It’s finally playoff time in the NFL. Wild Card weekend will soon be upon us and Coach Rick is searching for the best moneyline underdogs. He was able to find them last week with a perfect 3-0 mark.
Wild Card weekend presents some problems as there are some heavy favorites against some teams that backed themselves into the postseason. Washington became just the third team to qualify for the playoffs with a sub-.500 record and Chicago lost in Week 17 but ended up the No. 7 seed in the NFC.
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Keep in my mind that in each of the past two wild card rounds in the NFL, three lower-seeded teams won games. Last year, Minnesota, Seattle, and Tennessee all won their wild card games as the lower seed. The Vikings and Titans were both underdogs.
Here’s a look at your best moneyline underdogs for wild card weekend.
Baltimore Ravens vs. Tennessee Titans Picks
It’s not often that you are a home underdog in the playoffs, but that is exactly where Tennessee is after winning the AFC South last week. Baltimore might be the hottest team in the NFL right now. The Ravens rushed for 404 yards last week in a blowout of Cincinnati, Baltimore’s fifth win in its last six games.
Both Baltimore and Tennessee can run the football. The Titans feature NFL rushing leader Derrick Henry who became the eighth player in league history to eclipse the 2,000-yard rushing mark in a season. The Titans, with Ryan Tannehill at quarterback, have the better offense. Baltimore has the better defense.
Tennessee did it last year as an underdog beating the Ravens in the Divisional Round of the 2019 playoffs. It will take a huge effort as the Titans will likely have to score on almost every possession, but playing at home may give them a slight advantage. Tennessee’s defense has only 14 sacks this season. If they can put any pressure on Baltimore QB Lamar Jackson, they can pull the upset.
Best Moneyline Pick: TENNESSEE +170
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Cleveland Browns vs. Pittsburgh Steelers Picks
It will be another Herculean effort in Pittsburgh if Cleveland is going to win a playoff game for the first time in over two decades. The Browns beat the Steelers last week, but a handful of Pittsburgh starters were held out, including QB Ben Roethlisberger.
Still, the Browns managed to run the ball effectively. RB Nick Chubb ran for 108 yards and a touchdown. QB Baker Mayfield was sacked four times and held to fewer than 200 yards passing. Pittsburgh leads the NFL in QB pressure rate and Mayfield is one of the worst against pressure. He will have to play a near perfect game in order for the Browns to advance.
The one thing the Browns will have coming into Pittsburgh is momentum. Cleveland has not won a game in the Steel City since 2003. Their 2020 season has been a breakout year for the Browns and they will put it all on the table. Even with Roethlisberger and the other Steeler starters, Cleveland has the talent to pull of this upset.
Best Moneyline Pick: CLEVELAND +160
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Los Angeles Rams vs. Seattle Seahawks Picks
The big question for the Rams is whether or not QB Jared Goff will play. Even if he doesn’t, backup John Wolford might be able to pull off the unthinkable – beat Seattle at CenturyLink Field.
The Seahawks beat the Rams at home just a few weeks ago holding L.A. to just nine points. The Rams defense should be able to keep them in this one. If Goff is able to go, an upset is in the works.
Best Moneyline Pick: LOS ANGELES RAMS +180