No, the Seattle Seahawks is not going to be making a postseason look this yr, however that received’t cease us from making some picks, proper?? DraftKings Sportsbook is right here with some extra strains for us to pour over, so let’s check out that Wild Card spherical.
Wild Card Weekend
On bye: San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Ravens
Saturday
(5) Cleveland Browns @ (4) Houston Texans — 1:30pm — NBC — O/U 44.5
The Browns are favored by a security based on DraftKings Sportsbook, regardless of being the street staff in opposition to an upstart Texans squad led by C.J. Stroud. Pardon my incredulity, however I’ve a tough time envisioning Joe Flacco main a staff — even one with a protection pretty much as good as Cleveland’s — to a playoff victory on the street. Sorry, Joe.
The choose: Beneath 44.5 factors, Texans cowl the unfold and win
(6) Miami Dolphins @ (3) Kansas Metropolis Chiefs — 5:15 pm — Peacock — O/U 44
Wowie, this needs to be enjoyable. Since beginning the season 5-1, the Dolphins completed 6-5 over their remaining eleven video games, resulting in an 11-6 report on the season. The Chiefs additionally completed 11-6, and really equally began the yr off sizzling; they opened with a 6-1 report earlier than a 5-5 end resulted in them first within the AFC West however third general in convention seeding. The Dolphins misplaced 21-14 the final time these groups met — earlier this season in Germany. The prediction is just for a 4.5-point unfold in favor of the Chiefs, however I feel we’re about to witness a repeat efficiency.
The choose: Beneath 44 factors, Chiefs win straight up and canopy the unfold.
Sunday
(7) Pittsburgh Steelers @ (2) Buffalo Payments — 10am — CBS — O/U 35.5
DraftKings Sportsbook is predicting a low-scoring affair on this one, which appears fairly ridiculous contemplating that of the eight playoff video games that Josh Allen has performed in, just one would have hit the below — a 17-3 victory over the Ravens in 2020. To be honest, although, they’re anticipating the Payments to do a lot of the scoring on this one, as they’re listed as practically 10-point favorites at residence. I feel they win… and I feel they’ll accomplish that handily. However 10 factors is perhaps somewhat too beneficiant.
The choose: Over 35.5 factors, Payments win however the Steelers cowl
(7) Inexperienced Bay Packers @ (2) Dallas Cowboys — 1:30pm — Fox — O/U 50.5
Right here we go! A sport in Dallas ought to present respectable situations for at the least one in every of these groups to return out and throw the ball all around the yard. Besides these are two of the higher scoring defenses within the league. Whereas I feel that the Packers are definitely higher than I anticipated given their circumstances, I feel the Cowboys can management this one and carry their momentum into the Divisional Spherical. They’re the clear favorites on this one, with DraftKings Sportsbook giving them a 7-point margin to cowl at residence. Can they do it? Sure, they’ll.
The choose: Beneath 50.5 factors, Cowboys win and canopy
(6) LA Ram @ (3) Detroit Lions — 5:15pm — NBC — O/U 51.5
As if the earlier sport wasn’t sufficient, right here is one more to characteristic some anticipated offense. On this one, I truly assume we are going to see a good quantity of scoring. Each of those groups had a top-10 scoring offense and a below-average scoring protection within the common season, based on ESPN. I’d like to see Jared Goff go off in opposition to his former staff, even when they’re solely anticipated to win by a subject aim — which needs to be a straightforward sufficient margin for them to cowl.
The choose: Over 51.5 factors, Lions win and canopy the unfold
Monday
(5) Philadelphia Eagles @ (4) Tampa Bay Buccaneers — 5pm — ABC/ESPN — O/U 44
Does anyone know the place to seek out the Eagles? As a result of they’ve been lacking since early December. Of their stead is a staff that completed the yr 1-5 after beginning 10-1. The Buccaneers, considerably mockingly, completed 5-1 after beginning 4-7. Discuss reverse trajectories. Regardless, I’ve a tough time believing this staff is able to roll over and admit defeat. As an alternative, I feel they’ll look extra just like the Seahawks of the mid-2010s, the place they’ll be capable to choose up at the least one playoff victory earlier than turning into the proverbial playoff pumpkin. They’re solely favored by a subject aim, and whereas I do count on this sport to remain tighter than anticipated, I additionally don’t count on it to remain that shut.
The choose: Beneath 44 factors, Eagles win and canopy the unfold
