The Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings are set to continue the 2013 NFL playoffs, and as a part of our analysis of the Wild Card betting lines, we are taking a look at some of the best NFL props on the board for this crucial clash.

Largest Lead of the Game Over/Under 16.5 Points: Considering the fact that the largest margin of victory in this series this year was just nine points in a game, it’s really tough to see how one of these two sides ends up pulling ahead by three scores at any point in the clash. With the way that RB Adrian Peterson runs the football, and the fact that this is one of those Black and Blue Division games that should be close from the get go, we really don’t see all that much of a way that this game ever gets too far out of hand for either team. Largest Lead of the Game Under 16.5 Points (-130)

Adrian Peterson Over/Under 126.5 Rushing Yards: It’s the squarest prop play on the board, and it’s the play that is going to garner the most attention of all of the props, probably all postseason long until the Super Bowl. Peterson rushed for 199 yards and 211 yards in two games against the Packers this year, so the common thought is that he absolutely has to have at least 127 yards on the ground in this one, right? That’s exactly what the oddsmakers are trying to get you to think. This is the playoffs. This is the second straight week that the Packers have lined up against this monster. They know what it will take to take him down. Sure, Peterson might carry the ball 40 times and get there that way, but in all likelihood, he doesn’t touch it more than 25. Even the great Adrian Peterson didn’t reach 127 rushing yards in nine out of 16 games this year, and odds have it, he isn’t going to get there in this one either. Adrian Peterson Under 126.5 Rushing Yards (-115)

Aaron Rodgers Over/Under 292.5 Passing Yards: It’s going to be around 20 degrees at kickoff. It’s cold. It’s really cold. We know that Rodgers is used to playing in this weather, but he isn’t going to get to 300 passing yards more often than not in it. Don’t fall in love with last week’s game where Rodgers threw for 365 yards and four scores. He’s not doing that all that often. In fact, in outdoor games of late, Rodgers has thrown for 342, 291, 173, 286, 219, 218, 186, and 235 yards. Don’t see a lot of 293+ numbers on there, eh? The Vikes don’t have a fantastic secondary, but what they do have is a running game that controls the clock with regularity. If Minnesota does ride the back of Peterson to the tune of 150+ rushing yards for the team on the day and carries the ball 35-40 times as a team, it’s going to be really tough for Rodgers to have the ball for long enough to throw for this many yards. Aaron Rodgers Under 292.5 Passing Yards (-115)

Will Mason Crosby Miss a Field Goal?: Again, it’s cold, and the ball is going to be awfully heavy in this game. Crosby missed 12 times this season, and he missed those kicks in nine total games. There was a stretch of eight straight games between Week 7 and Week 15 where Crosby missed at least once. Granted, he hasn’t missed since that point, and he does historically have a heck of a leg, but in the end, kickers are weird. They get misses in their head and don’t get them out, and that could be what happens (and is happening) to Crosby. There has to be at least a 40% chance that he is going to miss a kick in this game, and we’re going to be right there to cash in on it when he does. Mason Crosby To Miss a Field Goal Attempt (+140)

Minnesota Vikings vs. Green Bay Packers NFL Props @ Diamond Sportsbook (as of 1/5/13):
(Get a HUGE 100% Bonus at BetDSI.eu When Using This Link)
Score in the First 6:30 Minutes of the Game -130
No Score in the First 6:30 Minutes of the Game +100

Vikings Score First +145
Packers Score First -175

First Score a Touchdown -180
First Score Not a Touchdown +150

Longest Touchdown of the Game Over 44.5 Yards -115
Longest Touchdown of the Game Under 44.5 Yards -115

Longest Field Goal of the Game Over 44.5 Yards -110
Longest Field Goal of the Game Under 44.5 Yards -120

Shortest Field Goal of the Game Over 25.5 Yards -125
Shortest Field Goal of the Game Under 25.5 Yards -105

Total Field Goals Made by Both Teams Over 3.5 +115
Total Field Goals Made by Both Teams Under 3.5 -145

Total Punts by Both Teams Over 8.5 -115
Total Punts by Both Teams Under 8.5 -115

Total Sacks by Both Teams Over 5.5 +105
Total Sacks by Both Teams Under 5.5 -135

Game Will Be Decided By Exactly 3 Points +400
Game Will Not Be Decided By Exactly 3 Points -600

Defensive Or Special Teams Touchdown Scored +160
No Defensive Or Special Teams Touchdown Scored -200

Largest Lead of the Game Over 16.5 +100
Largest Lead of the Game Under 16.5 -130

Christian Ponder Throws Touchdown First -140
Christian Ponder Throws Interception First +110

Christian Ponder Completions Over 17.5 -115
Christian Ponder Completions Under 17.5 -115

Christian Ponder Passing Yards Over 191.5 -115
Christian Ponder Passing Yards Under 191.5 -115

Christian Ponder Throws an Interception -300
Christian Ponder Doesn’t Throw an Interception +220

Christian Ponder Rushing Attempts Over 3.5 -135
Christian Ponder Rushing Attempts Under 3.5 +105

Adrian Peterson Rushing Yards Over 126.5 -115
Adrian Peterson Rushing Yards Under 126.5 -115

Adrian Peterson Rushing Yards on First Carry Over 3.5 -130
Adrian Peterson Rushing Yards on First Carry Under 3.5 +100

Adrian Peterson Rushing Yards on Longest Carry Over 29.5 -115
Adrian Peterson Rushing Yards on Longest Carry Under 29.5 -115

Adrian Peterson Scores a First Half Touchdown +130
Adrian Peterson Doesn’t Score a First Half Touchdown -160

Adrian Peterson Scores a Touchdown -220
Adrian Peterson Doesn’t Score a Touchdown +170

Michael Jenkins Receiving Yards Over 36.5 -115
Michael Jenkins Receiving Yards Under 36.5 -115

Kyle Rudolph Receiving Yards Over 37.5 -115
Kyle Rudolph Receiving Yards Under 37.5 -115

Kyle Rudolph Scores a Touchdown +160
Kyle Rudolph Doesn’t Score a Touchdown -200

Chad Greenway Tackles Over 8.5 -115
Chad Greenway Tackles Under 8.5 -115

Jared Allen Sacks Over 1.5 +120
Jared Allen Sacks Under 1.5 -150

Blair Walsh Points Over 8.5 -115
Blair Walsh Points Under 8.5 -115

Aaron Rodgers Completions Over 25.5 -130
Aaron Rodgers Completions Under 25.5 +100

Aaron Rodgers Longest Completion Over 38.5 Yards -115
Aaron Rodgers Longest Completion Under 38.5 Yards -115

Aaron Rodgers Passing Yards Over 292.5 -115
Aaron Rodgers Passing Yards Under 292.5 -115

Aaron Rodgers Touchdown Passes Over 2.5 -110
Aaron Rodgers Touchdown Passes Under 2.5 -120

Aaron Rodgers Throws an Interception -130
Aaron Rodgers Doesn’t Throw an Interception +100

Packers Score a Rushing Touchdown -150
Packers Don’t Score a Rushing Touchdown +120

Jordy Nelson Receiving Yards Over 56.5 -115
Jordy Nelson Receiving Yards Under 56.5 -115

Jordy Nelson Scores a Touchdown +140
Jordy Nelson Doesn’t Score a Touchdown -180

Greg Jennings Receptions Over 5.5 +105
Greg Jennings Receptions Under 5.5 -135

Greg Jennings Receiving Yards Over 64.5 -115
Greg Jennings Receiving Yards Under 64.5 -115

Greg Jennings Scores a Touchdown +100
Greg Jennings Doesn’t Score a Touchdown -130

Randall Cobb Receptions Over 4.5 -115
Randall Cobb Receptions Under 4.5 -115

Randall Cobb Receiving Yards Over 64.5 -115
Randall Cobb Receiving Yards Under 64.5 -115

Jermichael Finley Receptions Over 4.5 -130
Jermichael Finley Receptions Under 4.5 +100

Jermichael Finley Receiving Yards Over 54.5 -115
Jermichael Finley Receiving Yards Under 54.5 -115

Clay Matthews Records a Sack or Half Sack -240
Clay Matthews Doesn’t Record a Sack or Half Sack +180

Casey Hayward Intercepts a Pass +260
Casey Hayward Doesn’t Intercept a Pass -340

Mason Crosby Points Over 8.5 -115
Mason Crosby Points Under 8.5 -115

Mason Crosby Misses a Field Goal Attempt +140
Mason Crosby Doesn’t Miss a Field Goal Attempt -170

The Houston Texans and Cincinnati Bengals are set to continue the 2012 NFL season, and as a part of our analysis of the Wild Card betting lines, we are taking a look at some of the best NFL props on the board for this crucial clash.

Total Sacks Over/Under 5.5: There were six sacks when these two teams played last year in the playoffs, and both teams were expert sack masters this year. The Bengals and Texans combined for 95 sacks this year, which would average out to 5.9 sacks per game. DE JJ Watt by himself could be a monster that comes up with three or four sacks. On top of that, the interior linemen for the Bengals are outstanding, and DT Geno Atkins is one of the more underrated players in all of football. QB Matt Schaub has been sacked 10 times over the course of his last three games, and if the Houston offensive line doesn’t improve, this is going to be a slam dunk of an ‘over’ bet. Over 5.5 Sacks (-120)

Andy Dalton Passing Yards Over/Under 234.5: We continue to reference last year’s playoff game because it is our best point of reference for this one. Dalton, as a rookie, threw for 257 yards in his first ever playoff game, and though he did toss three interceptions, it’s not the picks, but the yards that we’re ultimately worried about. It seems like a bit of a joke to try to bet the ‘over’ in this game, knowing that Dalton only got there once in the last seven games that he played from start to finish (forget about Week 17). Prior to that though, the Bengals’ signal caller threw for at least 235 yards six times in his first eight games. The Texans did rank 16th in the league this year, allowing 225.6 passing yards per game, which seems like it should lead to a lower scoring passing total for Dalton, but this secondary has been downright atrocious over the course of the last several weeks. The truth of the matter is that this might be the best prop play of the bunch. Andy Dalton Over 230.5 Passing Yards (-115)

Arian Foster Over/Under 96.5 Rushing Yards: Foster continues to be the workhorse of the Houston offense this year, and with the way that QB Matt Schaub has played (1 TDs in his L/4 games), there is no reason to think that Foster won’t get force fed the ball the same way that he did last year after Schaub was knocked out of the lineup and replaced with QB Matt Leinart and then QB TJ Yates. Foster is generally an awfully smooth runner, though he averaged just 4.1 yards per carry this year. He logged at least 100 rushing yards seven times this year, and we think that this is No. 8 against a Cincinnati defense that is allowing 107.2 rushing yards per game on average. Arian Foster Over 96.5 Rushing Yards (-115)

Kevin Walter Over/Under 2.5 Receptions: We really like what Walter brings to this Houston team, but the truth of the matter is that he has fallen out of favor over the course of the last few weeks. The Eastern Michigan grad has just six total receptions in his last four games, and he has only exceeded 2.5 receptions three times since Week 7. That just doesn’t cut it for us in this one. Schaub does a lot more looking to his tight ends and his H-Back than he does to his second wide receiver, and both WR Lester Jean and WR Keshawn Martin have had bigger roles in the lineup as well over the course of the last several weeks. It just doesn’t seem like Walter is going to get enough looks to get to this reception total. Kevin Walter Under 2.5 Receptions (+100)

Cincinnati Bengals vs. Houston Texans NFL Props @ Diamond Sportsbook (as of 1/5/13):
(Get a HUGE 100% Bonus at BetDSI.eu When Using This Link)
Score in the First 6:30 Minutes of the Game -120
No Score in the First 6:30 Minutes of the Game -110

Bengals Score First +115
Texans Score First -145

First Score a Touchdown -160
First Score Not a Touchdown +130

Longest Touchdown of the Game Over 41.5 Yards -115
Longest Touchdown of the Game Under 41.5 Yards -115

Longest Field Goal of the Game Over 44.5 Yards -115
Longest Field Goal of the Game Under 44.5 Yards -115

Shortest Field Goal of the Game Over 25.5 Yards -115
Shortest Field Goal of the Game Under 25.5 Yards -115

Total Field Goals Made by Both Teams Over 3.5 +100
Total Field Goals Made by Both Teams Under 3.5 -130

Total Punts by Both Teams Over 9.5 -115
Total Punts by Both Teams Under 9.5 -115

Total Sacks by Both Teams Over 5.5 -120
Total Sacks by Both Teams Under 5.5 -110

Game Will Be Decided By Exactly 3 Points +280
Game Will Not Be Decided By Exactly 3 Points -360

Defensive Or Special Teams Touchdown Scored +150
No Defensive Or Special Teams Touchdown Scored -180

Largest Lead of the Game Over 13.5 -115
Largest Lead of the Game Under 13.5 -115

Andy Dalton Completions Over 21.5 -115
Andy Dalton Completions Under 21.5 -115

Andy Dalton Longest Completion Over 37.5 Yards -115
Andy Dalton Longest Completion Under 37.5 Yards -115

Andy Dalton Passing Yards Over 234.5 -115
Andy Dalton Passing Yards Under 234.5 -115

Andy Dalton Throws an Interception -320
Andy Dalton Doesn’t Throw an Interception +240

BenJarvus Green-Ellis Rushing Yards Over 64.5 -115
BenJarvus Green-Ellis Rushing Yards Under 64.5 -115

BenJarvus Green-Ellis Scores a Touchdown +180
BenJarvus Green-Ellis Doesn’t Score a Touchdown -240

AJ Green Receptions Over 6.5 +100
AJ Green Receptions Under 6.5 -130

AJ Green Longest Reception Over 25.5 Yards -130
AJ Green Longest Reception Under 25.5 Yards +100

AJ Green Scores a Touchdown -105
AJ Green Doesn’t Score a Touchdown -125

Jermaine Gresham Receiving Yards Over 42.5 -115
Jermaine Gresham Receiving Yards Under 42.5 -115

Jermaine Gresham Scores a Touchdown +220
Jermaine Gresham Doesn’t Score a Touchdown -300

Andrew Hawkins Receiving Yards Over 40.5 -115
Andrew Hawkins Receiving Yards Under 40.5 -115

Geno Atkins Records a Sack or Half Sack -200
Geno Atkins Doesn’t Record a Sack or Hal Sack +160

Vontaze Burfict Tackles Over 8.5 -115
Vontaze Burfict Tackles Under 8.5 -115

Rey Maualuga Tackles Over 7.5 -115
Rey Maualuga Tackles Under 7.5 -115

Josh Brown Points Over 8.5 -110
Josh Brown Points Under 8.5 -120

Matt Schaub Throws a Touchdown First -260
Matt Schaub Throws an Interception First +200

Matt Schaub Completions Over 21.5 +100
Matt Schaub Completions Under 21.5 -130

Matt Schaub Longest Completion Over 35.5 Yards -115
Matt Schaub Longest Completion Under 35.5 Yards -115

Matt Schaub Passing Yards Over 240.5 -115
Matt Schaub Passing Yards Under 240.5 -115

Matt Schaub Touchdown Passes Over 1.5 +130
Matt Schaub Touchdown Passes Under 1.5 -160

Arian Foster Rushing Yards Over 96.5 -115
Arian Foster Rushing Yards Under 96.5 -115

Arian Foster Yards on First Rushing Attempt Over 3.5 -115
Arian Foster Yards on First Rushing Attempt Under 3.5 -115

Arian Foster Longest Rush Over 20.5 Yards -115
Arian Foster Longest Rush Under 20.5 Yards -115

Arian Foster Receptions Over 2.5 -120
Arian Foster Receptions Under 2.5 -110

Arian Foster Scores a First Half Touchdown +115
Arian Foster Doesn’t Score a First Half Touchdown -145

Andre Johnson Receptions Over 7.5 +105
Andre Johnson Receptions Under 75 -135

Andre Johnson Receiving Yards Over 90.5 -115
Andre Johnson Receiving Yards Under 90.5 -115

Andre Johnson Scores a Touchdown +180
Andre Johnson Doesn’t Score a Touchdown -240

Kevin Walter Receptions Over 2.5 -130
Kevin Walter Receptions Under 2.5 +100

Kevin Walter Receiving Yards Over 33.5 -115
Kevin Walter Receiving Yards Under 33.5 -115

Owen Daniels Receptions Over 3.5 -145
Owen Daniels Receptions Under 3.5 +115

Owen Daniels Receiving Yards Over 42.5 -115
Owen Daniels Receiving Yards Under 42.5 -115

Owen Daniels Scores a Touchdown +170
Owen Daniels Doesn’t Score a Touchdown -220

JJ Watt Tackles Over 4.5 -135
JJ Watt Tackles Under 4.5 +105

JJ Watt Sacks Over 1.5 +130
JJ Watt Sacks Under 1.5 -160

Kareem Jackson Intercepts a Pass +300
Kareem Jackson Doesn’t Intercept a Pass -400

Shayne Graham Points Over 8.5 -115
Shayne Graham Points Under 8.5 -115

It was four years ago that the New York Giants were lifting the Lombardi Trophy at the expense of the New England Patriots. This year, they are back in the big one once again, and if they are going to beat the Super Bowl betting lines in Super Bowl 46, these are the Giants keys to winning the Super Bowl.

Super Bowl Matchup: New York Giants vs. New England Patriots
Super Bowl Location: Lucas Oil Field, Indianapolis, IN
Super Bowl Date/Time: Sunday, February 5th, 6:30 p.m.
Super Bowl Television Coverage: NBC

Click Here For The Rest Of The 2012 NFL Playoff Bracket And Other NFL Playoff Previews

Key #1: Eli Manning has to continue to get the job done in the clutch
Call it whatever you want to call it. Eli has guts. The younger Manning brother was sacked six times and nailed countless others by the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game, but even though he was in a position where he was absolutely brutalized, when his back was against the wall, he got the job done. In fact, that “back against the wall” mentality is what brought the G-Men their first Super Bowl in the Manning era, and it will be what has to happen again this year. It is clear that QB Tom Brady has the better passing game in our eyes with the flexibility at the tight end spot. However, in the end, when the going gets tough, it is Eli that is going to have a shot with the ball in his hands to make something special happen. It might be to lead a comeback. It might be to preserve a lead. It might be to make the big throw in a seemingly impossible position. Yet at some point, Manning is going to need to make a play, and regardless of how well or not well he has played in the game to that point, he is going to have to find some way, against all odds, to make the play that helps New York win this game.

Super Bowl 46 Odds at Wager Web Sportsbook
New York Giants +3.5
New England Patriots -3.5
Over/Under 55.5
Click Here to Bet Your Super Bowl Picks!

Key #2: The ground game cannot be stuck in neutral
The first time that these two teams played this year, 25 carries combined from RBs Brandon Jacobs and Danny Ware needed 95 yards on the ground. It wasn’t enough to consider the New York offense even remotely balanced, as the team threw it 39 times on the day, but it was just enough to win the time of possession battle and give Manning the ability to throw the ball around the field. RB Ahmad Bradshaw was out of the lineup in that first meeting of the year, as was WR Hakeem Nicks. The addition of these two is crucial to say the least, but if Bradshaw and Jacobs can’t get the ball going on the ground, these three fantastic wide receivers that Manning has at his disposal could effectively be taken out of the game. These two had a combined 23 carries for 87 yards in the Super Bowl four years ago, but there was a lot more pressure on them to carry the offense with the very young Manning under the gun.

Key #3: Blitz, blitz, and blitz some more
Actually, we probably don’t have the right terminology for this. The Giants don’t necessarily need to blitz, but they absolutely have to get in the backfield on defense and get the ball out of QB Tom Brady’s hands in a heartbeat. If Brady can hold onto the football in the backfield for long periods of time, TEs Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski will have plenty of time to get open and find seams in the defense. That just isn’t going to cut it to say the least. All of a sudden over the course of the last few weeks, men like DE Jason Pierre-Paul and DE Osi Umenyiora are finding ways to get around the corner and into the backfield in a hurry. Penetration is going to have to come straight at Brady as well, as it was when the pass rush was in his face that he made mistakes all season long against some of the best defenses in the game. Sure, generating that pass rush with just four or five guys will make life a lot easier on some suspect corners, but running bump and run and getting guys in the backfield in a hurry will do wonders as well. If the Giants can’t dial up some blitz packages and knock down Brady, they aren’t going to have success in this game.

Click Here to get the best football picks that you’ll find on the internet, including our Superbowl 46 picks and the NFL picks for the rest of the Super Bowl odds.

The Super Bowl 46 odds are now out, and the New England Patriots are the decided favorites over the New York Giants. Check out the keys to the Super Bowl for the Patriots and see what they have to do to make sure that they beat the Super Bowl betting lines.

Super Bowl Matchup: New York Giants vs. New England Patriots
Super Bowl Location: Lucas Oil Field, Indianapolis, IN
Super Bowl Date/Time: Sunday, February 5th, 6:30 p.m.
Super Bowl Television Coverage: NBC

Click Here For The Rest Of The 2012 NFL Playoff Bracket And Other NFL Playoff Previews

Key #1: Tom Brady has to figure out how to beat a brutal pass rush
Some of the best teams in the game this year have had a remarkable pass rush this year, and the teams that have been able to beat the Pats have gotten to Brady and put him under some remarkable pressure. That includes the pair of sacks that the G-Men got in the first go around of these two teams. The Baltimore Ravens were able to get in his face last week, and though he was only sacked one time, Brady did throw two picks and only found the end zone one time, and that was on the ground. This is the same type of defense that the Giants are going to throw New England’s way again with some ferocious pass rushers like DE Jason-Pierre Paul. Whether it is more draws, more quick plays, extra blockers, or whatever the case is, Head Coach Bill Belichick and Brady have to design ways to be successful and to keep the likes of Pierre-Paul and these other remarkable defensive linemen out of the backfield.

Super Bowl 46 Odds at Wager Web Sportsbook
New York Giants +3.5
New England Patriots -3.5
Over/Under 56
Click Here to Bet Your Super Bowl Picks!

Key #2: The threat of the big play has to be there
Brady threw for 5,235 yards this year, but the one knock that he has had about his passing game is that there really wasn’t all that much of a vertical passing game. WR Chad Ochocinco might have the ability to stretch the field, assuming that he is back in the lineup for the Super Bowl, while WR Deion Branch is probably the next best option. He caught a deep ball against the Denver Broncos in the Patriots’ first playoff game, but that was a severely different defense than what New England will see in this game. Brady has to be able to have the time to take some shots down the field, no matter who it is that is getting the passes thrown his way, and though we don’t think that he necessarily has to connect on those big time passes, he at least to have to have that threat to keep the New York corners from playing bump and run coverage. We have seen teams hit the deep ball against these defensive backs before, and the Giants have to be taken off the line of scrimmage with the threat of the long pass from one of the best quarterbacks in the game.

Key #3: New England has to become a hardnosed team
With apologies to the football players on the field, all of which have to be tough guys to a certain extent, this New England team is basically soft. The Patriots don’t run the ball right up the gut all that often and have to get cute running the ball with gimmicks and odd formations. They tend to get gashed when teams run hard at them, and their corners really don’t like playing bump and run coverage. Case in point for how soft this team looks: New England needed three shots to get into the end zone from 2nd and goal against the Ravens’ 1-yard line to get in the end zone, and in the end, it was just a jump from Brady got the ball in on fourth down. This is a tough New York team that has taken the emotion from its winning streak and its history of winning the Super Bowl in the past. New England has to match that intensity if it wants to avoid another terrible disappointment in the Super Bowl.

Click Here to get the best football picks that you’ll find on the internet, including our Super Bowl picks and the NFL picks on the Super Bowl odds.

The AFC Championship Game odds are out, and here at Bankroll Sports, we are set to take a look at what should be a fantastic duel in Foxboro between the Baltimore Ravens and the New England Patriots. Check out our New England vs. Baltimore keys to the game for the AFC Championship Game.

NFL Playoffs Matchup: Baltimore Ravens vs. New England Patriots
Ravens vs. Patriots Location: Gillette Stadium, Foxboro, MA
Ravens vs. Patriots Date/Time: Sunday, January 22nd, 3:00 p.m.
Ravens vs. Patriots Television Coverage: CBS

Click Here For The Rest Of The 2012 NFL Playoff Bracket And Other NFL Playoff Previews

Key #1: The Patriots have to prove that they are tough
It’s hard to challenge a team’s toughness, but we have to wonder just how good these Patriots are. They played against two teams that finished above .500 this year, and they were beaten by both the New York Giants and the Pittsburgh Steelers. They’ve got their hands full now with a Baltimore team that is as tough as nails. What we have seen from the Patriots is the ability to throw the ball, and there is no doubt that they can do that as well as anyone ever has been able to in the history of the league. However, running the ball is a severely different story. The team ranks No. 20 in the NFL with 110.2 rushing yards per game, and a heck of a lot of those yards have come on finesse runs to the outside. The Ravens are going to challenge New England the entire game by slamming it right up the gut both on offense and on defense, and if this game gets ugly, QB Tom Brady and the gang are going to be tested against a team that absolutely relishes playing in these types of games.

Ravens @ Patriots Odds at Wager Web Sportsbook
Baltimore Ravens +7
New England Patriots -7
Over/Under 50
Click Here to Bet Your NFL playoffs Picks!

Key #2: Brady is going to have to find some receivers aside from the tight ends
The combination of TEs Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski is as good as it gets in the NFL, and these two had right around 250 yards from scrimmage against the Denver Broncos last week, but we just don’t know whether the Ravens are going to be allowing that type of production with all of the speed that it has in the middle of the field. Remember that last week, Baltimore played against one of the few teams that utilize the tight end as much as New England does, and the three Houston tight ends combined for just two receptions and 26 yards. The Ravens also didn’t allow a pass that went for more than 19 yards in the whole game, and it is a wonder how Brady is going to find holes in this defense if he can’t work the ball up the field and can’t get it inside to his tight ends. WR Wes Welker could be in for a big time day, as could WR Deion Branch, who is more or less the forgotten man in this offense in spite of the fact that he had a fantastic season as the No. 2 wide out.

Key #3: Joe Flacco has to make some plays to win
There really wasn’t all that much that Flacco did last week against the Texans. He took advantage of three turnovers to score 17 first quarter points, but he only had a field goal for the rest of the game. Quite often, Flacco has found himself rushed against some of the best front sevens in the game, but with the Patriots missing DE Andre Carter and possibly playing without their top sack man, DE Mark Anderson as well, the pocket might not be a problem for the former Delaware Blue Hen. Flacco went 14-of-27 against Houston’s stout defense, but a lot of the passes that he completed were products of great plays by the wide receivers and tight ends, several of which were one-handed snares on balls that weren’t necessarily thrown the greatest. Flacco has found ways to win playoff games for his whole career, but right around this juncture, he needs to make the big time play to get his team to the Super Bowl, and he just hasn’t been able to do it. There is a point that there have to be some questions asked of Flacco, and eventually, he is going to have to win a game like this to validate that he indeed can take this team to the Super Bowl.

Click Here to get the best football picks that you’ll find on the internet, including our NFL playoffs picks and the NFL picks for the rest of the playoff game odds.

For the second time this year, the New York Giants and the San Francisco 49ers are going to square off against one another, and the action should be intense. Here are the keys to the game for the NFC Championship Game, complete with our Giants vs. 49ers predictions and odds analysis.

NFC Championship Matchup: New York Giants vs. San Francisco 49ers
Giants vs. 49ers Location: Candlestick Park, San Francisco, CA
Giants vs. 49ers Date/Time: Sunday, January 22nd, 6:30 p.m.
Giants vs. 49ers Television Coverage: FOX

Click Here For The Rest Of The 2012 NFL Playoff Bracket And Other NFL Playoff Previews

Key #1: The Giants have to take care of the football
It really seems as though the Giants keep good care of the pigskin when they are at their best. QB Eli Manning was picked off 16 times this season, including twice in the first go around between these two teams. That being said, the day that Manning had against the Green Bay Packers last week was remarkable. Sure, he threw that one INT on the day, but he also threw for three TDs and did a great job spreading the football all over the field. Green Bay might have had the worst ranked pass defense in the league, but it also led the league in forcing turnovers. San Fran played a game a lot like that against the New Orleans Saints last week. The Saints had almost 500 yards of total offense, but they turned the ball over five times in the teeth of a San Francisco defense that didn’t play nearly as badly as it seemed on the scoreboard. The 49ers have a nasty, nasty defense, and they picked off Manning twice in the first meeting of these two teams. That’s why the Giants were beaten by a TD the last time around.

Giants @ 49ers Odds at Wager Web Sportsbook
New York Giants +1
San Francisco 49ers -1
Over/Under 41.5
Click Here to Bet Your NFL playoffs Picks!

Key #2: The 49ers need to keep their attitude and their swagger
The 49ers have had a certain aura around them all season long. No one has really believed in them, and you can see that on the NFL betting lines as well. They were 1.5 point dogs against the Cincinnati Bengals, 9.5 point pups against the Philadelphia Eagles on the road, were just 2.5 point favorites at home against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers… and the list goes on a on. Even last week against the Saints, they were catching 3.5 from the oddsmakers. That’s why San Francisco isn’t just a great SU team, but is a team that has 13 covers on the season including the playoffs as well. Head Coach Jim Harbaugh came to the Bay Area and was determined to make his team nastier on both sides of the ball. It was about working harder and believing that they deserved to beat the team on the other side of the field because of it. We tend to think that that attitude would have looked a heck of a lot better at Lambeau Field than at home against the Giants, as San Francisco is favored in this game and is largely expected to win. As long as that swagger that the Niners deserve to be here, they should be fine, but if they lose that swagger, they could be in some trouble against a New York team that is thriving off of the fact that few figure that it has the capability to win the Super Bowl for the second time under Head Coach Tom Coughlin.

Key #3: Alex Smith doesn’t have to be better than Manning, but he has to not be significantly worse
This has been the “Year of the Quarterback” in the NFL. Names like Drew Brees, Matthew Stafford, Aaron Rodgers, and Ben Roethlisberger are all out of the playoffs, while Smith is still here in the NFL’s version of the “Final Four.” He didn’t always run a pretty pass offense, as the 49ers only ranked No. 29 in the league in passing at 183.1 yards per game through the air. However, what Smith did this year was believe in himself, believe in his receivers, and take care of the football. What we saw last week is that he has the ability to win games if he needs to, as he stood toe to toe with Brees and the best offense, maybe in the history of the league. That being said, we don’t think that he has to do that again this week against the G-Men, but he can’t be significantly worse than Manning if the team is going to win this one.

Click Here to get the best football picks that you’ll find on the internet, including our NFL playoffs picks and the NFL picks for the rest of the playoff game odds.

In what appears to be one of the greatest mismatches in the entire playoffs, the Houston Texans will take on the Baltimore Ravens in the second round of the NFL postseason. Check out our Texans vs. Ravens keys to the game for Sunday’s slugfest.

NFL Playoffs Matchup: Houston Texans vs. Baltimore Ravens
Texans vs. Ravens Location: M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, MD
Texans vs. Ravens Date/Time: Sunday, January 15th, 1:00 p.m.
Texans vs. Ravens Television Coverage: CBS

Click Here For The Rest Of The 2012 NFL Playoff Bracket And Other NFL Playoff Previews

Key #1: The Houston defense has to get pressure on the edges
This is the why the Cincinnati Bengals really struggled against the Houston defense on Saturday. The Texans have the ability to bring an immense amount of pressure off of the edges with their 3-4 look. Defensive Coordinator Wade Phillips isn’t afraid to bring the heat on every play, and the combination of LBs Brooks Reed and Connor Barwin, along with DEs JJ Watt and Antonio Smith can really make a big difference. QB Joe Flacco has been known to make some bad decisions when he is under pressure in the pocket, and that might be the case once again in this one if Houston can force him into bad situations. The Texans were built as a team with strength right up the middle with LBs Brian Cushing and DeMeco Ryans, but it is the boys on the outsides of the front seven that are going to be the big difference makers if the Texans are going to even remotely have the ability to pull off the upset.

Texans @ Ravens Odds at Wager Web Sportsbook
Houston Texans +9
Baltimore Ravens -9
Over/Under 38
Click Here to Bet Your NFL playoffs Picks!

Key #2: Both sets of running backs have to keep the ball moving
If the Ravens can get RB Ray Rice in some space, whether it be as a rusher or a receiver, Flacco won’t be in those positions to have to face the wrath of the Houston front seven. Rice had over 2,000 total yards and 15 TDs this year, and we have to remember that RB Ricky Williams has the ability to have some big games when called upon as well. For Houston, the key is down and distance. Punting is okay, but at least staying on schedule in terms of 2nd and 7 and 3rd and 3 is key. The less than QB TJ Yates has to do, the better off that the Texans are going to be. That means that RB Arian Foster is going to have to have another big time game. He racked up over 150 yards on the ground against the Bengals on Saturday, including a number of runs in which he hit the corner and snared those few extra yards that made the difference. It’ll be tougher against the Baltimore defense with all of its speed, but Foster and RB Ben Tate will have no choice but to get the job done in this one, or the Texans will get run off of the field at M&T Bank Stadium.

Key #3: Both teams have to get used to some new territory
This may seem silly, but the Ravens have to get used to the idea that they are supposed to win this game. They went 6-0 this year against playoff teams, but those four losses were four brutal, brutal losses this season, and they all came in games in which they were expected to win and win with ease. Remember that Flacco has never played a game at home in the playoffs in his career, and this could be a totally different situation for him since he usually has tremendously low expectations. Houston has obviously never played a road playoff game, and Yates has never seen anything the likes of what he is going to see in terms of defensive intensity on Sunday. However, the Texans clearly have nothing to lose. They came out of that win against Cincinnati in great shape, and they acted like it was just another win on a Sunday that helped them out. Sure, there was some celebrating, but there wasn’t a Gatorade bath for Head Coach Gary Kubiak, and the team didn’t go all out as if it had just won the Super Bowl. There is more work to be done for sure. That being said, no one outside of Houston really believes that this team has a shot at the upset, and that could play big time into the Texans’ hands, especially if the pressure of playing at home proves to be too much for Flacco to overcome.

Click Here to get the best football picks that you’ll find on the internet, including our NFL playoffs picks and the NFL picks for the rest of the playoff game odds.