NFL Wild Card Odds Movement: Tracking the Biggest Playoff Line Shifts

• Six NFL Wild Card matchups are on the slate this weekend
• The line has crossed zero in one game
• See the NFL Wild Card odds movement (point spread and total) for all six games

The NFL postseason arrives with heightened intensity and elevated stakes. Wild Card weekend includes six games running from 4:30 pm ET on Saturday (Rams vs Panthers) to 8:15 pm ET on Monday (Texans vs Steelers).

The odds for all six games opened last Sunday, meaning the betting public has had almost a full week to get money down and shift the opening lines.

The first section, below, lists the opening spread and current spread for all six matchups this weekend. The second section does the same for the game totals.

Wild Card Odds Movement: Point Spread

Green Bay Packers @ Chicago Bears: This all-NFC North game has seen the spread move across zero, initially favoring the Bears at home and now leaning Packers on the road. The Bears opened as 1.5-point home favorites but now find themselves as one-point underdogs, representing a full 2,5-point swing against public sentiment. Despite 70.21% of bets and 65.34% of handle backing Chicago in the NFL public betting splits, the line moved decisively toward Green Bay. This reverse line movement pattern indicates that respected bettors recognize the Packers’ postseason experience advantage over a Bears squad making its first playoff appearance since 2020.

San Francisco 49ers @ Philadelphia Eagles: The NFC matchup has seen its spread balloon from Eagles -3.5 to -5.0, despite overwhelming public support for the 49ers. With 76.65% of tickets and 78.47% of money backing San Francisco, the movement toward Philadelphia suggests sportsbooks are comfortable absorbing significant 49ers liability. This counter-intuitive shift in the NFL odds likely reflects concerns about San Francisco’s ability to execute its offensive game play on the road in a hostile playoff environment with adverse weather conditions.

Game-Total Movement for Wild Card Playoffs

Two marquee Wild Card matchups have experienced significant downward movement that contradicts public-betting patterns, revealing sharp money positioning for lower-scoring playoff affairs.

San Francisco 49ers @ Philadelphia Eagles: This NFC game has dropped a full two points from 46.5 to 44.5. The shift becomes more significant considering 60.52% of tickets and 57.79% of money have backed the over. Professional bettors appear to be anticipating a defensive battle between two teams with elite defensive coordinators who excel at playoff adjustments. January weather conditions in Philadelphia could further contribute to a grind-it-out ground game that keeps the clock moving. (See the full breakdown of NFL Wild Card weather forecasts.)

Green Bay Packers @ Chicago Bears: The historic rivalry total has declined three full points from the opening line of 47.5 all the way down to 44.5, again moving against public sentiment that favors offensive fireworks. With 57.85% of bets and 56.03% of handle on the over, the downward movement suggests sharp money expects playoff nerves, defensive schemes, and especially adverse weather conditions (including winds up to 22 mph) to limit scoring opportunities. Both teams feature strong defensive secondaries that could force field-position battles and create the type of methodical, low-scoring affair that defines Wild Card weekend.

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