Back Kansas City to win their first post-season game since 1993 and three other winners in the first weekend of playoff American Football
5/9 – Kansas City Chiefs to beat the Houston Texans
NFL pundits always warn that the hot team heading into the playoffs can easily be the most dangerous and there is none on more of a roll than the Kansas City Chiefs.
Ten wins in a row, the Chiefs don’t just turn the ball over and are the side to avoid. They are strong in every position, have a fantastic coach and are poised to win their first playoff game in 23 years.
However, the Texans have the best defence over the last 10 games or so and have improved after a tough start.
But their weakness is at quarterback and with the Chiefs premiere pass rusher Justin Houston back, it only spells disaster for them.
Houston will not score enough points in Arrowhead and Kansas City will roll on after another solid victory.
20/23 – Green Bay Packers to beat the Washington Redskins
While they lost the division title last weekend, Green Bay are a team that responds to adversity.
Their offence is struggling but with Aaron Rodgers, you always know you have a chance and, if their solid defence can show up along with their run game, they will have enough.
They may not be NFC North champions for the first time since 2010, but they will be happy to face what they will perceive to be a weaker opponent in the playoffs.
Despite surprising everyone this year with their solid play, the fact is the Redskins won out in a pitiful division.
Their offence can score heavily but have struggled against stronger units. Defence has bailed them out previously, but that side of the ball has allowed so many big plays this season.
If it is allowed to become a grind then Packers might get worried, but expect them to come out strong, show their playoff experience and head into the next round.
13/10 – Cincinnati Bengals to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers
Last year, Bengals fans would have hoped anyone other than Andy Dalton would be quarterback come playoff time. Now, though, they dream that he will be there.
The one-time MVP candidate will not play with a broken thumb, but AJ McCarron has proven to be a solid replacement, especially with the numerous weapons they have.
However, their stubborn defence is the unit that will need to show. It should be able to, too, as Pittsburgh look just as limited as their hosts.
The Steelers fearful offence was hit with another blow as DeAngelo Williams could miss out with an ankle injury and, even if he does play, he will definitely not be 100 per cent.
That is a huge issue – their strong run game helps open up their pass game and, if the Bengals get in front, they will swarm on Ben Roethlisberger and double-team Antonio Brown.
If Cincy want to win it all – and they have a chance to – they desperately need Dalton back.
For wildcard weekend, though, they have enough to see off their AFC North Rivals.
37/20 – Minnesota Vikings to beat the Seattle Seahawks
Minnesota will fly into this week after knocking off their rivals for the division title and be desperate to prove themselves in the post-season.
Mike Zimmer is the ultimate motivator and this team knows how much a win would mean to them as they search to validate their terrific season.
They give away so few points and with such a young team on both sides of the ball, they would have learned from the last time they played Seattle and will be prepared to knock the house down.
The Seahawks, meanwhile, had an excellent renaissance this season after a rough start, mainly down to the play of Russell Wilson.
He is making smart decisions and his side appear to finally have some good weapons other than Marshawn Lynch, while their defence have got things together.
Though this one went differently in the regular season and the Seahawks have more playoff experience, the Vikings have shown in recent weeks that they are primed to take that next step by knocking off last year’s NFC Champions.
A £10 bet on the four-fold accumulator returns £190.63*.
*Odds and amounts correct at time of publication but subject to change. See site for latest.
