NFL Home Dogs Wildcard Weekend Free Picks
Atlanta Falcons @ Arizona Cardinals (+1.5)
Just a couple of weeks ago, it seemed like the general sentiment was that the Arizona Cardinals were a one-and-done in the playoffs. But now that they are a home underdog to a team that is led by a young quarterback, a lot of people are scratching their heads wondering whether they should take the points with the Cardinals.
The facts still remain the same. The Cardinals have beaten up on feeble NFC West opponents to get to this point while the Falcons endured the rigors of a tough NFC South division and still made it to the playoffs.
The Cardinals don’t have a running game, so even if they get ahead, the Falcons should have ample opportunities for comebacks. Aside from home-field advantage and the passing game, the Cardinals have the short end of the stick in every other matchup.
Pick: Atlanta Falcons -1.5
Indianapolis Colts @ San Diego Chargers (PICK)
It’s tough to beat a team twice in one season but the Indianapolis Colts will try to do that as they visit the San Diego Chargers on Saturday night.
The Chargers enter the playoffs at nearly the opposite end of the spectrum from last year. Last year, they had double-digit Pro Bowlers. This year, they are so short on Pro Bowlers that their star quarterback, Philip Rivers, was snubbed from the All-Star Game. Last year, they had won 11 games, including 9 of their last 12, and were an AFC favorite. This year, they stumbled into the playoffs at 8-8 and nobody is expecting much from them.
But that might be exactly what the Chargers need. They are experienced, they are focused and they are playing their best football right now.
The Chargers have been 14-2, and 11-5 heading into the playoffs the previous two seasons and now know that’s it’s not about the regular season. It’s about the playoffs. Look for the Chargers to get the job done on Saturday night against the Colts.
Pick: San Diego Chargers PICK
Baltimore Ravens @ Miami Dolphins (+3.5)
For a second time this season, the Baltimore Ravens and Miami Dolphins will meet up in Miami. Sports betting sharps know that the Ravens rolled in the first meeting but the Dolphins are a much more different, more confident team this time around.
This game will boil down to two factors: who makes the fewest mistakes and who can run the ball. Both teams have taken care of the football all season long but the difference between the squads is rushing defense.
The Ravens give up virtually nothing on the ground, which is the Dolphins bread and butter. In the previous meeting, Chad Pennington was 24-of-35 for 295 yards and a touchdown but the Dolphins still managed just 13 points.
Rookie quarterbacks are only 2-6 in their playoff debuts since 1970 but look for Ravens rookie quarterback Joe Flacco to improve that statistic.
Pick: Baltimore Ravens -3.5
Philadelphia Eagles @ Minnesota Vikings (+3)
There are a lot of good omens for the Philadelphia Eagles as they head into their contest against hte Minnesota Vikings this weekend. The Vikings should be without one of their stout defensive tackles, Pat Williams, and they allowed 145 rushing yards in Week 17 without him. The Eagles have their highest-ranking in rush defense during coordinator Jim Johnson’s entire tenure in Philadelphia, which is crucial considering they are about to face the NFL’s leading rusher in Adrian Peterson.
Even though the Eagles stumbled in Washington, they are still fairly hot right now. As is quarterback Donovan McNabb.
McNabb has completed 64% of his passes with nine touchdowns and just one interception in his last five games.
On top of that, if they can shutdown the Vikings rushing attack, they’ll put the game on the shoulders of Tarvaris Jackson, a young quarterback making his NFL playoffs debut. Last week, the Giants sent blitzes on 80% of their defensive plays and rattled Jackson into some bad throws. Eagles coordinator Jim Johnson likes to blitz even more, which could lead to some more Vikings mistakes.
Pick: Philadelphia Eagles -3
