The Duke - The Playoffs

Well folks, we’ve finally reached the playoffs.  Sports360 had a Christmas break and we are back just in time for the division playoff round.  Wild Card weekend was not that wild as all the favourites won. The unlucky Oakland Raiders got knocked out by the Texans 27-14 and you have to feel badly for them.  They lost their MVP candidate QB Derek Carr in the second last week and then lost their backup QB in the last week.  It’s hard to win in the NFL going with a 3rd string quarterback unless you are the Patriots, of course.  Other games had the red hot Packers steam rolling the Giants in the second half for a 38-13 win.  The Steelers overcame their early season loss to the Dolphins with a little revenge in a solid 30-12 victory.  The key story in that game was Big Ben Roethlisberger injuring his ankle on the last play of the game.  He entered the post-game interview wearing a space boot insisting he was playing next week.  (He will play, but how mobile he is remains to be seen)  The Seahawks, who always surge this time of year, were too much at home for the Detroit Lions, finishing them off 26-6.

Luckily at this time of year we get Saturday night games in the US.  Sunday morning at 7:35 am on 7Mate we have the Seattle Seahawks at the Atlanta Falcons.  The Falcons won their division easily and they finished strong getting a first round playoff bye.  The Falcons have home field advantage and on paper, they should win.  But, they are playing the Seattle Seahawks who have been to the Super Bowl twice in the last 4 years and won it once.  Luxbet has the Seahawks at $2.90 head to head.  I know Falcons QB Matt Ryan is the frontrunner for the MVP this year, but it’s for the regular season.  I just don’t think he’s a playoff MVP.  I like the value in the Seahawks. 

The next game is at 11:15 am on 7Mate.  I think everyone knew the Patriots would be in the playoffs after they went 3-1 while Tom Brady served his penance for deflating footballs.  I’m not sure everyone thought the Houston Texans would be in the division round, but with the number one ranked defence in the league, they deserve to be.  Can that defence get to Tom Brady?  The Texans have a monster that plays lineman and linebacker named Jadeveon Clowney who just might be able to do that.  If he can rattle Tom Brady and the Texans can run the ball, they have a chance to win.  Texans QB Brock Osweiler is hot and cold.  But he can be cold if the Texans can run the ball.  If he’s hot, it’s a major bonus.  This game has the potential to be a major upset.  I can’t believe that Luxbet has the Texans at $10.00 head to head and the line is 15 points at $1.92.  I’m taking the Texans because I can’t pass up 10-1. 

Duke