• Redskins (+3/-120) -vs- Seahawks = (O/U 46)
This is the game I am anticipating on being the game of the Wild Card round. Who would've thought Andrew Luck, RGIII, and DangeRuss Wilson to take their teams to the playoffs. Let me add really quick that this is the 1st time in NFL History that teams that drafted #1 & #2 advance to the playoffs the same year. Just seen that a few hours ago, thought it was worth noting. Maybe not in the WAS/SEA write-up, but 'sawl good. Anyways - RGIII had the hype, the tools, the confidence, the leadership out the gate to have the best shot under HC Shannahan to take his team to the playoffs. But, in comes Russel Wilson. A draftee who was looking at being a 3rd stringer, maybe even find his way to backing up FA acquisition Matt Flynn. But HC Pete Carroll knows young players better then any coach in the league, took his shot, and the 5 foot 11 Russell Wilson has been one of the best QB's in the league the 2nd half of the year. Whether it's a base 4-3, cover 2, 3-4, Wilson has performed well -vs- any defense he has seen. After the Seahawks have won 7 of 8 and their last 5 in a row, there's still talk of them being just a "home" team. We all know about the Seahawks, 12th man, etc... so even with the better record, they have to hop Paul Allen's jet and fly 3,000 miles cross country to face a Redskins team who's even hotter then the Seahawks, if possible, winning their last 7, 7-0 after their bye, and this Redskins team has pinned their rookie QB as the team leader. Looking outside the hype of 2 magnificent rookie QB's facing off in the playoffs for the first time in NFL history, you have 2 great running games (WAS #1/SEA #3) and well coached ball clubs, and aggressive coached. One, if not both coaches will be looking deep into the playbook for some sort of trickery, I would love to lay a prop bet on that, if there is one. The Seahawks D is one of the best in the NFL. The Redskins I believe are a tad underrated. They rank 3rd in INTS (21), Top 5 first the run, 1 more defensive TD then the Seahawks. Both ball clubs are Top 5 in Time of Possession. Both have Top 5 RB's in the league this year. So are we going to see a 38- 35 type game... or a 13-10 type game?
[GiLzKey] = WAS; RGIII, Morris, LB's -vs- Sea; Wilson, Lynch, DB's. RGIII isn't as mobile and runs with as much quickness and power after his knee injury. He will now show his pocket presence as he did last week -vs- the Cowboys. The DB's in the Seahawks, who are arguably the best in the league, go up against a receiving core who are undersized, which is hard to imagine. I look for Santana Moss and Pierre Garcon to find their ways in the middle of the field a lot. RGIII out of the pocket on a scramble, on the run, creates separation all around, and that's how Moss and Garcon will have their ways with Seattle. Seattle is a different defense on the road then @ home. L3 away games, Buffalo, Chicago, Miami, they went 2-1 but gave up yards and didn't create many turnovers. The LB's for the Redskins will have to generate a consistent pass rush and create turnovers which they've been doing during this 7 game win streak. We know what the 2 headed offensive monsters can do for each team; RGIII/Morris & Wilson/Lynch. I am expecting the Redskins' home crowd watching their first playoff home game since 1999 to act like it's own 12th man.
> ATS Pick: Redskins +3 (-120)
> Total Pick: UNDER 46
> WINNER ADVANCING: Redskins
**** Early Projected Lines for the Divisional Round ****
• AFC Divisional Playoffs:
> Broncos (-7.5) -vs- Bengals (O/U @ 48.5)
> Patriots (-4) -vs- Ravens (O/U @ 50)
• NFC Divisional Playoffs:
> 49ers (-1.5) -vs- Packers (O/U @ 44)
> Falcons (-4.5) -vs- Redskins (O/U @ 48.5)