All articles by: Howard Knowles

NFL – Playoff Wildcard Preview

NFL – Playoff Wildcard PreviewThe NFL Playoffs kick off with the AFC and NFC Wildcard round this weekend. The Bills are at the Jags and the Titans are at the Chiefs from the AFC, with the Patriot and the Steelers with first round byes. The NFC sees the Falcons at the Rams and the Panthers at the Saints, with the Eagles and the Vikings with first round byes.

 

Saturday Games

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Titans at Chiefs

The Titans clinched playoff berth last week in their win and will be looking for a solid playoff debut for QB Marcus Mariota. Meanwhile, the Chiefs have been on a roller-coaster this season with their hot start and average end to the year. Chiefs coach Andy Reid has struggled in the playoffs the past few seasons, however his team are much more experienced in a playoff atmosphere, and along with being at home, I believe that will be a lot to overcome for the young Titans.

Chiefs to Win –  24-14

Smith: 285 YDS, 2 TDS

Hunt: 115 Total YDS, 1 Rushing TD

Kelce: 100 YDS REC, 1 TD REC

Skybet Handicap and Total Points – Kansas City Chiefs -7.5 and Over 46.5 Total Match Points – 5/2

 

Falcons at Rams

In the Primetime game for Saturday night the Highest Scoring offense, with RB Todd Gurley who led the league in scrimmage yards, face the defending NFC Champs in the Falcons. The Falcons clinched playoff berth at the end of the season but haven’t been consistent all year. However, the Rams with their rookie coach, 2nd Year QB, and 3rd Year RB are all brand new to this stage. It does help however being at home, where defense will be the key. Both teams are top scoring offense, but in the first game home in their return to LA I have the Rams winning a close game.

Rams to Win –  28-24

Goff: 225 YDS, 2 TD

Gurley: 145 YDS, 2 TDS Rushing

Skybet Total Points – 49-52 Pts – 11/2

 

Sunday Games

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Bills at Jaguars

Both teams have been in playoff droughts, specifically the Bills being in their first playoff game since 1999. The Bills by virtue of a 3 way tie breaker clinched playoff berth last week and will be looking to cause an upset over the Jags. The Jags are a top 3 rated defense and at home I believe that will help against the up and down QB play from the Bills. While the Jags QB Blake Bortles has been up and down himself, expect a heavy dose of their run game.

Jags to Win –  17-10

Bortles: 215 YDS, 1 TD

Fournette: 110 YDS, 1 Rushing TD

Skybet Handicap and Total Points – Jacksonville Jaguars -6.5 and Under 41.5 Total Match Points – 13/8

 

Panthers at Saints

In the Sunday night primetime game these division rivals meet in the playoffs in what should be an offensive shootout. The Saints beat the Panthers twice during the regular season and behind two 1000 Yard running backs, along with the most experienced QB in the NFC, Drew Brees, they are the favorite to win. Meanwhile, the Panthers two years removed from their Super bowl appearance will be looking to make another run, however haven’t been consistent on offense all year. In the playoffs the hotter team normally wins and right now the Saints are playing better on both sides of the ball, at home I expect them to win and advance.

Saints to Win –  31-24

Brees: 285 YDS, 2 TDS

Ingram: 110 Total YDS, 1 Rushing TD

Kumara: 88 YDS Total

Thomas: 100 YDS REC, 1 REC TD

Skybet Handicap and Total Points – New Orleans Saints -5.5 and Over 49.5 Total Match Points – 5/2

 

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NFL – Gameweek 17 Preview

NFL – Gameweek 17 Preview – This is the regular season finale with the playoffs and the road to the Super Bowl beginning next week! Here are my week 17 Top Predictions!

 

Jaguars at Titans

The Jaguars, who have already clinched the AFC South and can’t earn a first-round bye even if they win, will be in a fight with division rivals, the Titans, who can clinch playoff berth with a win. Meanwhile the Ravens and the Chargers will be rooting for the Jaguars to beat the Titans for their own playoff hopes. At home with playoff berth on the line against a team who has already clinched, I have the Titans to pull it off.

Titans to Win – 24-17

Mariota: 265 YDS, 2 TDs
Henry: 75 Rushing YDS, 1 Rush TD

Bengals at Ravens

Similar to the Titans, with a win the Ravens will clinch playoff berth, as it stands the Ravens own the 5th seed of 6 seeds in the conference. Division rivalry game here with the marbles on the line, I’m rolling with Ravens.

Ravens to Win – 21-13

Flacco: 245 YDS, 1 TD
Collins: 75 YDS, 2 Rushing TDs

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Cardinals at Seahawks

The Seahawks will win the sixth seed if they beat the Cardinals and the Falcons lose to the Panthers. The Arizona defense is playing good football right now even with their backup QB starting. In spite of injuries and locker room turmoil, the Seahawks haven’t missed the playoffs in years, and their SB, QB and MVP candidate Russell Wilson at home for Berth on the line it’s hard to pick against them. In a close game I have the Seahawks pulling it out.

Seahawks to Win – 17-10

Wilson 250 Total YDS, 2 TDs
Baldwin: 88 YDS, 1 REC TD

Panthers at Falcons

Carolina and Atlanta are the last two NFC champs and their matchup this week will either result in both teams making the playoffs or one. The Falcons can clinch the final NFC wild-card spot with a victory. The Panthers are already in the playoff field, though their seed is yet to be determined. The Falcons have been up and down all season but with their playoff hopes on the line I expect a competitive showing at home. However, the Panthers are playing better football on both sides of the ball, and will be watching the score board closely. I have the Panthers on the road ending the Falcons playoff hopes.

Panthers to Win – 28-27

Newton: 315 YDS, 3 TDs
McCaffery: 88 YDS, 1 Rush TD

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Saints at Buccaneers

With the division title on the line, there’s no way the Saints will be on a mental bye this week and be anything but ready. Although playoff berth has been locked up, this indeed is a playoff game, because playing that first game at home is of the utmost importance. and keeping the division title from the Panthers is also an incentive. I see the Saints continuing their momentum into the playoffs.

Saints to Win – 24-17

Brees: 315 YDS, 2 TDS
Ingram: 105 YDS, 1 Rushing TD
Kumara: 88 YDS, 1 REC TD

Final playoff Bracket Prediction: as a reminder, the top two seeds receive a 1st round bye

AFC:
1)Pats
2)Steelers
3)Jaguars
4) Chiefs
5) Ravens
6)) Titans

NFC:
1) Eagles
2) Vikings
3) Rams
4) Saints
5) Panthers
6) Seahawks

 

**5 Fold NFL Win Accumulator – Panthers, Ravens, Seahawks, Saints and Titans All to Win15/2 (Skybet)**

 

Have a Happy New Year!

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NFL – Gameweek 16 Preview

NFL – Gameweek 16 Preview – Playoff races are tight around the league, with this being the second to last week of the year, here are my week 16 top 5 game predictions. Happy Holidays!!

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Christmas Eve – Sunday

Falcons at Saints

Rematch from two weeks ago where the Falcons beat the Saints with a last minute interception from Drew Brees. Both teams are in dead heats for the playoffs as their division, the NFC South, is the most competitive this season. The Falcons offense wasn’t as dynamic as normal last week and they will be looking to get back on track. The Saints at home coming off their loss two weeks ago have their healthy two-man RB tandem, and at home in a shootout, I expect them to win.

Saints to Win –  28-27

Brees: 285 YDS, 2 TDS

Ingram: 105 YDS, 1 Rushing TD

Kumara: 100 Total YDS, 1 REC TD

Thomas: 88 YDS, 1 REC TD

Skybet Total Points – 54 – 57 Points – 6/1

Rams at Titans

The Rams dominated the Seahawks last week virtually putting them out of the playoff race in the NFC. Now the Rams are hopeful for the number two seed in the conference and a loss will virtually put them in 3rd place. Meanwhile, the Titans are second in their division and hold one of the two wildcard spots in the playoffs as of now, a loss at this critical time of the year will be a killer. At home I expect the titans to be very competitive, however the Rams running game will control the ball ultimately resulting in them winning.

Rams to Win –  24-17

Goff: 250 YDS, 1 TD

Gurley: 115 total YDS, 2 TDS Rushing

Woods: 1 REC TD

Skybet Handicap and Total Points – Los Angeles Rams -7.5 and Under 50.5 Total Match Points – 5/2

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Bills at Patriots

The Pats won a thriller against the Steelers on the road last week, putting the defending champs in prime position to have home field throughout the playoffs. Meanwhile, the Bills have the second wildcard playoff spot in the AFC and are looking to stay in. While these two division rivals are always competitive, on the road against the Pats this time of year is always tough.

Patriots to Win –  24-14

Brady: 285 YDS, 2 TDS

Gronkowski: 88 YDS, 1 REC TD

Lewis: 75 Total YDS, 1 Rushing TD

Skybet Total Points – 0 – 41 Points – 15/8

Dolphins at Chiefs

The up and down season that the Kansas City Chiefs have had seems to be leaning toward consistency with their win last week against their surging rivals the Chargers, giving them command of the AFC West. The Chiefs will be looking to keep their momentum against a better than we expected Dolphins this week. This game will be closer than some believe.

Chiefs to Win – 28 -21

Smith: 225 YDS, 2 TDS

Hunt: 110 Total YDS, 1 Rushing TD, 1 REC TD

Kelce: 88 YDS, 1 REC TD

Skybet Total Points – 48 Points or More – 6/4

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Monday Night Christmas Day Primetime

Steelers at Texans

Injuries have derailed the Texans season this year, however they will be looking to play spoiler to the Steelers, who after their shocking loss to the Pats last week hold the second seed in the AFC. On the road I expect the Steelers, even without WR Antonio Brown playing due to injury last week, to get back on track.

Steelers to Win – 24-14

Roethlisberger 275 YDS, 2 TDS

Bell: 135 Total YDS, 2 Rushing TDS

Skybet Handicap and Total Points – Pittsburgh Steelers -10.5 and Under 45.5 Total Match Points – 3/1

 

Happy Holidays!!

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