Nat Coombs' NFL Wild Card Tips Including Packers @ Eagles

Nat Coombs is an NFL writer and broadcaster who has been anchoring TV and radio coverage in the UK for over 15 years, working with a range of networks including BBC, TalkSPORT, FIVE, ESPN and Channel 4. 

He writes a column for The Times and also hosts his own NFL podcast The Nat Coombs Show, which has been nominated for the best American Football podcast in the Sports Podcast Awards.

Nat has joined The Panel to share his three best tips for the weekend’s NFL action using the best prices from the leading NFL betting sites.

The treble pays just under 11/2 with Betway.

Nat Coombs' NFL Wild Card Predictions:

• Nat Coombs' Panel Pick 1: Broncos @ Bills Under 48.5 Total Points - 5/6 With Betway
• Nat Coombs' Panel Pick 2: Eagles -4.5 To Beat The Packers - 20/23 With Betway
• Nat Coombs' Panel Pick 3: Baker Mayfield Over 246.5 Passing Yards - 20/23 With Betway

Broncos @ Bills Tip: Nix May Struggle To Keep Up With Allen

On the surface, this should be plain sailing for Buffalo. 

Denver are way ahead of schedule, as is their rookie quarterback Bo Nix who has surpassed (most) expectations.

The 13-4 Bills are perennial contenders in recent years, buoyed by an MVP-level season from their quarterback Josh Allen, who is effectively demonstrating that life after the departure of superstar receiver Stefon Diggs is a lot rosier than cynics suggested. 

The committee productivity of an impressive Buffalo receiving corp that lacks an out-and-out number one, but has multiple productive contributors, enhanced by the addition of Amari Cooper. 

Since his arrival mid-season, the Bills have ranked first in EPA (Expected Points Added) per drive and second in points per drive. 

They’ve finally got an alternative to Allen in the ground game too, courtesy of an emerging James Cook, their best running back since Shady McCoy a decade ago. 

The trouble for Allen and co is that this Denver team is not built around Bo Nix or the offense, rather it’s formidable defense, conducted by Vance Joseph. 

It ranks first in both EPA per play and EPA against rushing plays as well as topping the pile in sack rate and ranking second in pressure rate. 

The issue for Denver is that Josh Allen loves facing the blitz. Allen has a 16:1 touchdown to interception ratio this season. 

So, will Joseph dial up looks to confuse and surprise? He has the personnel to do it and it may slow the Bills down and force Allen to shift into magic man mode.

But even then I doubt Nix and the Denver offense can keep up on NFL betting sites. 

Nat Coombs' Panel Pick 1: Broncos @ Bills Under 48.5 Total Points - 5/6 With Betway

Packers @ Eagles Prediction: Hurts To Help Hosts Cover

Quarterbacks Jordan Love and Jalen Hurts are both injury concerns coming into this one, but it’s Hurts (concussion protocol) who is looking the more likely to be game ready for the Eagles. 

Love will start, but there’s not a huge amount of confidence based on reports from the Packers camp that he’s gonna be anywhere near 100%.

The Eagles have been one of the most enigmatic sides this season, the compelling paradox of impressive results.

At times, dynamic plays on both sides of the ball, underpinned with disquiet, disruption and apparent dysfunction driven by the challenges with the passing game.

But these have settled in recent weeks and the offense is showing a lot more balance with AJ Brown happier, with a score in each of his last three games. 

The Eagles defense, coached by Vic Fangio, is dominating and is second in the league in Defensive EPA. 

As Mike Carlson routinely points out on my podcast 'The Nat Coombs Show', Fangio’s defenses typically get stronger and stronger as the season progresses due to the demystification of their complexity for all involved. 

I feel the Philly defense will prove too much for a young Packers crew who, like the Broncos, are one for the future, not this season. 

Nat Coombs' Panel Pick 2: Eagles -4.5 To Beat The Packers - 20/23 With Betway

Commanders @ Buccaneers Preview: Baker To Shine Again 

The high total on betting apps suggests this will be a shoot-out, and I think that’s on point.

I also expect Baker Mayfield and the Bucs offense to have a more-balanced game than last week, where a woeful first half scuppered our Mayfield prop bet of over 250 passing yards.

That's despite his second-half heroics and the Hollywood ending that saw Mike Evans match the Jerry Rice's streak of 11 consecutive seasons with 1000+ receiving yards, with one of the final plays of the game. 

The Commanders have rebounded from their mid-season offensive slump and that's testament to quarterback Jayden Daniels for sure.

Kliff Kingsbury also deserves credit for silencing his critics, who suggested he shines brightly in the first half of the season, then fades fast. 

If Tampa can quickly establish Bucky Irving and their running game against Washington’s poor run defense, this should enable more rhythm and balance for the Bucs and for Baker to hit Evans, Cade Otton & co routinely. 

That said, the Daniels to McLaurin combination is a scary proposition to back against. So as I think the shootout is on, I’m going back to the Baker well for this pick!

Nat Coombs' Panel Pick 3: Nat Coombs' Panel Pick 3: Baker Mayfield Over 246.5 Passing Yards - 20/23 With Betway

Other Betting Match-Ups To Consider:

Denver Broncos @ Buffalo Bills:

Broncos QB Bo Nix, playing in his first ever play-off game, has thrown 6 INTS in his last 5 games, while the Bills have 3 INTS registered in their last 2 home games.

Bo Nix to throw 1+ INT - 4/6 With Betway.

Green Bay Packers @ Philadelphia Eagles:

The Eagles have scored 20+ points in each of their last 13 games and the Packers have scored 20+ points in each of their last 8 games.

Both teams to score 20+ points - 20/23 With Betway.

Jalen Hurts has 12 rushing TDs in his last 10 games, while Saquon Barkley has 7 rushing TDs in his last 7 games. 

Hurts is 20/23 to be an anytime scorer with Betway while Barkley is 5/9 to be an anytime TD scorer with Betway.

Washington Commanders @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers:

The Buccaneers have scored 20+ points in each of their last 14 games, while the Commanders have scored 20+ in their last 6 games.

Both teams to score 20+ points - 20/27 With Betway.

The Buccaneers have won the 2nd half in each of their last 5 home games, while the Commanders have lost the 2nd half in 3 of their last 4 road games.

The Buccaneers to win the 2nd half - 4/5 With Betway.

Minnesota Vikings @ LA Rams:

The Vikings have not scored a 1st quarter point in each of their last 2 games, while the Rams have not scored a 1st quarter TD in each of their last 4 games.

Under 9.5 1st quarter points - Evens With Betway.