NFL Wild Card Playoffs – Free Pointspread Picks
January 6, 2011 in NFL Playoffs
Wild Card Weekend is upon us, which means it’s time to get in your NFL playoff betting picks.
Here is what you need to know about this weekend’s games. Click on the links below for each game to see the football props for each in the BetUS sportsbook.
New Orleans Saints at Seattle Seahawks
Saturday, January 8: 4:30 p.m. NBC, Live from Qwest Field, Seattle, WA
New Orleans (11-5 SU, 7-9 ATS): -10 ½
Seattle (7-9 SU, 7-9 ATS): +10 ½
Game Total: 44 ½
The first of the Wild Card games is the most lopsided line this weekend, as the New Orleans Saints enter Saturday’s showdown with the Seahawks as double-digit favorites.
Don’t believe the hype though, as the Seahawks are the wager to make. Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck was at his best this year when these two teams met up in New Orleans, as he threw for 366 yards and a touchdown. And as for his opponent, as good as Drew Brees was this season, he was a bit turnover prone, throwing 22 interceptions; only the venerable Eli (can-someone-wipe-this-drool-off-my-chin) Manning had more.
The Saints will win this game. But take the Seahawks to cover in your NFL Picks.
Free NFL Playoff Picks: Seattle +10 ½
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New York Jets at Indianapolis Colts
Saturday, January 8: 8:30 p.m. NBC, Live from Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN
New York (11-5 SU, 9-7 ATS): +2 ½
Indianapolis (10-6 SU, 8-7-1 ATS): -2 ½
Game Total: 44 ½
Next up are the J-E-T-S, who travel to Indianapolis looking to avenge last year’s loss in the AFC Championship Game.
Unfortunately for Gang Green, it just doesn’t seem like it’ll happen. New York enters this one with Mark Sanchez at quarterback and, as improved as he is from last year, he’s still a bit shaky. And by a bit shaky, I mean he completed less than 55% of his passes this year. That ranks him well behind such luminaries as Alex Smith and Chad Henne; and only slightly better than Jimmy Clausen.
Going against an Indianapolis pass rush that features Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis (21 combined sacks), it could be a long day for this offense.
NFL Playoff Free Picks: Indianapolis -2 ½
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Baltimore Ravens at Kansas City Chiefs
Sunday, January 9: 1:00 p.m. CBS, Live from Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, MO
Baltimore (12-4 SU, 8-7-1 ATS): -3
Kansas City (10-6 SU, 9-7 ATS): +3
Game Total: 40 ½
Onto Sunday’s NFL Playoff Picks, where the Baltimore Ravens enter Arrowhead Stadium with the best record of any non-division winner in the NFL.
Look for the key matchup here to be the Chiefs NFL-best rushing offense against the Ravens’ always-stout defense. Kansas City tallied 164 yards per game on the ground this year, thanks in large part to Jamaal Charles. Charles, the NFL’s second leading rusher, missed beating Jim Brown’s record for Yards-per-Carry by a paltry 0.2 inches. Baltimore, meanwhile, had the fifth-best rush defense, allowing just 93 yards on the ground per game.
With this game expected to be so low scoring, we’re going to go ahead and take the Chiefs. Neither quarterback is great, but Matt Cassel is at home and, with Charles moving the chains for him, he will be good enough to pull off the upset.
NFL Betting Picks: Kansas City +3
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Green Bay Packers at Philadelphia Eagles
Sunday, January 9: 4:30 p.m. Fox, Live from Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, PA
Green Bay (10-6 SU, 9-7 ATS): +3
Philadelphia (10-6 SU, 7-9 ATS): -3
Game Total: 46
Finally, the NFL Playoff Picks takes us to Philadelphia, where Michael Vick and the Eagles will look to beat the Packers at home.
Despite being the underdog, we have to go ahead and give the edge to the road team. The Packers have been playing lights out football, needing victories over the Giants and Bears just to get here. They got them in dominating fashion, beating the two by a combined score of 55-20.
Also, while Vick has been the savior all season long in Philadelphia, we think he may be going against the wrong defense here. Green Bay’s secondary is one of the strongest in the league, and Tramon Williams and Charles Woodson (six combined interceptions) may be the best pair of corners in the NFL. Vick has been great this year, but is getting back to his old ways at just the wrong time, being erratic with the ball and throwing four interceptions in his last three games.
One turnover could be all the difference here, and we simply trust Rodgers more than Vick. This is why we recommend taking the Packers this football betting weekend!
NFL Playoff Picks: Green Bay +3
