NFL Playoffs: Saturday's Wild Card Match-Ups

Written by Red Coffman on January, 4th 2008 | 0 Comments

NFL Wild Card Weekend

Washington Redskins @ Seattle Seahawks:
4:30pm EST: 1-5-2008

Line: Redskins (+3) @ Seahawks (-3) Over/Under (41.5)

Key to the Game: The battle between Seattle’s defensive front 7 and Clinton Portis’s Redskin rushing attack will be the key to winning and losing this game. If Clinton Portis and company can keep the Seahawks pass rushers honest, the Redskins could find a way to pull out of Seattle with a win, continuing their unbelievable run. However, if the Seahawks don’t have to change anything defensively to slow Portis, Todd Collins could be in for a painful day in the pocket. With Patrick Kearney and Julius Peterson rushing with reckless abandon, the Redskins won’t stick around in this battle for long, regardless of how well they’ve been playing of late. Run well, the Skins have a chance - get stuffed early, watch the Hawks mosey into the 2nd Round.

If-Then Possibilities: If the Redskins upset the Hawks in Seattle, the home loss would be the first for the Seahawks in any of the past 3 seasons (3-0 in Seattle). Also, the Redskins would be winners of 5 straight games, setting up a head to head with the same Dallas Cowboys team that they took down to get here in the first place. If the Seahawks win, they’ll go to Green Bay to for a rematch of their overtime playoff loss a few years ago when Matt Hasselbeck was quoted at the coin-toss, saying, “We’ll take the ball, and we’re going to win!” That one didn’t work out to well.

History: Washington has ousted Seattle in 4 of the last 5 games these two teams have played. However, the Hawks were the most recent winner of this battle, beating the Redskins 20-10 in the playoffs during their Super Bowl run. This series is tied 4-4 since 1994, with both teams holding a 4-4 ATS record.

Jacksonville Jaguars @ Pittsburgh Steelers:
8:00pm EST: 1-5-2008

Line: Jaguars (E) @ Steelers (E) Over/Under (39)

Key to the Game: The Steelers have to cause a couple turnovers if they want to take down the Jaguars. The only problem is, Jacksonville hasn’t been turnover prone all season long, and I don’t see that changing now that they found a spot in the playoffs. With a running attack that features Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones Drew, the Jaguars feel confident running the ball early and often. David Garrard is an accurate passer that doesn’t take unnecessary risks, and thus was intercepted only 3 times during the year. His 18-3 touchdown/interception ratio was brilliant. Pittsburgh needs to get back to what won them 10 games, and wash away the bad thoughts that had them losing 3 of their last 4. All in all, the Jaguars have to keep doing what they’ve done all year, and a playoff win should find them in Pittsburgh.

If-Then Possibilities: If the Jaguars do pull off the road win, then they will have won their first playoff game sine 1999, and their 4th post season win in the franchises short history. If the Jaguars win, then they will almost surely be the next team that tries to defeat the undefeated Patriots - unless of course the Titans upset the Chargers. If the Steelers win, and the Chargers also get a win, Pittsburgh will get their chance to upset the Patriots. If Pittsburgh wins and pulls the ultimate upset against New England, it will be the 2nd time since 1998 that the Patriots were sent home by the Steelers. That last if-then could be too far into the future.

History: Pittsburgh and Jacksonville have never met up in the playoffs, but the Jaguars have owned this match-up over the last few years. Jacksonville has won each of the last 3 meetings, including a 29-22 win in Pittsburgh earlier this season. The Jaguars are 6-4 SU against Pittsburgh since 1999 and have won ATS in 8 of the last 10 match-ups.

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