Free NFL Betting Picks - Wild Card Weekend Best Bets, Expert Predictions, Odds

January 14, 2022

Steve Janik's top NFL betting picks and best bets for The NFL Wild Card Weekend games on 1/15/22 and 1/16/22. His free picks target the spread and under.

We enter the 2022 NFL Playoffs with a not so great record, but there's never been a better time to get hot. I finished the regular season with a split, getting the under in the Steelers/Ravens game. Then my faith in Indianapolis was totally thrown under the bus, because not only did the Colts not score anything close to 31 points, they lost outright to the worst team in the NFL.

• 2021 Season: 13-25-1 (33%, -12.6u)
  • Spread: 6-5, +.3u
  • Total/Team Total:  5-13-1, -8.4u
  • Moneyline: 0-5, -4.3u
  • Props: 2-2, -.2u

I will always keep the disclaimer of **I'm not a professional** but I love researching stats and finding value. My goal is to provide you with information that can help you make informed bets, whether you agree or disagree with me. PLEASE be sure to odds shop. As sports betting becomes "legal" in more states, there's so many different books trying to get your business.

I'm glad to say that I am back and ready to bring you my favorite bets for the Wild Card Weekend of the 2021-22 NFL Playoffs. I'll be here at RotoBaller all season long and you can find me on Twitter @stevejanik6 where I will occasionally add plays to my season record. I am always down to chat and spend most of my days and nights browsing for information or news. You can also follow me on the Action app (@sgjanik6) where I'll post every pick I have for a day and week. With that, I hope you enjoy, best of luck, and please bet responsibly!

NFL Betting Picks - Spread

Las Vegas Raiders at Cincinnati Bengals (-5)

Saturday 1/15, 430 PM EST | O/U: 48.5

Vegas willed their way to a playoff berth, not just in Week 18, but throughout the last half of the season following losing their coach and star receiver. Many will fight it, but Derek Carr is a franchise QB. Maybe not every franchise, but certainly for the Raiders. Receiver Hunter Renfrow has been electric for the offense this season, hauling in 103 passes for 1,038 yards and nine scores, but they also got Darren Waller back in Week 18 which is a huge boost to the unit. However, they'll need to get Josh Jacobs going against a very weak Bengals run defense.

I have heard and seen a lot of talk about how people aren’t sure if the Bengals are set up to make a run in the playoffs. The beauty of sports betting is they just have to make it through one week first. Signal Caller Joe Burrow returned from an injury-shortened 2020 season and finished Top 2 in the NFL in Passer Rating and Completion %. Joe Mixon and Ja’Marr Chase are not only the future of the league at their respective positions, they’re the present. Burrow isn't afraid to sling it downfield

The Raiders were absolutely gassed in their thrilling Week 18 win. They can’t have much left in the tank. Meanwhile, the Bengals are off a game where they were able to rest their studs, sans Chase, so they are fresh and ready to go. If this goes any higher than 5.5, I don't like it anymore because I don't think the Bengals are THAT much better than the Raiders, but I think they can cover this number.

Pick: Bengals -5 (-110, Fanduel) 1 Unit

NFL Betting Picks - Under

San Francisco 49ers at Dallas Cowboys (-3.5)

Sunday, 1/16, 430 PM EST | O/U: 51

San Francisco has been in some dog fights over the last five weeks, but some lopsided wins over Atlanta and Houston have given them a +7.4 point differential in that span. For a run heavy scheme, they've been rather balanced on offense in those five games. They've averaged over 401 ypg, including two games with over 300 passing yards. Obviously Deebo Samuel is the name to watch on this offense, despite not being quite as gamebreaking over the last couple of weeks.. Last week, even with a fully healthy backfield, Elijah Mitchell and Samuel were the key backfield components along with a strong passing attack, they piled up their third most yards in a game this season (so good form). This 49er defense has been strong of late, keeping four of their last five opponents under 300 yards of offense, including not allowing a 100 yards rushing performance since Week 13. They've also generated six takeaways in that five-game stretch.

The Cowboys finished up the year on a nice run, winning five of their last six. They averaged 34 points and over 380 ypg in that stretch, led by Dak Prescott and his 15/3 TD/Int. Star running back Ezekiel Elliott (knee) has been practicing in full all week, while Tony Pollard (foot) has logged in full practices, as well, this week after missing Week 18. Essentially, this offense is at full health and ready to roll. Defensively, Dallas has their moments of prowess, followed by their struggles. In the L3, they rank in the Top 10 in points allowed per game and yards allowed per game, while also allowing just 203 ypg through the air in that span. They'll have to contain Samuel, which has proven near impossible this season, but if we see the best of this defense, they'll be a tough test for San Francisco.

This is one of those games where my instinct tells me the over looks so juicy, so I'm taking the under. That's right, I'm fading myself. Both teams have prominent run games and I think this one will stay close because both teams could pull this out and neither side wants to show too much for their divisional round opponent.

Pick: Under 51 (-110, Draftkings) 1 Unit

More Fantasy Football Advice