Rams open NFL playoffs as 10-point favorites over Panthers, tied with Seahawks as Super Bowl favorites; Stafford slight MVP favorite

The NFL playoff picture is officially set, and the Los Angeles Rams will open their postseason march as 10-point favorites against the Carolina Panthers on Wild Card Weekend, according to the latest early lines from BetOnline.ag. Los Angeles’ hefty spread underscores the confidence oddsmakers have in the Rams, who are currently virtually tied with the Seattle Seahawks at +450 in the latest Super Bowl LX futures.

The Rams (-10 vs. Carolina) enter the playoffs off a roller-coaster finish to the regular season, but their outlook remains among the strongest in the league. Quarterback Matthew Stafford, who spearheaded Los Angeles this season, is also the slight favorite to win NFL MVP at -135, just ahead of New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (-105) in early award futures.

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The full slate of Wild Card matchups released Sunday includes a mix of classic and compelling narratives: a nostalgic Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears battle and a 2022 NFC Championship rematch between the San Francisco 49ers and Philadelphia Eagles. The Chargers and Patriots renew an unexpected rivalry, a nod to the enduring legacies of former rivals Philip Rivers and Tom Brady, who met in the 2008 AFC Championship.

Here are the Wild Card Weekend spreads (all odds BetOnline.ag):

• Los Angeles Chargers at New England Patriots: Patriots -3 (opened Patriots -3.5)

• Buffalo Bills at Jacksonville Jaguars: Jaguars +1

• Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears: Bears -1 (opened pick ’em)

• San Francisco 49ers at Philadelphia Eagles: Eagles -3.5 (opened Eagles -3)

• Los Angeles Rams at Carolina Panthers: Rams -10

• Pittsburgh Steelers at Houston Texans: Texans -7

In futures markets, the Rams and Seahawks share the shortest odds to win Super Bowl LX at +450, followed by the Denver Broncos (+700) and Philadelphia Eagles (+850). Notably higher longer shots include the Panthers at +15000 and the Steelers at +10000.

NFL Wild Card Weekend odds are subject to change as bettors continue to weigh in. Early action has reportedly favored the Chargers, Bears and Eagles, with lines already shifting slightly in those markets.