NFL Super Wild Card Weekend PlayOffs Picks 2024 (January 13-15)

The final week of the regular season is officially in the books and that means we have our fourteen PlayOff teams heading into the post-season.

One from each Conference will be resting this week and watching the others fight it out for a place in the Divisional Round- the two Number 1 Seeds look most likely to meet in Las Vegas next month in the Super Bowl, but there are one or teams in the PlayOffs who will be looking to upset those plans.

Injuries and a loss of form at a bad time means there are a couple of outsiders who are not going to be heavily backed at this point of the season, but you have to play the games on the field and every team that still has a chance of making the Super Bowl will be looking for some momentum to take them through.

The Super Wild Card Round is now going to be played from Saturday through to Monday- money talks so the Monday Night Football PlayOff game is going nowhere.

A worry was that the winning team in that slot would struggle in the short week entering the Divisional Round, but the early sample of games has those teams at 1-1 the following weekend. This time it is the Philadelphia Eagles and Tampa Bay Buccaneers meeting in the final game of the Super Wild Card Weekend and that could mean a trip to the Number 1 Seed in the Divisional Round for the winner if the other Seeds hold up.

However, it feels unlikely that all the higher Seeds will go through on Saturday/Sunday with some good looking games being given tight lines by the oddsmakers down in Vegas.

I'll have my Picks below, but before that you can see how I rate the fourteen teams left:

1) Baltimore Ravens- they have beaten the 49ers and the Ravens look like a team capable of winning it all this season with a strong, balanced approach both Offensively and Defensively.

2) San Francisco 49ers- they were beaten in the 2019 Super Bowl and have suffered NFC Championship Game defeats in the last two years, both times on the road. This time San Francisco have home field throughout the PlayOffs until the big game, and the team looks capable of producing a first Super Bowl win in almost thirty years.

3) Buffalo Bills- momentum is important and the Bills have plenty of experience. Winning the AFC East means they will get an opportunity to host at least two home PlayOff games if they can progress in the post-season and Buffalo might just be ready to win a Super Bowl for the first time.

4) Dallas Cowboys- NFC East winners and a team that may finally live up to those from the past.

5) Kansas City Chiefs- they may be the defending Champions, but Patrick Mahomes may have to show off how good he can be on the road if the Chiefs are to return to the Super Bowl. If the Defensive unit cannot keep them in games, Mahomes and company have to finally find the rhythm that has been missing for much of the season.

6) Cleveland Browns- Joe Flacco has gotten hot in January before to lead his team to a Super Bowl win and the Browns have the kind of Defensive unit that will keep them in games.

7) Los Angeles Rams- are there many hotter teams than the Los Angeles Rams going into the post-season? Matthew Stafford, Aaron Donald and Sean McVay have Super Bowl winning experience to guide younger players through the post-season.

8) Detroit Lions- it has been a strong season for Dan Campbell and his team, but they have a tough start to the post-season and the top two Seeds in the NFC also look a little stronger than the Lions, especially with home advantage.

9) Miami Dolphins- injuries to the Defensive unit will only increase pressure on the banged up Offensive unit. Losing to the Buffalo Bills in Week 18 means road PlayOff Football and Miami have continued to fall short against the best teams in the NFL.

10) Philadelphia Eagles- another team that has picked up some injuries as the season has worn down. The Eagles came up slightly short last season, but they are in miserable form and have a much tougher road towards the PlayOffs than twelve months ago, while some reports suggest there is a breakdown between the players and Coaching Staff.

11) Green Bay Packers- they have perhaps gotten here a year too early with a very young roster. Jordan Love has shown some of the highs he can reach, but inexperience may hold back the team this year.

12) Houston Texans- another team that has overachieved to win the AFC South, but one that will benefit massively from PlayOff experience. CJ Stroud looks a star in the making.

13) Tampa Bay Buccaneers- there is still plenty of experience in the locker room, but the Buccaneers are perhaps one of the more fortunate of the teams to make the post-season.

14) Pittsburgh Steelers- Mike Tomlin has to be given credit for finding a way to drag Pittsburgh to the PlayOffs, but an injury to TJ Watt comes at a very bad time. Rumour suggests Tomlin is ready to step away as Head Coach, while the Offensive unit is still being led by a third string Quarter Back.

These Rankings do not necessarily mean much in terms of how the PlayOffs will shake up, but it would be a huge surprise if any of the bottom seven were able to win the Super Bowl.

Injuries can play a major factor- ask San Francisco after the way the NFC Championship Game was lost twelve months ago. Teams can also step up to earn an upset or two behind hot Quarter Backs, but right now it would be the top two in these Rankings that are expected to compete for the Super Bowl.

Buffalo and Dallas will have something to say as good looking Number 2 Seeds, but Football is played on the field and not paper and so we should have an exciting time finding out when the post-season begins on Saturday afternoon.

Week 18 proved to be as difficult for the NFL Picks as was a concern prior to a game being played, but it has been a solid regular season for the Picks.

Backing that up in the PlayOffs is key, beginning with Super Wild Card Weekend, and the selections can be read below.

Cleveland Browns @ Houston Texans Pick: A new Head Coach and a Quarter Back selected to be a franchise changer would likely have meant relatively low expectations of the Houston Texans in 2023. Instead, CJ Stroud has proven how good he can be, while DeMeco Ryans has guided the Texans to a surprising AFC South Division Title and the chance to host the first of the Super Wild Card Weekend PlayOff games.

It is a rematch of a Week 16 meeting with the Cleveland Browns, who finished with the top Wild Card Seed in the AFC, but this time Stroud will be suiting up for the Houston Texans. That has not prevented the Browns from being set as the road favourites, but CJ Stroud and the Houston Texans will certainly believe their Week 18 win at the Indianapolis Colts has given them some momentum in what was effectively the first 'PlayOff' game the Texans will have faced this season.

While they battled for a place in the post-season, the Cleveland Browns were able to rest their starters for the final regular season game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

The key question for the Browns is whether that has snapped any rhythm, but they have overcome plenty of issues already this season to earn their spot in the PlayOffs. Losing both Deshaun Watson at Quarter Back and Nick Chubb at Running Back were massive blows for the Browns, but it is veteran Joe Flacco who came in off the street to really give Cleveland the kind of boost that has set them as favourites to reach the Divisional Round.

It may mean a road game at the Baltimore Ravens, the Number 1 Seed and the team that Joe Flacco led to a Super Bowl Championship, although the veteran is well aware of the dangers of overlooking any team when you get into the PlayOffs. He has made it clear to the Cleveland roster that they have to remember it is 'win or go home' time in the NFL and the Browns are going to need Joe Flacco at his very best if they are going to have a deep run.

You don't want to read too much into the Week 16 win secured by Cleveland, especially with Houston in better shape on both sides of the ball, but the Browns did blow out the Texans. That will give Joe Flacco confidence with the Browns very leaning on the veteran Quarter Back as injuries to the Offensive Line and top Running Back has just hurt the output of the ground attack.

Despite the blowout loss in Week 16, the Texans Defensive Line continued to shine by holding the Cleveland Browns to 1.8 yards per carry. They have been stout all season and it is unlikely that Kareem Hunt or Jerome Ford are going to be major factors as runners, although both will be targeted by Joe Flacco when he steps back to throw.

It has been Joe Flacco's ability to target David Njoku and Amari Cooper that has given the Cleveland Browns life, and the veteran will be the key again. The Houston Secondary have struggled at times, but Will Anderson Jr is back and will certainly help spark the pass rush pressure when Flacco drops back to target his Receivers down the field.

That pressure could lead to more Interceptions (Flacco had two in the win over Houston) and there is certainly a feeling that the Texans will force the experienced Quarter Back into one or two mistakes here. The Browns should still have some success throwing the ball against this Secondary, but they will need a big game from the Defensive unit if they are going to secure a place in the Divisional Round.

Key performers like Anderson Jr will be back Defensively, while Houston will also have CJ Stroud at Quarter Back rather than Case Keenum and/or Davis Mills. Those two struggled against a very strong Cleveland Defensive unit, but that Week 16 game was played at the home of the Browns and there is no doubting that this Defense has been strong, but less effective on the road.

One of the major problems for the Browns has been the Defensive Line and being able to contain the run- the Texans picked up 4.5 yards per carry in the regular season meeting and that was without CJ Stroud, who will be given a lot more respect for his abilities at Quarter Back than his backups would have been.

With the team still struggling to control the line of scrimmage, Houston will certainly be looking at Devin Singletary to establish the run for the home underdog. This could be massive for the entire team with CJ Stroud not needing as much time to make his throws down the field behind an Offensive Line that has not been as strong when it comes to pass protection as it does to run blocking.

Injuries in the Receiving corps is a big problem for Houston, but it will certainly help if they are playing in third and manageable spots. CJ Stroud has shown he can find Nico Collins, although it will an issue to find consistency when throwing the ball without some of the other players that had stepped up for the rookie Quarter Back in the regular season.

We are unlikely to see a blowout as was the case in Week 16, but the edge is still with the Cleveland Browns.

Houston have perhaps reached the post-season earlier than expected and rookie Quarter Backs have had their issues in PlayOff starts. First time Quarter Backs in the PlayOffs in general have had a difficult time and the Cleveland Browns will not have put in any big effort in Week 18 like the Texans needed to win the AFC South.

The Texans can keep this close by running the ball effectively, but Joe Flacco and company may just step up with the bigger plays in the passing game. Turnovers could be a problem for the Cleveland Browns considering they are likely to be pretty one-dimensional Offensively, but Flacco has shown he can find the spaces in this Houston Secondary to lead his team to a win.

It is the PlayOffs and nothing is likely to come easy, but the feeling is that Cleveland can just about edge through to the Divisional Round. The Texans have been a solid underdog to back this season as they have overachieved, but the Browns have been a good favourite and they can secure just a second PlayOff win since the formation of the current Cleveland Browns.

Miami Dolphins @ Kansas City Chiefs Pick: The inability to hang onto the lead they entered the Fourth Quarter with has had a huge impact on the Miami Dolphins as they return to the PlayOffs. Instead of a home game and the Number 2 Seed in the AFC, the Dolphins dropped all the way down to the Number 6 Seed and that means having to travel to cold, very cold, Kansas City Chiefs instead.

The Chiefs are well rested having allowed the starters some time off in Week 18 with the AFC West Division secured again. They may not be the favourites to defend their Super Bowl crown, but the Chiefs are loaded with experience and it will take a strong effort to knock off Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid.

Losing to the Buffalo Bills will have just raised those questions about the Dolphins and whether they can beat good teams or are just a product of their kind schedule. It seems to be a bit of both, but the defeat in Week 18 came with a number of injuries with the Defensive unit taking a significant hit.

A number of players look like they will be missing for Miami and they have had to pick up a number of veterans who had been sitting on the sofa to try and bolster the team. Xavien Howard is going to be a big miss at Quarter Back, although the Dolphins may look at this game as one they can manage without one of their top Defensive Backs considering Kansas City's Offensive woes through much of the season.

The line of scrimmage will be key for the Dolphins, although they have not been as efficient at shutting down the run on the road as they have been at home. The conditions may mean they will be willing to take more of a risk to attack Isiah Pacheco and stop the Chiefs establishing the run, while it would also allow the new look pass rush to try and rattle Patrick Mahomes.

Any obvious passing down and distance will give the Dolphins a chance to try and rush the Quarter Back and Patrick Mahomes has not really found a chemistry with his Receiving corps this season. The Chiefs will be able to make some plays through the air, but the conditions may make it more difficult and the bigger ambition for Mahomes may be to ensure he does not make mistakes that set up short fields for Miami.

It will mean they can lean on a Defensive unit that have played at a high level and who will feel they can get the better of a Dolphins team that have struggled when facing some of the stronger teams in the NFL. Add in the fact that Raheem Mostert and Jayden Waddle are both banged up, while Tua Tagovailoa is making his first PlayOff start and you have to believe the Chiefs can at least limit what the Dolphins are able to produce Offensively.

The Offensive Line was healthier in Week 18 and may be stronger with another week on the field- this is so important for the Miami Dolphins as the look to establish the run and try and control the outcome of this Super Wild Card game. The Dolphins have been able to run the ball with their misdirecton and motion at the line of scrimmage, but they will have to note that the Kansas City Defensive Line have just stiffened up as the season wound down.

If the Chiefs can control the line of scrimmage, they will feel the Secondary is playing well enough to benefit from the pass rush pressure they are expected to generate around Tua Tagovailoa. That pressure could lead to turnovers, which has been a problem for the Quarter Back against the better teams faced, and this may be Miami's undoing, even in Tyreek Hill's 'revenge' game.

Making mistakes will be fatal to the Miami chances and this is a team that has not enjoyed playing in the extreme cold that has been forecasted for Kansas City.

This would have been a tough PlayOff environment even in perfect conditions, but first time PlayOff starter Tua Tagovailoa may have a very difficult time in the cold, which has been a problem for him in his career.

Miami are also 2-8 in the ten road starts made by this Quarter Back with the Dolphins set as the underdog. They are just 1-5 against PlayOff teams this season, while Tua Tagovailoa is 3-7-1 against the spread when playing away from home against a team with a winning record.

He has also lost all four road starts at night when set as the underdog and the feeling is that the Kansas City Chiefs may do just enough at home to cover this spread. The public look to be favouring the road underdog, but Patrick Mahomes is 12-7 against the spread when that has happened and he can guide the Chiefs to a similar margin of victory as they had over the Dolphins in the regular season.

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Buffalo Bills Pick: After losing to the Philadelphia Eagles at the end of November, it felt like it was a long road back towards the PlayOffs for the Buffalo Bills. The players have admitted that they have felt in post-season mode ever since moving into December and the Bills have won five in a row to not only power into the PlayOffs, but to finish with the Number 2 Seed.

The reward is a home Super Wild Card game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, who somehow managed to sneak into the PlayOffs as the Number 7 Seed.

It was three wins in a row that took the Steelers into the PlayOffs and two of those wins have come as the underdog, which is very impressive. Mason Rudolph was the third string Quarter Back, but leapfrogged both Kenny Pickett and Mitchell Trubisky and led the three wins over the Cincinnati Bengals, Seattle Seahawks and Baltimore Ravens to guide Mike Tomlin's men into the PlayOffs.

Some reports still suggest that Tomlin may leave his post as Head Coach when the Steelers season ends, while the biggest blow to the team is losing TJ Watt to an injury. The leader on the Defensive side of the ball has been key for the Pittsburgh Steelers and they are remarkably 1-10 without him, while going 2-4-1 against the spread since the beginning of 2022 when Watt has been sidelined.

With the cold, windy conditions expected in Buffalo on Sunday, losing Watt will still be a massive blow for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

However, that loss can be lessened if the Steelers Defensive Line can find a way to contain the run- the Bills struggled to run the ball efficiently in Miami in Week 18, but James Cook and Josh Allen are more than capable of running the ball right at the Pittsburgh Steelers and keeping the team in front of the chains.

Josh Allen has admitted that the gusty conditions may make it tougher to throw the ball, but he should have an 'easier' time if the Bills can run the ball and stay in front of the chains. Not having TJ Watt harassing him when he drops back to throw is also a huge bonus and this Pittsburgh Secondary will struggle to contain Stefon Diggs and the two Tight Ends that will run down the field and find spaces with the time Josh Allen is expected to have.

It should be noted that the Bills have struggled to cover as double digit favourite- Josh Allen has not covered in his last seven in that position, although the last cover was against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The key to that happening in this Super Wild Card game is the Buffalo Defensive unit who have really been playing at a very good level down the stretch to help guide the team into the PlayOffs. They will be facing Mason Rudolph making his first PlayOff start as a Quarter Back, a situation that has proved too much for the majority in the past in that position.

Pittsburgh have to lean on the Offensive Line and the dual Running Backs Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren and see if they can frustrate the Bills and keep Allen and company icing up on the sidelines.

They have been a little inconsistent when it comes to running the ball, while the Buffalo Defensive Line have been a little better as the season has worn on. Much of this one could come down to how much respect the Buffalo Defensive unit have for Mason Rudolph or whether they are going to sell out on stopping Harris and Warren.

If they can control the line of scrimmage, the Buffalo pass rush will really give Mason Rudolph fits and that pressure has led to better Quarter Backs making rash decisions and forced turnovers.

Three Touchdown passes and avoiding Interceptions have been key for Mason Rudolph since being reinstated as the starting Quarter Back, but keeping a clean game may be more difficult in this one. If the game gets out of control, the Steelers will not want to be throwing in these conditions and that may only compound the issues for a Quarter Back making his first post-season start.

Mike Tomlin has a very good record as the Head Coach of an underdog-set Pittsburgh Steelers, but they are just 3-5 against the spread when given at least 8 points. The Steelers have been 7 or more point underdogs twice in the PlayOffs and are 0-1-1 against the spread, including a 21 point loss as a double digit dog at Kansas City two years ago.

This is also the third week in a row that the Steelers are playing on the road and that is a difficult spot for most teams, while an experienced Buffalo team have the momentum to push forward and earn their place in the Divisional Round with a rare cover of a massive spread.

Green Bay Packers @ Dallas Cowboys Pick: First time Quarter Backs playing in the post-season have had a very difficult time and the records against the spread back that up.

In Super Wild Card Weekend in January 2024, the first three games will see us opposing those Quarter Backs, but this one looks an opportunity to back Jordan Love as he brings the young Green Bay Packers to Arlington.

Three wins in a row have helped the Packers return to the PlayOffs a year after missing out with Aaron Rodgers at Quarter Back and Jordan Love has had some very strong moments. The Packers are one of the younger rosters in the NFL and so the future looks bright, but it should also be pointed out that they are the Number 7 Seed and that means having to face a very tough road game.

The Number 2 Seeds are the Dallas Cowboys who are looking for a really strong run in the post-season. They have not played in the NFC Championship Game since the 1995 season when the Cowboys last won the Super Bowl and there is pressure on Mike McCarthy as Head Coach with Jerry Jones expecting a minimum run of reaching that Championship Game this time around.

It is no surprise to see the Cowboys down as the favourites and they could be facing a Green Bay Secondary without Jaire Alexander who was hurt on Wednesday and missed practice on Thursday. Losing their best Corner Back will be a devastating blow for the Packers as they look to find a way to contain CeeDee Lamb and really would give the Dallas Cowboys an edge.

However, the Packers Defensive Line have been playing well down the stretch as they helped guide Green Bay back into the post-season. This will be encouraging for the Packers, especially as the Dallas Offensive Line have not really dominated at the line of scrimmage as we have come to expect.

Being in a position to place the pressure on Dak Prescott at Quarter Back will feel like a big advantage, even if Alexander is not good to go. While the numbers have been very good this season, Prescott would likely be under pressure from the Packers pass rush and the fact of the matter is that the Quarter Back will know the expectation level of the fans inside the Stadium.

He is just 1-5 against the spread in his six PlayOff starts for the Dallas Cowboys, while the team in general are just 3-12-1 against the spread in their last sixteen PlayOff games. Some of that is down to having to deal with a great sense of expectation, while the layers will know that people are going to be lined up around the corner to back Dallas in a big game.

Dak Prescott does have a good record when favoured by at least 6 points at home, but this game very much depends on how well Jordan Love handles his first start in the post-season.

Much like the Dallas Cowboys, the Green Bay Packers would love to establish the run and try and ease some pressure on Jordan Love at Quarter Back. Aaron Jones has been back and the Packers have been running the ball well, but they are going to be facing a tough Cowboys Defensive Line who have really been stout against the run down the stretch.

This really feels like a key to the outcome of the game- both teams will feel they can dominate the line of scrimmage and it is also important to make sure Green Bay remain competitive and not be forced into a one-dimensional game plan.

The Offensive Line have been a strong part of Green Bay on this side of the ball and they have also been very good at giving Jordan Love time in the pocket. Keeping the Dallas pass rush away from Love will not be easy, but the Packers will be hoping to be in front of the chains and that should mean there is an opportunity to attack this Secondary.

Interceptions, or avoiding them, will be high on the mind of Jordan Love who could have Christian Watson back in the line up as someone who can stretch the field. The young Receiving corps have stepped up for Love and the Packers may be able to make enough plays on this side of the ball to ensure a competitive game.

Mike McCarthy would love to get one over his former team and the edge has to be with Dallas at home, although covering this spread may be more challenging.

Matt LaFleur is 20-10 against the spread when set as the underdog as the Green Bay Head Coach and he can put together a strong enough game plan to make sure the Packers are competitive in this Super Wild Card Weekend game.

Los Angeles Rams @ Detroit Lions Pick: After spending twelve years with the Detroit Lions, Matthew Stafford was traded to the Los Angeles Rams with Jared Goff coming the other way.

It worked out very well for the Rams who won the Super Bowl in Stafford's first season as their starting Quarter Back, but the Lions fans will be very happy with the development of their own team and the abilities that Jared Goff has shown.

The 'NFL Script' has certainly come up big with the Number 3 Seeded Lions hosting the Number 6 Seeded Los Angeles Rams and it is no surprise that this has been given a primetime spot on Sunday evening. Amazingly this is the first time Matthew Stafford will be starting a PlayOff game in this Stadium, despite the number of years he played for the Detroit Lions, and he will be arriving with one of the hotter teams entering the post-season.

A few weeks ago it felt like the Los Angeles Rams were not going to be able to force a return to the PlayOffs for the first time since winning the Super Bowl. However, seven wins in eight games with the only exception being a tight defeat to the Baltimore Ravens will have really boosted the belief of the Rams and they are a very live underdog.

There has been a really nice balance in the Offensive approach run by the Rams, although that may not be as evident when they face this Detroit team.

The Lions have a Defensive Line that have proven to be very strong when it comes to clamping down on the run so it may be difficult for Kyren Williams to be able to move the ball on the ground as he has at time during this successful run. You have to assume Sean McVay will find a way to produce something that resembles an effective rushing attack, but Williams may be more of a threat as a pass-catching Back rather than continuing to pound his head against the Lions brick wall.

Pass rush pressure is likely going to be a factor going against Matthew Stafford and the Rams, but the veteran Quarter Back will also recognise the problems Detroit have been having in the Secondary. The Receiving corps is certainly capable of winning their battles on the outside and the Rams should be able to make some big plays in the passing game, while also setting up screens to make sure they are not too far behind the chains.

The line of scrimmage is expected to be key on the other side of the ball as the Lions look to get plenty out of both David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs. In recent games the Lions have been grinding out the yards, but this looks another tough challenge with the Rams Defensive Line improving week after week when it comes to stopping the run.

For all of the successes that Jared Goff has had this season and since joining up with the Detroit Lions, the Los Angeles Rams will believe that they can rattle him into a mistake or two if they can control the line of scrimmage.

The Rams Secondary have allowed teams to have success throwing the ball against them and the Lions should be able to get the passing game going, especially as the Offensive Line have offered Jared Goff plenty of time. However, there have been some big Interceptions in key games down the stretch and making those mistakes will certainly give the Rams an advantage as far as the outcome goes.

Jared Goff will be a player that Sean McVay knows plenty about, but he has really performed well for Head Coach Dan Campbell.

He has been particularly impressive indoors and Matthew Stafford has a pretty poor record as the underdog- only one of the last six games started by Stafford for the Rams has been with the team set as the underdog, although he did help cover in that one against the Baltimore Ravens.

In general Matthew Stafford has struggled and his team is just 1-9 in the last ten in that position straight up.

Beating their former Quarter Back to head through to the Divisional Round would be a huge plus for the Lions, but teams being set as favourites in their first PlayOff game after missing out the previous years have tended to cover. Momentum is with the Los Angeles Rams and Stafford should be very comfortable in this Stadium, while McVay's familiarity with Jared Goff has to give the Rams another edge.

There should be plenty of points scored, but taking those on offer with the road underdog looks the most appealing angle to play.

Philadelphia Eagles @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers Pick: Things can change very, very quickly in the NFL and there is a feeling that something has shifted irreversibly with the Philadelphia Eagles.

A few weeks ago they looked on course to finish with the Number 1 Seed in the NFC for a second season in a row and many would have had them down as favourites to reach the Super Bowl and perhaps even manage to finish with the Championship. Instead the team have lost five of their last six games and not only failed to earn the top Seed, but did not defend their NFC East crown and dropped to the Number 5 Seeding.

It likely means needing to win three road games to reach the Super Bowl rather than two home games, while reports suggest Head Coach Nick Sirianni is on the verge of being fired. He has guided the Eagles to the PlayOffs in each of the three seasons in charge, including the Super Bowl run last season that just came up short against the Kansas City Chiefs, but there has been a suggestion that the players are no longer playing for Sirianni and his Coaching staff.

Losing this Super Wild Card Weekend game on Monday in a prime time spot would perhaps be the final blow and Nick Sirianni needs a big performance from his team.

They are facing the NFC South Division Winners after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers bounced back from a Week 17 defeat to see off the Carolina Panthers and enter the PlayOffs as the Number 4 Seed. After Tom Brady retired last season, the Buccaneers may have felt this would be something of a transitional season, but Baker Mayfield has played well enough to guide them back into the post-season.

However, Baker Mayfield has been banged up and so there has to be a question about whether he can do enough to expose the obvious issues the Eagles are having Defensively.

The Buccaneers have won five of their last six games so certainly have the momentum to get the better of the defending NFC Champions. They will need Baker Mayfield at Quarter Back though and that is largely down to the fact that Tampa Bay do not match up as well with the Eagles on the Offensive side of the ball.

A healthy Mayfield would have a chance to attack this Secondary, but the Buccaneers Offensive Line have not really found a way to establish a consistent running attack to balance things out for their Quarter Back. Even with a faltering Eagles Defensive Line in front of them, Tampa Bay may have issues getting Rachaad White going on the ground, although the Running Back is someone that can play a part in the passing game.

This will likely mean the pressure is on the Quarter Back to make the big throws to the likes of Mike Evans and Chris Godwin and try and move the chains through the air. Baker Mayfield has shown he can do that, but he might be under a bit of pressure from the Eagles pass rush, while he will also have to be very aware of the turnovers that Philadelphia's Defensive Backs will be chasing.

He is 2-0 against the spread in previous PlayOff starts and that will offer Tampa Bay encouragement as they look to upset the Eagles. They failed to do that in the regular season when beating as a 5.5 point underdog in this Stadium back in September, but a lot has changed for Philadelphia since then and the spread reflects that.

Jalen Hurts has been banged up, but a big problem for the Quarter Back is that both AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith could be limited. Being without the top two Receivers would make things very difficult for Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles, especially against this Buccaneers Defensive unit which has been a huge part of the run into the post-season.

While the Offensive Line struggles, Tampa Bay's Defensive Line have been very strong at the line of scrimmage and they will feel they can contain the Eagles running threat. Of course Jalen Hurts is capable of scrambling for First Downs of his own, although he may not be completely comfortable trying to do that with a banged up body.

The Eagles will do well to keep the Buccaneers pass rush from rattling Jalen Hurts and if the Wide Receivers are not quite right, this has the makings of an upset.

Mistakes made in the passing game have been an issue for Hurts down the stretch and he has to be thinking the same as Baker Mayfield in knowing how important it is to have a clean game.

This may mean less risks being taken, while the lean in the spread is with the Buccaneers having a start.

Instead of that, the selection is backing this game to finish under the total line set and that is largely down to the problems both Offensive units could have in finding consistency. Turnovers could be the major issue with short fields being created likely to result in a relatively high-scoring game, but you have to believe both game plans will be to avoid as much risk as possible knowing how important the turnover battle is expected to be.

Early forecasts suggest it will be wet and potentially windy, which makes the passing game that much harder to execute and both teams may look to pound the rock and control the clock and the tempo of the game. The reports suggesting Philadelphia are exploring potentially firing their Head Coach is not ideal a couple of days before a PlayOff game, and has me leaning with the upset, but the play is going to be back an 'under' in this total line set.

MY PICKS: Cleveland Browns - 2 Points @ 1.91 Bet365 (1 Unit)

Kansas City Chiefs - 4.5 Points @ 1.91 William Hill (1 Unit)

Buffalo Bills - 9.5 Points @ 1.91 Paddy Power (1 Unit)

Green Bay Packers + 7.5 Points @ 1.85 Bet Victor (1 Unit)

Los Angeles Rams + 3.5 Points @ 1.83 Sky Bet (1 Unit)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Philadelphia Eagles Under 43.5 Points @ 1.92 Bet Victor (1 Unit)

Week 18: 3-5, - 2.31 Units (8 Units Staked, - 28.88% Yield)

Week 17: 5-2, + 2.55 Units (7 Units Staked, + 36.43% Yield)

Week 16: 5-4, + 0.66 Units (9 Units Staked, + 7.33% Yield)

Week 15: 5-4, + 0.60 Units (9 Units Staked, + 6.67% Yield)

Week 14: 5-3, + 1.58 Units (8 Units Staked, + 19.75% Yield)

Week 13: 2-2, - 1.18 Units (5 Units Staked, - 23.60% Yield)

Week 12: 6-1, + 5.23 Units (8 Units Staked, + 65.38% Yield)

Week 11: 5-2, + 2.54 Units (7 Units Staked, + 36.29% Yield)

Week 10: 3-5, - 2.35 Units (8 Units Staked, - 29.38% Yield)

Week 9: 3-2, + 0.82 Units (5 Units Staked, + 16.40% Yield)

Week 8: 2-2-1, - 0.18 Units (5 Units Staked, - 3.60% Yield)

Week 7: 3-2, + 0.82 Units (5 Units Staked, + 16.40% Yield)

Week 6: 4-3, + 0.56 Units (7 Units Staked, + 8% Yield)

Week 5: 4-3-1, + 2.46 Units (10 Units Staked, + 24.60% Yield)

Week 4: 3-5, - 2.35 Units (8 Units Staked, - 29.38% Yield)

Week 3: 4-4, + 0.43 Units (9 Units Staked, + 4.78% Yield)

Week 2: 3-4-2, - 1.36 Units (12 Units Staked, - 11.33% Yield)

Week 1: 5-2, + 2.51 Units (7 Units Staked, + 35.86% Yield)

2023 Season: 70-55-4, + 11.03 Units

NFL Super Wild Card Round PlayOff Picks 2023 (January 14-16)

It is quite amazing how quickly time can fly- it feels like the 2022 NFL season only began yesterday, yet eighteen weeks later we have reached the PlayOffs.

Some of the favourites from pre-season have made their way into the PlayOffs as expected, but the NFL continues to show off the parity they are most proud of with a number of teams making the post-season that did not do so last season.

The Super Wild Card Round has been a lot of fun since its introduction and this season we even have a Monday Night Football PlayOff game for the first time. I am not sure that is going to be good news for the winner of the Tampa Bay-Dallas game with the winner most likely heading to the City of Brotherly Love to take on the rested Philadelphia Eagles in the Divisional Round, but it is something that the winner will have to deal with if that is the outcome.

The Monday Night selection will be added to this thread on Saturday.

Seattle Seahawks @ San Francisco 49ers Pick: The NFC West has sent two teams to the PlayOffs and the San Francisco 49ers (13-4) will be given the opportunity to host this Super Wild Card Round game against the Seattle Seahawks (9-8) courtesy of being Divisional Winners. Despite the injuries, especially at the Quarter Back position, the 49ers have used the 'next man up' mantra to great effect and they are considered a real candidate to win the Super Bowl.

That is a long shot for the Seattle Seahawks who have overcome a run of five losses in six games to win their last two regular season games and back their way into the PlayOff. They needed a Green Bay Packers loss in Week 18 to do that and they edged out the Detroit Lions thanks to an early road win over the Lions giving Seattle the tie-breaker.

Recent performance levels as well as the fact that the Seahawks have lost both games to the San Francisco 49ers in the regular season makes Seattle a big road underdog in this opening PlayOff Game of the 2022 season. Spreads like this are hard to work out considering how well the underdog have performed in the recent past in the NFL PlayOffs, but the two losses to the 49ers underline the feeling we all have in that the Seahawks do not match up effectively against this Divisional rival.

That is an issue on both sides of the ball, while the decline in the Geno Smith level at Quarter Back has to be a major concern heading into the post-season. He did not play badly in the wins to close out the season, but the mistakes that have been evident throughout his starting career in the NFL have begun to show up again down the stretch, mistakes that Geno Smith had been firmly in control of earlier in the season.

Before last season, Super Wild Card underdogs had been on a really strong run, but those teams were just 1-5 against the spread in the 2021 PlayOffs. That does not bode well for the Seahawks who will try and run the ball against the 49ers Defensive Line to ease the pressure on Smith, who is also making his first PlayOff start, an unenviable position for a Quarter Back.

The same will be the case for Brock Purdy playing Quarter Back for the San Francisco 49ers and there is no doubt that the intensity of a post-season game is a level above what will have been faced in the regular season. However, even with that in mind, Brock Purdy has shown he can deal with the pressure of being a starter in the NFL and he is surrounded by players that can make the difference for him.

In all likelihood, the Seattle Offensive Line is not going to suddenly rip off big gains against the San Francisco Defensive Line considering they have not had much success in either regular season game. That is going to shift the pressure onto Geno Smith and the weather conditions expected in Santa Clara for game time is going to make the passing game that much more difficult to execute.

Geno Smith has talented Receivers, but the question is whether he will have a good enough grip of the football to throw down the field and whether he will get the time needed for the likes of DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett to break open with the 49ers pass rush teeing off on the Quarter Back in third and long spots.

There have been one or two holes in the San Francisco Secondary that can be exposed, but the conditions and the one-dimensional nature of the Seattle Offensive unit may may it difficult to exploit those. You cannot ignore this team averaged 10 points per game against the 49ers in the regular season and it is going to be tough for Smith and the team to produce much better against this elite Defensive team.

Throwing conditions won't be easier for Brock Purdy, but the 49ers are not a team looking for the big play, but simply asking the Quarter Back to get the ball into the hands of the skill players and let them do the work. Another huge advantage for Purdy and the San Francisco 49ers is that they are very much expected to establish the run and Christian McCaffrey should have another big game against this Seattle Defensive Line which has not been able to stop the run all season.

Kyle Shanahan has shown he can find different ways to run the ball so I expect Deebo Samuel to also have his fair share of carries and all this means that Brock Purdy will be in front of the chains for much of the afternoon and not asked to carry the team. That means there is less pressure on this first-time starting Quarter Back compared with Geno Smith and Brock Purdy is not expected to be in situations where he can be forced into making mistakes.

Of course he will throw the ball at some point, but Purdy will be asked to make short throws into the likes of Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk and those Receivers can pick up plenty of yards after the catch on their own.

Ultimately I simply don't think this is a positive match up for the Seahawks on either side of the ball and staying with the 49ers looks like it could be a step too far.

There is a theory that beating the same team three times in a single season is tough to do, but those teams have won fourteen of the twenty-three games in that situation. You also have to accept that Divisional match ups in the post-season have favoured the underdog since 2014 with a strong 8-2 record against the spread, but neither game between the Seahawks and 49ers has been close in the regular season and I am not anticipating this one to be much different.

Seattle have been struggling down the stretch and are 1-7 against the spread in the last eight games played, while they have not covered in their last five against their NFC West rivals.

The Seahawks also have to deal with a poor trend going against teams that have not had recent PlayOff experience when facing an opponent that made the post-season in the previous year.

And of course there is that known issue that first time PlayOff Quarter Backs have had when set as the underdog- those teams are 7-18-1 against the spread since 2006, while San Francisco are trying to extend a run for home favourites of at least 7 points who are 13-4 against the spread in the Wild Card Round of the PlayOffs.

I simply don't think Brock Purdy will need to make pressurised throws too often and the 49ers can wear Seattle down at the line of scrimmage with a strong win to return to the Divisional Round of the post-season and hosting a game next weekend.

Los Angeles Chargers @ Jacksonville Jaguars Pick: A few months ago you would have gotten some long odds on the Jacksonville Jaguars (9-8) winning the AFC South and securing a home game in the Super Wild Card Round of the PlayOffs. Five wins in a row have not only pushed the Jaguars into the PlayOffs, but they will feel like they are in the right mindset to deal with the post-season having won a 'knock out' game in Week 18 against the Tennessee Titans.

Winning the Division means hosting the Los Angeles Chargers (10-7) and I do think there is plenty of pressure on Head Coach Brandon Staley after deciding to play his starters for the full game in Week 18. In most circumstances it would not have been a decision that is being questioned, but the Chargers had been locked into the Number 5 Seed in the AFC before kick off and the injuries picked up by Mike Williams and Joey Bosa have had fans shaking their heads.

Losing in the Super Wild Card Round will thus be a major blow for the Chargers Head Coach, even though both Williams and Bosa are expected to suit up.

Los Angeles are the favourites even though they were blown out at home by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the regular season. The long trip to the East Coast is far from ideal too and I think this Jaguars team have shown an improvement through the course of the season while being guided by a Super Bowl Winning Head Coach that will make them very dangerous.

Trevor Lawrence is growing into the Quarter Back many believed he would be when selected as the Number 1 Overall Pick, but the Jaguars cannot be as sloppy Offensively as they were last week. It didn't help that they were not able to run the ball as they have come to expect against the very tough Titans Defensive Line, but at least this week there are likely to be more holes up front for Travis Etienne to try and burst through.

Jacksonville are going to need the running game working with an improving Chargers Secondary looking healthier and playing well down the stretch. They can put some pressure on Trevor Lawrence when he steps back to throw if they can put the Jaguars behind the chains and that could lead to mistakes, which has been an issue for the Quarter Back who has thrown 8 Interceptions, but also had 9 Fumbles.

At home, the Jaguars will feel they can have some success even after the inconsistent performance on this side of the ball in the Week 18 win over the Titans.

However, Doug Pederson may be leaning on his Defensive unit to play up to the level produced in holding the Titans to 16 points last week. Since allowing 34 points in a home win over the Dallas Cowboys, the Jaguars have allowed a total of 22 points in three games, although it should be noted the struggling Quarter Backs they have faced in that time.

Justin Herbert is not struggling and he is surrounded by some talented Receiving options and a decent Running Back in Austin Ekeler.

It has not been easy to run the ball against the Jaguars Defensive Line and they restricted the impact that Ekeler was able to make in their blow out win on the road over the Chargers. The Titans did have some joy on the ground with Derrick Henry and Joshua Dobbs from the Quarter Back position, but the Chargers will be happy enough throwing the ball if they have to.

That was not the case for the Titans and there are some vulnerabilities in the Jacksonville Secondary with Mike Williams, Keenan Allen and Josh Palmer likely to have the edge over the Defensive Backs. Justin Herbert is confident of finding those behind an Offensive Line that has offered their Quarter Back a bit more time throwing the ball down the field.

With Austin Ekeler a solid safety blanket in the passing game, I think the Chargers will be confident of earning the win on the road, but this really feels like a close game.

With that in mind, the spread is much harder to work out at the number below a Field Goal amount of points and I think I could make a case for both teams. Two inexperienced Quarter Backs in PlayOff Football clouds things a bit more, but my narrowest of leans has to be with the home underdog finding a way to win this one outright.

Instead of the spread, I am going to look for the two teams to finish below the total line set for the game.

The Defensive units look to match up pretty well with the Offenses they are going to face and I do think it will be a closely fought game.

The under is actually 11-3 in the last fourteen Jacksonville home games and it is also 5-1 in the last six Los Angeles Chargers games. With the teams looking to establish the run, I do think the game could be shortened and it should be a lower scoring game than the layers may expect if turnovers are avoided to offer up short fields.

Whoever wins is likely to be a significant underdog next week in the Divisional Round, but this is an important game for the development of the franchise Quarter Back for both teams, although it may be a game dominated by the Defensive units.

Miami Dolphins @ Buffalo Bills Pick: This has been a season of progress for the Miami Dolphins (9-8), but it is likely going to end with a 'one and done' post-season appearance. And for all of the positives, there is a huge question mark over the franchise and that is what to do with Tua Tagovailoa at Quarter Back.

After an uneven time in the professional ranks, Mike McDaniel has really gotten something out of Tua Tagovailoa, but the big problem has been the durability of a player that is going to want a huge contract extension sooner rather than later. The concussions are bad luck, but also partly down to the mismanagement of the early one that was suffered by Tagovailoa, but it has ruled him out of the Super Wild Card Round and it is hard to know if he will be activated even if Miami are to cause a monumental upset on Sunday.

When Tua Tagovailoa has been healthy, the Miami Dolphins have looked like they could have a team that will develop into one that can win the Super Bowl. That is why there is a serious question for the Miami management team in deciding how to move forward, although I expect the Dolphins to be linked with a major name veteran or two during this off-season (book Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers as those names).

For now the concentration for the Dolphins is how they can do enough Offensively to keep up with the AFC East Champions Buffalo Bills (13-3) who missed out on the Bye Week into the Divisional Round having played one game fewer than the Kansas City Chiefs. I don't think many associated with Buffalo will care too much about that after hearing the news that Damar Hamlin looks to be taking the right steps towards recovery and I do think that news is something that can give the whole team a boost in the post-season.

They are a massive favourite to win this game with the Miami Dolphins banged up and potentially having to play third string Quarter Back, Skylar Thompson, again. Teddy Bridgewater has a damaged finger on his throwing hand so even if he gets the start, you have to believe he is going to have a hard time getting the ball out to the likes of Jayden Waddle and Tyreek Hill and this game does have the potential of getting ugly.

Running the ball has been a way to get at the Buffalo Defensive unit, but once again Miami have picked up an injury at a bad time with Raheem Mostert likely to miss out. Jeff Wilson has had some success, but it was Mostert who ran the ball really well when these two Divisional rivals met last month and I think the Bills Defensive Line may choose to clamp down on the run and dare a banged up veteran or a rookie to beat them with their arm.

Miami's Offensive Line will offer up some time, but Skylar Thompson has a tendency to hold onto the ball too long and this week is facing a Buffalo Secondary that has recovered some health. Damar Hamlin came in to replace Micah Hyde and the latter is not likely to play until the AFC Championship Game, if Buffalo get there, but I am not sure Miami have the tools to have a lot of success and this could be really tough if they fall a couple of scores behind.

There is every chance that could happen relatively quickly, even if Josh Allen has not played quite up to the level we all know he possesses at Quarter Back.

Unlike the Dolphins, Buffalo may not be able to lean on their running game as they have in recent weeks with the Miami Defensive Line continuing to clog up lanes and hitting Running Backs in the backfield for losses. Josh Allen is a dual-threat at Quarter Back and did have some big runs in the last game against Miami, and that element did allow the Bills to produce 150 yards on the ground in that narrow win in this Stadium so it could be down to Allen to open things up for his own passing game to thrive.

It will be another cold afternoon for these teams in Buffalo, but clearer conditions should give Buffalo's passing game a chance to shine.

Josh Allen did light up this Secondary in the win in December and I think he will be able to pick up from where he left off. The Miami Dolphins have played hard on the Defensive side of the ball to make up for the absence of Tua Tagovailoa at Quarter Back, but there are too many weapons for Buffalo to exploit the problems that can be had in the passing game and I do think this will give Buffalo every opportunity to cover a mammoth spread.

It really would not be a massive surprise if Skylar Thompson throws an Interception or two to offer up short fields for Buffalo, which eventually leads to the blow out, although this spread is likely to be in play right into the Fourth Quarter.

Make no mistake about that with the number where it is and a backdoor cover could occur if the Bills have a big lead and decide to pull some of their starters. However, Wild Card home teams are a perfect 12-0 against the spread when set as a favourite of at least 9.5 points and Buffalo can certainly pull away for a big win here.

Skylar Thompson would also be impacted by the trend that says first time PlayOff Quarter Backs are just 17-39-1 against the spread since 2004 when they are playing opposite an experienced PlayOff Quarter Back, while I expect a strong Defensive Head Coach like Sean McDermott to have one or two surprises for the rookie behind Center.

This is a big number, but Buffalo have all of the momentum and talent to cover... Blow out in my opinion.

New York Giants @ Minnesota Vikings Pick: Another rematch from a regular season meeting in December takes place in Minneapolis on Sunday in the Super Wild Card Round when home team Minnesota Vikings (13-4) host the New York Giants (9-7-1). This is not only a rematch between the teams, but they are meeting in the same venue and there is every chance this will be just as close as the regular season game.

The higher Seed is once again the favourite, but the spread is not as high as the first meeting and I think it is a massive shame we cannot get more than a Field Goal worth of points with the New York Giants again.

There is some pressure on the New York Quarter Back with Daniel Jones making his first PlayOff start, and I have mentioned the poor trend those first timers have when opposed by a Quarter Back that does have post-season experience.

However, the New York Giants should be able to move the ball pretty efficiently throughout the course of the Super Wild Card Round and the Giants are well rested having given the starters Week 18 to recover. The feeling is that will not have broken any rhythm that the Giants have picked up Offensively with Daniel Jones throwing to his patched up Receivers and having that week rest could be crucial.

The Vikings rested their own starters for much of the Week 18 win over the Chicago Bears too, but they have been a team that has struggled Defensively all season and I just don't know how that changes now.

A major problem has been an inability to stop the run and Saquon Barkley should have a strong performance for the Giants, while Daniel Jones can also move the ball with his legs. Establishing the run sets up everything that the New York Giants will want to do in this game and they have seen Jones find a solid enough connection with the Receivers on the roster that have stepped up as injuries have taken away some of the stronger players on the team.

Daniel Jones should be well protected and the Minnesota Secondary numbers down the stretch look better because teams felt they didn't need to throw against them as they have been gashed on the ground. This is a Secondary that can be exploited though and Jones should find himself having a few options whenever he gets into play-action calls coming through the headset.

I am quite critical of the Minnesota Vikings, but that is largely because their thirteen wins in the regular season seem vastly overinflated as to where they should have been.

However, the Giants have not been much better Defensively and I think the experience of Kirk Cousins coupled with the talent on the Offensive side of the ball should mean Minnesota have plenty of success when they have the ball in their hands too.

Dalvin Cook has remained one of the better Running Backs in the NFL and he should be able to put the Vikings in a position where they do not have to deal with third and long situations to move the chains. They may not have the same mobility out of the Quarter Back, but the Giants have struggled to clamp down on the run and Cook is capable of managing the workload and pushing ahead for the big gain at any time.

This is also very important for Kirk Cousins, who has not been as well protected by the Offensive Line as he would have liked and who would potentially be under significant pass rush pressure when the Vikings find themselves behind the chains. Avoiding mistakes is the key for Minnesota and allowing Cousins to use the play-action to slow down the pass rush and hit his Receivers down the field.

You do have to credit the Giants Secondary for the level at which they are performing, but closing down Justin Jefferson and this Receiving corps will not be easy. They should have some success if they can win at the line of scrimmage and I do think the Giants may have the slight edge in this game, which makes the points in their favour look appealing enough.

Backing Daniel Jones and the Giants means going against a very strong trend that would suggest the Minnesota Vikings are the right side, but I simply do not believe they are the better team and missing a push, at the worst, would be a disappointment.

These two teams both missed the PlayOffs last season and the home team in the Super Wild Card Round in that situation have gone 3-15 against the spread since 2006, which goes against the Vikings here.

Minnesota also closed the season on a 1-4 run against the spread and the New York Giants are 7-0 against the spread following a loss. With a rested team, I think the New York Giants and Minnesota Vikings will both push one another, but this time I believe the Giants can earn revenge for the regular season defeat at this same Stadium.

Baltimore Ravens @ Cincinnati Bengals Pick: Losing in Week 18 meant the Baltimore Ravens (10-7) were not able to force a coin-toss that would potentially have meant hosting this Super Wild Card Round game. Instead the Cincinnati Bengals (12-4) secured home field for this big game, although teams who have lost their last regular season game and then facing the same opponent in the PlayOffs have tended to be very strong against the spread.

That is about as positive as you can really feel about the Ravens who have simply put too much pressure on their own Defensive unit in the absence of Lamar Jackson. A big contract decision has to be made by the Ravens and Jackson in the off-season, but for now the Quarter Back position is one that has not seen good enough play without Jackson to believe the Ravens can have a very deep post-season run.

Despite playing a number of back up players and a third string Quarter Back in Week 18, the Baltimore Ravens did show they can be competitive against the AFC North Champions. Tyler Huntley could be back this week for Baltimore to give them stronger play out of the Quarter Back position, but Snoop has not really been able to come close to the production you would expect from Lamar Jackson and it has seen the Ravens fail to score more than 17 points in any game since the end of November.

As I said in Week 18, it does feel like the Baltimore Ravens match up poorly with the Cincinnati Defensive unit and I am not sure they are going to be able to produce much better in this Super Wild Card Round game. Tyler Huntley will get some help from the running game and he should be able to make some plays on the ground himself, but the Bengals have been pretty good against the run in recent games and I expect they are going to dare Baltimore to beat them with the pass.

Baltimore will have some success on the ground, but they need Huntley to find something in the passing game, anything that may force the Cincinnati Bengals to think twice about loading the box. There are some issues in the Bengals Secondary and Anthony Brown highlighted that by throwing for almost 300 yards through the air in the Week 18 defeat, although turnovers effectively made it a poor performance.

Turnovers have been very important for the Bengals of late and I do think they can produce a couple more on the day to take control of this game.

And there is almost no doubt that Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Offense are going to have the stronger consistency when it comes to moving the ball when they have it, although they cannot underestimate how good this Baltimore Defensive unit can be.

Last week would have shown the Bengals how difficult the starting Baltimore unit are going to make life for them and Joe Burrow will know he is likely going to have to put the team on his shoulders to win the game. The Cincinnati Offensive Line have not been consistent in the run game, even with Joe Mixon in the backfield, and they are not expected to get a lot of change from the Baltimore Defensive Line which has been able to clamp down on the run effectively.

In Week 18 they limited the Bengals to just 55 yards on the ground and the Ravens have to feel they can make the home team a little one-dimensional in this one too. Those turnovers mentioned were the key for Cincinnati in their win over Baltimore last week, but a cleaner game will give the road team some opportunities as they look for the upset over the current AFC Champions.

With the team likely to be in obvious passing positions on the field, Joe Burrow will have to deal with a Baltimore pass rush as he attempts to move the ball against a tough Secondary.

Joe Burrow does have some strong Receiving options and those are likely to win some of their battles on the outside, but I think Baltimore's key Defensive players will step up and keep this one close by holding down the Bengals Offensive output.

A first time Quarter Back playing in the PlayOff is a trend against Baltimore, but I do like the way teams have bounced back from losing their last regular season game and facing the same opponent in the opening Round of the post-season.

Cincinnati have been very strong at home and they have positive trends that support them, but I think John Harbaugh will have a plan for this game that gives Baltimore a chance. They are still likely to come up short, but the Ravens should be stronger than last week and I think they make use of getting more than a Touchdown worth of points as the underdog in this Super Wild Card Round game.

The road team is 6-2-1 against the spread in the last nine between these AFC North Divisional rivals and I think the Baltimore Ravens can find enough plays to secure a cover.

Dallas Cowboys @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers Pick: The final Super Wild Card PlayOff game of the weekend will be played on Monday evening and the winner will know exactly what the Divisional Round holds for them before kick off. However, the focus has to be on winning and extending the season when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-9) become the only team to host a PlayOff game with a losing record this season against the Dallas Cowboys (12-5).

All season we have been waiting for the Buccaneers to find their rhythm in the 2022 season, but that has not happened.

There were some positive signs in the important Week 17 win over the Carolina Panthers and the Offensive Line could have a boost with a potentially returning Ryan Jensen at Center. He has been a huge miss for Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay team all season, but Jensen looks to be trending towards a return and that will be big for the Buccaneers.

Tom Brady will need all of the support he can get from his Offensive Line as the Buccaneers look for a home upset and a visit to either Philadelphia or San Francisco. Improved play up front will also be important to try and get something consistent out of the rushing attack, an area where the Buccaneers have struggled all season.

Even if they are finding their feet in run blocking, the Buccaneers are facing a Dallas Defensive Line which has shown improvement in clamping down on the run. They finished the season holding teams to 3.6 yards per carry and this Tampa Bay team are not expected to get much more going even if the likes of Ryan Jensen are back.

Where Jensen and company can make a difference is giving Tom Brady enough time to try and hit his Receivers down the field. Earlier in the season the Dallas pass rush was playing with freedom and hitting the Quarter Back time and time again, but that has changed in recent weeks and Brady is also someone who will get the ball out of his hands quickly enough to negate the pressure he feels.

And the slowing of the pass rush has also meant the Dallas Secondary have begun to give up some significant passing plays, which should also be very encouraging to Brady and company. Of course you do have to wonder if you can really trust a Tampa Bay team that have seemingly underperformed most weeks, but the same criticism can be levelled at the Dallas Cowboys who have regularly fallen short when it comes to the post-season.

The Week 18 performance will be a concern for long-suffering Dallas fans and they will know they cannot afford to see the team make the kinds of mistakes that they did in the defeat to the Washington Commanders. Dak Prescott has had good moments, but continues to turn the ball over and that is not the way you can win in the post-season.

The Quarter Back may point to a lack of success in establishing the run as a contributory factor in his recent performances, but Dallas may feel they can get Ezekiel Elliot and Tony Pollard back on track against this Tampa Bay Defensive Line. It is very important for Dallas to do that and avoid leaving Dak Prescott in third and long spots and those obvious passing situations and the line of scrimmage may be where this PlayOff game is either won or lost.

If the Cowboys can stay in front of the chains, the Tampa Bay Secondary is one that can be exploited and Dallas do have Receivers like CeeDee Lamb who can make plays for them down the field. That is so important for Dallas as they bid to win a PlayOff game and build some confidence and momentum in the post-season, but this feels like the kind of game where they will come up short.

Dallas have been able to bounce back from losses very well, but they are just 1-4-1 against the spread in their last six road games.

It has been a season long struggle for Tampa Bay to cover in games as they have tended to be over-rated by the oddsmakers, but Wild Card road favourites are now just 7-8-1 against the spread in the last sixteen games with that situation. That includes Los Angeles Chargers failing to cover on Saturday evening and I think Tampa Bay with the points is the play here.

MY PICKS: San Francisco 49ers - 9.5 Points @ 1.91 Bet365 (2 Units)

Jacksonville Jaguars-Los Angeles Chargers Under 48.5 Total Points @ 1.83 Sky Bet (2 Units)

Buffalo Bills - 13.5 Points @ 1.91 William Hill (2 Units)

New York Giants + 3 Points @ 1.91 Bet365 (2 Units)

Baltimore Ravens + 9.5 Points @ 1.91 Bet365 (2 Units)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers + 2.5 Points @ 1.95 Bet Victor (2 Units)

NFL PlayOff Picks 2022- Super Wild Card Weekend 2021 (January 15-17 2022)

The NFL PlayOffs begin on Saturday in mid-January and there looks to be some very strong games to be played over the Super Wild Card Round of the post-season.

Las Vegas Raiders @ Cincinnati Bengals Pick: The final seconds of the last game of the 2021 regular season looked like it could wind down to the tie that would have eliminated the Pittsburgh Steelers and taken the Los Angeles Chargers to the PlayOffs alongside Divisional rivals the Las Vegas Raiders (10-7). However, one more big run in Overtime was good enough for the Raiders to set up a Field Goal to eliminate the Chargers and it was a victory that meant avoiding facing the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Wild Card Round of the PlayOffs.

Instead the Raiders will have to travel to take on the AFC North Champions the Cincinnati Bengals (10-7) who should have their key players well rested. The Divisional crown was wrapped up in Week 17 and the Bengals were not in a position to move into the top two Seeds in the Conference and so a decision was made to make sure Cincinnati are ready for this PlayOff Game.

Both the Bengals and Raiders have had little PlayOff success in recent years and for both Derek Carr and Joe Burrow this will be the first taste of the post-season in the NFL. Cincinnati won't be too concerned with Joe Burrow, who won the National Championship with the LSU Tigers, but you can't ignore how tough first time starters have found life in the post-season in the professional rank and it is something that both starting Quarter Backs will have to deal with on Saturday in the opening PlayOff Game of the 2021 season.

This is the second time the Raiders and Bengals are meeting after Cincinnati won big on the road, but this time they will be getting to host the game. The weather could be a real factor for a team coming out of Nevada and not being accustomed to the kind of cold that will be around in Ohio in January too and both of those factors will have people leaning towards the Cincinnati Bengals.

However, I do think the Raiders can match up well with this Cincinnati Bengals team on both sides of the ball and that could see them make this a much more competitive affair than the home game which was won by the Bengals by double digits. Key players are back for Las Vegas and they have momentum having won the last game of the regular season to secure their place in the post-season.

Like last weekend, the key for the Las Vegas Raiders is making sure they do not move too far away from the Offensive game plan- they have to make sure Josh Jacobs gets his touches at Running Back and the Offense does not become too one-dimensional too early and hope Derek Carr is having one of his better days in the office.

I am not convinced about Derek Carr despite the fact he can be very good at his best- ultimately he is not consistent enough to believe in. However, the Raiders can set him up in a strong position by running the ball with Jacobs who will be facing a Bengals Defensive Line which has just struggled to contain the run down the stretch.

Putting Derek Carr in third and manageable spots makes things so much easier for a team that does not have the deep threat they would have done earlier in the season, but the likes of Hunter Renfrow and Darren Waller are capable of making plays to keep the chains moving. The Quarter Back is also playing behind a strong Offensive Line which will offer him some time to make his throws down the field and I do think the Las Vegas Raiders can have success in this one as they look to advance.

It also should be pointed out that the Las Vegas Raiders have earned their spot in the post-season thanks to the performance of the Defensive unit, even more so than Derek Carr and the Offensive unit. The Raiders have really played well down the stretch, although they will be the first to admit that Joe Burrow and the Bengals will provide a very stiff challenge.

Like the other side of the ball, Las Vegas do feel like they match up well with the Bengals here too and that is taking nothing away from Joe Burrow and how well he has played this season. Cincinnati have some very talented skill players, but they were thankful to a really big performance from Joe Mixon when winning on the road earlier this season and that may be tough to replicate when you think of the much improved performances of the Las Vegas Defensive Line.

This comes at the same time when the Bengals Offensive Line has just struggled to open consistent holes for their Running Back and have also had some issues in pass protection. The Raiders have a pass rush that can get after the Quarter Back without the need to send extra rushers and that is very important for the road team as they look to make plays against Joe Burrow and cover his skill players at Receiver.

The Bengals played well enough down the stretch to think they will have some success, but I think the Raiders match up pretty good and that should mean they can make some plays to keep this one close. Both teams will feel they have something to prove having struggled to make the PlayOffs in recent times, but the pressure of being a favourite for a first time Quarter Back playing in the NFL post-season may just weigh on Joe Burrow a bit more than the underdog Derek Carr.

I can't help but respect the level reached by the Bengals this season, but the Raiders are 6-2 against the spread in their last eight as the road underdog and I think they can keep this close with the points they have been given.

Buffalo Bills @ New England Patriots Pick: Two AFC East teams have made it through to the NFL PlayOffs and the Divisional rivals will be facing one another one more time in 2021, this time with a lot more on the line. The Buffalo Bills (11-6) and the New England Patriots (10-7) both beat the other on the road, but it is the Bills who went on to win the Division and that means they will get the chance to host this game.

A defeat at the Miami Dolphins in Week 18 knocked the Patriots down into the Number 6 Seed in the AFC and that means missing out on a potential game in Cincinnati rather than having to face the Bills again. Bill Belichick and Sean McDermott will not have too many secrets from the other and the weather is going to be extremely cold in Buffalo, much like it was when these teams met here in the regular season.

There is a key difference which should aid Buffalo a lot more than it did when they were beaten by the New England Patriots back in Week 13- on that day, the wind meant neither team had much success throwing the ball and the Patriots won with three passes thrown by Mac Jones, but in this Wild Card Game it is going to be cold, but not windy.

That is a huge boost for the Buffalo Bills who will be looking for Josh Allen to lead them to another win over the New England Patriots having thrown for over 300 yards in a row win at the Patriots. While Bill Belichick is the kind of Coach that has become known for taking away key pieces of an Offense his team are facing, Josh Allen has been tough for the Patriots to corral and I think he will be a key for the Buffalo Bills as they look to have another deep run in the post-season.

Josh Allen won't have it easy and had to throw the ball plenty of times to pick up his yards in the win over the Patriots in Foxboro, but I think he can offer the Bills plenty of balance. They do tend to run the ball with their Quarter Back rather than Devin Singletary or Zack Moss, but the Bills should be able to pick up some strong yards on the ground in this one and especially if Allen loosens the New England Defensive Line a little more by getting to a hot start throwing the ball.

There are enough passing options to keep the chains moving for Buffalo even if Stefon Diggs and Dawson Knox are limited and I do think Josh Allen has a strong PlayOff outing. It will mean the pressure is on the New England Coaching staff to prevent Buffalo from piling up the points as it feels like the Patriots can only win a low-scoring game.

It is my opinion anyway and the Patriots cannot afford to let this game get out of hand early as they look to keep Mac Jones from having to do too much in his first Quarter Back start in the NFL PlayOffs. The young player has had a good year, but there is still much to learn and it is clear that the Patriots are going to rely on their strong Offensive Line and ability to sub in Running Backs to run the ball efficiently in order to win games.

Mac Jones will know he is going to need to throw the ball a lot more than he did in the first visit to Buffalo, but New England are going to know they will need to run the ball plenty of times if they are going to win this game. It has been one of the weaknesses of the Buffalo Defensive unit when it comes to stopping the run and I think that is really important to note and could be a major factor in this game as long as it is close.

Things change dramatically if the Patriots have to lean on Mac Jones and the passing Offense to get the job done and it does not favour New England in that situation. The Buffalo Secondary is very good and they will feel they have a clear edge if they can put the Patriots in a position where they have to throw the ball to stay in the game.

That would also see the Buffalo pass rush come into play and I do think the AFC East Champions will have the edge in this Wild Card Game and can move past New England with a cover on the night.

New England do have a very good record in Buffalo when it comes to the spread, but those were largely in the Tom Brady era- you still cannot ignore the fact that the Patriots have covered in their two games here since Brady moved on to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers too. However, Buffalo have blown out the Patriots twice in Foxboro in that time and I do think Mac Jones could have some issues in his first ever PlayOff start.

The Patriots are also playing off a loss and have performed well in that spot, but Buffalo match up well with them and I think the 11-5-2 record against the spread in their last eighteen as the home favourite is important. Buffalo have to avoid mistakes early and, if they can do that, I think they can win and cover this spread.

Philadelphia Eagles @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers Pick: The experience edge at Quarter Back is very much with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (13-4) as the last Super Bowl Champions begin their post-season adventure at the end of the 2021 season. They could become the first team in almost twenty years to win back to back Super Bowl titles and in Tom Brady they have the last Quarter Back to achieve that during his long spell with the New England Patriots.

Not many will rule out the Buccaneers from winning it all again, although the injuries to key skill players and the fallout from the Antonio Brown situation does hurt the team. Tampa Bay have momentum with their strong end to the regular season and Tom Brady is capable of making a star out of other Receivers on the Offensive unit, but the injury to Leonard Fournette is another challenge for the Buccaneers to overcome.

Tom Brady will feel he can still exploit the Philadelphia Eagles (9-8) who were blown out in Week 18 as they rested starters in preparation for the return to the post-season. The Defensive Line continues to be the strength of the Eagles on this side of the ball and they will at least believe they can force Tom Brady to have to move the chains with his arm, even if that is something that is entirely possible.

The Eagles have a Secondary which has struggled at times and I do think the Buccaneers are going to be difficult to slow down at home. Tampa Bay only played at home in the Super Bowl in the 2020 PlayOffs, but they should be good enough to earn at least two during this year and every chance that the Buccaneers will be hosting three NFC PlayOff Games before the Super Bowl in Los Angeles.

Tom Brady is hugely experienced and the Buccaneers will not panic when he has the ball, but the Philadelphia Eagles are not going to be as sure about their Quarter Back. Jalen Hurts has not played a post-season game for the Eagles before and those first time Quarter Backs can have a very difficult, eye-opening experience in those games.

Philadelphia will have a very clear game-plan though and that is to run the ball as often as they can- Jalen Hurts is a mobile Quarter Back himself, but the Eagles have a committee at Running Back led by Miles Sanders who have sparked the team into the PlayOffs. Earlier this season they did not have the same commitment to the run, but the Eagles have been very strong over the last few weeks and the Offensive Line enjoys grading the road.

In recent years the Buccaneers Defensive Line has been a strength of the team, but there have been one or two more holes up front and I expect the Eagles to have some success exploiting those. As long as the game is close, the Eagles should feel they can lean on the run to keep Brady and the Buccaneers Offense cooling off on the sidelines.

Jalen Hurts is going to have to make some big throws too at times to keep the Buccaneers honest, but he is playing for an Eagles team that have been money when set as the underdog in the PlayOffs.

I hate opposing Tom Brady and his Tampa Bay team are 6-1 against the spread in their last seven as the home favourite, but having more than a Touchdown start with the road underdog looks big. As good as the Buccaneers were in winning the Super Bowl last season, they had some close challenges in the run to the big game and I think there is every chance this could be a competitive one too.

San Francisco 49ers @ Dallas Cowboys Pick: There is so much history attached to games between the San Francisco 49ers (10-7) and Dallas Cowboys (12-5) and they will meet in the post-season once again. The Dallas Cowboys largely controlled the NFC East and were comfortable Divisional Winners, but the 49ers had to fight and claw their way into the post-season and it took an Overtime win in Week 18 against rivals the Los Angeles Rams to earn a place in the PlayOffs.

Now they are here, the 49ers look like being one of the more dangerous Wild Card teams in either Conference and I do think they will believe they can match up pretty well with the Dallas Cowboys. Take away the win over the second string Philadelphia Eagles in Week 18 and you have to note that the Dallas Cowboys have had some inconsistent form from the Offensive unit, which will encourage the 49ers.

A Cowboys defeat to the Arizona Cardinals may give the San Francisco 49ers the kind of blueprint they need to beat the hosts and I do think the 49ers are playing with a confidence that could be tough to shake away. Jimmy Garoppolo has seemingly played under pressure all season at Quarter Back, but he is avoiding the back-breaking mistakes that can litter his game and he will not be asked to win the game.

Instead the 49ers will make sure they establish the run and look for that to set up play-action and screens that can keep the Quarter Back out of trouble. The run is very important to the San Francisco game-plan if only to slow down the pass rush threat that the Cowboys have up front, while it may make an aggressive Secondary just have to think twice before they try and make plays to turn the ball around.

I do think San Francisco will have success moving the ball, but I think it is the much improved performances of the Defensive unit which may end up being the key to the outcome of this Wild Card Game. I like the Dallas Cowboys Offense and there is no doubt the kind of talent they possess, but the Offensive Line has not been as good at opening up the run as they have been in recent seasons and Ezekiel Elliot and Tony Pollard could be contained by a much improved San Francisco Defensive Line.

Dak Prescott has plenty of Receivers who can get open, but it is a different test throwing down the field from third and long rather than third and manageable, especially as the 49ers have had the pass rush ramp up. The Dallas Offensive Line has been pretty good when it comes to pass protection, so I do think Prescott will have time, but the 49ers have used the pressure up front to get better play out of the Secondary and will feel they can keep this one close.

It feels like a game that could be the closest one of the Wild Card Round and I do think the underdog could bare their teeth.

Dallas have had a very good season, but they are just 6-5 against non-Divisional opponents and San Francisco look to be playing with momentum heading into the PlayOffs. I would suggest paying the price to get the hook on the 3 point spread in a game that could come down to a Field Goal either way, but the underdog still looks the better play.

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Kansas City Chiefs Pick: It truly felt that Ben Roethlisberger was playing the final snaps of his career a couple of weeks ago in an emotional win for the Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7-1) against the Cleveland Browns. Things were going to have to work out in strange ways for the Steelers to make the PlayOffs going into Week 18, but they beat their rivals the Baltimore Ravens in Overtime and the Jacksonville Jaguars upset the Indianapolis Colts to give them hope.

However, the Steelers couldn't have been feeling that good when the Raiders and Chargers Sunday Night Football game went into Overtime knowing a tie would mean both of those teams made the PlayOffs at the expense of Pittsburgh. A walk off Field Goal win for the Raiders with time expiring was enough for Pittsburgh and they may feel they have nothing to lose now they have made the post-season.

So now Big Ben has one more shot at trying to add to the Super Bowls he has won in his time with the Steelers, although they are a huge underdog against the Kansas City Chiefs (12-5) who won the AFC West, but failed to win the AFC Number 1 Seed. The Chiefs will be hosting at least two home PlayOff Games though and I do think they are going to be very confident in their chances of progressing through the post-season.

Patrick Mahomes and the Offensive unit looks to be getting healthier some aspects and they are also a team that has built some chemistry, but this is a huge spread for the Chiefs to cover. They did crush the Pittsburgh Steelers at home last month and that will not be far from the minds of the players or the fans, but I also think the Steelers will feel they can offer much more resistance in this one.

TJ Watt did not have the kind of impact he would have wanted in that game, but I think the Steelers Defensive Line will feel they can at least harass Patrick Mahomes and force him to make some mistakes. Those are not very frequent though and I still think the Chiefs will be able to move the ball and score plenty of points, although they are perhaps not the team to really expose the Steelers like others could.

It has been very possible to crack the Steel Curtain this season and hammer the run home, but the Chiefs are a team that prefer throwing, which is not a massive surprise considering they have Patrick Mahomes behind Center.

Running the ball is going to be the key for the Pittsburgh Steelers to see if they can extend drives and keep the Chiefs powerful Offensive unit on the sidelines. Najee Harris is expected to suit up and in recent games it has been possible for teams to run the ball against this Chiefs Defensive Line, while the Pittsburgh Offensive Line ended the season with strong showings on the ground.

Najee Harris has to keep the team in front of the chains with the clearly declined Ben Roethlisberger at Quarter Back. It has meant the passes have been coming out pretty short, but those can be successful if the team is in front of the chains, while the Receiving department will be boosted by JuJu Smith-Schuster who can play out of the slot and make plenty of yards after the catch.

Those quick throws have also kept Roethlisberger upright and I think the Steelers should be more competitive than when they were blown out in this Stadium in December. It would be a huge surprise if the Steelers upset Kansas City, but this is a huge spread and a backdoor cover for the road team cannot be ruled out.

Opposing Patrick Mahomes is very tough considering how quickly he can help the Kansas City Chiefs score points, but I expect the veteran Pittsburgh Steelers to give them all they can handle in this one.

Arizona Cardinals @ Los Angeles Rams Pick: The Super Wild Card Round of the NFL also gave the League a big new television contract as we will have a Monday Night Football game in the post-season for the first time. The selection was for two Divisional rivals to meet in that inaugural game and neither the Arizona Cardinals (11-5) nor the Los Angeles Rams (12-6) will feel they have a lot of momentum going into the post-season and that can be critical to the chances of going very deep.

Both were beaten in Week 18 and those defeats came in live games- the Rams loss ended a winning run of five games, but the Cardinals are under more pressure with four losses in their last five games and you can understand why the Los Angeles Rams are considered favourites. In the regular season, both had wins on the road against the other though and I think the familiarity with the Rams will suit the Arizona Cardinals who were the last team to lose a game in the NFL this season.

Injuries have not really helped the Cardinals and the loss of DeAndre Hopkins was a bitter blow to the Offensive unit that had started the season looking as good as any out there. Kyler Murray has played well at Quarter Back, but losing someone who can make all the catches like Hopkins has hurt his level as much as anyone on this team.

Chase Edmonds should be ready to go for the Cardinals to give them a boost at Running Back, but it feels like it will come too soon for James Connor. That is a major blow for Arizona who are going to try and run the ball against a tough Rams Defensive Line, but Edmonds will at least offer something for Arizona.

This is a team that is based around being able to run the ball well and making sure that the Offense is throwing out of third and short spots rather than having to pick up big yardage. Getting ahead of the chains will give Kyler Murray a real chance of exploiting the Secondary, but it will perhaps be more important to slow down the Los Angeles pass rush which is going to be devastating if the Cardinals are playing from obvious passing situations.

While there have been some struggles Offensively, the Cardinals have at least looked at their Defensive unit and will believe those players give them a chance to keep this one competitive. There is no doubt that Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams are not playing as well as they once were, even though they had won five in a row before the loss in Week 18, and I do think the Cardinals match up pretty well with them on this side of the ball.

Teams have been able to run the ball against Arizona, but the Rams are more likely to want to use the quick passing game to keep the chains moving. Los Angeles have not had the best Offensive Line when it comes to looking to run the ball, although Cam Akers is back and could offer them a spark. Unfortunately it may not be ideal with the Cardinals looking to activate JJ Watt back onto the Defensive Line on Monday and the pressure will be on Matthew Stafford to come out and have a big game at Quarter Back.

Matthew Stafford has been an upgrade on Jared Goff, but he will be under no illusions that his legacy will be cemented on whether he can take the Rams one step further than Goff did and win the Super Bowl. Cooper Kuup and Odell Beckham Jr give Stafford some very strong Receiving weapons, but I think the Quarter Back is not yet over some of the issues he has been having with his back and that has contributed to the numbers slumping somewhat.

Those Receivers mentioned will find some gaps to exploit, but it could be another close game between these Divisional rivals who know exactly what to expect from the other. The Arizona Cardinals did out-gain the Los Angeles Rams in both games played this season and I think Kyler Murray and company may have a touch more balance Offensively which makes the points on offer look appealing.

The road team is also 5-1-1 against the spread in the last seven between the NFC West rivals.

Arizona are 18-6-3 against the spread in their last twenty-seven as the road underdog and I do think they will feel they have been underestimated going into the post-season. While Sean McVay has been a very good Head Coach at helping his team bounce back from losses, the Rams have been a touch over-rated and that has seen them go 3-7 against the spread in their last ten as the favourite and I think the Arizona Cardinals may be able to do enough to keep this one competitive throughout.

MY PICKS: Las Vegas Raiders + 5.5 Points @ 1.91 Bet365 (2 Units)

Buffalo Bills - 4.5 Points @ 1.91 Sky Bet (2 Units)

Philadelphia Eagles + 7.5 Points @ 1.91 William Hill (2 Units)

San Francisco 49ers + 3.5 Points @ 1.83 Sky Bet (2 Units)

Pittsburgh Steelers + 12.5 Points @ 1.91 William Hill (2 Units)

Arizona Cardinals + 3.5 Points @ 1.91 William Hill (2 Units)

Week 18: 6-6, - 1.16 Units (24 Units Staked, - 4.83% Yield)

Week 17: 3-4, - 2.46 Units (14 Units Staked, - 17.57% Yield)

Week 16: 6-4, + 3 Units (20 Units Staked, + 15% Yield)

Week 15: 8-3, + 8.64 Units (22 Units Staked, + 39.28% Yield)

Week 14: 6-2, + 7 Units (16 Units Staked, + 43.75% Yield)

Week 13: 2-1, + 1.64 Units (6 Units Staked, + 27.33% Yield)

Week 12: 5-6, - 2.74 Units (22 Units Staked, - 12.45% Yield)

Week 11: 0-6, - 12 Units (12 Units Staked, - 100% Yield)

Week 10: 5-5, - 0.88 Units (20 Units Staked, - 4.40% Yield)

Week 9: 2-5, - 6.28 Units (14 Units Staked, - 44.86% Yield)

Week 8: 1-6, - 10.18 Units (14 Units Staked, - 72.71% Yield)

Week 7: 2-1, + 1.64 Units (6 Units Staked, + 27.33% Yield)

Week 6: 3-4, - 2.64 Units (14 Units Staked, - 18.86% Yield)

Week 5: 4-2-1, + 3.28 Units (14 Units Staked, + 23.43% Yield)

Week 4: 7-3, + 6.46 Units (20 Units Staked, + 32.30% Yield)

Week 3: 7-3, + 6.68 Units (20 Units Staked, + 33.40% Yield)

Week 2: 6-5, + 0.98 Units (22 Units Staked, + 4.45% Yield)

Week 1: 3-6, - 6.46 Units (18 Units Staked, - 35.89% Yield)

Season 2021: 76-72-1, - 5.48 Units (298 Units Staked, - 1.84% Yield)