NFL Playoffs Wildcard Round Betting Preview
SportsMemo NFL handicapper JM Sports offers his NFL Playoffs Wildcard Round breakdown for January 15-17.
Las Vegas Raiders at Cincinnati Bengals (-5.5)
In the first match-up we see two teams that aren't often in the headlines after the regular season, at
least in the past couple years. Las Vegas comes in covering 3 straight games, and an impressive 5-1 as an
underdog of more than three points. They are allowing just 274 YPG in the last four weeks (including a 440 yard
outing allowed last week against the Chargers), yet they are 2-12 in the turnover battle in the last five weeks. Las
Vegas is #6 in passing YPG and that is the issue Cincinnati has faced, sitting at #26 in terms of passing
YPG allowed. Las Vegas has struggled in the red zone, coming in at #27 in red zone percentage, and #22 in
goal-to-go percentage.
That on the other hand, is where Cincinnati defense gets it done, they may be #18 in red zone percentage, but they are #2 on defense in goal-to-go situations. Las Vegas does possess the defense that my prove to be difficult for Joe Burrow and Jamarr Chase, posting the #6 defense in terms of passing yards per attempt allowed. Cincinnati is 3-0-1 against the spread in the last four games, they may have a 4-4-1 against the spread record at home, but they are 4-2 against the spread off a straight up loss, and 3-0 off a loss as a dog. Cincinnati has put up points, enough points to help reach a 4-2-2 over/under record in the last eight, they also are +4 in the turnover battle in the last four, even though they have been sacked 23 times in the last six games.