NFL Postseason Opening Weekend Outlook; Sunday, Jan. 16 

How can you not love football? It’s impossible not to love football. This weekend, the NFL has blessed us with extra playoff football. We have six games instead of five because only the first seed in each conference receives a bye this year.

The games begin on Saturday with Las Vegas and Cincinnati. They conclude with a Monday night primetime battle between Arizona and Los Angeles. The betting handle is going to be huge this weekend, but before you place a wager, it’s time to start preparing.

Here is your NFL postseason opening weekend outlook. Let’s go to work!

We will look at Philadelphia Eagles and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Philadelphia Eagles Travel to Tampa Bay to Face the Buccaneers

Since Tampa Bay’s Week 7 win against the Philadelphia Eagles, much has changed. First, Philadelphia has become the NFL’s top rushing team in recent weeks, averaging nearly 200 yards per game. Second, Tampa Bay’s offensive production has been hampered by a spate of wide receiver injuries and meltdowns.

With the Buccaneers favored by 8.5 points in their previous matchup, which they won 28-22 in Week 7, are the Eagles poised to upset or at least cover this spread? The Eagles rushed the ball just nine times that day and were without Lane Johnson, who makes a significant impact.

The Philadelphia Eagles are dangerous because they were not supposed to be in the playoffs under first year head coach Nick Sirianni. I believe they will have an early exit from the postseason, but this is still up in the air because of Tampa Bay’s injuries.

Eagles vs Buccaneers Betting Predictions

The Buccaneers clinched the two seed in Week 18, and they should steamroll Philadelphia. The Cowboys blew the Eagles off the field in Week 18. Tampa Bay is -8.5 in this game, and this is a terrible number to lay for Buccaneers’ bettors.

Although, 59% of bettors are still riding with Tampa Bay. This makes sense considering the Buccaneers are the defending champions. Although, they have been an average team against the spread at 9-8.

The total is set at 49, and 70% of bettors are taking the over.

This will be a even better game in the postseason vs week 7.

* All odds provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.
**All views expressed are my own. My picks are my own and are not a guarantee, bet at your own risk.