NFL tips: Paddy Power's best Wild Card playoff bets for Saturday

*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widget, while in-copy odds are accurate at time of publication but subject to change

We’ve reached the playoffs in the quest for Super Bowl LV. The Kansas City Chiefs and Green Bay Packers got the all-important bye, leaving the rest of the contenders to battle it out.

The first three games are on Saturday. First up, it’s the rampant Buffalo Bills hosting the Indianapolis Colts. Ian Dent, our NFL trader, will be joining us throughout the playoffs to give us his best bets – check out the first of his top tips below.

6.05pm – Indianapolis Colts @ Buffalo Bills

This is a tough game for the Colts, as the Bills are arguably the form team in the NFL. Josh Allen and the offence have been on fire and I think they can cover a 6.5 line at home.

The Colts defence has been decent, but Allen has been unstoppable with his arm and his legs – his improvement this season has been remarkable. The Colts’ best chance of a win is if they can run the ball well, and although Jonathan Taylor has been excellent lately, I just can’t see them getting past the Bills.

In the Touchdown Markets, I’m going for Buffalo wide receiver Stefon Diggs. He’s been the best free-agent signing this season and he has got an excellent connection with Allen, as his recent 3 TD effort against the Patriots proves.

Tips: Buffalo (-6.5) & Stefon Diggs first and anytime TD scorer

9.40pm – LA Rams @ Seattle Seahawks

This is a big NFC West clash. They shared the two games they played in the regular season, but I think the Seahawks should have enough to win here.

There are big doubts over the Rams’ quarterback Jared Goff, while the Seahawks defence has really improved lately. The Seahawks were flying early in the season when they let “Russ cook”, but they have returned to a more conservative running game as results worsened and that should really suit them here as Aaron Donald and the Rams defensive line have caused havoc for Wilson in the past.

With the Seahawks returning to a run-first offence, the value in the TD markets is with their running back Chris Carson. Pete Carroll loves setting the tone by running the football and I can see them trying to establish the run, which in turn should give plenty of opportunities for Carson to get into the endzone.

Tips: Seahawks (-4) & Chris Carson first and anytime TD scorer

1.15am – Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Washington Football Team

This is a big handicap line to cover in the final game on Saturday, but I think the Buccaneers can cover. The Bucs offence has been up and down all season, but they are starting to heat up at the exact right time. Tom Brady has been in great form and in Chris Godwin, Mike Evans and Antonio Brown, they have three dangerous wide receivers. Rob Gronkowski has also been chipping in at tight-end and the Bucs’ air attack should be too good for Washington.

Alex Smith has had an incredible season, capped by his Comeback Player of the Season award, but he has been struggling with a calf injury and Washington head coach Ron Rivera has suggested that Washington could rotate him with Taylor Heinicke. For me, that’s a bad sign going against Tampa Bay’s defence, which has been one of the best in the NFL all season.

In the TD markets, it could pay to side with Tampa Bay wide receiver Antonio Brown. Tom Brady lobbied to get Tampa Bay to sign Brown after his ban, and these two have started to build a good rapport as the weeks have passed.

Tips: Buccaneers (–8.5) & Antonio Brown first and anytime TD scorer

*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widget, while in-copy odds are accurate at time of publication but subject to change