Posted
on 01/04/2008 12:20 PM
By: CappersPicks.com NFL Football Handicapping
Staff
NFL Football Playoff Betting - Redskins vs. Seahawks
Preview Out of absolutely nowhere, Washington
rallied around the tragic death of Sean
Taylor to steamroll in to the playoffs
with four consecutive victories. In perhaps
the most fitting end to any NFL season,
the Redskins won their Week 17 matchup
with Dallas by 21 points. The momentum
train of Washington heads west to take
on Seattle, a team that has been virtually
unbeatable at home.
Washington Offense vs. Seattle Defense
Who knew Todd Collins had it in him? It
only took the veteran backup thirteen years,
but he is now in the spotlight. As good
as Jason Campbell has been, the smart decision
is to stick with Collins in this matchup
despite the health of J-Cam. Collins has
averaged a steady 222 passing yards over
his last four starts, and notched a total
of five touchdowns during that span.
Seattle’s
pass coverage is average, giving up 219.1
passing yards per game. The problem is
that Collins will have to face a versatile
line-backing corps led by Lofa Tatupu,
that can drop back in to coverage and
take away safe zone underneath. Chances
are that Gibbs will play conservatively,
especially considering the insane crowd
noise that is generated in Qwest Field.
In general, it is virtually impossible
to get too excited about Santana Moss or
Antwan Randle-El. While both are talented
receiver, both have been ghosts for much
of the 2007 season. Inconsistency is a
betting investors worse nightmare.
This then
becomes a battle that Clinton Portis
must win. The Skins average a very respectable
116.9 yards per game on the ground. The
Seattle rushing defense at home is brutal.
They stuff teams to 86.3 rush yards when
playing at Qwest Field, which ranks them
7th in the NFL in home rush defense.
But don’t expect Gibbs
to take the pedal off his rushing game’s
engine, especially with the rain negating
the effectiveness of the passing game.
Seattle Offense vs. Washington Defense
Is Mike Holmgren
seriously going to go with a no-huddle
offense in this matchup? If Week 16 was
any indication, then the answer will
invariably be ‘yes’.
Seattle has sputtered on the ground in
the second half, despite a season average
of 101.2 rush yards per game. Putting the
ball in Matt Hasslebeck’s capable
hands is essentially the only offensive
option that this team has.
Washington has given up 214.0 passing
yards per game, which puts them right in
the middle of the pack. Without Taylor,
the secondary has stepped up its game,
but Hasslebeck will be the most talented
and gifted quarterback that they have faced
in five weeks. On top of that, Hasslebeck
has three sure-handed receivers at his
side in Nate Burleson, Deion Branch and
the much unheralded Bobby Engram.
Taking away the rushing game will be no
problem for Washington since both Shaun
Alexander and Maurice Morris have been
uninspiring at best lately. The front-seven
will be more responsible for attacking
Hasslebeck in the pocket and forcing him
to make mistakes. Washington is not known
for its sack-happy nature, and will likely
have to bring in too many pass rushers
to attack Hasslebeck, putting the dangerous
crop of Seattle receivers in favorable
man-on-man matchups.
NFL Betting Trends
-Washington is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
-total has
gone UNDER in 4 of Washington’s
last 6 games
-Washington is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
when playing Seattle
-Seattle is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games
-Seattle is 5-0 ATS I nits last 5 games
at home
Final Verdict
Seattle is
a tough team to bet against at home,
but it’s even more difficult
to find yourself betting against a momentum
train like the Washington Redskins. Seattle
has been undistinguished in defining itself
as a football power in the NFL. Much credit
is being attributed to their loud fan base
at Qwest Field, but it goes without saying
that if Seattle drops behind, these fans
quickly lose their passion.
This game will come down to coaching.
Joe Gibbs has rallied a team to overachieve
in the face of tragedy and has his team
playing at their absolute potential right
now. Mike Holmgren has never impressed
in the playoffs, and continues to mismanage
the clock and the game right in to the
gutter. Due to the rain, you have to bet
on the team with a stronger rushing attack.
Washington may be going up against the
odds in this matchup, but overcoming the
odds is exactly what good underdogs do.
Washington Redskins (9-7) vs. Seattle
Seahawks (10-6)
Saturday, January 5th --- Qwest Field,
Seattle --- 4:30pm EST
Opening NFL Betting Line: Seattle -5 (40)
NFL Playoff Free Pick: Washington 20 Seattle
17
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