Let me take a moment to brag to you about my 4-0 SU/ATS playoff record over the weekend. Wildcard Weekend is not only my favorite football weekend in general, it’s also my favorite NFL betting weekend. Let’s go over each game and see where each team succeeded, and where they failed. In a point of strange coincidence, teams named after animals won outright on Sunday, while both lost on Saturday. I know I shouldn’t care about these things…but I do.



Jets Demolish Cowardly Bengals

Much ado was made about Mark Sanchez’s inability to be an effective passer due to the cold weather. He proved everybody wrong with a 139.4 passer rating on 12-of-15 completions for 182 yards and a touchdown. Sanchez was backed by some very stern rushing from Shonne Greene (135 yards) and Thomas Jones (34 yards and a score).

Of course the big story for the Jets is their defense, which was led by Darrelle Revis who took Ochocinco completely out of the game. The Jets are predicated on defense, and that was very apparent on Saturday as they controlled both sides of the game and never looked in trouble.

They’re underdogs against the Chargers but two things should make you feel a bit better about them. First of all, they have momentum. Second, Mark Sanchez finally gets to return to California and play in warm weather.

Next Game: Jets vs. Chargers (-9)

Ravens Fly Right Past Welker-less Patriots

Brady’s pout was in full effect for sixty minutes on Sunday as the Ravens roared out to a 24-0 lead that they didn’t relinquish the entire game. The Ravens copied the blueprint laid out by the Saints, giving up the middle of the field enticing Brady to run and pick up yards. Still nervous about his knee, Brady refused, instead throwing mistakes all over the field with four turnovers and a quarterback rating of 49.1.

It certainly wasn’t the playoff performance that people expected out of the Patriots, but Wes Welker watching the game from the owner’s booth certainly didn’t help matters. No receiver for the Patriots breached the 50-yard ceiling and the Patriots were lost without their most reliable receiving target.

The Ravens, meanwhile, needed just 4 completions from their quarterback to earn the victory as Ray Rice went ballistic with 159 yards and 2 touchdowns, with Willis McGahee playing possessed with 62 hard fought rushing yards and a score. Fullback McClain also chipped in a score and helped the Ravens romp the ground game with 234 rushing yards on the day.

Bet on the Ravens to stick to a similar gameplan against the Colts. Indy ranks 24th against the run, giving up 126.6 yards against on the ground.

Next Game: Ravens vs. Colts (-6.5)

Cowboys Snap 13-year Playoff Drought

The Eagles-Cowboys “preview” from Week 17 gave us everything we need to know about the Wildcard matchup. Tony Romo was automatic on the field, completing 23-of-35 passes for 244-yards and 2 touchdowns.

The defense continued to swarm the backfield, disrupting Donavan McNabb’s timing and proving to be relentless in pursuit. They caused three fumbles that were all recovered by Dallas and also picked off McNabb for an interception.

The big story for Dallas is the emergence of Felix Jones, who had 148 rushing yards against Philadelphia. While that may be a glowing stat in the wake of Barber’s curious quad injury, those that think Jones can break out against Minnesota’s tough rushing defense will be in for a stern wake-up call. The only rushing attacks that have been effective against the Vikings have been physical styles of attack. Against edge speedsters like Jones, the Vikings have been more than effective.
That’s right – we’re in for a shootout between Favre and Romo this weekend in the Metrodome.
Next Game: Dallas vs. Minnesota (-3)
Cardinals, Packers Exhilarate With Highest Scoring Playoff Game in History
Not only did the Packers-Cardinals double the prescribed betting TOTAL by the NFL football odds experts, scoring 96-points in the game, both offenses managed over 500-yards. It was a furious comeback led by a confident Aaron Rodgers that made this game insanely fun to watch, but it was Arizona’s Kurt Warner that bagged the win.
After announcing that he would likely retire after this season, and with Boldin nursing a serious knee injury on the sidelines, there was plenty to be concerned about with Arizona. When the Cards ran out to a 17-0 lead, and answered every Green Bay score with a touchdown of their own, you just had the feeling that the Cards were not going to lose this game.
When Neil Rackers shanked what would’ve been a game winning field-goal, hearts must have sank. Then Rodgers overthrew a wide open Jennings in overtime and was sacked on the following play, coughing up a fumble and a game winning touchdown against the Cardinals’ defense.
We’ve always doubted the Cardinals before and that led to their Super Bowl berth last year. Getting past the NFC’s best in New Orleans will be tougher than battling Green Bay in Glendale, but the oddsmakers couldn’t possibly set this TOTAL high enough. Love them or hate them, the Cardinals are going to put on a show for you while they’re alive in the 2009-10 NFL playoffs.
Next Game: Arizona vs. New Orleans (-7)


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