating allowed (68.5).

Pick: Jaguars 30, Bills 13

Panthers at Saints

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara rushed for 6.1 yards per carry and averaged 10.2 yards per reception this season. He scored 13 touchdowns and accrued 1,554 yards from scrimmage. Those are video game numbers.

Although the Panthers run defense is one of the best in the league (the 88.1 yards per game allowed ranks third in the NFL), it (like everyone else) hasn't been able to solve Kamara, Mark Ingram and the Saints rushing attack this year. In two games against the Panthers, Kamara has amassed 168 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns on just 19 touches.

Maybe the third time is a charm for Carolina, but the Saints have outplayed the Panthers twice this season and just seem like a bad matchup for the Panthers.

New Orleans beat Carolina 34-13 in Charlotte this year and 31-21 at home. The guess is that this one is a bit closer, but Kamara and Ingram will simply be too much.

Pick: Saints 24, Panthers 16