NFL underdog report: NFC wild-card matchups

Not a bad start, but he’s much better now. Daniels threw just 12 passes before leaving last week’s game against the Cowboys but threw 15 touchdowns and rushed for two more in his previous five games.

Of course, Washington will have to do a better job against Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield, who threw for 289 yards and four scores in Week 1. Fortunately, the Commanders’ defense also got better, allowing 189.5 yards passing per game in the regular season, the third-best number in the league.

Keep an eye on cornerback Marshon Lattimore. He missed the team’s last two games with a hamstring injury but he’s had a long-running rivalry with Bucs receiver Mike Evans and could be the difference against the NFL’s third-ranked offense if he plays.

Minnesota Vikings at Los Angeles Rams (+2.5)

If the Rams can harass Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold the way the Lions did on Sunday night, they should have no problem beating Minnesota on “Monday Night Football.” Darnold took just two sacks but went 3-13 on passing plays when Detroit brought pressure, per Pro Football Focus. In a game that could have won Minnesota a first-round bye and the NFC North title, the Vikings played their worst game of the year.

Meanwhile, the Rams sat their starters in last week’s 30-25 loss to Seattle but held their opponents to nine or fewer points in their previous three games.

Offensively, the team was without wide receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua for stretches of the season. Still, Nacua managed 990 yards in just 11 games while Kupp managed six touchdowns in 12 games.

Outside of last week’s loss in a meaningless game, the Rams went 9-2 after their Week 6 bye and are in a great position to upset the Vikings this week.