NFC Matchups- Wildcard Weekend
The Wildcard Round of the NFL playoffs features two games in each conference. The first pits the highest-seeded divisional winner at home against the lowest-seeded wildcard team and the second has the other divisional winner (fourth seed) hosting the other wildcard team (fifth seed). The top two seeds in each conference have earned a bye and will face the winners of the Wildcard Round in next weekend’s Divisional Round.
Here is a preview and prediction for the two games on tap in the NFC this upcoming Saturday and Sunday. All odds quoted are courtesy of BetUs.com
Saturday, January 8
New Orleans Saints at Seattle Seahawks
Pointspread: Saints -11
Over/Under: 45
The Saints played their way into this year’s playoffs with seven wins in its last nine games after a shaky 4-3 start. They now have a chance to do what no team has done since the 2004-2005 Patriots, repeat as Super Bowl Champions. This year New Orleans will have to do it on the road where it went 6-2. This team is not nearly as dominant as last year’s but is still more than capable on making another deep run as long as it does not shoot itself in the foot with turnovers.
Much has been made about the Seahawks’ home field advantage at Qwest Field, which is probably the only thing in their favor in this game. The reality is that Seattle went just 5-3 at home this season and was blown-out by the N.Y. Giants 41-7, Kansas City 42-24, and Atlanta 34-18 in those three losses. The only team it beat at home with a winning record was San Diego by seven points in Week 3. Home field can only go so far for a team with the 28th-ranked offense in the league to go along with the 27th-ranked defense.
The total has gone ‘over’ in five of New Orleans last seven playoff games. Seattle is 1-5 ATS in its last six games as an underdog and 2-5 ATS in its last seven games overall. The favorite is 4-1 ATS in the last five meetings. Resist the temptation to jump on a double-digit spread in the playoffs, it is that high for a good reason. Stick with the Saints in a laugher.
Check out the latest NFL Football Odds here.
Sunday, January 9
Green Bay Packers at Philadelphia Eagles
Pointspread: Eagles -2 ½
Over/Under: 46
The Packers finished the regular season with just three wins in their final six games, but the primary reason for two of those losses was the absence of quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who was out with a concussion. Rodgers returned for the final two games of the season and promptly led his team to victory by throwing five touchdowns and no interceptions. Green Bay’s defense also rose to the occasion down the stretch and finished the year ranked fifth overall in the league.
The Eagles’ fortunes in this game rest squarely on the shoulders of quarterback Michael Vick. He sat out last week’s season-ending loss to Dallas to recover from the beating he took in their loss to Minnesota the week before. Philadelphia’s defense is going to give up big plays and points like it has all season long. The only chance the Eagles have is to make even more big plays with their high-powered offense. Do not be surprised if this game closely resembles the Packers 51-45 OT loss to Arizona in last year’s Wildcard Round.
Green Bay is 3-7 ATS in the last 10 meetings. The favorite is 4-1 ATS in the last five meetings and the total has stayed ‘under’ in the last four. Both of these quarterbacks will put up some really big plays, but in the end, Vick has one or two more than Rodgers which proves to be the difference.
Need more help making your picks winners? Check out our top handicappers.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.