NFL Playoffs Guide: Explore the Best Matchups, Schedule & NFL Postseason Betting Insights

Fourteen teams per conference, one bye in the bonus round, and single-elimination rounds. The NFL playoff matchups are already here, and with them comes our NFL playoffs betting guide. After an exciting regular season, the NFL enters its peak with the playoffs, which will eventually give us our Super Bowl contenders.

The wild card and Super Bowl paths begin now, and every time will be vying to prove its true value in the playoffs. With single elimination paths, each team will need to be on top of its game to beat the NFL playoff odds. We’ll cover expectations in our NFL playoffs predictions below. We’ll also cover the top NFL betting playoff picks at BetPlays, and what Canadian bettors can expect from NFL postseason betting.

How the NFL Playoffs Work

The NFL postseason or playoffs mark the league’s knockout stage. Compared to the regular season, it features 14 teams – seven from each conference. The NFL playoffs format game schedule puts the top regular season teams against each other, based on their previous performance.

• Both the AFC and NFC conferences include four division winners and three wild cards. The top team from each conference gets a first-round bye, which means it won’t be playing any matches right away.
• All other teams face off in the wild card round. Once that’s done, the NFL playoffs format follows single-elimination rounds, where a loss ends in heartbreak.
• There are plenty of NFL betting playoff opportunities, as the postseason goes from wild card round to divisional rounds, conference championships, and the Super Bowl.
• NFL wild card betting is just as exciting as betting on the Super Bowl, and may even produce the next champion. You can bet on all NFL playoff games today at BetPlays, with total coverage and results for all the upcoming NFL playoff matchups.

Current NFL Playoff Matchups

With the Steelers beating the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday night, the NFL playoffs matchups are set. Broncos have earned the top AFC spot, while the Seahawks take the number one spot in the NFC.

Both teams get a bye in the first round, while the others play a wild card round. NFL wild card betting opportunities are known for being truly wild, making the upcoming NFL playoff games a must-watch.

AFC Conference

New England Patriots (2) vs Los Angeles Chargers (7)

The Pats were one of the hits of the season after entering it with uncertainty and a new coach. The gamble obviously paid off, as the team finished with a 14-3 record. That’s the most wins since 2016, when they won the Super Bowl with Tom Brady.

New England’s new offense is led by MVP candidate Drake Maye. The wild card matchup against the Chargers will be interesting, as LA also had a good 11-6 season. It’ll be a tough one to crack, although judging by the regular season, the best NFL wild card betting pick would be a Pats win.

Jacksonville Jaguars (3) vs Buffalo Bills (6)

Who would have thought that the Jaguars will be among the top NFL Divisional round picks? Jacksonville ended in the 3^rd spot, riding an eight-game winning streak to end the season on a high.

The Buffalo Bills ended the regular season with another playoff appearance, the sixth one in a row. Although positioned slightly lower than expected, Buffalo will give it its all for a few more games at Highmark Stadium, with a new home Bills home for next season.

Pittsburgh Steelers (4) vs Houston Texans (5)

The Steelers have won AFC North for the first time since 2020. This is their third season with 10+ wins, so the team will be looking to continue its NFL playoff matchups past the wild card round.

It won’t be easy against the Houston Texans, the team that ended the regular season on a high with nine straight wins. The Texans also have the league’s No. 1 defense, so the Steelers have their work cut out for them. It’s one of the most interesting matchups in our NFL playoffs predictions, with experts suggesting a close match where tiny details will matter a lot.

NFC Conference

Chicago Bears (2) vs Green Bay Packers (7)

The NFC Conference playoffs and NFL postseason betting have one of the most exciting match-ups that we could have imagines. The Bears and Packers will meet for the third time this season, splitting the season series 1-1.

Chicago finished the season 11-6 and hasn’t made an appearance in the playoffs since 2020. The team hasn’t won a playoff game since 2010, and fans are hopeful this is the year the Bears turn the tide.

It will face a stern challenge in its biggest rivals, the 9-7-1 Packers. This is Green Bay’s 6^th playoff appearance in the last nine years, with many fans believing the team has what it takes for a deep playoff run. But before that, Canadian bettors have NFL wild card betting opportunities in one of the most thrilling wild card encounters in recent years.

Philadelphia Eagles (3) vs San Francisco 49ers (6)

The reigning champions will be facing the 49ers in what could prove a very tricky match. Philadelphia finished with an 11-6 record, while San Francisco returns to the playoffs for the first time since the 2024 Super Bowl loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Both teams have a lot to prove, and that should result in numerous NFL Playoffs betting opportunities. This is a match that we usually see deeper in the playoffs, so fans and bettors should be happy that we’re getting it that early.

Carolina Panthers (4) vs Los Angeles Rams (5)

The Panthers barely made the playoffs, even with a loss against the Buccaneers in NFL Week 18. All NFL playoff predictions suggest a tight match in Charlotte, as the Rams were on the Panthers’ heels in the division.

This is Carolina’s first NFC South title since 2016. They went 8-9 this season, which isn’t ideal, but the Rams were far from ideal as well. A bright spot in Los Angeles’ roster is Matthew Stafford, who’s leading the NFL MVP race. It’s a match-up to watch for NFL betting playoff fans, and one that’s closer than what most might think.

NFL Playoffs Betting Insights

Knockout games in the NFL postseason betting round are difficult to predict. This is because many teams have one shot at progressing, and a loss pushes them out of the playoffs. The good news is NFL playoffs betting brings different dynamics, which are more suitable to experienced bettors.

Moneylines may not always be favorable, with spreads being the better option at this point of the season. Bettors who are unsure of a team’s NFL playoff odds can easily switch to totals.

Live betting is popular during the playoffs, too, allowing bettors to get the upper hand if the momentum suddenly shifts. The unpredictable nature of NFL playoff predictions is the exact kind of thrill Canadian bettors seek for. With NFL wild card betting coming soon, BetPlays is the place to be for the top NFL playoffs markets.

Betting on the NFL Playoff Matchups at BetPlays

BetPlays has the latest NFL odds for the playoffs, as well as hundreds of available markets. Canadian bettors can place their wagers on fixed odds or live betting markets. Moneyline is available for all the matches in the playoffs, and thanks to the user-friendly layout and design, it’s easy to get your bearings and place bets in CAD.

Spreads, MVP picks, totals, player props, and more are available as part of the NFL betting playoffs experience. Keep an eye on our NFL playoffs and BetPlays NFL lines predictions as we move on from the wild card round for a preview of all the matches and possible NFL playoffs picks.

Final Thoughts: What to Expect from the NFL Playoffs

The NFL playoff odds are already live at BetPlays, as are the (still) early Super Bowl odds. If you’re looking to start your betting quest, it’s a great time to jump into predictions and NFL betting tips for the wild card matches ahead.

Action begins on January 10, and over the weekend, we’ll get all the playoff match-ups. Fans can enjoy the games via live streaming at BetPlays and make the picks they want easily and with no fuss. The NFL playoffs are great for informed betting, so consult our tips and predictions to get the most out of your single-game wagers and NFL playoffs betting parlays.