Count on the Raiders, Cards to cover on road
Top wagering picks for the NFL wildcard round based on these early lines from Tipico Sportsbook.
Raiders at Bengals
These teams own two of the league’s longest current droughts without a postseason win. The Raiders won in dramatic fashion in overtime in Week 18 to earn only their second playoff berth since 2002; and they now have a quick turnaround with a Saturday road game. QB Derek Carr and Co., though, still have the experience advantage over sophomore QB Joe
Burrow and the Bengals and are 7-4 against the spread as an underdog this season. Cincy, meanwhile is 4-4 ATS as a favorite and is 5-4 straight up and 4-5 ATS at home. Take the RAIDERS
(+6.5) and the points.
Eagles at Buccaneers
In their Week 6 meeting in Philly, the Bucs dominated early and led 28-7 late in the third quarter before the Eagles scored two late touchdowns to make the final score a more respectable 28-22. The defending champs, though, are at home for this one, and they’re 10-1 SU and 9-2 ATS at Raymond James Stadium since Week 14 of last season, including the 31-9 Super Bowl thrashing of the Kansas City Chiefs. Tom
Brady and Co. also own the decided playoff-experience edge over secondyear QB Jalen Hurts and the Eagles and can counter Philly’s league-best rushing offense (159.7 yards per game) with the third-best run defense (92.5 yards per contest). Bet on the BUCCANEERS
(-8.5) and lay the points.
Cardinals at Rams
These NFC West powers each won rather convincingly on the other’s home field during the regular season, but the Cards’ struggles down the stretch (four losses in their final five games) proved to be the difference as the Rams captured the division title. This will be the postseason debut for Arizona coach
Kliff Kingsbury and QB Kyler Murray, but playing at SoFi Stadium shouldn’t be too concerning as Arizona was a leagueleading 8-1 SU and ATS on road this season. Meanwhile, the Rams were only 3-5 SU and 2-6 ATS on the season against teams with winning records. That at least points to a close game here and a cover for the visiting CARDINALS (+4.5). 2021-22 ATS record: 35-19 (3-0 in Week 18)