Special: NFL Playoff Picture: The Race to Super Bowl LI
Published January 13, 2017 by Sol FH
Huge match-ups this weekend with eight teams left in the Divisional round on Saturday and Sunday.
Last week's Wild Card Weekend games were not as exciting as originally thought, but as we approach the games of the Divisional Round, it is important to look at some of the standout individual performances that we witnessed.
Highlights from Wild Card Weekend
Aaron Rodgers was like a man possessed last week against the Giants and threw for 362 yards and four touchdowns, including three scores to Randall Cobb to close out a 38-13 win. If he can keep up the intensity and accuracy for Sunday Night's game against the Cowboys, we could see arguably the best team in the league (Dallas) ousted from the off season.
Another amazing performance was by Pittsburgh's running back Le'Veon Bell who rushed for 167 yards and two touchdowns, while his teammate Antonio Brown also scored two more through the air for a 30-12 win over the Miami Dolphins.
Divisional Round Games
Seahawks vs Falcons - Saturday, 21:35 GMT
The wild weekend of playoff football gets underway with a huge match between Seattle and Atlanta at the Georgia Dome. The Seahawks are in search of a rare underdog playoff win, which could be even more difficult, as the team has been very inconsistent this season on both sides of the ball. Perhaps they were saving their best for the playoffs, as everything seemed to click in last week's 26-6 victory over the Detroit Lions. Beating Atlanta will be no easy task. In October, the Seahawks barely survived at home against the Falcons winning 26-24, but everything will be harder against MVP candidate Matt Ryan.
Prediction: Falcons win 24-10
Bet365 Sports outright odds: Seahawks 2.85 - Falcons 1.44
Texans vs Patriots – Sunday, 1:15 GMT
Arguably favorites to win Super Bowl LI, the New England Patriots are also most-likely to crush Houston. In week 3, the Texans were blown out 27-0 to New England, and adding insult to injury, the Patriots had third string QB Jacoby Brissett calling the shots. The only shot that the Texans have is if their defense can get to Tom Brady in time to stop his laser arm. The Texans have not scored more than 27 points in a game this year and the Patriots average 27.6.
Prediction: Patriots win 34-13
William Hill Sports money line: Texans 11.00 – Patriots 1.05
Steelers vs Chiefs – Sunday, 18:05 GMT
The game with the potential to go either way should be this one. Even though the Steelers manhandled the Chiefs in their league matchup in Week 4 43-14, but since then a lot has changed. The Chiefs earned a first-round bye and won their division, but that loss is still tattooed into their brains and should not be forgotten. The Steelers will be coming to Arrowhead Stadium with a ton of momentum after their Wild Card win and are relatively healthy, despite problems with Roethlisberger's ankle. The Steelers may very well come from the underdog position and win tonight, as they are the AFC sleeper.
Prediction: Steelers win 20-17
10Bet Sports money line: Steelers 2.05 – Chiefs 1.76
Packers vs Cowboys – Sunday, 21:40 GMT
This will be the match of the Divisional Round with all eyes on AT&T Stadium to see if Aaron Rodgers can continue his mind boggling play and beat the Cowboys at home. Rodgers' streak right now is one of the best in football, since Tom Brady's 50 TD passes in 2007. Rodgers has thrown for 22 touchdowns and no interceptions in his last 8 games and simply destroyed the Giants last week. The only way to stop Rodgers is to keep him sidelined, which is very possible with the explosive offense that the Cowboys have. Running Back Ezekiel Elliot ran for 157 yards in their last meeting (won by the Cowboys 30-16) at Lambeau, and with the home field advantage, it looks like the Packers' days are numbered, at least for this season.
Prediction: Cowboys win 34-20
888Sport match winner: Packers 2.80 – Cowboys 1.46
The aforementioned sportsbooks in this article are each offering hundreds of odds and betting markets ahead of each game. In addition, bettors will be able to choose the online bookmaker they wish and get live in play betting markets to choose from.
