NFL WildCard & International Bowl Previews

by: IndianCowboy

NFC Wildcard Preview: Washington vs. Seattle

Washington is actually getting more love than Seattle from the public as the line is currently a field goal and a hook.  Washington is ranked 15th in the league in total offense and 7th in the league on defense.  Their rush defense is solid as this team ranks 4th but their pass defense is a bit vulnerable as it ranks 16th in the league. The Seahawks are ranked 9th in the league in overall offense, 8th in passing but a very poort 20th in rushing - the difference, Mike Holmgrem this year has decided to let his passing game take over and just let Matty H. air the ball out.  In fact, he has openly stated that until the running game gets going, he has no problem in throwing far more passes than running the ball as he would much rather his best offensive player this year make the plays which in this case would be Matty H. Despite being 20th in rushing, Seattle is 10th in the league in points scored. This Washington team has been through a lot, but despite injuries and the death of a fallen teammate, this team has found a way to win their last 4 ballgames.  What is most impressive about this run was the fact that they have put up at least 22 points in their last 4 ballgames. I have Seattle between the 15-20 power ranking and a top 10 power ranking team when they play at home. I have Washington as a top 10 power ranking team at home and an even better top 7 power ranking team on the road to their credit.  This team has done a great job limiting rushing attacks as they have given up [/b] a Total of 40 yards or less combined between the Vikings and Cowboys rushing attacks [/b]. This team has already beaten New York and Minnesotta on the road and considering both teams were top 15 team power ranking teams, this is impressive. Something that has to concern Seattle is that they have not played a top 5 team all year and just 1 top 10 team in the NFL all year and that is against the Eagles who they beat on the road as a top 10 power ranking team.  [b]Seattle's defense vows to have a better game on defense today after the terrible defensive game against Atlanta, but we will have to wait and see[/b].  Given that Seattle has success passing at home and I wouldn't be surprised to see Morris get plenty of carries over Alexander today, I beleive this game likely tips over the posted total.

AFC Wild Card Preview: Jacksonville vs. Pittsburgh

I strictly believe in power rankings and I have Jacksonville as the 7th best power ranking team in the NFL and Pittsburgh as simply the 15th.  On the road the Jaguars are still top 10 in the NFL while the Steelers are a top 10 power ranking team at home.  I don't like the fact the Jaguars are favorites here as that takes away from their underdog tag.  The Jaguars are far better dogs and home favorites than necessarily road favorites.  The NFL is all about who is playing the better football coming into the playoffs and the Steelers come in having lost 3 of their last 4. However, you can fault the Steelers for losing to the Jaguars at home and the Pats at home for 2 of those losses, but in their most recent loss to Baltimore, it was essentially an exhibition game. Nevertheless, the Steelers do not have Willie Parker for this ballgame. This team's 3-0 win over the Dolphins, despite the weather, was not impressive given that the Dolphins are outside the top 30 in power rankings. Jacksonville did lose on the road to Houston in their last game, but once again, that game was essentially an exhibition game for the Jaguars who looked forward to going to the playoffs healthy.  This team has already defeated the Steelers to their credit at home.  This team does have wins against Tampa Bay and Tennessee - both top 15 power ranking teams on the road. This team also has road wins over Kansas City and Denver who are outside the top 20 in the power rankings - don't forget Pitt is 15th.  The Steelers are very banged up not only in the running back spot, but they are down to their 3rd string tackle as well.  Last time these 2 teams met, 51 points were scored and I wouldn't be surpirsed if today was yet another over as Pittsburgh will have to start throwing the ball in my opinion as this Jaguars defense will have success stopping Davenport, who didn't have success against the Ravens defense as he rushed for less than 30 total yards.  I assume lots of passes will be going to wards Hines and Holmes today. Jacksonville is 15th against the pass and 11th against the run in the NFL and sports the 7th best offense in the league. Pitt is still ranked the top rated defense but they have been vulnerable giving up at least 24 points in their last 4 ballgames.

International Bowl - Ball State vs. Rutgers

I have Ball State as a top 80 power ranking team and Rutgers as a top 50 power ranking and that actually falls within the spread of 10 points today as I have Rutgers winning by 9 points so it falls just inside the spread. Keep in mind that this game is in Toronto so both schools truly do not have an edge over the other although Rutgers travels fairly well as they did last year against Kansas State.  Rutgers has to understand that they cannot take Ball State lightly was one of few teams to beat a top 55 Navy team on the road this year, they lost to Nebraska by just a point and this team lost to Illinois by just by just 11 on the road as well.  Rutgers would be in a much better bowl game if they managed to beat Louisville on the road, but they too fell short and literally collapsed in a ball game that they should have never lost.  Nevertheless, this team's 5 losses come against top 40 teams - all of them - are top 40 teams and this includes top 40 Maryland at home, top 20 Cincy at home, top 10 West Virginia, top 20 Uconn and top 50 Louisville.  However, this team has beat down teams that they were supposed to outside the top 50 such as Syracuse on the road by 20+ and beating Buffalo at home by 35 at home. Ball State has a top 30 offense in the nation and 87th overall in the nation on defense and 100th in the nation in rushing yards which will affect them to the detriment today. Rutgers is a top 20 offense in the nation which might surprise some folks and top 20 in the nation in passing yards and top 5 in the nation in rush defense so Ball State would have no choice but to throw the ball today.  No lean on this game personally today.

IndianCowboy Past Articles

IC's Research: Friday Football and Wnba Research
4-1-1 Last Weekend in Football and 2-0-1 on Saturday including Utah Outright and Florida as the POD Winner. NCAAF Navy vs. Ball StateNavy is well known ... read more

IC's Wednesday Research and Short Article!
Last Weekend:2-0-1 College Football Saturday and 4-1-1 Overall Weekend, 5* Selections,2-0 last Weekend & 14-3 Lifetime now. Minny vs. PhoenixThe odds ... read more

IC's Research: Monday
NFLPOD hitting at 60% the Last 5 Months, Doing 1 POD per day. Seattle vs. San DiegoCharlie Frye had an unceremonious under 50 passer rating in his last ... read more

IC's Friday Research
Friday, August 22ndFriday: 1-0 (POD: San Fran/Chicago Over: Winner by Halftime), Thursday: 2-0 (POD: Angels, Underdog: Winner), 3-0-1 Last 4 NFL Preseason ... read more

IC's Thursday Research
Thursday, August 21st Yesterday: 2-0, POD hitting at 60% the Last 5 Months, Doing 1 POD per day (80-55-4=60%). NFLSan Francisco vs. ChicagoKeep in mind ... read more

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WNBA Basketball

Minnesota Lynx @ Phoenix Mercury Wednesday September 3, 2008 10:05 pm
The odds for this game have opened up at -3 for Phoenix and the first thing that strikes you is the fact is that over 80% favor Phoenix for this game.  Keep in mind that Lynx got absolutely drilled on the road last night at the Sparks.  Remember, when a team gets beat by ... read more

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WNBA Basketball

Seattle Storm @ Atlanta Dream Tuesday September 2, 2008 7:05 pm
Frankly, I have no idea why this total is moving down, I thought the Seattle/Conn Total should not be moving down this past weekend but it was and I stayed away from it and it consequently went over.  Given that, it just goes to show that you should roll with the research that ... read more

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WNBA Basketball

Minnesota Lynx @ LA Sparks Monday September 1, 2008 10:35 pm
Additional write-up: I just see this as a bit of a repeat from the Storm vs. Sun game and this is a game that the Lynx could very well win Outright on the road today.  I'll take the 6.5 for a possible Outright Win or the Cover as I have this at a 58% chance of cashing today. ... read more

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College Football

Tennessee Volunteers @ UCLA Bruins Monday September 1, 2008 8:00 pm
I am a fan of the SEC and biased to the SEC. Having said this, UCLA's 2 starting quarterbacks in Olson and Cowan are out. The public favors Tennessee to the tune of 60%+ here and I have never trusted UCLA football. They do have a new coach who will look to make an impression in his ... read more

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College Football

Colorado Buffaloes @ Colorado State Rams Sunday August 31, 2008 7:30 pm
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WNBA Basketball

Detroit Shock @ Chicago Sky Sunday August 31, 2008 6:05 pm
I just mentioned that the biggest public play on the board was Connecticut, I take it back, the biggest public play on the board is indeed Detroit - on the road as a 72% favorite over Chicago. This nearly outlines the fact that Chicago is likely to win this game outright - Remember, ... read more

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College Football

Tulsa Golden Hurricane @ UAB Blazers Saturday August 30, 2008 4:00 pm
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College Football

Utah Utes @ Michigan Wolverines Saturday August 30, 2008 3:30 pm
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College Football

Hawaii Warriors @ Florida Gators Saturday August 30, 2008 12:30 pm
Florida might just kill this team, and I mean just kill them. Remember, Hawaii has a new coach, their starting quarterback is not playing as he is with injury back in Hawaii, Hawaii returns just 11 players back which has 5 on offense and 5 on already a questionable defense and 1 ... read more

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NFL Football

San Diego Chargers @ San Francisco 49ers Friday August 29, 2008 10:00 pm
San Diego beat Seattle at home 18-17, but note that they did not cover the 5.5 spread placed on them at home, they lost to St. Louis on the road 6-7, San Francisco is looking forward to this game more than San Diego this I can promise you, they come off a 7 point win at Chicago and ... read more

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