Wildcard weekend has presented some great fixtures as always. Here are Genie’s recommendations for each of the 4 matches.
New York Jets @ Cincinnati Bengals
Firstly i think i should start by saying that I am taking very little from last weeks fixture where the Jets ran all over the Bengals. This week should be different. I am kind of glad that the Jets made it to the playoffs because it gives me one more chance to bet against the most overrated team in the NFL. Yes, they have a strong run game and a good rush defence but I would suggest that they will struggle. Cincinnati have a very much in-form running back in Cedric Benson, ably backed up by the old man; Larry Johnson. This should be enough to offset the damage that the Jets will do in the run game. Where the Bengals will win this game is through their vastly superior passing game. Mark Sanchez is very overrated, in my opinion, and under the playoff pressure Sanchez will struggle to complete even half of his passes.
I think that the Key player is this game could be former Jet, Lavernues Coles. The main man Ochocinco will be very tightly guarded throughout leaving space for Caldwell and Coles to do some damage. The Jets will struggle to register on the board and i expect a scoreline of somewhere around 27 – 10.
Recommendations
Cincinnati Bengals to win @ 4/5 with Boylesports.
Laverneus Coles to score the first touchdown @ 12/1 with Ladbrokes
Baltimore Ravens @ New England Patriots
I am plumping for Baltimore on this one, plain and simple. New England may have and edge on experience but that’s where it ends really because of the absence of one man; Wes Welker. Expect the Baltimore defense to focus on shutting down Randy Moss and New England don’t have the arsenal to put points on the board in the run game.
Derrick Mason is having a great season for the Ravens, having contemplated walking away from the game last Summer but the ace in the pack is Ray Rice; 2000 combined yards in the regular season and 78 catches is a phenomenal return from a running back. He will be ably assisted by Willis McGahee at running back.
The Ravens are the 1 team everyone would have wanted to avoid in round 1. They will take down the Pats.
Recommendation: Baltimore Ravens to win @ 9/5 with Betfred
Philidelphia Eagles @ Dallas Cowboys
Genie thinks that this one is a coin toss and really could go wither way. Before last weekend i’d have said Eagles all the way but you have to respect the demolition job done by the Dallas defence last week.
Recommendation: No Bet
Green Bay Packers @ Arizona Cardinals
Green Bay are probably the better of the 2 sides but home advantage for Arizona evens the score. In fits and starts, the Arizona defence has been awesome at time but just not consistently. With 3 excellent WR’s to deal with they will need to be putting pressure on Aaron Rodgers.
The news that Boldin won’t play is a massive blow and could be decisive.
Recommendation: No Bet