Sports betting sharps have just four weeks’ worth of
NFL football to bet on before the playoffs start. It’s thus not too early to
consider who the Wildcard berths could be. Here are the best bets to earn those
spots based on strength of schedule and how the rest of their own division
shapes up. The Arizona Cardinals, for example, could have a worse record than
some of the wildcard teams, but they won’t qualify for a wildcard berth as
they’ll lock up their division title shortly.
4.
BALTIMORE RAVENS (vs Detroit, vs
Chicago, @ Pittsburgh, @ Oakland)
The Ravens’ NFL odds have stiff competition from fellow 6-6 teams
Pittsburgh, Miami and the New York Jets but Baltimore arguably has the most
favorable remaining schedule. It should blow out lowly Detroit at home this
weekend and the punchless Bears at home aren’t a tough opponent either. Ray
Rice should carve up Oakland’s brutal run defense in Week 17. The only real
hurdle to climb is a Week-16 matchup at Pittsburgh, which could very well
decide who gets the last Wildcard berth.
3. DALLAS
COWBOYS (vs San Diego, @ New Orleans, @ Washington, vs Philadelphia)
It may seem strange to pick a current division
leader as a Wildcard team but, based on the Cowboys’ upcoming schedule, I don’t
think they can hold the lead. That would bump them down to Wildcard territory.
Trips to raucous New Orleans and chilly Washington don’t bode well for Tony
Romo and Dallas’ remaining home games are no slam-dunks; San Diego and Philly
are a combined 17-7 this season.
2. DENVER
BRONCOS (@ Indianapolis, vs Oakland, @ Philadelphia, vs Kansas City)
Because most of the other Wildcard candidates in
the AFC are 6-6 or 7-5, Denver already has a leg up on the competition at 8-4.
Teams like Miami and New York probably have to run the table to make the
playoffs whereas Denver can go 2-2 and likely get there. With tough road games
at Indy and Philly but easy home matchups versus Oakland and Kansas City, the
Broncos are good football
picks to do exactly that.
1. GREEN
BAY PACKERS (@ Chicago, @ Pittsburgh, vs Seattle, @ Arizona)
Like Denver, the Pack have excellent Wildcard
chances since they already have eight wins. The reeling, mentally broken Bears
don’t scare anyone right now. Travelling to Pittsburgh is a major challenge but
the Steelers are 2-5 without Troy Polamalu and allow the big passing plays
Green Bay loves to try. The Pack should also pummel Seattle. Arizona is a tough
challenge in Week 17 but, overall, I think Green Bay can reach 10 wins. I’d bet
on it at my sportsbook
if I were you.