NFL Playoffs
New Orleans Saints (H) vs Arizona Cardinals (Saints by 7, total 56.5, opened 6.5 and 56)
I am not a favorite player, but this round of the NFL playoffs I really like taking the home team that just had a bye. I think a bye at this point in the season is a big advantage both in terms of rest and preparation. Also the public has last weeks game in their mind which they tend to overreact to the road team’s win. I am taking the Saints -7, as I think the schedule hurts the Cardinals having to play the first game Saturday after playing the late game last Sunday. The Superdome will be rocking and that crowd noise will be a factor. As for the total I am going to take the Under 57, but very small as of course there is the potential for a shootout. I just think too many people are taking about how high scoring the game will be, I think they will be surprised at how well the defenses play.
Indianapolis Colts (H) vs Baltimore Ravens (Colts by 6, total 44, opened 6.5 and 46.5)
I again here am going to go with the favorite, Colts -6, and Under 44. I was really upset how head coach Jim Caldwell and the Colts front office handled their perfect season and think they will not reach the Super Bowl. I do like them today for a lot of the same reasons I like the Saints. Peyton Manning and company rested and prepared will be too much for even the Ravens defense to handle. Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco has a hip injury that seems to be effecting his play. I don’t think the Ravens will be able to run all over the Colts like they did the Patriots last week.
Saints -7 (3 out of 5)
Under Saints/Cardinals 56.5 (1 out of 5)
Colts -6 (3 out of 5)
Under Colts/Ravens 44 (2 out of 5)
