2017 NFL Playoffs: Wildcard Round Betting Tips
We finished the NFL regular season off nicely last week with a 3-1 record and we’ll be looking to continue that form into the Wildcard Round which kick off this weekend. We’ve looked through the odds and have found the four best bets for the NFL Wildcard games this week.
Tennessee Titans at Kansas City Chiefs (Sunday, 8:30am AEDT)
The Titans playoffs drought is over after they held on against the Jaguars in Week 17. The key for the Titans was a 6-2 home record and 5-1 against the division. However, a road playoff game awaits in Kansas City. It’s been an inconsistent season for the Chiefs but they still won the AFC West. They finished off the season with 4 straight wins and head into the playoffs as one of the form sides. They’ve won three straight games at home by 10+ points and the value in this matchup is 1-13 margin. Their home record in the playoffs isn’t great so we’re expecting the Titans will play a close game, but just fall short. They have a decent run defence which will help them stop Tyreek Hill. However, Mariota doesn’t have a strong passing game and that’s where the Titans will struggle to score points. Whereas the Chiefs rested their starters last week and Alex Smith is an experienced playoff Quarterback. The Chiefs will also be looking to break at 23-year playoff winning drought at Arrowhead Stadium and this is the year we believe it will be broken. So we’ll be taking the Chiefs 1-13 here.
TIP: Chiefs 1-13 points – $2.52 at Sportsbet
Atlanta Falcons at Los Angeles Rams (Sunday, 12:15pm AEDT)
In Los Angeles, the Rams face the Falcons in what looks like the best matchup of the Wildcard Playoffs. Despite the Falcons starting as the underdog, this matchup could go either way as the Falcons have the playoff experience. So we’re expecting points will flow. The Rams have been a great offensive team this season and even rested their starters in Week 17. They rank first in the NFL for overall scoring and have one of the best combinations in Jared Goff/Todd Gurley. The Falcons are a strong passing team and Matt Ryan should enjoy facing this passing defence. So the trend in this matchup between the Rams and Falcons is the over total. It’s saluted in the last 5 meetings and both sides should enjoy playing conditions in the Los Angeles weather. In the Rams last 5 games, they’ve also gone 5-0 against the over total. The Falcons rank better in passing yards per game and can also match the Rams on the ground. So in the end, we’re expecting both sides to score over 20 points and the over total salutes.
TIP: Over 48.5 points – $1.95 at Sportsbet
Buffalo Bills at Jacksonville Jaguars (Monday, 5am AEDT)
The Bills are in the playoffs for the first time since 1999! However, they do they need to overturn a 3-5 road record this season. The status of running back LeSean McCoy is also concerning. While for Jacksonville, they won the AFC South but finished the season with two poor efforts on the road. But they’ll enjoy home-field advantage and went 6-2 at home this season. Their defence is a key strength as they allowed just 16 points per game. On offence, they also rank in the top five for overall scoring and passing yards. Along with a strong running game, the Jaguars are an impressive overall team on paper. So the Bills don’t have much chance without a healthy McCoy so we’ll be looking for the Jaguars to cover the line. They’re 4-1 ATS at home in their last 5 games and have also won all 5. The value is for the Jaguars -10 at CrownBet over $2.
TIP: Jaguars -10 – $2.24 at CrownBet
Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints (Monday, 8:30am AEDT)
The Saints host the Panthers in the last Wildcard game on Monday in a NFC South battle. Last week, despite losing to the Bucs, the Saints still won the division after the Panthers poor showing against the Falcons. With both teams coming off a loss, home field advantage is key for the Saints. They went 7-1 at home this season and have the wood over the Panthers. They’re 6-3 against them at home and beat them by 10 points in early December. But the Panthers can keep this close. They rank 1st in the NFL for rushing defence and that’s key against the Saints running attack. They also should enjoy throwing the ball against the Saints average passing defence that was torched by the Bucs last week. So in the end, the Saints by 1-13 is the best bet. Their home record is impressive and they’ve already beaten the Panthers twice this season.
