NFL Wild Card 2016: Odds & Predictions

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Wild Card Weekend is finally set, with four games next weekend reducing the total number of teams left down to eight. There was some shuffling in the final week of the season, as the Steelers replaced the Jets as the final AFC playoff team. At the other end of the bracket the Patriots lost their final two games, opening the door for the Broncos to swoop in and claim home-field advantage.

In the NFC, it’s all about the two top seeds in Carolina and Arizona. The Panthers have had the best record all year, but it’s no secret Vegas thinks the Cardinals are the NFC’s best team.

Starting with Saturday’s games, here’s how Wild Card Weekend shakes out:

Saturday, January 9th

Game One: Kansas City at Houston
Time: 4:35 p.m. Eastern
Spread: Chiefs -3
Prediction: These teams met in the first week of the season, and now they meet for a chance to go to either Denver or New England. The Chiefs won that opening game, jumping out to an early lead and holding on for a 27-20 victory. Both teams have changed since then, namely the Texans, who have improved dramatically in the secondary. The Chiefs have been beating everyone since October, but the Texans might be the toughest of their previous 11 games. In their first meeting, Brian Hoyer threw an interception on the first play on offense. If the Texans can win the turnover battle, they can pull out the victory at home.


Game Two: Pittsburgh at Cincinnati
Time: 8:15 p.m. Eastern
Spread: Steelers -2
Prediction: The Steelers and Bengals will meet for the third time this season, most recently facing of on December 13th. It’s never easy to predict an AFC North matchup, but these two make it especially difficult. The Steelers were favored in the first matchup, until they lost Le’Veon Bell to a knee injury. The Bengals were favored in the second meeting, until Andy Dalton fractured his thumb on the first drive of the game. It’s going to be physical, it’s going to be nasty, and AJ McCarron isn’t ready for it. The Steelers are officially in Playoff Mode.


Sunday, January 9th

Game One: Seattle at Minnesota
Time: 1:05 p.m. Eastern
Spread: Seahawks -5.5
Prediction: These teams also met earlier in the year, after both clubs got to hot starts. Seattle stayed hot, winning three of their last four. What’s more, Seattle has scored at least 30 points in five of their final six games. In the first meeting, Seattle held Adrian Peterson to eight yards on 18 carries. Seattle got over 100 yards from Thomas Rawls, a positive sign with Marshawn Lynch returning to practice this week.


Game Two: Green Bay at Washington
Time: 4:40 p.m. Eastern
Spread: Even
Prediction: The final Wild Card game takes us to the capital, where Washington opened as the only home favorite. That line quickly jumped back to the middle, as bettors were eager to wager on Aaron Rodgers. But it’s Kirk Cousins who has been really dealing lately. Cousins finished with 10 touchdowns and one interception in his last four games, as the Redskins heated up in the final month. Conversely the Packers have struggled, losing three of their final six games. Aaron Rodgers hasn’t thrown more than two touchdowns since a Week 9 loss to the Panthers.


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