Will 2021 be different for football bettors? After losing at record levels this past football season, the first NFL football weekend of the new year saw favorites at 14-2 SU and sportsbooks took a beating. Will the underdogs return for the Super Wild Card weekend?
The first round of the playoffs is set, and we have a new element, six games for the Wild Card contests. (Expect this to be the new norm going forward.) Underdogs covered better than 55 percent this season, which is the highest level in 14 seasons. We can all agree the lack of fans played a big role in that happening, and we will see more or less the same elements heading into the playoffs.
Oddsmakers at betting sites have adjusted their numbers accordingly and we have to think differently also. There will be surprises this weekend, it’s just a matter of how many. We’ve looked over the NFL odds, and we have a trio that makes sense to cover the spread and possibly could just win outright.
Los Angeles Rams vs. Seattle Seahawks
Saturday, January 9, 2021 – 4:40 PM ET at Lumen Field
We are of the opinion that Bovada having the Rams as +4.5-point favorites has to do with Jared Goff returning from his finger surgery, otherwise, it would be higher.
These teams split two games, each winning at home and both were defensive games. The Rams won in Inglewood 23-16, and the Seahawks won in Coffee Town 20-9. In each contest, the losing team’s offense didn’t make the key plays, settling for three field goals in defeat, with Seattle having the lone touchdown on the road.
On the presumption Goff returns, he needs to play like the quarterback he was mostly the first half of the season. Goff’s coach, Sean McVay has to get him in rhythm throwing the ball and making decisive plays, instead of hesitating as he did in the last contest.
After putting up an MVP first half of the season, Russell Wilson has labored in the second half. His accuracy on mid-to-long range passes has dropped, and teams are effectively taking DK Metcalf out of the equation.
Los Angeles outgained Seattle in both meetings, making it up to Goff to generate more plays than Wilson. Though Pete Carroll’s defense is markedly improved, the Rams' stop troops are better. If L.A. can force 3rd and longs, and RB Cam Akers kickstarts the run game, the Rams have a real shot to win the conflict.
NFL Picks: Rams +4.5 (-105) at Bovada (visit our Bovada Review)
Baltimore Ravens vs. Tennessee Titans
Sunday, January 10, 2021 - 1:05 PM ET at Nissan Stadium
This is a rematch of last year’s AFC playoff encounter in a different setting. Tennessee is home after winning in Baltimore 28-12 as 10-point road underdogs. The Titans again won this season where crab cakes rule, 34-28.
The winning formula for Tennessee is feeding the beast, as in Derrick Henry. The Titans mashed the Ravens for 217 and 173 yards on the ground in those contests, averaging 5.5 yards a carry, which keeps the chains moving.
Tennessee’s defense has given up 78 total points in its last two games, and it’s clear they will have to reach at least 30 points to cover the +3.5 points at betting websites.
Lamar Jackson is capable of a big ballgame, yet, in the biggest moments in key contests, he’s not always played his best. Compare that to Ryan Tannehill, who might not always have the best stat lines, but he manufactures plays when needed.
Beating Baltimore three times in a calendar year seems like a large task. However, coach Mike Vrabel has outfoxed John Harbaugh, and his team will be confident they can advance in the playoffs again at the Ravens' expense.
NFL Picks: Titans +3.5 (-115) at Intertops (visit our Intertops Review)
Cleveland Browns vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Sunday, January 10, 2021 - 8:15 PM ET at Heinz Field
Normally, when you have back-to-back matchups in Week 17 and Wild Card game, it favors the team that just lost seeking revenge. That makes sense, and cannot say the logic is wrong.
Nonetheless, forget last week’s game against Cleveland, with enough subs playing for Pittsburgh, though they kept in close with the Browns. Since beating Baltimore on Dec. 2, the Steelers have played one good half of football, which was two weeks ago against Indianapolis, when trailing 17-7 at the half and coming back to win 28-24.
Pittsburgh is losing the battle in trenches on both sides of the line of scrimmage. In the Steelers' past five outings, they are averaging abhorrent 51.8 YPG rushing. In the Steelers' last four skirmishes, the defense is surrendering 143.7 YPG on the ground.
The Browns are not a Super Bowl contender, but they have zero pressure on them, and if they control the action in the trenches and don’t miss scoring chances, they'll put on pressure on Pittsburgh to not have another late-season failure.
NFL Picks: Browns +4.5 (-110) at YouWager (visit our YouWager Review)
The post NFL Wild Card Weekend Predictions: Three Football Teams on Upset Alert appeared first on Picks.
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