The Silcoff Selections: NFL Wildcard Weekend Predictions – Straight Up & Against the Spread Picks

The Silcoff Selections are here for Wildcard Weekend of the 2025 NFL Season! Below are my records for my straight up and against the spread picks for the season thus far.

Records Last Week:

Straight Up: 9-7

Against The Spread: 11-5

Season Records:

Straight Up: 167-104-1

Against The Spread: 132-134-6

Saturday Games:

NFC: (5) Los Angeles Rams @ (4) Carolina Panthers I Line: Rams -10.5

The Rams are clearly the better team here. It’s worth noting that Carolina did beat them earlier this season, so there is a path where the Panthers could pull the upset.

Bryce Young would need to play the best game of his career, and Matthew Stafford would have to turn the ball over. The Rams can be thrown on, so Carolina could have some success pushing the ball downfield.

That said, I think the Rams go into Carolina and win fairly comfortably. Maybe the Panthers keep it close early, but I expect the Rams to pull away.

Score Prediction: Rams 27, Panthers 17

ATS Pick: Panthers +10.5

NFC: (7) Green Bay Packers @ (2) Chicago Bears I Line: Packers -1.5

These teams played twice earlier this season, and if Romeo Doubs doesn’t fumble that onside kick, Green Bay probably wins both. The Packers are also the more rested team after sitting their starters last week, while the Bears played their guys due to seeding uncertainty.

It didn’t backfire for Chicago, but it easily could have. Ben Johnson has done plenty of talking since getting hired, and I think Green Bay can throw on the Bears’ secondary. Give me the Packers, and Matt LaFleur gets the last laugh.

Score Prediction: Packers 23, Bears 21

ATS Pick: Packers -1.5

Sunday Games

AFC: (6) Buffalo Bills @ (3) Jacksonville Jaguars I Line: Bills -1

Bills and Jags is the game of the weekend for me. I hate betting against Josh Allen this early in the playoffs, especially in such a wide-open field, but I just think Jacksonville is the better team.

They’ve been rolling all second half of the season, Trevor Lawrence is playing the best football of his career, and I think they’ll be able to run on Buffalo while making Allen uncomfortable. I also like Liam Cohen more than Sean McDermott in this spot.

Honestly, a loss might not even be the worst thing for the Bills if it leads to a coaching change. I’ll take Jacksonville at home.

Score Prediction: Jaguars 30, Bills 26

ATS Pick: Jaguars +1

NFC: (6) San Francisco 49ers @ (3) Philadelphia Eagles I Line: Eagles -6

The 49ers have been a great story all year, especially with the injuries they’ve dealt with on defense, but I think this is where the run ends.

I think Saquon Barkley is in line for his best rushing game of the season after sitting last week with the Eagles prioritizing rest. This also feels like a tough matchup for San Francisco.

Jalen Hurts should be able to throw the ball, and the Eagles’ defense will get after Brock Purdy. Give me the Eagles at home.

Score Prediction: Eagles 26, 49ers 21

ATS Pick: 49ers +6

AFC: (7) Los Angeles Chargers @ (2) New England Patriots I Line: Patriots -3.5

I think the Chargers are a real underdog threat here. Their physicality could overwhelm the Patriots early, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they lead at halftime.

That said, New England has been consistent all year and is the healthier team. Mike Vrabel will have them ready, and while Drake Maye makes his playoff debut, history leans heavily in the Patriots’ favor. The Chargers, on the other hand, haven’t had much luck in these spots.

I think New England finds a way late to win a close one.

Score Prediction: Patriots 23, Chargers 20

ATS Pick: Chargers +3.5

Monday Night Football

AFC: (5) Houston Texans @ (4) Pittsburgh Steelers I Line: Texans -3

I just think Houston’s defense is going to be all over Aaron Rodgers.

There’s a scenario where Pittsburgh wins if T.J. Watt and Cam Heyward can get after C.J. Stroud, but the Texans’ defense is rolling and the Steelers’ offensive line is shaky. I think Houston makes Rodgers uncomfortable and wins on the road... Possibly sending the four-time MVP into retirement.

Score Prediction: Texans 20, Steelers 19

ATS Pick: Steelers +3

Straight Up/Moneyline Picks:

• Rams

• Packers

• Jaguars

• Eagles

• Patriots

• Texans

Picks ATS:

• Panthers +10.5

• Packers -1.5

• Jaguars +1

• 49ers +6

• Chargers +3.5

• Steelers +3