Free NFL betting tips, picks and predictions: Wildcard Weekend best bets for Sunday

NFL betting tips: Wildcard Weekend

1pt Derrick Henry (Titans) & J.K. Dobbins (Ravens) both to score a touchdown at 9/4

1pt Alvin Kamara (Saints) to score a brace at 3/1

1pt Chase Claypool (Steelers) to score a touchdown at 6/4

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Baltimore Ravens @ Tennessee Titans betting tips

• When: Sunday at 18:05 GMT
• TV: Sky Sports NFL/Free to watch on Sky Bet

The Titans’ win at Baltimore in last year’s Divisional Round has proven to be one of the pivotal moments of Lamar Jackson’s young career, shrouding the quarterback’s MVP year as the Ravens were sent home from the Playoffs early.

Naturally, the focus will be on him in the build-up to this rematch after his poor passing performance a year ago, but don’t let this fool you. This one is all about the run game.

This wildcard match-up pits the NFL’s top two ranked rushing attacks against each other, making for what should be a smash-mouth game for the ages.

The Titans will be led by the game’s premier running back in Derrick Henry, a man who last week became only the eighth player in league history to rush for over 2,000 yards in a single regular season.

Meanwhile, the Ravens will attack Tennessee with a variety of weapons. Gus Edwards will get himself involved, while the in-form duo of J.K. Dobbins and Jackson himself will spearhead’s Jon Harbaugh’s latest assault on the postseason.

We can expect a truck-load of rushing yardage in this game, and the winner will ultimately be decided by the effectiveness of each side.

This is why I give the Ravens the advantage, albeit in a close one. Baltimore can run the ball well, but more importantly they can also stop the run to a greater extent than the Titans. In every metric, the Ravens run defence outranks Tennessee, and that’s what should give them the edge.

Prediction: Baltimore Ravens at 4/7

Best Bet: Derrick Henry (Titans) & J.K. Dobbins (Ravens) both to score a touchdown at 9/4

Chicago Bears @ New Orleans Saints betting tips

• When: Sunday at 21:40 GMT
• TV: Sky Sports NFL/Free to watch on Sky Bet

Let’s try not to overthink this.

The rhetoric around this game is all about the Bears defence. Every pundit in the NFL has banged on all week about Chicago’s strength on the defensive side of the ball, and how it gives the Bears their only chance in this game.

While that’s not strictly wrong, I can’t help but feel that everyone is living in the past on this one. When people think Chicago, they think defence. It’s engrained in the mind of every football fan, and it’s tough to shake. But, it’s not 1985 anymore. Even if the defence turns up and plays to their optimum on Sunday, it’s unlikely to be enough.

By no means am I saying the Chicago defence is bad, but it’s time for everyone to realise that the Bears don’t even have the best defensive unit in this match-up.

In every important statistical category, the Saints out-rank Matt Nagy’s side handsomely, which leads me to believe that Sean Payton’s outfit get through this wildcard round pretty comfortably.

The Saints are stronger on defence, and it’s not even close on the offensive side of things.

The Bears have undoubtedly improved lately, with David Montgomery picking things up on the ground and Mitch Trubisky playing much more fluently than Nick Foles was earlier in the season. However, that tandem pales in comparison to Alvin Kamara and Drew Brees.

Kamara has had a Covid-related lay-off in the last fortnight, but if he’s not feeling the effects of the virus on Sunday, expect him to thrive in the home-field conditions. We last saw him on Christmas Day, when he scored six (yes, six) touchdowns as he ran all over the Vikings.

New Orleans have had horrid luck in the postseason in recent years, but they should have few worries turning that around against the Bears in the Superdome.

Prediction: New Orleans Saints at 1/5

Best Bet: Alvin Kamara (Saints) to score a brace at 3/1

Cleveland Browns @ Pittsburgh Steelers betting tips

• When: Monday at 1:15 GMT
• TV: Sky Sports NFL/Free to watch on Sky Bet

The final game of wildcard weekend, and the NFL have made sure we have an intriguing finale.

A glance at recent form would suggest a Browns win, as Cleveland claimed victory over Pittsburgh just a matter of days ago. However on further inspection, it’s clear that form means little as the Steelers rested the majority of their starting unit, including quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

Mike Tomlin’s Steelers go into Sunday against their AFC North rivals refreshed and focused, whereas the same cannot be said for the Browns.

Cleveland have had the worst possible lead-in to this game, with their hugely-important guard Joel Bitonio and the majority of their offensive coaching staff struck down with Covid-19.

It’s quite unprecedented, but the Browns will be without their head coach on Sunday, with their special teams co-ordinator taking on head coaching duties in the interim.

I still anticipate a close game, as the Browns can’t go far wrong with their rushing duo of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt, but ultimately it’s difficult to not side with the Steelers when you take into account the many distractions and problems the Browns are facing, along with the vast difference in playoff experience.

Cleveland also have a nemesis to contend with in the form of rookie Chase Claypool. The excellent receiver had the measure of the Browns in two divisional games this year and I expect that to continue. Claypool scores, the Steelers progress.

Prediction: Pittsburgh Steelers at 4/11

Best Bet: Chase Claypool (Steelers) to score a touchdown at 6/4

Odds correct at 1700 GMT (09/01/21)

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