NFL Tipping Sheet: WildCard Weekend Previews and Moneyline Picks

AbelsonInfo - Reuben Thomas
03 January 2014

Dexter McCluster could be a game changer for the Chiefs...

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Reuben Thomas introduces the four big clashes in the first round of the playoffs...

'The Chiefs will be looking for revenge and will be the fresher of the two teams after resting almost their entire starting roster last week'

Kansas City Chiefs @ Indianapolis Colts
Saturday 21:35

Saturday night and the Wildcard weekend kicks off with in the AFC as the Chiefs head to Indy to take on the Colts. Both team ended the season with 11-5 records and according to the odds this is the tightest call of the weekend.

The Colts are on a roll, after overcoming the loss of Reggie Wayne they claimed three straight wins at the end of the regular season that saw them claim their division and has them hot at exactly the right time. Andrew Luck has a perfect record against the Chiefs so far including leading his team to a 23-7 win in Kansas just a couple of weeks ago.

The Chiefs will be looking for revenge and will be the fresher of the two teams after resting almost their entire starting roster last week. Justin Houston returns to the defence and Dwayne Bowe's recovery gives Alex Smith a new option. Smith has been impressive on the road this year with a 6-1 record.

Kansas's special teams has been impressive all season wherever have played and look out for a moment of magic from Dexter Mcluster. If the Chiefs can get a lead then they will use the excellent Jamaal Charles to control the clock.

Both these teams are efficient and despite the heightened pressure don't expect a lot of mistakes but the Chiefs should have enough to take the opener.
Recommended Bet: Kansas @ 2.0621/20

New Orleans Saints @ Philadelphia Eagles
Sunday 01:10
Exciting match up in Philly between two high scoring teams as the Eagles host the New Orleans Saints.

Nick Foles grew up idolising Drew Brees but this weekend he must overcome his role model. Since Foles claimed the QB position in Philly he has been fantastic and the up tempo Chip Kelly offence has bulldozed teams all year. DeSean Jackson is the go to guy in the receiving corp. and LeSean McCoy was the most productive rusher in the league by far with over 1,600 yards. If Foles can get protection then the offence will again fire, their rush defence won't have a problem against the Saints but their leaky secondary could give the Saints a chance.

The Saints are undoubtedly as dangerous as any team on their own turf and this year courtesy of Rob Ryan the improvement to the defence has been huge but this team can not perform on the road. Despite whatever Saints supporters argue their team does not like playing outside and does not like playing in the cold, both of which they face in Philly this weekend. It shouldn't make so much difference but it does, the Saints have never won an away playoff game.
Recommended Bet: Eagles @ 1.768/11

San Diego Chargers @ Cincinnati Bengals
Sunday 18:05
Sunday evening and the Chargers head to 'The Jungle' to take on the Bengals.
The Chargers are on a roll, seemingly hopeless a month ago they turned their season around and won four straight and sneaked into the wildcard round with minutes to go last week by overcoming a Chiefs backup team. Their improvement has been impressive and they have momentum, coach Mike McCoy has Philip Rivers playing his best football of the year.

Cincy have a miserable record in the playoffs, and coach Marvin Lewis has lost all four of his playoff games in charge on the Bengals, in total it's been 23 years since they last won in the knockouts.

This year they look to have a great chance to buck the trend, they are unbeaten at home all season. If Dalton can cut out the picks and finally perform in the playoffs then the sky is the limit for this team, an array of weapons including A.J. Green, Giovani Bernard and Marvin Jones give Dalton numerous options and the fierce front seven on defence will surely cause Rivers problems.
Recommended Bet: Bengals @ 1.392/5

San Francisco 49ers @ Green Bay Packers
Sunday 21:40
An age old rivalry in the frozen bowl at Lambeau, classic NFL fair for the last game of the wildcard weekend.

Green Bay host the Niners in what could be recorded as the coldest conditions ever in an NFL game with wind-chill expected to hit twenty below! Rodgers and Cobb are both back and combined well last week although still looked a little off the pace after long lay offs. The Packers have other major injury problems, star runner Eddie Lacy is still struggling to shake off his ankle problem and Clay Mathews, the heartbeat of the Green Bay defensive unit, has still not recovered and how the defence suffers without him.

The 49ers should be able to capitalise, they look a dominant physical football team and won't be put off by the adverse conditions. Expect San Fran to control the line of scrimmage. Colin Kaepernick has Boldin, Crabtree and Davis all fit and firing and if the weather dictates they can keep it on the ground with Gore or the QB himself. The armoury is endless and they head to Lambeau having won six straight.
Recommended Bet: 49ers @ 1.84/5