Obviously Indianapolis Colts are still heavy favourites for the divisional title, but firstly they are up for a big test against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Secondly it’s actually been a full 4 weeks since the last impressive Colts performance.
This could obviously work either way... IND Colts @ 1.57, NE Patriots @ 5.75: best betting price!
NFL betting: WAS Redskins vs SEA Seahawks; IND Colts @ 1.57, NE Patriots @ 5.75: best betting price!
ARE YOU BACKING BRADY @ bet365?
Pats comfortably saw off the JAX on Saturday night, Brady had perhaps hismost impressive of many seasons on QB, this year adding the long throws toan impressive repertoire and Sunday saw another outstanding display by thedefence which only allowed a single FG and sacked JAX QB, B. Leftwich 6times for a total loss of 42 yards in the Wild Card game. Obviously Broncoswill be a different matter, but in 10 attempts no team has gotten pastBrady and Belichick in the post-season and I can’t see why it’d be likelyto happen on Saturday either with a team that apart from losing with areserve-roster to Miami in week 17 has not lost a game since late November.
Betting on Indianapolis ColtsObviously Indianapolis are still heavy favourites for the divisional title,but firstly they are up for a big test against the Steelers. Secondly it’sactually been a full 4 weeks since the last impressive Colts performance.This could obviously work either way, but in a one-off winner-takes-allbetween a red-hot Patriots and a slightly over-fancied Colts (and that’s IFthey see it past the Steelers which is no certainty either, making a saveron the Steelers @ 11.00 with us, which is also un-rivalled in the market, adecent option), I certainly know where my money is going, especiallythinking back to last season where the situation was exactly the samebefore the Colts were completely closed down losing 20-3 in the Divisionalplay-off game to… New England!Latest Outright prices on the AFC from bet365 is IND Colts @ 1.57, DENBroncos @ 4.50, NE Patriots @ 5.75 (best price!) and PIT Steelers @11.00.As for the battle in the NFC, bet365’s price of 5.25 on the Panthers isalso amongst the highest available out there. Panthers know what it takesto get all the way through, as they did it only a couple of seasons – alsoback then after having taken the slight de-tour through the WildCard-games. The total thrashing of the Giants on Sunday where Jake Delhommelet the team to a total of 335 offensive yards through possessing the ballfor more than 42 out of the total 60 minutes of play was expected and muchfancied here at bet365, and surely the Bears must be on their toes in ordernot to get ‘skinned’ in the late game on Sunday by a Panthers outfit thatseemingly improve game for game, much like a couple of seasons ago.bet365’s Outright prices on the NFC are SEA Seahawks @ 1.72, CHI Bears @3.75, CAR Panthers @ 5.25 and WAS Redskins @ 11.00.
WAS Redskins @ SEA SeahawksLive Betting – Sa Jan 14 – 5:30pm ETSeahawks haven’t lost at home this season and the Redskins only managed atotal of 120 offensive yards in a tight Wild Card game against theBuccaneers.Seahawks (13-3) haven’t lost at home this season. Should be easy, right!?Wrong! Divisional playoff games are NEVER easy, Redskins are on a 6-0winning streak and they beat Seattle 20-17 through an OT field goal in week5. Furthermore, on Saturday they were up against a better defence than thatof the Seattle Seahawks, they have proved that they can contain ShaunAlexander who was only allowed a total of 98 rushing yards in week 4.Apart from Alexander, the Seahawks don’t have anyone coming even close tothe 1000 offensive yards mark for the season and in any case, the 9 pointsadvantage available at bet365 seems very big indeed against a team that Ipersonally think is over-rated and hugely dependent on one single player.Sure, Alexander’s 1880 offensive yards for the season is impressive, but ifanyone knows how to contain him, it is Gregg Williams, probably the bestdefensive coordinator in the NFL for which he was rewarded last week with anew contract and a big, fat pay-check!With the likes of Clinton Portis and Santana Moss to lead the team onoffence, they will definitely put points on the board, and I wouldn’t evenrule out the upset (which is priced at a massive 4.25 with us). The safestbet, however, seems to be settling for Redskins with the 9 pointsadvantage.bet365 Pick: Redskins +9 @ 1.90
NE Patriots @ DEN BroncosLive Betting – Sa Jan 14 - 9.00pm ETThe Patriots have really stepped up their game in recent weeks and Brady islooking as impressive as ever. Forget about the tales from the past about aPatriots that predominantly keep the ball on the ground to pick up shortyardage. Brady has gone airborne, passing for more than 4000 yards for theseason, which is amongst the highest in the league. Whereas many would saythat this is a sign of Brady having matured, I’d argue that it’s a sign ofBelichick successfully managing to improve a team which has won threeSuperbowls on the stretch – namely in the pass-protection area. Thatcombined with having a quarterback capable of throwing the football to anysquare inch of the pitch is bound to be a recipe for success and could hurtthe Broncos where they are vulnerable, namely against the pass!Admittedly, a trip to Denver is not among the most heavily fancied at themoment. Broncos are 8-1 from the last nine and beat Patriots 28-20 in week6. However a look through the tapes suggests that the Patriots-outfit thatday was very different to the one turning up on Sunday, since neither CoreyDillon, nor Kevin Faulk, Richard Seymour, Tedy Bruschi or Ellis Hobbs wasin the line-up. As such the Broncos offence will not be likely to betterthe 178 offensive yards from week 6 and with Brady alone averaging about235 passing yards per game, the fact that Broncos this year has a negativenet passing record (Broncos passed for 3227 yards in total in the regularseason while their opponents totalled 3643…) and the likes of Corey Dillongetting involved along the ground as well, one would have to fancy Patriotsand give them the edge here. bet365 is EVS on Patriots +3 and that is notbettered by anyone in the market.bet365 Pick: Patriots +3 @ 2.00 (best price!)
