Seattle at Washington
When: 4:30 PM ET, Sunday, January 6, 2013
Where: FedEx Field, Landover, Maryland
Oddsmakers currently have the Seahawks listed as 1-point favorites versus the Redskins, while the game’s total is sitting at 45½.
TV: 4:30 p.m.ET, FOX. LINE: Seahawks -3, O/U 46
Prediction: Redskins 23, Seahawks 20

Seattle closed the season with a 20-13 victory over St. Louis, but it was a dominating three-game stretch prior to that victory that opened eyes coast-to-coast. The Seahawks annihilated San Francisco, Buffalo and Arizona by a combined 150-30, becoming the first team in 62 years to amass that many points in a three-game stretch. Wilson threw 16 touchdown passes and only two interceptions over the final eight games and running back Marshawn Lynch churned out ten 100-yard games – including four straight to close the season – to finish third in the league with 1,590 yards. Seattle was equally impressive on the other side of the ball, surrendering a league-low 15.3 points per game. The Seahawks will get a boost in the secondary when starting CB Brandon Browner returns from a four-game suspension for violating the league’s drug policy.

Seattle was a 20-13 winner in its last match at home against the Rams. They failed to cover the 11-point spread as favorites, while the total score of 33 sent UNDER bettors to the payout window.

Team records:
Seattle: 11-5 SU, 11-5 ATS
Washington: 10-6 SU, 11-5 ATS

Seattle most recently:
When playing in January are 5-5
When playing on grass are 3-7
After outgaining opponent are 9-1
When playing outside the division are 8-2

Griffin set a rookie record with 815 rushing yards but is still dealing with a sprained knee ligament that caused him to sit out a game and limited his mobility in season-ending wins over Philadelphia and Dallas. He threw for only 100 yards against the Cowboys, although he still managed to run for 63 yards and a score. Like Wilson, Griffin has a hard-charging running back to lean on in fellow rookie Alfred Morris, a sixth-round pick out of Florida Atlantic. Morris finished second in the league with 1,613 yards and capped off the regular season by running over the Cowboys for 200 yards and three touchdowns. Washington’s defense is vulnerable against the pass (281.9 yards), ranking 30th in the league, but was fifth against the run (95.8). It has steadily improved in the second half, allowing an average of eight fewer points over the final eight games.

In their last action, Washington was a 28-18 winner at home against the Cowboys. They covered the 3.5-point spread as favorites, while the combined score (46) was profitable news for UNDER bettors.

Washington most recently:
When playing in January are 4-6
When playing on grass are 7-3
After outgaining opponent are 5-5
When playing outside the division are 5-5

A few trends to consider:
Seattle is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Seattle’s last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Seattle’s last 5 games when playing on the road against Washington
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Seattle’s last 5 games on the road
Washington is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Washington is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Washington’s last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Washington’s last 5 games when playing at home against Seattle

The post Seattle Seahawks vs. Washington Redskins Free NFL Pick & Matchup appeared first on IdealCapper.

Indianapolis at Baltimore
When: 1:00 PM ET, Sunday, January 6, 2013
Where: M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland
Oddsmakers currently have the Ravens listed as 6½-point favorites versus the Colts, while the game’s total is sitting at 46.
TV: 1 p.m. ET, CBS. LINE: Ravens -6.5, O/U 47
Prediction: Ravens 19, Colts 16

With nine more wins than the 2011 campaign, Indianapolis posted the NFL’s third-best turnaround in history. Luck has played a significant role in the Colts’ resurgence, having led them on seven game-winning drives in the fourth quarter over overtime. His 4,374 yards are the most by a rookie quarterback. Bruce Arians has guided the team in the absence of Pagano, who was a defensive assistant coach for four years with Baltimore and defensive coordinator in 2011.

Indianapolis won its last outing, a 28-16 result against the Texans on December 30. The Colts covered in that game as a 6.5-point underdog, while the 44 combined points took the game UNDER the total.

Team records:
Indianapolis: 11-5 SU, 11-5 ATS
Baltimore: 10-6 SU, 6-9-1 ATS

Indianapolis most recently:
When playing in January are 5-5
When playing on turf are 7-3
After being outgained are 6-4
When playing outside the division are 7-3

Lewis has been sidelined 10 games with a torn right triceps, but the two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year expects to play on Sunday. How much he’ll play is in limbo, but wide receiver Anquan Boldin will be on the field after his one-week hiatus with a bruised shoulder. Boldin has fared well versus Indianapolis, collecting 19 receptions for 221 yards and a touchdown in three career games. Ray Rice rushed for 103 yards and a score and added six receptions in a 24-10 win over the Colts on Dec. 11, 2011.

Baltimore was a 23-17 loser in its last match on the road against the Bengals. They failed to cover the 5-point spread as underdogs, while the total score of 40 sent UNDER bettors to the payout window.

Baltimore most recently:
When playing in January are 6-4
When playing on turf are 6-4
After outgaining opponent are 6-4
When playing outside the division are 6-4

A few trends to consider:
Indianapolis is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games when playing Baltimore
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Indianapolis’s last 9 games when playing Baltimore
Indianapolis is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
Indianapolis is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Baltimore
Baltimore is 17-2 SU in its last 19 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Baltimore’s last 9 games when playing Indianapolis
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Baltimore’s last 5 games when playing at home against Indianapolis
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Baltimore’s last 5 games at home

The post Indianapolis Colts vs. Baltimore Ravens Free NFL Pick & Matchup appeared first on IdealCapper.

Minnesota at Green Bay
When: 8:00 PM ET, Saturday, January 5, 2013
Where: Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin
TV: 8 p.m. ET, NBC.
Line: Packers -9.5. O/U: 46
Oddsmakers currently have the Packers listed as 9½-point favorites versus the Vikings, while the game’s total is sitting at 46.
Prediction: Packers 28, Vikings 24

Minnesota needed to win its final four games of the regular season just to reach the playoffs and knocked off playoff contenders Chicago, Houston and Green Bay in those final weeks. Peterson carried it 34 times for 199 yards in Week 17 and averaged 159.8 yards over the final 10 games of the regular season despite being less than a year removed from major knee surgery. While Peterson’s performance has been consistent, quarterback Christian Ponder’s effort in the finale was more of a surprise. The second-year starter passed for 234 yards and a season-high three touchdowns without an interception for a career-best 120.2 rating. The Vikings have some big questions on defense, as cornerback Antoine Winfield left Sunday’s game with a hand injury and is questionable. Rodgers threw for three scores with Winfield off the field.

Minnesota won its last outing, a 37-34 result against the Packers on December 30. The Vikings covered in that game as a 3-point underdog, while the 71 combined points took the game OVER the total.

Team records:
Minnesota: 10-6 SU, 8-7-1 ATS
Green Bay: 11-5 SU, 9-7 ATS

Minnesota most recently:
When playing in January are 4-6
When playing on grass are 3-7
After outgaining opponent are 4-6
When playing within the division are 4-6

Green Bay did not have the same motivation as Minnesota last week, with the Packers’ postseason spot already assured. They could have earned a first-round bye with a victory, but the “win or go home” mentality that will be there this week was not on display in Minneapolis. Rodgers is working with a battered receiving corps with Randall Cobb (ankle) questionable and Jordy Nelson (hamstring) limited. Greg Jennings caught a pair of touchdown passes last week in his best game of the season and could get a lot more attention from the Minnesota secondary on Saturday. Stopping Peterson will be the No. 1 goal for the defense. The MVP candidate shredded Green Bay for 409 yards in two meetings this season.

Green Bay lost its last outing, a 37-34 result against the Vikings on December 30. The Packers failed to cover in that game as a 3-point favorite, while the 71 combined points took the game OVER the total.

Green Bay most recently:
When playing in January are 7-3
When playing on grass are 9-1
After being outgained are 7-3
When playing within the division are 9-1

A few trends to consider:
Minnesota is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Minnesota’s last 10 games when playing Green Bay
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Minnesota’s last 5 games when playing on the road against Green Bay
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Minnesota’s last 6 games
Green Bay is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Green Bay is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Minnesota
Green Bay is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Minnesota
Green Bay is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games

The post Minnesota Vikings vs. Green Bay Packers Free NFL Pick & Matchup appeared first on IdealCapper.

Cincinnati at Houston
When: 4:30 PM ET, Saturday, January 5, 2013
Where: Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas
Oddsmakers currently have the Texans listed as 4½-point favorites versus the Bengals, while the game’s total is sitting at 43.
Prediction: Texans 19, Bengals 17

Cincinnati’s defense has been sensational in the second half of the season, not allowing more than 20 points and limiting six of its last eight opponents to 13 points or fewer. The only defeat in the final eight games came on a last-second field goal to Dallas. The Bengals ranked second in the league with 51 sacks and showed their defensive mettle by winning at Pittsburgh 13-10 in Week 16 to clinch a playoff slot. Cincinnati rested many of its starters in the regular-season finale, but has questions about its running game after 1,000-yard rusher BenJarvus Green-Ellis was held to 15 yards by the Steelers. He is also dealing with a sore hamstring. Second-year quarterback Andy Dalton has tossed only two TD passes in the past three games but, like Schaub, has an elite wideout in A.J. Green, who registered 97 receptions and 11 touchdowns.

The Bengals were a 23-17 winner in their most recent outing at home against the Ravens. They covered the 5-point spread as favorites, while the total score (40) made winners of UNDER bettors.

Team records:
Cincinnati: 10-6 SU, 9-6-1 ATS
Houston: 12-4 SU, 9-7 ATS

Cincinnati most recently:
When playing in January are 2-8
When playing on grass are 7-3
After being outgained are 6-4
When playing outside the division are 7-3

Houston managed a single offensive touchdown the past two games in squandering a pair of chances to sew up a first-round bye. But while many point to the 42-14 beating at New England on Dec. 10 as the start of the Texans’ skid, they have been inconsistent for the past seven weeks, beginning with consecutive overtime wins over Jacksonville and Detroit. Quarterback Matt Schaub has thrown only one TD pass against three interceptions in the past four games. WR Andre Johnson has been the only reliable target in that span, hauling in 38 catches to finish the season with 112 receptions and 1,598 yards. Running back Arian Foster rushed for 1,424 yards and scored a league-high 17 touchdowns. Defensive end J.J. Watt had 20 1/2 sacks to anchor a defense that was the league’s best for much of the season but allowed at least 28 points in four of the last seven games.

In their last action, Houston was a 28-16 loser on the road against the Colts. They failed to cover the 6.5-point spread as favorites, while the combined score (44) was profitable news for UNDER bettors.

Houston most recently:
When playing in January are 3-4
When playing on grass are 8-2
After outgaining opponent are 7-3
When playing outside the division are 7-3

A few trends to consider:
Cincinnati is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Cincinnati’s last 8 games
Cincinnati is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Cincinnati’s last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Houston’s last 5 games
Houston is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
Houston is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Cincinnati
Houston is 12-4 SU in its last 16 games

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