2025 NFL wild card betting: Odds, picks for Rams-Panthers - ESPN

The Los Angeles Rams and Carolina Panthers kick off wild-card weekend Saturday afternoon, with the road team entering as heavy favorites. But who has the betting edge?

Matt Bowen breaks down both sides, discussing scheme and personnel to identify his best bets for the game (a Week 13 Rams-Panthers head-to-head tape helped find some answers), and Liz Loza, Pamela Maldonado, Eric Moody, Ben Solak and Seth Walder share their favorite bets, analysis and DFS plays to help you get it on the action.

Note: Odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook and subject to change.

Bowen: Let's focus on a Rams run game that uses pre-snap movement to gain numbers and blocking angles. In the Week 13 head-to-head matchup versus Carolina, running backs Kyren Williams and Blake Corum combined for 158 yards rushing. I expect Rams coach Sean McVay to use his rushing attack again as a foundational piece versus a Panthers defense that allowed 122.3 rushing yards per game this season (20th in the NFL).

Edge: Rams

Best bet: Kyren Williams OVER 64.5 yards rushing (-113). Williams has topped the 70-yard rushing mark in eight of his last 10 games, including the 72 yards he posted in the regular-season matchup versus Carolina. He'll see steady volume, especially on downhill schemes, this Saturday.

Bowen: In that Week 13 game, Carolina ran the ball 40 times. That's a big number. But even with the reduced throwing volume for quarterback Bryce Young (20 attempts), he hit some shot plays in short-yardage situations, where you can prep for man coverage tendencies in this league. I do believe Young and this Panthers offense will have to create some explosive plays in this one to upset the Rams.

Edge: Rams

Best bet: Jalen Coker longest reception 20+ yards (+122).