Posted on 12/11/2007 7:00:14 PM

NFL Betting Opinion - The Furious Seven, Wildcard Edition

By Tim Furious

We’re going to take a different spin this week in the Furious Seven. We all know that the top-seven are New England, Dallas, Indianapolis, Green Bay, Pittsburgh, Jacksonville and Seattle. So let’s take a look at the wildcard spots and see which teams will be filling out the NFC and AFC playoff spots come January.

8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-5)

Since they demolished New Orleans this season, the Bucs can all but clinch the NFC South with a victory this weekend over the terrible Atlanta Falcons. Luke McCown played admirably over the past two weeks, but the Bucs football betting backers can breath a sigh of relief with Jeff Garcia projected to return. We’ll have more on this game later this week, but be forewarned about this spread: the Bucs are only 5-5 ATS against Atlanta in the past 10 games. The last time they met the dirty birds, however, they buried them 31-7.

Next game: Atlanta vs. Tampa Bay (-11.5)

9. Cleveland Browns (8-5) and Buffalo Bills (7-6)

The battle of the AFC surprises! If you ever predicted in preseason that Derek Anderson and Trent Edwards would be the center pieces of a wildcard showdown in Week 15, you’re either a damn genius or a dirty, dirty liar. The Browns are a solid 5-1 SU at home this season, while the Bills are only 3-3 on the road.

But hope for the Bills comes in the form of Stanford’s own Trent Edwards who is 5-1 as a starter and embarrassed Miami with three passing touchdowns in the first half. The Cleveland secondary is still, by far, one of the worst in the league so this is a moment that Edwards will have to be at his best yet again. Whomever wins, will have a decisive edge in a tie-breaker that could decide who gets that wildcard spot.

Next game: Buffalo vs. Cleveland (-5.5)

10. New York Giants (9-4)

The Giants are this high up because of their record and for no other reason. They barely beat a Philadelphia team that looks absolutely horrific, and are still 8-5 ATS on the season. They can handle Washington at home this weekend, but then they face the surly Bills and the deadly New England Patriots. As inconsistent as Eli has been, so too have the G-Men. And their betting backers are understandably nervous heading in to the final three games of the season.

Next game: Washington vs. NYG (-4)

11. San Diego Chargers (8-5)

When all seemed lost on Sunday against the Titans, the Chargers responded. Namely, Philip Rivers responded by driving his team down for the final score. Granted it helps to have a guy like LaDanian Tomlinson romping and stomping in the backfield for you. If Rivers can gain a semblance of consistency, this Chargers team is going to be dangerous in the playoffs. The Chargers have Detroit, Denver and Oakland left on the table and have gone 3-0 ATS during their three game winning streak. Despite Rivers, they still have the ninth best scoring offense in the league with 23.7 points per game.

Next game: Detroit vs. San Diego (-10.5)

12. Minnesota Vikings (7-6)

Welcome to the bandwagon, ladies and gentleman! The Vikings and the Bills are everyone’s favorite underdogs this year and for good reason. They crushed the 49ers in spite of Adrian Peterson’s worst performance this season with a 27-7 victory. They are fantastic against the run and can run the ball with absurd force. They average 172.2 rushing yards a game.

Still, Purple Jesus and company have to get past an unpredictable Chicago team that is starting Kyle Orton, then play Washington in the Metrodome in Week 16. That game will ultimately decide their fate, and they have to do their best to keep some distance between them, the Saints and the Cardinals.

Next game: Chicago vs. Minnesota (-8.5)

13. Tennessee Titans (7-6)

The Titans let one get away against San Diego after dominating the Chargers offense for three quarters. They face the Chiefs, Jets and Colts in to finish out the season, but their offense has been erratic. Between Albert Haynesworth, Vince Yong and Jeff Fischer, there’s a lot to like about the Titans. But they are 1-4 SU and ATS in their past five games and the Chiefs have gone 3-1 SU against them in the past four games. This is a terrible time to implode, but the Titans are doing it in tremendous fashion.

Next game: Tennessee (-4) vs. Kansas City

14. New Orleans Saints (6-7) and Arizona Cardinals (6-7)

Can they overcome that horrendous start to the season, loss of Deuce and Reggie and a tough game against Arizona this weekend? That’s a lot to ask for, but if there’s anything we know about these Saints, it’s that they are resilient. The Saints have gone 1-8 ATS in their last 9 home games, but have gone 4-1 SU in their last five games when playing Arizona.

The Cardinals, on the other hand, firmly collapsed against the Seattle Seahawks, who destroyed them through the air. The Cardinals are 4-13 SU in their past 17 road games and injuries to Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin and Kurt Warner have slowed down this once dangerous offense. If Arizona has any chance in this game, it will be through the air against a pass defense that gives up 252.3 yards per game.

Next game: Arizona vs. New Orleans (-3.5)

> > Check Week 15 Odds Here

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