NFL Wild Card weekend is right here, and I imagine we’re in for some fairly thrilling soccer.
There are a number of video games that I am eyeing. In two of these video games, I am wagering on the prop market, after which on the final, I am a first-half unfold.
Try my picks and predictions for the primary weekend of the NFL playoffs.
(All occasions ET)
SATURDAY, JAN. 11
Steelers @ Ravens (8 p.m., Prime Video)
The Steelers are taking part in the worst soccer of any playoff crew. They’ve misplaced 4 straight, together with three blowouts to 3 playoff groups and a two-point loss to the Bengals final weekend. They haven’t scored greater than 17 factors in any of these 4 losses.
Quarterback Russell Wilson has regressed, and George Pickens is a no-show. The dashing recreation has gone away, and the offense is simply boring. Pittsburgh’s protection remains to be good, however ultimately it breaks towards these groups who can frequently ship firepower whereas the Steelers offense falters.
The Ravens ought to deal with enterprise on this recreation. They’re taking part in excellent soccer and have the texture of a Tremendous Bowl favourite. Nevertheless, their lack of postseason success relative to their regular-season success offers me pause to wager on them to cowl this recreation.
I could make a case — a small case — the place this black-and-blue resolution recreation is three factors prefer it usually is. So nothing on the aspect, however I do have two props for you.
Russell Wilson Over/Below 225.5 passing yards
Within the final 5 video games, Wilson hasn’t thrown greater than 217 yards and that features towards this Ravens crew in a blowout. And what’s wild about his yardage in that recreation is that the majority of his yards got here within the first half. On the ultimate three drives, when the Steelers had been making an attempt to make a comeback, Wilson threw a pick-six and the offense gained solely 29 yards.
With Pickens seemingly disappearing from the offense, the Steelers’ weapons are restricted towards a very good Ravens go protection. Pittsburgh can even try and run the soccer early within the recreation to keep away from the offense going via Wilson.
Additionally, getting some first downs through the bottom in idea would restrict the variety of go makes an attempt for Wilson.
PICK: Russell Wilson Below 225.5 passing yards
Jaylen Warren Over/Below 20.5 receiving yards
The Steelers began to make use of Warren as extra of a major again within the final month after which final weekend, they only stopped. He went from back-to-back video games with six receiving targets to only one towards the Bengals.
They should use Warren within the passing recreation towards the Ravens. Display recreation and third-down completions will get Warren Over 20.5 yards, which he’s hit in six of their final 9 video games.
PICK: Jaylen Warren Over 20.5 receiving yards
NFL Wild Card Tremendous Six: Which QB may have probably the most passing yards?
SUNDAY, JAN. 12
Broncos @ Bills (1 p.m., CBS, Paramount+)
That is an empty-the-playbook recreation for the Denver Broncos. By any means mandatory, they must win this recreation, although they’re almost 10-point underdogs.
Once I take into consideration what meaning for the Broncos offense, I take into consideration quarterback Bo Nix utilizing his legs through designed runs and scrambles towards strain. Nix has 92 carries this season and 14 during the last two weeks. Having a quarterback who can transfer like him offers the offense an enormous benefit.
Quarterback runs are inclined to work as a result of the protection has issue accounting for the quarterback in its scheme. They work on third down and within the crimson zone finest.
The Broncos should use these to assist him rating on Sunday.
Lastly, if the sport is out of hand, or will get out of hand, I may see Nix wanting to make use of his legs to scramble when nobody is open. Simply get yards as quickly as potential.
PICK: Bo Nix Over 5.5 rush makes an attempt
Can Jayden Daniels and the Commanders upset the Buccaneers?
Commanders @ Buccaneers (8 p.m., NBC/Peacock)
I like Tampa Bay to begin quick on Sunday night time towards the Commanders.
The Buccaneers performed poorly towards New Orleans to clinch their playoff spot. They had been tight, and their protection was unhealthy within the first half. That amounted to a playoff recreation for them. They wanted to win to get in.
Now that that’s out of the best way, I anticipate this veteran crew to quiet down on Sunday night time.
Tampa Bay ranked first within the NFL common season in factors on opening drives. It has 11 scoring drives, together with eight touchdowns.
Washington had a wonderful season, however this a tricky spot for any crew with a rookie quarterback. Rookie quarterbacks making their first highway begin don’t win many of those video games and sometimes don’t play as much as their normal. There are butterflies, nerves and pleasure.
I do not anticipate Washington to deal with these feelings effectively, and it’ll impression the Commanders’ play early. In the event that they do quiet down, this may be a recreation. However I’m wagering towards that taking place early on.
PICK: Tampa Bay -2.5 first half
Geoff Schwartz is an NFL analyst for FOX Sports activities. He performed eight seasons within the NFL for 5 totally different groups. He began at proper sort out for the College of Oregon for 3 seasons and was a second-team All-Pac-12 choice his senior 12 months. Observe him on Twitter @GeoffSchwartz.
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