NFL Wild Card odds: Best bets against the spread
By Brad Rowland
Minnesota (+5.5) over Seattle
Frisky home underdog!
I can already hear you asking what the difference is between Minnesota and Cincinnati this week, so I’ll go ahead and answer it. First, the Vikings have been successful in winning this exact same game this season on multiple occasions, including in Week 17 against the Packers. Second, Teddy Bridgewater isn’t fantastic, though he isn’t A.J. McCarron, but the Vikings have the best running back in football to lean on.
Third? This is a bigger point spread.
That is, of course, the biggest factor here, as the Seahawks are laying significant wood in a road game that could involve weather elements. Seattle is the better team, but you won’t see me laying nearly a touchdown on the road against a team that I like in Minnesota. I just can’t do it.
Green Bay (PK) over Washington
I just can’t take Kirk Cousins in a playoff game against Aaron Rodgers.
It must be noted that I wouldn’t give this game out at all under normal circumstances, but with a limited pool of options to generate five selections, it had to be done. The public is actually on the side of Washington after four straight wins, and the flop by the Packers in Week 17 probably helped in making that happen. Still, I can’t shake the belief that Rodgers will get this done.
Washington is a below-average defensive team (21st in DVOA) and until Cousins proves it on this type of stage, I can’t pull the trigger. Take the Packers.