NFC Divisional Round Postseason Picks

Next weekend the big boys play to decide which teams move on towards Super Bowl 51. If you’re planning, as I am, to put your money where your mouth is, here are my picks for the NFC divisional round playoff games.

2017 NFC Divisional Round Postseason Picks

What: NFC Divisional Playoff – Seattle Seahawks at Atlanta Falcons
When: Saturday, January 14, 2017
Start Time: 4:35 PM ET  
Where: Atlanta, GA
Stadium: Georgia Dome
Spread: Falcons -4.5
Moneyline: Seattle +188 vs Atlanta -205
Game Total: 51.5
Watch: FOX Sports
Stream: Fox Sports Go
Listen: Seattle vs Atlanta

My Reasons For Betting on the Seahawks

CenturyLink Field came through for Seattle in the wild card game against the Lions as the Seahawks ended up winning the game, 26-6. However, they won’t have the luxury of having their 12th man as they’re headed to Georgia Dome to face the Atlanta Falcons on their turf.

Nevertheless, Seattle seems to have lit the fire in their bellies and kicked the running game into gear. Led by running back Thomas Rawls, the Seahawks may have an ace in their pockets via the ground attack. Rawls rumbled to pick up 164 yards and one touchdown on 27 carries in Seattle’s game against Miami. Also, quarterback Russell Wilson added his own 224 passing yards along with a couple of touchdowns via the passing game.

Seattle’s D pulled its own weight, keeping Detroit to only two field goals and just 4.6 yards per play which is good news heading into this game. Historically, Seattle has done well in the postseason which fans are counting on to take them to victory and beyond.

My Reasons For Betting on the Falcons

Matt Ryan is in the zone. Atlanta’s star quarterback fuels the Falcons’ high-powered offense which is currently the most prolific offense in the league. The Falcons are also on a four-game winning streak which gives them plenty of momentum and an edge in playing with home-field advantage.

Ryan also has amassed some impressive numbers over the past four games that have seen him pass for 11 touchdowns without a single interception. Throw in what Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman are doing on the ground and you have the formula for the Falcons success.

Betting Trends For You To Consider

• Seattle is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games
• The total has gone OVER in 4 of Seattle's last 6 games
• Atlanta is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games
• Atlanta is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games

Game Predictions and Pick: Atlanta will come out playing with a huge chip on their shoulders after having lost to Seattle back in Week 6 of the regular season. Expect blood in the Falcons’ eyes and another win under their belts.

What: NFC Divisional Playoff – Green Bay Packers at Dallas Cowboys
When: Sunday, January 15, 2017
Start Time: 4:40 PM ET  
Where: Arlington, TX
Stadium: AT&T Stadium
Spread: Cowboys -4.5
Moneyline: Green Bay +190 vs Dallas -210
Game Total: 52
Watch: FOX Sports
Stream: Fox Sports Go
Listen: Green Bay vs Dallas

My Reasons For Betting on the Packers

The Packers are on a rampage and a seven-game winning streak. They head into their match against the Cowboys having picked up plenty of momentum in their defeat of the Miami Dolphins, 38-13, last Sunday for the wild card.

Aaron Rodgers came out swinging and passed for 362 yards and four touchdowns backed by his receiving crew of Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, Davante Adams, and Jared Cook whom each have had 100 plus receiving yards over the span of eight games. Though Nelson suffered a rib injury in his last game, the Packers have plenty of manpower to cover for him.

The Packers D has also come through, keeping opponents at bay and limiting to fewer than 100 yards over the span of the last seven games. Nevertheless, whether they can keep Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliot under wraps remains to be seen.

My Reasons For Betting on the Cowboys

What the Cowboys’ management has done since 2010 is impressive. Not only have they created one of the best offensive lines in the game, they went on to hire their crown jewels in Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliot.

Given the formidable protection these two are given by the O line, they’re pretty much unstoppable. Elliot himself finished with impressive numbers in the regular season, a league-leading 1,631 rushing yards and the only running back in league season to rush for over 1,600 yards in his first season.

Betting Trends For You To Consider

• Green Bay is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games
• Green Bay is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
• Dallas is 10-5 ATS in its last 15 games
• Dallas is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games

Game Prediction and Pick: This is the MUST watch game of the weekend. Though the Cowboys are favored by 4.5 points, my bet is on Green Bay to win.