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NFC Playoff Wild Card Weekend
By Joe, BettingExpert.com | Edited
Google+: Joe Bexpert
A battle to the end between the New Orleans Saints and the Detroit Lions when they meet up this Saturday at the Superdome. This mash up tells the story that maybe the Saints are able to rediscover their playoff form. On Sunday, the New York Giants are to take on the Atlanta Falcons.
New Orleans Saints vs. Detroit Lions
(Saturday - 08:00PM ET)
First one off the NFC wildcard and the New Orleans Saints are back in the game with a good chance in making the Superbowl. All well and glory, they need to take out the Detroit Lions once again just like they did back in Week 13 when they found an easy 31-17 routing on that day. The Saints are going into this game with an eight game winning streak, lastly they have won the last three games with a score over 40 points while holding their opposition to an under 20 point score. The Saints didn’t know what they had in the stock until he was tried, I’m talking about Darren Sproles, a free agent, that has turned out to be Reggie Bush's replacement and maybe even better. He averages 6.9 yard per carry and with 7 TDs, 86 pass catch for 710 yard, one player that we are all going to get familiar with in the future. He and QB Drew Brees will be ripping the Lions apart this Saturday. Tight end Jimmy Graham has also showed some promising skills on the scoring front, he will also be another weapon when it comes.
The Lions are going to get a tough game and surely they will have to turn up the heat. Last time they were on the field against the Saints at the Superdome, they were outdone by themselves. They gave away the game with 11 penalties and that’s not the way to go if they want to go further in the playoffs. They showed that they can go toe to toe with the better teams left for the post season. They faced a Green Bay Packers without an Aaron Rodgers but still managed to lose 45-41. The point there is that the Lions can score and score many, so with QB Matthew Stafford and receiver Calvin Johnson on the field, they will score but maybe the running play will be able to keep the Saint’s offense off the field. When they don’t have the ball, then the Lions need to find a way to stop and pressure Drew Brees into submission. If they don’t, then there is every chance they will have to play the catch up at the Superdome. Out of the six defeats that Lions suffered in the regular season, three of them came on the road and remember one of them was against the New Orleans Saints.
Verdict: A simple home win on this occasion as the Saints are red hot at the moment. The crowd and the players should be enough to scare those Lions.
Obscure Stat - The game has gone Over the total in 34 of the Lions last 51 away games while the Saints have covered the line in 20 of their last 28 games against teams with a win/loss record above 50%.
New York Giants vs. Atlanta Falcons
(Sunday – 01:00 PM ET)
The New York Giants will host the final game of the wild card playoffs where the Atlanta Falcons are visiting. Another vital game for them once again, just like Week 16 and Week 17. Firstly in Week 16, they took on rivals New York Jets and beat them soundly with a 29-14 score line, that was continued in Week 17 where they also had to keep Dallas Cowboys at bay to secure their place in the playoffs and so they did with a 31-14 win. Those results surely give them the confidence and also a team that is finding form of late. It will all happen through QB Eli Manning and both receivers Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks to demonstrate what they can do on the big stage. Although both running backs Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs might do some damage on the night but against a solid Falcons run defense, they might be restricted on Sunday.
The Atlanta Falcons on paper are the better team with an overall record of 10-6 in the regular season. Their team is built upon a solid defense and they are good enough to surprise anyone on the day. However, there is a downside as they are going into this game with an unfortunate long list of injuries. Veteran tight end Tony Gonzalez, center Todd McClure and defensive end John Abraham are doubtful for Sunday while Cornerback Brent Grimes, linebacker Sean Weatherspoon, running back Michael Turner, linebacker Stephen Nicholas, safety William Moore (groin) and receivers Kerry Meier (groin) and Harry Douglas are all on the injury list. This could hamper their chances to further playoff life as they face a strong in-form Giants. It is a case in protecting QB Matt Ryan and getting those TDs from the receivers Roddy White and Julio Jones. They can put all their hopes on running back Michael Turner as he hasn’t been able find luck past defensive opposition in the run up to this game, averaging 56 yards per game tells the story.
Verdict: These two teams have never met in the post season and this will be interesting. Considering the injury list is long for the Falcons and the Giants are very much on the up, it’s hard not to go with the home team. New York Giants get the nod.
Obscure Stat - Atlanta have covered the line in the last 5 meetings between the teams at New York while the Giants have covered the line in 4 of their last 14 following a game in which they scored at least 30 pts.
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