***NFL WILDCARD WEEKEND TRENDS--STATS--SYSTEMS***

The NYG have a resurgent pass rush so key to the game will be ATL ability to run the football.

Key STAT:

NYG: ATS 5-17 and 0-7 ATS at HOME vs. teams averaging +4.0 Yards Per Run and run the ball for more than 3.2 in matchup vs. NYG

Can ATL run the ball and slow down NYG pass rush.

CIN vs. HOUS

I just heard a real sharp opinion that says HOUSTON number will bump up to 3.5 points.

CINCY is a good story - a young team on climb but they are 0-6 SUP vs. top 10 teams.

KEY STAT:

NO team has gone on the road and won a wild card game if they were 8-8 or less the previous year.

Can CINCY finally get a win against a top 10 team?

PIT vs. DEN

Somethings to ponder:

This is the first time two teams have met in the playoffs with TO ratios of -10 or worse.

Steelers are 24-1 when leading at the start of the fourth quarter. This year TEBOW has only taken a lead into the fourth quarter once.

Home Dogs don't happen very often. Since 2002 there have been only 5 games where a team was a HD of more than 5 points and they are 5-0 ATS, but here is the fly in the ointment all five games were in season rematches which gave a slight advantage to the DOG.

Here's a stat you don't hear about very often Yards Per Point which is an indicator of team efficiency, special teams, red zone etc.

PITTS YPP 2010 15.0; 2011 27.0 YPP

No team since 2002 has made the playoffs with a YPP of more than 22.0

YPP DEN 26.0

RED ZONE EFFICIENCY

DEN offense: 27th
PITT defense: 2nd and have allowed fewest RZ trips in league

STEELERS are not blowing anybody out on road

Can DENVER manufacture enough points in redzone to cover?

Can a PITTSPURGH team who can't TAKE the ball away and doesn't have an efficient offense cover a large number?

I think you better look-up your facts next time...................................

97 Denver wild card SB winner

99 tenn wild card SB loser

2000 Ravens wild card SB winner

2003 Panthers wild card SB loser

2005 Steelers wild card SB winner

2006 Colts wild card SB winner

2007 Giants wild card SB winner

2008 Cards wild card SB loser

2010 Packers wild card SB winner

Count'em up, its 9-0 ATS and 6-3 SU SINCE 1997..................................................

Correction: Should read "was a HD of more than 1 point"

Home Dogs don't happen very often. Since 2002 there have been only 5 games where a team was a HD of more than 5 points and they are 5-0 ATS, but here is the fly in the ointment all five games were in season rematches which gave a slight advantage to the DOG.

NO.1 seeds weak in total yards differential cover the spread something like 30% in their opening playoff games and have never won or been to a SB.

Packers are -5 in total yards differential, one of the weaker no.1 seeds in history.

It's going to get very interesting next week........................................

DETROIT at NEW ORLEANS

In Sean Payton's 5 playoff appearances, non Super Bowl, he is 5-0 to the over with an average cover margin of 10 points

Since 2002 three playoff games have had a number of more than 51 and all three have covered, but two of them landed on 59.

Both teams are near the top of the league in Offensive Red Zone Efficiency and pass plays over 20 yards.

Saints defense is markedly better at home in RZ efficiency.

Detroit has played 3 games in a dome with total more than 51.0 all three games went under with  an average of 8 points below the number.

With Greg Williams as DEF co-ordinator the SAINTS are 7-3 to the under.

Maybe you can play a half time line:

N.O. is one of the best first half teams in the league (2nd best).
DET is one of the best second half teams in the league (2nd best).

Numbers definitely point to a 1st half wager on the SAINTS.

Correction:

With Greg Williams as DEF co-ordinator the SAINTS are 7-3 to the under.

Should read:

With Greg Williams as DEF co-ordinator the SAINTS are 7-3 to the under in in-season rematches.

If indeed you are correct, sorry about that. I got this stuff from a very reputable source. I was listening to a podcast and writing a lot of stuff down. Maybe, I got it wrong. Before I throw up these stats, I should warn everyone to do their own due diligence. I don't have a database of information to check these stats. Anyways, thanks for catching the error and good luck in the future.