Raiders hope to Cook up an upset
Wild- card games can be so unpredictable because, at times, the visitors come in with a better record than the host.
The Raiders (12- 4), one of the AFC’s powers until, well, the past three weeks, travel to Houston ( 9-7) for Saturday’s late- afternoon contest. Then the Giants ( 11- 5) head to Green Bay ( 10- 6) in the capper to the four- game round on Sunday.
Pittsburgh and Seattle both have an edge on their opponents in record and the betting lines show that. The Steelers ( 11- 5), despite having lost to Miami ( 10- 6) this season, are 10- point favourites.The Seahawks ( 10- 5-1) are eight- point favourites over Detroit (9-7).
DETROIT ( + 8) AT SEATTLE
Neither side has been inspiring down the stretch, with Detroit throwing away the NFC North crown with three straight closing losses, and Seattle kicking away a bye by splitting its final six. These are two of the worst running teams in football, but Seattle has Thomas Rawls back, which could make for a distinct edge. One of the more intriguing angles here is Detroit’s clutch wideout, Golden Tate, who used to fill that same role in Seattle. Doug Baldwin has done much more than replacing Tate, though. Seahawks win, Lions cover. Best Bet: Seahawks, 20-17
OAKLAND ( + 3 ½ ) AT HOUSTON
When the Raiders selected quarterback Connor Cook in the fourth round last April, the Cowboys were eyeing him. Dallas then went with Dak Prescott. We all know Prescott’s 2016 story. Third- stringer Cook will become the first QB to make his initial NFL start in a playoff game. The Texans are headed back to the so- far- underwhelming Brock Osweiler after Tom Savage was concussed last week. Upset Special: Raiders, 17-16
MIAMI ( + 10) AT PITTSBURGH
The Dolphins turned around their season with a Week 6 victory over the Steelers. But Miami is yet another team using a backup QB, Matt Moore, although starter Ryan Tannehill has progressed nicely in his recovery from a knee injury. If Jay Ajayi can run wild again, Miami has a solid chance. However, the Steelers are a tested bunch and got to rest several key players in the season finale — including Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell. The line is kind of hefty, though. Steelers, 23-17
NEW YORK GIANTS ( + 4) AT GREEN BAY
The showcase of the wild- card weekend. We could see either of these teams, despite their shortcomings, progressing to the conference title game and possibly the Super Bowl. Aaron Rodgers probably has been the league’s top quarterback since Thanksgiving. He’s re- established that dynamic connection with Jordy Nelson, and Ty Montgomery’s emergence as a receiver- turned-running back has been a revelation. Green Bay’s defence also has come on, though the secondary is banged up. New York is showing elements of the torrid pass rush and opportunistic defence that lifted it to NFL championships for the 2007 and 2011 seasons. Packers, 26- 21
Season Totals: Against spread ( 124-121- 8). Straight up: ( 15698- 2) Best Bet: 11- 6 against spread, 12- 5 straight up Upset special: 6-10-1 against spread, 6-11 straight up