Those who backed the Chiefs to win their first 17 games straight-up did very, very well. For those who picked them against the spread, not so much. 

Kansas City finished 8-9 against the spread for the 2024 NFL regular season. Of the 14 teams in the NFL Playoffs, only two went sub-.500 ATS on the year. The Houston Texans finished 7-8-2. 

Last year, the Bills went 7-10 ATS for the worst mark of postseason teams, with the Eagles the only other team under the even mark. Philly went to the Super Bowl. 

On the flip side, the Detroit Lions went 12-5 ATS for the second year in a row, a 70.6% cover rate that led the NFL. The Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers also went 12-5 ATS – each team covered just six games in the prior year. 

Bookies.com NFL handicapper Adam Thompson has his finger on the pulse of the NFL. Thompson has hit on over 62% of his NFL best bets in each of the last three years, and on one of his parlays in three of the past four weeks.. Here are his two parlays for Wild Card Weekend:

Intriguing NFL Wild Card Weekend Parlays

Odds are current as of publication but subject to change. For the most updated NFL odds, please check the betting apps.

The “AFC Coverage” Parlay

Leg 1: Chargers -2.5 over Texans 

The Chargers are playing well on both sides of the ball and are 10-2 ATS when favored, plus 7-2 ATS on the road. Houston is trending in the opposite direction and injuries on offense have taken their toll. J.K. Dobbins is healthy, Justin Herbert and his young WRs are confident, and it will be too much for the Texans. 

Leg 2: Steelers +10 over Ravens 

Baltimore just pounded Pittsburgh, and the Ravens are on a four-game win streak while the Steelers have lost four straight. But the Steelers won the first matchup. They know what to adjust from Game 2, and have the personnel to make it a slugfest and simply keep it close.

Leg 3: Broncos +9 over Bills 

Speaking of “just keep it close” Denver has scored at least 27 points in six of the last seven games, and the defense ranks No. 3 in rush yards allowed. We’re not under the allusion Denver is going to win, but keep Josh Allen and the Bulls to under 35 points and the Broncos can get a back-door cover, which is our goal. 

The “NFC Scorage” Parlay

Leg 1: Packers-Eagles Under 46.5

Both teams are going to want to run the ball as first and second options, with Jalen Hurts returning from a concussion and Jordan Love missing his top target (Christian Watson). Both have been very successful with that strategy, so expect a low-scoring game to start, which can keep the total down. 

Leg 2: Commanders-Buccaneers Over 50.5

Nobody is going to stop anyone in this showdown of fun-and-gun teams. Three of Washington’s last six games have gone over 60 points, and Tampa is scoring 30 ppg on its own. The Over is 23-11 for both teams combined. 

Leg 3: Vikings-Rams Under 48.5

The Vikings got humiliated on SNC with the No. 1 overall seed on the line in Detroit. They’d won nine straight going into that one, but the last loss was a 30-20 dud at Sofi against these Rams. Prior to a meaningless Week 18, the Rams' defense had given up single digits in the last three, while the offense stayed under 20 in each. That’s the game plan for L.A., and Minnesota averages a TD less on the road this season.