NFL Tipsheet: Mini previews and recommended bets for Wildcard Weekend

Romilly Evans
04 January 2017

Strong arm of the law: Aaron Rodgers is clicking with his wide men at the right time

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Romilly Evans takes you through his game-by-game analysis of all this weekend's encounters in the opening weekend of the play-offs...

"The Mustachioed Maverick has galvanised his wayward wideouts, and the whole squad to boot."

Recommended Bet
Back J. Nelson to score First / Anytime Touchdown @ 9.08/1 or better

Oakland Raiders @ Houston Texans
Saturday, 21:35

Quarterback quandaries abound on both sides of the ball, and there's a faint air of pointlessness surrounding this game, with the New England Patriots likely lying in wait in the Divisional Round for the victor. Even the host broadcaster ESPN have admitted they'll drop $75m just by screening this ratings loser amid a climate of declining prices on sports rights.

It seems Houston will probably revert to Brock Osweiler here, after home-spun Tom Savage was knocked out into concussion protocol last week. While Oakland face the polar opposite of a steak-or-lobster dilemma choosing between Matt McGloin and Connor Cook (favourite to start). Clock control via the ground game, and two staunch defenses should prove the tale of the tape.

However, at home, Houston could edge this. Osweiler needs to do something to redeem his regressive rep.

Recommended Bets
Back Houston to win by 7-12 Points on the Winning Margin @ 6.05/1 or better
Back Houston-Houston to win on Half-time / Full-time @ 2.35/4 or better

Detroit Lions @ Seattle Seahawks
Sunday, 01:15

The Motor City brigade positively reversed into the play-offs, yet Matt Stafford remains the biggest bomber in the NFL and can make anything happen, if his defense can keep the gap to around seven as the clocks winds down. After all, no-one holds more fourth-quarter comebacks than Detroit.

Will Seattle be out of sight by then, though? The Vegas line says yes, and the CenturyLink Field will try their level best to drown out any thoughts of rallying Stafford might hold. Then again, the Hawks have looked lacklustre of late, unable to establish a rushing game. Russell Wilson still looks a little rusty although his body is healthy, while the dread Legion of Boom may have lost a yard. If you like hometown bankers, I'd rather take Pittsburgh at bigger odds.

Recommended Bets
Back Over 16.5 Detroit Points @ 1.9110/11 or better
Back Detroit (+7pts) to win on the First-half Handicap @ 1.9110/11 or better

Miami Dolphins @ Pittsburgh Steelers
Sunday, 18:05

Speaking of whom, Pittsburgh rate my home bankers for Wildcard Weekend. Coach Mike Tomlin rested his troika of superstars last week (Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown and Le'Veon Bell) and the league's most potent offensive outfit should return relaxed, recharged, and ready to rock'n'roll.

That spells doom for Miami, who have injury concerns at QB with Ryan Tannehill (rebounding from ACL and MCL sprains to his left knee, while Matt Moore isn't up to much in relief); and at RB where streaking comet Jay Ajayi is breaking up (his upright running style has seen his chest and shoulders take a pounding). Long story short: the planets are aligning for a pummelling.

Recommended Bets
Back Pittsburgh (-10pts) to win @ 1.9110/11 or better
Back L. Bell to score First / Anytime Touchdown @ 9.08/1 or better

New York Giants @ Green Bay Packers
Sunday, 21:40

Personally, it's a shame one of these two sides will be put to the sword, seeing as they're both in form, and more than a match for anyone on their day, even on the road. Still, neither did enough early in the regular season, so one must pay the ultimate price here.

Green Bay's form under a resurgent Aaron Rodgers is the flawless stuff of more MVP honours (inspiring 30-plus points over four successive starts, with no picks) and his hamstring's barely just healed. Riding a hot offensive hand, the Moustachioed Maverick has galvanised his wayward wideouts, and the whole squad to boot.

Surfing a wave as the Pack are, it's hard to see the New York Giants turning them over on their travels. However, Big Blue's D has combined for more than the sum of its parts this term, and may challenge Rodgers' extraordinary scrambling abilities with some creative blitzes. Which would then ask Eli Manning to keep pace at a lower tempo, and the two-time Super Bowl winner can't keep stinking out the stadium, particularly with his receivers (headed by OBJ) alive and well. Nevertheless, at the end of the day, in the absence of a serviceable running game, Manning Jnr's one-dimensional playbook may appear a little predictable.

Recommended Bets
Back J. Nelson to score First / Anytime Touchdown @ 9.08/1 or better
Back Green Bay (-2.5pts) to win on the First-half Handicap @ 1.9110/11 or better