The NFL playoffs are here, and the 14 remaining teams all have their minds focused on one thing: Super Bowl LVI. The AFC gets started on Saturday, while the NFC will have to wait until Sunday to hit the field.
There was no shortage of drama in the final week of the season to set up what should be a very entertaining postseason. Let’s dive in and look at the football odds and the best bets for NFC home teams this week.
Eagles at Buccaneers (-4.5 1st Half)
- Date: Sunday, Jan. 16, 2022
- Time: 1:00 PM EST
- Venue: Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL
Since these teams last met in Week 6, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have lost several skill players. Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Eagles have found their groove, winning four of their last five.
The last time these two met back in Week 6 was a close game, with Tampa prevailing 28-22.
The Eagles boast the league’s best rushing attack, averaging 157.9 yards per game. They’ll look to establish the run early and keep the ball away from Bucs QB Tom Brady, but the Bucs often start hot. They rank second in first-half points, averaging 15.4 points per game. If the Bucs start hot in this game, I don’t believe Philadelphia can keep up by running the ball against the Buccaneers’ third-ranked rushing defense (92.5 yards allowed per game).
The Eagles remain one of the slowest starting teams in the league, ranking 17th in first-half points. Because of this, I’m taking the Bucs -4.5 on the half.
49ers at Cowboys (-3)
- Date: Sunday, Jan. 16, 2022
- Time: 4:20 PM EST
- Venue: AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX
The San Francisco 49ers rank seventh in total yards (375.7) and 13th in points (25.1) and will try to keep up with the high-flying, top-ranked offense of the Dallas Cowboys.
The 49ers love to run the ball, ranking fifth in rushing attempts per game (29.4).
The Cowboys are susceptible to the run, allowing 112.8 rushing yards per game, so they could be in for a tough afternoon.
Two things favor the Cowboys, though. First, the Cowboys lead the league in yards per game (407.7) and points per game (31.2). Dallas has an offense that can score on anyone.
Second, and in my opinion, more importantly, the Cowboys have the best turnover margin in the NFL at +14, while San Francisco is -4. If the 49ers turn the ball over against the Cowboys and give them extra possessions, this game could get out of hand quickly. I like the Cowboys in this game.
Cardinals at Rams
- Date: Monday, Jan. 17, 2022
- Time: 8:15 PM EST
- Venue: SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA
The Arizona Cardinals come into the playoffs having lost four out of their last five, including a memorable loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
The Cards’ defense has been getting shredded, allowing 27.3 points per game in their last three, while their offense mustered just 23.7 in that same period. Running back James Conner came back from a heel injury in Week 18 and scored two TDs before leaving the game with injured ribs.
The Rams have an explosive offense (27.1 points per game) led by QB Matthew Stafford and WR Cooper Kupp. Mid-season pickup WR Odell Beckham Jr. has averaged 9.18 yards per catch over the last five games.
Though LA lost a close game last Sunday, they won five in a row before that. I think their offense is too much to handle for a Cardinals defense that’s given up an average of 28.4 points in their last five games.
What NFC Home Teams Will Move On?
With such parity in the league this year, it’s going to be fun to see which NFC home teams will advance beyond Wild Card Weekend.
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