NFL wild card pick: Rams get revenge on Panthers; Packers beat Bears

Los Angeles Times NFL Writer Farmer Sam examines the matchups and makes his predictions for the NFL Wild Card Playoffs.

All lines and plus/minus numbers conform to FanDuel sports betting.

Last week, Farmer posted a 9-7 (.563) record. He posted a record of 173-99 (.636) during the regular season.

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Using the point differences with the scores predicted by Farmer, his record compared to the difference in Week 18 would have been 6-10 (.375). For the season, his ATS record is 126-146 (.463).

All times are Pacific and the TV reflects Los Angeles area broadcasts.

No. 5 Rams at No. 4 Panthers

Saturday, 1:30 p.m. TV: Fox, Fox deports.

Double: Rams by 10½. OR : 46½.

Is there any downside to the Panthers beating the Rams earlier this season? Well, the Rams won’t be surprised in the same way and they’ll do a better job of protecting the football. Carolina, which has lost three of four, is as favorable a matchup as they could want for the Rams. Unless something weird happens, this game shouldn’t be this close.

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Take: Rams 28, Panthers 17

No. 7 Packers at No. 2 Bears

Saturday, 5 p.m. TV: Amazon Prime.

Double: Packers by 1½. OR : 45½.

Although these NFC North rivals split during the regular season, Green Bay won six of those eight quarters. The Packers have lost four straight, but they get Jordan Love back and that could be the difference. The Bears have a minimal pass rush, struggle to stop the run — in fact, both teams do — and tend to give up big plays.

Take: Packers 21, Bears 18

Tickets #6 at Jaguars #3

Sunday, 10 a.m. TV: CBS, Paramount+.

Double: 1½ bills. OR : 51½.

Josh Allen is phenomenal, but the Jaguars are probably the most complete team in the AFC. They’re on an eight-game winning streak and Trevor Lawrence is playing like Jacksonville always hoped he would. Maybe Buffalo is a team of destiny, but this feels like an ambush waiting to happen. That should be a pretty high score, and the Jaguars win down the stretch with a kick.

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Take: Jaguars 30, invoices 27

No. 6 49ers at No. 3 Eagles

Sunday, 1:30 p.m. TV: Fox, Fox deports.

Double: Eagles by 4½. OR : 44½.

It’s really hard to keep up with the 49ers when their offense is in full swing, and San Francisco hasn’t punted in December. That Week 18 loss to Seattle was a different story, with the 49ers scoring just three points and punting four times. Philadelphia’s running game could be the big difference here, as San Francisco will struggle to stop it, especially with further injuries at linebacker.

Take: Eagles 24, 49ers 20

Chargers No. 7 at Patriots No. 2

Sunday, 5 p.m. TV: NBC, Peacock, Universe.

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Double: Patriots by 3½. OR : 46½.

Justin Herbert has been a warrior this season, playing behind a patchwork offensive line in near-constant rotation and without a consistent running game. The Chargers are capable of pulling off an upset, but a more likely scenario would have the Patriots stopping the run in the freezing cold and putting everything on the shoulders of the Chargers quarterback. New England must like its chances.

Take: Patriots 28, Chargers 24

No. 5 Texans vs. No. 4 Steelers

Monday, 5:15 p.m. TV: ABC, ESPN, ESPN deports.

Double: Texans by 3. O/U: 39½.

Almost every fiber says to take Houston here, because the Texans have the best defense in the league, and 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers is going to have real trouble moving the ball. But the Texans have never won a playoff game on the road, and Pittsburgh is often at its best in Monday night games. Yes, it’s a new year, but don’t count out the Steelers at home.

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Take: Steelers 21, Texans 20

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This story was originally published in Los Angeles Times.