NFL Wildcards

Fletch nailed all four wildcard games with some near perfect tipping. Get in. He’s running redhot and earning us a fortune at the moment…

So the post season has arrived with four interesting match-ups and hopefully some cash for us all this weekend.

KANSAS CITY @ INDY COLTS

Only one man can win this for the Chiefs and he is Larry Johnson – and the good news is he has a chance because the Colts are terrible at defending the run.

But in Indianapolis Peyton Manning is unbeaten this season and one would expect that to continue.

However I would hope that the Chiefs do not get blown away and at least give us something to trade. At 5/2 we should get something but still I fancy the Colts to prevail.

Their defense have to stop Johnson – that is it and the game is won. Can they? Not all game but they should do enough, and leave the rest to Manning and his 6 receivers.

Wait to back the Colts but eventually I would want to be on them.

The spreads are around 50 points for the match. Somehow this is a tad high – I know these teams can provide a 35-30 classic but I’d accept the risk of that for a short sell for at least one quarter.

DALLAS COWBOYS @ SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

This is a real interesting match-up as neither side is in form and is lucky to be here. Both lost three of their last four so the question is do Matt Hasselback and Shaun Alexander rediscover their form of way before their injuries, or do Tony Romo and Terrell Owens combine to win away from home – something Dallas are good at. Dallas have history to contend with though as they have not won a play-off game since 1996 and I do not expect them to here in Seattle.

However, it may not be pretty. What should concern Seattle is their misfiring offense but also their injury hit defense with rookie corners.

Seattle start 9/13 basically because they are at home but so much depends on Romo and Owens. If they fire they could win but if not then TO could show his frustration with the usual results for his team.

My plan is to lay the side scoring first here as I think this could be a scrappy match with the both sides going nowhere on many possessions. For the better traders I would also trade the change of possessions as I think neither side will just march down field. A sell of points around 45 may also be worth considering.

NEW YORK JETS @ NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

The Pats are 3/11 which is unbackable despite them being the better side by far and at home.

The Jets with Chad Pennington have to work a short passing game and be ultra-disciplined and hope to pick off Tom Brady when the Pats have the ball. The Jets have some men to do it, but Brady and his offense have found some form and look a well-oiled machine.

Their problem might be the loss of safety Rodney Harrison but I fancy the Pats to win and win well.

My bet here will be the points as I think the Pats will do the Jets by more than 9 (but this is a small wager).

Also at 10/1 on the outright Championship bet I fancy a punt knowing their price must come in if they do beat the Jets. They have won Superbowls and are not a team to ignore and 10/1 is too big.

NEW YORK GIANTS @ PHILIDELPHIA EAGLES

Currently the hottest team against the stuttering Giants. Eagles win this for me and possibly by more than 8 quoted by the spread firms. The Giants need retiring Tikki Barber to run and run and run the ball but he struggles against a hard and solid Eagles defense. If Barber goes nowhere then Eli Manning has to win the game with his arm – not for me he doesn’t.

Eagles have Jeff Garcia – not spectacular but he has done well and revitalised the Eagles since they lost Donovan McNabb and so I think Garcia does what he always tries to do – and gets the job done!

I am a small seller of total points at 45. I think both sides will be nervous to begin with and it could be a slow start – here’s hoping anyway.

The important thing in this game is momentum – Eagles have it and Giants do not!

Manning has not shown me enough to suggest he can drive the Giants home here, whereas the Eagles look better offensively and have Brian Westbrook making yards with the ball which allows Garcia some scope.