Sports NFL Wild Card weekend is here, and I trust we’re in for some fine thrilling football.
There are a few video games that I’m eyeing. In two of those video games, I’m wagering on the prop market, and then on the closing, I’m trying at a essential-half of unfold.
Take a look at out my picks and predictions for primarily the most essential weekend of the NFL playoffs.
(All cases ET)
SATURDAY, JAN. 11
Steelers @ Ravens (8 p.m., High Video)
The Steelers are taking part within the worst football of any playoff workforce. They’ve lost four straight, including three blowouts to some playoff groups and a two-level loss to the Bengals closing weekend. They’ve no longer scored bigger than 17 factors in any of those four losses.
Quarterback Russell Wilson has regressed, and George Pickens is a no-mumble. The rushing sport has gone away, and the offense is correct dreary. Pittsburgh’s defense is still honest true, but sooner or later it breaks against these groups who can repeatedly send firepower whereas the Steelers offense falters.
The Ravens will beget to still take care of enterprise in this sport. They’re taking part in outstanding football and beget the texture of a Gargantuan Bowl favourite. On the synthetic hand, their lack of postseason success relative to their frequent-season success offers me pause to wager on them to duvet this sport.
I’m in a position to net a case — a small case — the establish this murky-and-blue choice sport is three factors cherish it in overall is. So nothing on the side, but I draw beget two props for you.
Russell Wilson Over/Below 225.5 passing yards
In the closing 5 video games, Wilson hasn’t thrown bigger than 217 yards and that capabilities against this Ravens workforce in a blowout. And what’s wild about his yardage in that sport is that the bulk of his yards came in primarily the most essential half of. On the closing three drives, when the Steelers were trying to net a comeback, Wilson threw a pick-six and the offense gained most consuming 29 yards.
With Pickens reputedly disappearing from the offense, the Steelers’ weapons are miniature against a first rate Ravens hotfoot defense. Pittsburgh will additionally strive and lag the football early within the sport to preserve away from the offense going thru Wilson.
Additionally, getting some first downs thru the flooring in thought would restrict the sequence of hotfoot attempts for Wilson.
PICK: Russell Wilson Below 225.5 passing yards
Jaylen Warren Over/Below 20.5 receiving yards
The Steelers began to make spend of Warren as more of a essential again within the closing month and then closing weekend, they true stopped. He went from again-to-again video games with six receiving targets to true one against the Bengals.
They’re going to beget to make spend of Warren within the passing sport against the Ravens. Cloak sport and third-down completions will net Warren Over 20.5 yards, which he’s hit in six of their closing 9 video games.
PICK: Jaylen Warren Over 20.5 receiving yards
NFL Wild Card Gargantuan Six: Which QB will beget primarily the most passing yards? SUNDAY, JAN. 12
Broncos @ Payments (1 p.m., CBS, Paramount+)
Here’s an empty-the-playbook sport for the Denver Broncos. By any plan mandatory, they beget got to win this sport, although they’re with regards to 10-level underdogs.
When I take into narrative what which plan for the Broncos offense, I take into narrative quarterback Bo Nix the spend of his legs thru designed runs and scrambles against strain. Nix has 92 carries this season and 14 over the closing two weeks. Having a quarterback who can pass cherish him offers the offense a gargantuan advantage.
Quarterback runs have a tendency to work since the defense has scenario accounting for the quarterback in its draw. They work on third down and within the pink zone most consuming.
The Broncos must spend these to encourage him rating on Sunday.
Lastly, if the sport is out of hand, or gets out of hand, I might perchance well look Nix trying to make spend of his legs to crawl when no person is open. Lawful net yards as soon as conceivable.
PICK: Bo Nix Over 5.5 lag attempts
Can Jayden Daniels and the Commanders upset the Buccaneers? Commanders @ Buccaneers (8 p.m., NBC/Peacock)
I cherish Tampa Bay to open snappy on Sunday evening against the Commanders.
The Buccaneers played poorly against Fresh Orleans to clinch their playoff jam. They were tight, and their defense became as soon as nasty in primarily the most essential half of. That amounted to a playoff sport for them. They wished to win to net in.
Now that that’s out of the vogue, I question this frail workforce to frigid down on Sunday evening.
Tampa Bay ranked first within the NFL frequent season in factors on opening drives. It has 11 scoring drives, including eight touchdowns.
Washington had a unimaginable season, but this a worthy jam for any workforce with a rookie quarterback. Rookie quarterbacks making their first boulevard open draw no longer win many of these video games and in overall draw no longer play up to their fashioned. There are butterflies, nerves and pleasure.
I make no longer question Washington to tackle these emotions effectively, and this is in a position to well impact the Commanders’ play early. If they draw frigid down, this is in a position to well very effectively be a sport. But I’m wagering against that occurring early on.
PICK: Tampa Bay -2.5 first half of
Geoff Schwartz is an NFL analyst for FOX Sports activities. He played eight seasons within the NFL for 5 varied groups. He began at honest model out for the College of Oregon for three seasons and became as soon as a 2d-workforce All-Pac-12 substitute his senior year. Notice him on Twitter @ GeoffSchwartz .
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