When I start breaking out the Mortal Kombat references, you know I’m giddy. I can’t help it…playoff NFL betting is in full swing. Well, last week it looks like I fared the same as every online sports betting expert - two losses on Saturday, two wins on Sunday. Let’s see if my football betting luck can change this time around.
On with my Divisional-Playoff NFL picks!
BALTIMORE RAVENS VS. TENNESSEE TITANS (-3)
It’s a good thing there are no ties in the playoffs, as these mirror-image squads would probably battle to a stalemate. They both have caretaker quarterbacks with cannons, strong running games, and mean defenses. While Kerry Collins’ experience could give Tennessee the Betting Edge, he’s not the quarterback he was in 2000 during the Giants’ Super Bowl betting run.
LOGICAL PICK: Ravens. Ed Reed may look strangely old for his age, but he’s still hungry and ready to dominate. Tennessee is for real, but Baltimore is more battle-hardened and built to win now. They’re the better online betting choice. They’re also a surprising +600 in futures Super Bowl betting, making them a nice value pick.
ILLOGICAL PICK: Titans. Because Chris Johnson while find an even higher gear and literally teleport from one endzone to the other.
ARIZONA CARDINALS VS. CAROLINA PANTHERS (-10)
At first glance, that 10-point spread looks a little extreme in the Cardinals vs Panthers line. The Panthers’ pass D is nothing special, and Arizona made a big statement to NFL betting players in last week’s win over Atlanta. The Cards stopped the run…they ran the football…they allowed no sacks. Uh, what? I’m not saying it was a total fluke, but that was in comfy Arizona. Now they’re on the road against a Panthers team that hasn’t lost at home this season.
LOGICAL PICK: Panthers. The spread is a bit tricky, and Arizona will score points, but Cards flat out stink on the road. Their lone road wins came against NCAA Division II tea - er, Seattle, St. Louis and San Francisco. Anquan Boldin also isn’t guaranteed to play. Bet online on Carolina, will ya?
ILLOGICAL PICK: Cardinals. Steve Smith could snap at any moment and attack any living thing in the stadium, leaving Jake Delhomme without a target.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES VS. NEW YORK GIANTS (-4)
Defending Super Bowl betting champs? Only favored by four? At home? Yep, Philly has been that hot lately. The Eagles’ D is legit against the run and the pass. But the league’s top rushing attack — featuring two 1,000-yard rushers in Brandon Jacobs and Derrick Ward - will be a lot to handle. Eli Manning sure could use a reliable target right now, though. Thanks, Plaxico.
LOGICAL PICK: Giants. They’ll put heat on Donovan McNabb and find some holes in the running game. AP did have that one home run last week. So NFL betting fans should have faith.
ILLOGICAL PICK: Still the Giants. Maybe Burress has developed his sniper skills and can, ahem, “influence” the game a-la-The Last Boy Scout?
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS VS PITTSBURGH STEELERS (-6)
If you bet on sports, you have to love Darren Sproles. He almost single-handedly led many online sports betting players to the promised land last week as the Chargers toppled the Colts in overtime. I’ll mercifully leave the lightning-strikes-twice puns out of the Bolts discussion, but you do have to wonder if they have a shot in the Chargers vs. Steelers line. I’m skeptical; cold, steel-infested Pittsburgh is not sunny San Diego.
LOGICAL PICK: Steelers. Their defense is so good, it could almost play the entire game.
ILLOGICAL PICK: Chargers. If Big Ben goes down again, beware the hand of Byron Leftwich!
Good luck in this weekend’s NFL betting action, folks. Let’s bet online and try to go better than 2-2 this time around.
