The NFL playoffs will ultimately come full circle. The first of four wild-card matchups this weekend will take place at NRG Stadium, where the Houston Texans will host the Oakland Raiders on Saturday afternoon. Then, 10 games later, the NFC and AFC champions will square off in the same building for Super Bowl 51. Fortunately, while the year's first posteason game--which features Connor Cook and Brock Osweiler as the starting quarterbacks and an over/under of just 36.5 points--could be hard to watch, things will only get better, as the Lions vs. Seahawks, Dolphins vs. Steelers and Giants vs. Packers games should all be decidedly more dramatic and entertaining. The wild-card round also features a lot of intriguing betting lines--every spread is four points or more--and you can click through the gallery for my prediction for each game. You can also read here for more betting strategy and picks. (Getty)
Oakland Raiders at Houston Texans
Line: HOU (-4)
Pick Against the Spread: HOU (-4)
Who do you trust more? A rookie quarterback who was third on the depth chart a couple of weeks ago, or an overpaid quarterback who was benched a couple of weeks ago? Either way, once this one is over, either Connor Cook or Brock Osweiler will have won a real-life NFL playoff game, so that's fun. All jokes aside, in what is expected to be an ugly, low-scoring game (over/under 36.5), I have more faith in the team with the better defense. Houston ranks fifth in the NFL in yards per play allowed and seventh in Football Outsiders' defensive efficiency ratings, while Oakland is 32nd and 23rd in those categories, respectively. The Texans take this one at home. (Getty)
Detroit Lions at Seattle Seahawks
Line: SEA (-8)
Pick Against the Spread: SEA (-8)
Seattle hasn't looked right since losing Earl Thomas, going 2-2 and barely managing to beat the woeful San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara last week. That said, the offense has been a wrecking ball at home, averaging 28.38 points per game and 2.45 points per drive compared to just 15.88 and 1.34 on the road. Even with the running game offering next to nothing, Russell Wilson and Co. should be able to move the ball rather easily against a Lions defense that ranks 28th in adjusted yards per pass attempt allowed. Another important factor here: The Lions went 1-3 in outdoor games this season and haven't scored an offensive touchdown in such a contest since Week 3. Throw in the Seahawks' advantage in the postseason experience department, and I think they roll in this one. (Getty)
Miami Dolphins at Pittsburgh Steelers
Line: PIT (-10)
Pick Against the Spread: MIA (+10)
Much like the Seahawks, the Steelers' offense has been a completely different beast at home this season, averaging 28.25 points per game compared to 21.62 away from Heinz Field. Ben Roethlisberger's splits have been especially stark: 70.80 completion percentage, 319.2 yards per game and a 20:5 TD:INT ratio at home vs. 59.36 completion percentage, 238.0 yards per game and a 9:8 TD:INT ratio on the road. As such, there's little reason to think the Steelers won't win this game. However, Miami is seventh in yards per rushing attempt, while Pittsburgh is just 19th defensively against the run, so I full expect the Dolphins to lean on Jay Ajayi in attempt to slow down the game and keep the Steelers' offense off the field. Pittsburgh ultimately advances, but Miami keeps it within single digits. (Getty)
New York Giants at Green Bay Packers
Line: GB (-4.5)
Pick Against the Spread: NYG (+4.5)
The unstoppable force vs. the immovable object. Aaron Rodgers is playing MVP-level football again, while the Giants defense, which was one of only two teams to pick off Rodgers twice this season, has been playing lights out and ranks fourth in pass defense efficiency ratings. Even if you give Rodgers the advantage in that particular matchup--which is fair, considering how he's playing--Odell Beckham will likely create problems on the other side of the ball against Green Bay's severely banged-up secondary. I think this one ultimately comes down to a field goal either way, so I'll go with the Giants getting points. (Getty)
NFL Wild Card Predictions: Picks Against the Spread