Dave Gloeckner 
We had a slow start to the Wild Card Weekend but hit on both the underdogs yesterday (bets provided on Sirius and Discord) to even out our game bets record at 2-2. And we have one more day to get that number into the positive and that’s exactly what we’re aiming to do today.
The Packers became the first road team to win in the playoffs and have swiftly changed the landscape of the NFC. They made history by being the first #7 seed to win a playoff game. The other #7 seed, the Pittsburgh Steelers, look to repeat that feat today in the AFC.
The nightcap features an embattled QB, Baker Mayfield, facing an embattled team, the Philadelphia Eagles. What team shows up for Philly may potentially define HC Nick Sirianni’s tenure in the City of Brotherly Love.
2023 PLAYOFF RECORD: 2-2 (Regular Season Record 49-29)
NFL BETS – WILDCARD MONDAY
BUFFALO BILLS -10 vs PITTSBURGH STEELERS
I traded some texts with people in the industry regarding the bets I liked before the playoffs started. And I stuck true to that word, even where I wanted to zag (switch to Houston). But I finally have got to the point where I am comfortable that switching my initial lean is right. And with that, I’m backing the Buffalo Bills today.
I initially leaned towards Pittsburgh because of the Buffalo Bills propensity to play close games versus mediocre teams. And they also have some Dallas Cowboys in them when it comes to the playoffs. There is also the weather, which will obviously be a factor, that can often level the playing field. But the fact of the matter is, the loss of JJ Watt and limitations of QB Mason Rudolph are real.
Here’s what I saw that made me rethink my process. The story and late ascension of Joe Flacco came crashing down in Houston. Same thing happened to Josh Dobbs earlier this year. The NFL eventually figures you out, especially if you’re not a top level talent. Mason Rudolph led the Steelers to a playoff run, but he’s bound to get figured out.
And then there’s the weather which showed up on Saturday night in KC. Better teams, especially ones with a wide difference at QB, can have an even bigger advantage then on a clean field. We saw Tua Tagovailoa’s struggles in the cold and wind and KC was able to just tee off and crowd the line. If Rudolph can’t cut the ball down the field, Buffalo can stack the box and hide their one main weakness, the run defense. And it will allow a D-Line that was 4th in the league in sacks to create havoc on the Steeler’s O-Line.
So I’m back on the table smashing, snow-shoveling, no-shirt wearing bandwagon of the Bills Mafia. The Bills are great front-runners and if they get out to an early lead they should be able to cruise to the Divisional Round and await the dangerous Chiefs.
GAME PROPS:
JAMES COOK over 15.5 carries (-110): The volume has been there of late for Cook. He’s gone over this number in 3 of his last 4 games. And he likely would have got there last week too if it wasn’t for Josh Allen having 15 carries. We all know the weather looks bad but the reason I like this bet is due to the possible game script of Buffalo getting out to a big lead and using the running game to squeeze down the clock. In the games that the Bills have won by double digits this year, Cook has averaged 17.2 carries.
JAYLEN WARREN under 35.5 rushing yards (-110): What I saw in last week’s game steers me towards the under on Jaylen Warren’s props. He fumbled twice in the 4th quarter with Pittsburgh being able to recover one. We know Buffalo saw that and will be looking to punch and strip the ball out of Warren’s hands. It’s snowy and the ball will be wet. I think this will be a tough spot for Warren especially if he loses a fumble at some point. He’s also seen over 10 carries just once in his past six game while his backfield partner has averaged 19 carries in that same stretch.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES -2.5 at TAMPA BAY BUCS
If you all know me by now, I am as down on this Eagles team as any other Philadelphia team in my 40+ years on this planet. Losing 5 of 6 down the stretch, often in back-breaking fashion, made all us Philly fans numb from head to toe. But it is true that the NFL Playoffs are a new season. The Cowboys proved that yesterday.
The key is on defense as it has to improve. And the Eagles have Darius Slay returning to the lineup while reportedly moving Avonte Maddox to safety. That will help cover the losses of Sydney Brown and Ried Blankenship. But the absolute key will be the front seven. They need to tighten up their run defense and make Baker Mayfield one-dimensional.
Remember, though this was early in the season, the Eagles outgained the Bucs 472 to 174. Even as ugly as this team looked for the last month, they have the talent and playmakers, even without A.J Brown, to dominate the Bucs. Offensively, the biggest factor will be how the Eagles handle Todd Bowles’ blitzing. If they can do that effectively, they’ll be able to move the ball and create positive plays in both the passing and running game.
While I’m not confident the switch can be flipped this easily, I do see the possibility of this team getting right and rallying around veterans like Jason Kelce and Brandon Graham now that the noise is not in the locker room. For one night, I see that happening. Or they’ll be the same uninspiring team we saw in December and lose by 20. Should be fun!
GAME PROPS:
DE’ANDRE SWIFT over 13.5 Carries –
CADE OTTON over 13.5 yards longest reception –
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