With 17 regular season weeks now in the books, it’s time to start the much-anticipated postseason, beginning with wild-card weekend. This year’s first round of games offers some very interesting matchups, including a feisty division rivalry, an offense vs. defense showdown, and the Ryan Lindley/Andy Dalton experience.
So how will these four games play out against the spread? Read on as we examine all the games in detail before giving our pick for each one below.
Get ready for wild-card weekend with in-depth previews of Saturday’s games. Check out our look ahead to the Cardinals vs. Panthers as well as the Ravens vs. Steelers.
[sc:Football ]2014 NFL Wild Card Round Picks
Saturday, January 3
Arizona Cardinals vs. Carolina Panthers (4:35 PM ET)
Writer’s Pick: Cardinals (+5.5)
The words “Ryan Lindley”, “starter”, “playoffs” and “road” all in one sentence should be making bettors of all shapes and sizes salivating. However, the Cardinals match up better against the Panthers than most people think.
Carolina’s recent four-game winning streak has been powered primarily by its suddenly revitalized running game. The Panthers have averaged close to 200 yards per game in those four games. However, those breakout games on the ground have come against three of the very worst run defenses in the league in New Orleans (No. 31 via DVOA against the run), Cleveland (No. 32) Atlanta (No. 30).
[sc:NFL240banner ]Arizona’s run defense is much, much more competent than those three; it’s ranked No. 5 against the run. And while the Seahawks and 49ers have posted back-to-back 200-plus yard rushing games against the Cardinals, the Panthers don’t have nearly the same talent in the running game as those two teams. If their ground game gets slowed significantly, the Panthers will struggle to cover against the Cardinals.
Baltimore Ravens vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (8:15 PM ET)
Writer’s Pick: Steelers (-3)
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a nightmare matchup for the Baltimore Ravens because of Pittsburgh’s ability to throw the football for big gains. The nightmare already became reality earlier this season when Ben Roethlisberger torched the Ravens for 340 yards and six touchdowns in the Steelers’ 43-23 home win back in Week 9.
The Ravens’ ravaged secondary hasn’t gotten any healthier, while the Steelers’ passing attack is still as dangerous as ever. Antonio Brown, who torched the Ravens for 11 catches and 144 receiving yards – both season-highs – has topped 110 yards receiving in three of his last four games.
The injury to LeVeon Bell could be significant as his absence erases any pretense of a running game and allows Baltimore to strictly play against the pass. But Baltimore’s secondary is so bad and the Steelers’ receivers are so good that that might even matter at all.
Every game matters in the postseason, so create a betting account now and get wagering from wild-card weekend all the way to the Super Bowl.
Sunday, January 4
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Indianapolis Colts (1:05 PM ET)
Writer’s Pick: Bengals (+4)
The Indianapolis Colts shut out the Cincinnati Bengals, 27-0, back in Week 7 but a lot has changed for both teams since then. The Colts, for one, lost running back Ahmad Bradshaw, who scored two of those touchdowns against Cincy. Without him, the Indy also lost just about any semblance of a running game, leaving Andrew Luck to carry the offense.
Meanwhile, the Bengals have leaned heavily on rookie running back Jeremy Hill during the second half of the season. Since Week 9, Hill has rushed for 100 or more yards five times and 140 or more four times. An effective running game keeps Luck on the sideline, which is the first step in beating the Colts.
A lot has been made of Andy Dalton and his playoff shortcomings (0-3 with a 57 percent completion percentage and a 1:6 touchdown-to-interception ratio), but the presence of Hill and Gio Bernard could ultimately take the game out of Dalton’s hands.
Detroit Lions vs. Dallas Cowboys (4:40 PM ET)
Writer’s Pick: Cowboys (-7.5)
For as good as Detroit’s defense has been all season, it just hasn’t stood up well against the elite offenses in the league, especially on the road. The Patriots put 34 points past them in Foxboro, while a one-legged Aaron Rodgers led the Packers to 30 points against them in Lambeau.
The Cowboys’ offense, with legitimate MVP candidate Tony Romo leading the way, has been every bit as good – perhaps even better – than those Tom Brady- and Rodgers-led offenses. Dallas has hit 40 or more points in three of its final four regular season games.
As good as the Lions’ Calvin Johnson is, the Lions just don’t possess enough offense to hang with the Cowboys and their duo of Dez Bryant and DeMarco Murray. They should be able to put enough points on the board even against Detroit’s stingy D.
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