2014 NFL Divisional Playoffs Preview and Free Picks
The 2014 NFL season has reached the pointy end as Before You Bet continues to offer free betting picks and previews. This weekend we look at all four Divisional Playoff games. Take note that all games are on ESPN Australia and on 7Mate on free-to-air so no excuses for missing what should be some great NFL action.
Baltimore Ravens at New England Patriots (Sunday at 8:35am AEDT)
The first game of the divisional playoffs is the Baltimore Ravens taking on the New England Patriots at the cold and windy Gillette Stadium. Both Joe Flacco and Tom Brady are money in the post season but I’m not going to overthink this one.
New England looks primed for another Super Bowl appearance and our preseason bet on the Patriots at $9 is looking good as they are now trading at $3.60 just behind Seattle Seahawks.
Baltimore feel like over achievers this season but I think this is the end of the road for them. Flacco likes to force the ball into small windows and the Patriots defense in particular Darrell Revis will have plenty of chances to capitalize on Flacco’s gun slinging attitude.
A healthy Gronkowski = a big problem for Baltimore.
The Gronk is such an X factor and the perfect match for Brady especially in that tough 3rd down situations. If New England can extend offensive drives and keep Flacco on the sidelines the Baltimore defense will crumble late.
Carolina Panthers at Seattle Seahawks (Sunday at 12:15pm AEDT)
All the Carolina Panthers have to face on Sunday are:
The defending super bowl champions
The cerebral quarterback Russell Wilson
The Legion of Boom and the number 1 ranked defense
The 12th Man AKA CenturyLink Field
I wouldn’t like any team’s chances let alone a .500 team that are lucky to be in the playoffs. The Seattle Seahawks are going for their eighth straight post season win at CenturyLink.
To make things just a bit more difficult for Carolina, Seattle gets their pro bowl center back Max Unger. He’s such a physical and more importantly “intelligent” center who can set the tone for Marshawn Lynch and Russell Wilson’s ground game. Intelligent centers are such an underrated commodity in the NFL. The line may look like too much for an NFL playoff game but I can’t see Carolina putting up more than 4 field goals.
Dallas Cowboys at Green Bay Packers (Monday at 5.05am AEDT)
How bout them Cowboys!!
This game looks like the one to watch if you had to pick one. The Dallas Cowboys with a perfect 8-0 record on the road versus the Green Bay Packers who have a perfect 8-0 record at home. Of the four games this is the closest line with Green Bay favoured by 5.5 points.
If Aaron Rodgers didn’t have a suspect calf injury this line would probably be closer to 9.5 points.
Dallas has been fast starters and getting off to a good start against this Packers team at Lambeau Field will be a key ingredient if the Cowboys are to pull off the upset.
Last time they met Green Bay won a shoot-out 37-36 on December 15th 2013 and although it’s going to be cold on Sunday I think this game will also be high scoring.
Indianapolis Colts at Denver Broncos (Monday at 8:40am AEDT)
The Indianapolis Colts travel to the high altitude, oxygen less stadium at Mile High with hopes of knocking off the Denver Broncos. All the pressure will be on Andrew Luck to carry this “one trick pony” Colts team. They might be harsh words but until the Colts become a more balanced team it will be hard for them to win these types of playoff games.
The Colts have no run game and rely heavily on 5’9 wide receiver T.Y Hilton. As much as I love Andrew Luck I don’t believe the Colts will stop the Denver Offense enough to pull off an upset.
Denver have so much talent on both Offense and Defense and although Peyton Manning is not at his best (4727 yards 39 TDs 101.5 QBR) his average is still better than most. The Colts will have to try and cover an unbelievable receiving corps including Welker, Sanders and Demaryius Thomas who has 111 receptions for 1619 yards and 11 TDs. Denver also has a much better ground game now thanks to C.J Anderson. Anderson had 179 carries for 849 yards and 8 touchdowns but more importantly NO fumbles.
Denver’s window for success is just about over. They will take care of business here.
2014 NFL Divisional Playoffs Betting Picks
Take note: Any of the tips in this article are simply the author’s opinion, so bet at your own risk and always gamble responsibly. Also be sure to check out the Before You Bet Twitter Page for all our thoughts in the lead up to bets! Happy punting!
