The team that everyone thinks is the best in the league, the Green Bay Packers, ends the Divisional Round of the playoffs, and we are set to make our NFL predictions in their game against the New York Giants.

NFL Playoffs Matchup: New York Giants vs. Green Bay Packers
Giants vs. Packers Location: Lambeau Field, Green Bay, WI
Giants vs. Packers Date/Time: Sunday, January 15th, 4:30 p.m.
Giants vs. Packers Television Coverage: FOX

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Key #1: New York has to continue to get a good contribution from the running game
We know that the way that you beat the Packers is by throwing the ball, but keeping a consistent offense both on the ground and through the air is going to be the calling card for continued success in the postseason for the Giants. This was the worst rushing attack in the league this year, but both RB Ahmad Bradshaw and RB Brandon Jacobs had success against a normally solid rush defense for the Atlanta Falcons last week. In fact, QB Eli Manning threw the ball about the same number of times as the Giants ran it, and that was a real shock for a team that normally throws it at least 60-65 percent of the time in games like that one. It’s hard to run the ball right up the gut against DT BJ Raji and the rest of those stout front liners for the Packers, but it is something that New York is going to have to do to keep the Packers from really assaulting Manning and the passing attack.

Giants @ Packers Odds at Wager Web Sportsbook
New York Giants +9
Green Bay Packers -9
Over/Under 51.5
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Key #2: Greg Jennings has to get involved in the game early
Jennings played in the first 13 games of the season for the Packers, and the team averaged 35.6 points per game. Week 17 was a bit of a toss week with QB Aaron Rodgers sitting, but the offense just didn’t look the same without Jennings out there. He and WR Jordy Nelson can both stretch the field, and when both are on their game, it really opens up the rest of the offense for guys like TE Jermichael Finley and WR Donald Driver, who can’t get up the field as easily. Jennings really has to get into this one early, especially if he is matched up against rookie DB Prince Amukamara. He can do it all, and there is a reason that he has averaged right around five receptions and 80 yards per game over the course of the last five seasons.

Key #3: Green Bay’s flaws cannot be exposed in the clutch
If this were a game against the San Francisco 49ers, we would be having a totally different discussion, as we don’t think that QB Alex Smith really has the ability to win a game in the final two minutes on the road against a team like this. However, the Packers have a real problem against QB Eli Manning, who has proven that he can win games from behind, including against this very same team when he did everything that could do just a couple months ago. Green Bay has one of the worst rushing teams in the league, and neither RB Ryan Grant nor RB James Starks had even 600 rushing yards on the season. It has been proven time and time again that the Packers can’t close out games with their running game, and if that happens in a tight game on Sunday, Eli and the Giants are going to have a chance against a pass defense that ranked No. 32 in the league. There were a number of teams that had a lot of success against the Packers this year down the stretch, and if this ends up being the case once again this week, Green Bay, in spite of its 15 wins in the regular season, could be in a lot of trouble against a team that has a history of winning games like this one against all odds.

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Of all of the games on the NFL TV schedule in Wild Card weekend, the one between the New York Giants and Atlanta Falcons might be the toughest to handicap. We present our New York vs. Atlanta keys to the game so you can make your NFL picks for the first game on Sunday’s NFL schedule.

NFL Playoffs Matchup: Atlanta Falcons vs. New York Giants
Falcons vs. Giants Location: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
Falcons vs. Giants Date/Time: Sunday, January 8th, 1:00 p.m.
Falcons vs. Giants Television Coverage: FOX

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Key #1: The Falcons have to hit the deep ball
Way back in the Spring when the Falcons traded just a slew of draft picks for the ability to draft WR Julio Jones early in the first round, many thought that they were crazy. Atlanta thought that it was just one piece to the puzzle away from winning the Super Bowl. We don’t really think that it has the ability to do that with a defense that is suspect this year, but it does clearly make a big difference. Jones has had at least one catch of at least 40 yards in six of his last eight games, and many of those catches went the distance for a touchdown. Jones has six TDs in his last four games, and many of those were of the very long variety. New York has a secondary that is still suspect and has been all season long, and it has been prone to the deep ball. For Atlanta to win this game, it is going to have to stretch the field with Jones to open up the rest of the offense for RB Michael Turner, TE Tony Gonzalez, and WR Roddy White.

Falcons @ Giants Odds at Wager Web Sportsbook
Atlanta Falcons +3
New York Giants -3
Over/Under 47.5
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Key #2: The Giants absolutely have to find a ground game
Why? Because we know that RB Michael Turner is going to get his yards. He touched the ball over 300 times this season, and he had 1,500 yards of total offense, so we know that Turner will do his damage. There is a real question as to whether RBs Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw are going to be able to get the job done or not. These two used to be a part of a tremendous backfield, and both have the capability to be 1,000 yard rushers. Neither had a great year, and it almost seems as though age parlayed with the weird offseason may have cost them both in conditioning. Neither averaged even four yards per carry this year, and the end result saw New York ranked dead last in rushing the football. The pressure on the shoulders of QB Eli Manning is already immense as it is, but to have to win this game all by himself might be too tall of a task to ask for. But then again…

Key #3: One of these quarterbacks has to be a star
This type of game is pretty easy to see develop. One of these teams is going to have the ball at the end of this game, and one of the quarterbacks is going to have to get the job done. With apologies to QB Matt Ryan, he just might not be ready for this quite yet. He doesn’t have the background to be a “game winning drive” type of quarterback at this point in his career, and he is 0-2 in his two postseason appearances. Eli has won a Super Bowl, and won it with dramatics. He was the one that threw the ball that magically came down in WR Shane Tyree’s hands, and he was the one that threw the TD pass to WR Plaxico Burress that won the Super Bowl against the previously perfect New England Patriots in ’07. Even this year, Manning, for all of the grief that he has been given, led his team on a game winning drive at the Dallas Cowboys, a game tying drive against the Green Bay Packers, a game winning drive against the New England Patriots, a game winning field goal drive against the Buffalo Bills, and a two TD comeback against the Arizona Cardinals, all of which came in the last two minutes of a game. Eli can do it, and we know it, but the question might be asked of either he or Matty Ice once again to see whether they can put the team on their back and win a game.

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Our NFL prop picks continue with our Monday Night Football picks and our New York Giants vs. New Orleans Saints prop picks. Be sure to check out our NFL prop picks for the big duel on Monday, courtesy of BetOnline Sportsbook.

Marquis Colston Over/Under 5.5 Pass Receptions
We really recommend playing all of the ‘overs’ for all of the New Orleans receivers this week, as the Giants just don’t have a great secondary and their pass rush probably isn’t going to be able to put all that much pressure onto QB Drew Brees. Colston has really started to build a great rapport with Brees since coming back to the lineup after missing a few games, and the end result has been some huge outings. Just in the last four weeks, Colston has at least 90 yards three times, and he has three TDs in that stretch as well. Don’t be shocked if he ends up with at least 10 looks on Monday, and if that’s the case, he’ll get at least six receptions for certain. Marquis Colston Over 5.5 Pass Receptions (-115 at BetOnline Sportsbook)

Drew Brees Over/Under 2.5 TD Passes
Think that Brees loves playing in primetime? So far this year, the Saints have played a pair of games in primetime, and in those two games, Brees has a total of eight TD passes without tossing an interception, and he has 744 passing yards to show for it. By the way, the team has a tremendous 96 points scored in those two games as well. Sure, we know that Brees hasn’t thrown for more than two scores against a defense not named the Indianapolis Colts since Week 3 against the Houston Texans, but the team hasn’t scored more than 30 but once in that stretch as well. Look for both of those stats to change on Monday against a suspect New York outfit that is definitely going in the wrong direction in the standings. Brees Over 2.5 TD Passes (+120 at BetOnline Sportsbook).

Will Eli Manning Throw a TD or an INT First?
Death, taxes, and Eli Manning throwing at least one pick in every crucial game for the Giants. They’re the only three things in life that you can absolutely count on 100% of the time. Manning has only been picked off nine times this season, but four of those INTs have come in the last three weeks. Now, he is going to be battling against probably the harshest crowd that he will face all season long, and you know that the boys from the Bayou are going to want to get off to a fast start. There has to be at least a 40% chance of Manning making the big mistake before finding the end zone through the air. Manning To Throw an INT Before a TD (+190 at BetOnline Sportsbook).

The NFC East odds are expected to be some of the toughest in the NFL this year, and here at Bankroll Sports, we’re keying in all four teams to make our pro football picks to make the NFL playoffs.

The team du jour right now in the NFC East is the Philadelphia Eagles (Current NFC East Odds: 1.10 to 1 at Oddsmaker Sportsbook). The Eagles are definitely a significantly more talented defense this year with the additions of DBs Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Nnamdi Asomugha, but there is definitely a question or two about the other side of the ball. QB Michael Vick had as good of a season as any signal caller could have asked for both running and throwing, but if anything happens to him, the team is stuck with QB Vince Young instead of the traded QB Kevin Kolb.

We know that the Dallas Cowboys (NFC East Lines: 4 to 1 at 5Dimes Sportsbook) have to be an improved team this season. This was a team that was devastated by the new salary cap rules, but losing out on players like WR Roy Williams just doesn’t match what the team is going to be getting back with QB Tony Romo. Head Coach Jason Garrett had this team rolling at the end of last season, and we think that this could be the most dangerous team on the board this year in the NFC East.

Don’t forget about the New York Giants (Odds to Win the NFC East: 3.50 to 1 at 5Dimes Sportsbook). The G-Men always seem to have a solid team, and this year should be no exception. Losing rookie DB Prince Amukamara to a broken foot will hurt, but Head Coach Tom Coughlin still has a stout unit in his defensive front seven, and he definitely has the talent offensively with QB Eli Manning, RB Ahmad Bradshaw, WR Steve Smith, and company.

Bringing up the rear of the division this year will be the Washington Redskins (2011 NFC East Odds: 20 to 1 at 5Dimes Sportsbook). Washington has a mess with its position players, as there just isn’t enough talent at wide receiver and running back to help out whomever is going to be playing quarterback. Head Coach Mike Shanahan knows that he has a lot of work to do on this team in a relatively short period of time before Owner Daniel Snyder gets frustrated, and we just don’t think that the combo of QB Rex Grossman and QB John Beck is going to put fear in anyone’s eyes. The Skins should be in the Andrew Luck sweepstakes this year as one of the worst teams in the league.

2011 NFL Odds @ 5Dimes Sportsbook (as of 8/10/11):
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Odds To Win NFC East
Dallas Cowboys 4 to 1
New York Giants 3.50 to 1
Philadelphia Eagles 1 to 1.55
Washington Redskins 25 to 1

Odds To Win Super Bowl
Dallas Cowboys 16 to 1
New York Giants 30 to 1
Philadelphia Eagles 10 to 1
Washington Redskins 85 to 1

NFC East Super Bowl Odds @ JustBet Sportsbook (as of 8/10/11):
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Odds To Win NFC East Division
Dallas Cowboys 2.55 to 1
New York Giants 2.35 to 1
Philadelphia Eagles 1 to 1.55
Washington Redskins 25 to 1

Super Bowl 46 Odds
Dallas Cowboys 16 to 1
New York Giants 18 to 1
Philadelphia Eagles 6.50 to 1
Washington Redskins 55 to 1

NFC East Odds @ Oddsmaker Sportsbook (as of 8/10/11):
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2011 NFC East Odds
Dallas Cowboys 2.40 to 1
New York Giants 2.80 to 1
Philadelphia Eagles 1.10 to 1
Washington Redskins 12 to 1

NFC East Odds To Win the Super Bowl
Dallas Cowboys 15 to 1
New York Giants 18 to 1
Philadelphia Eagles 8 to 1
Washington Redskins 55 to 1

NFL Betting Odds @ BoDog Sportsbook (as of 8/10/11):
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NFC East Odds
Dallas Cowboys 3 to 1
New York Giants 3 to 1
Philadelphia Eagles 1 to 1.40
Washington Redskins 20 to 1

Super Bowl Odds
Dallas Cowboys 18 to 1
New York Giants 25 to 1
Philadelphia Eagles 7 to 1
Washington Redskins 100 to 1

NFC East arch rivals are going to be going at it on Monday Night Football, and here at Bankroll Sports, we have all of your best NFL prop plays for the night. Be sure not to miss all of these great prop picks, as the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants fight it out in a tilt that could change the face of the chase in the division and in the NFC as a whole.

Hakeem Nicks Over/Under 6.5 Receptions
We know that Nicks is QB Eli Manning’s favorite target, and there are games that he just seems to lock in on Nicks and never let go. However, Dallas knows that as well and isn’t foolish. You can bet that coverage will be rolled that direction, just as it was last week against the Giants when Nicks only caught three passes for eight yards on the day. The man out of North Carolina has been dealing with nagging injuries all week that have kept him out of practice. Does that mean more reps for WR Mario Manningham and WR Steve Smith? Probably. The only issue is that we aren’t so sure that these two are going to really be the big men in the passing game. What we are sure of though, is that Nicks should be staying Under 6.5 receptions (-120 at Hollywood Sportsbook) on Monday Night Football.

Felix Jones Over/Under 78.5 Rushing + Receiving Yards
It seems like Jones is the new back du jour for the Cowboys this year, as he has seemingly replaced RB Marion Barber as the feature man in this lineup. Jones was used out of the backfield last week against the Minnesota Vikings quite a bit, as he caught ten passes and was truly remarkable in that standpoint. That’s the only thing that scares us on this prop. The Giants have a very tough nosed rush defense that really kept even the best of the league, RB Chris Johnson down for the majority of the game. We tend to think that Dallas is going to need more of the power rushing game and less of the glitz and glamour that Jones has to offer. QB Tony Romo will be kept busy once again, which will make for a lighter day for Jones unless he is used as a receiver. Go with the man out of Arkansas Under 78.5 rushing + receiving yards (-115 at Hollywood Sportsbook).

Total Sacks by Both Teams Over/Under 4
It’s tough to end up with more than four sacks in a game, but we are going to go there on Monday Night Football. This line probably should be at 4.5, and probably would be if not for the nagging injuries to DEs Justin Tuck, Mathias Kiwanuka, and Osi Umenyiora. Umenyiora has been absolutely beastlike since entering the starting lineup again, as he has seven sacks and six forced fumbles during this three game winning streak. He now has eight sacks on the year and is just shy of the league lead in that category. Remember that on the other side of the field, LB DeMarcus Ware already has six sacks as well. Both of these teams love to throw the football, and both have an easy time getting after the passer. Don’t be surprised if this prop turns out to be relatively easy. There should be Over 4 Sacks (-105 at Hollywood Sportsbook).

When the Manning brothers take center stage on NBC’s Sunday Night Football, all of the eyes in the NFL betting world will be glued to the TV. Tonight is no exception, as the Indianapolis Colts and New York Giants will square off. Use our top NFL handicappers to cash in on these props for the game!

Longest Field Goal Over/Under 45.5 Yards
You have to have a field goal attempt of at least 46 yards before you can have a made one from that far away. We have absolutely no confidence in Giants’ K Lawrence Tynes, and it is becoming more and more apparent as the months go on that the Colts have no confidence in K Adam Vinetiari to kick the ball this far. Last week, head coach Jim Caldwell had a chance to kick a 49 yard field goal in the first half against the Houston Texans and instead eschewed the opportunity in favor of going for it on 4th and 8. And the oddsmakers think there is going to be a boot of 46 yards in this game at least half the time? We certainly don’t. Go with Under 45.5 yards (+100 at Hollywood Sportsbook) on Sunday night.

Total Sacks Over/Under 3.5
Last week, the offensive line for the Colts was atrocious against Houston, and though there are no pass rushers on the Giants that are worthy of being in the same discussion with DE Mario Williams, there is plenty of pressure to be had from men like DE Justin Tuck and DE Osi Umenyiora. The Colts are still going with a very young and very inexperienced offensive line, particularly at the tackle positions. We already know that DE Dwight Freeney and his band of men will have no problems getting after QB Eli Manning either on the other side of the ball. When push comes to shove, both teams should have at least a pair of sacks on the day, which gives us a great price on Over 3.5 sacks (+110 at Hollywood Sportsbook).

Peyton Manning Over/Under 300.5 Passing Yards
Let’s be realistic here for a second. We know that QB Peyton Manning is good. In fact, he’s great. He’s a first ballot Hall of Famer, he might break every single passing record in the book when push comes to shove, and he is the best Indianapolis Colt in team history, and that’s saying a lot considering that Johnny Unitas is already calling me on Line 2. Still, is Manning really throwing for 5,000 yards this year? That’s what it’s going to take to beat this prop on a consistent enough basis for us to bet the over. Instead, let’s be realistic. Remember that last week when Manning completed 40 passes, his team was playing from behind the entire time, not from ahead. Inevitably, RB Joseph Addai will be more involved in the offense. We know that we’re playing with fire when we do this, but c’mon… Manning is going to stay (Under 300.5 passing yards -115 at Hollywood Sportsbook) more often than not.

Joseph Addai Over/Under 79.5 Rushing + Receiving Yards
Let’s keep this one short and sweet. Addai only had ten carries last week, and he still accounted for 73 rushing and receiving yards. There isn’t another back on this team that is going to be stealing carries, and the temptation is going to be there for Manning to scale back just a tad after last week’s phenomenal performance. The former LSU Tiger badly needs a good game to help salvage his season, and we tend to believe that via pass and via rush, he’ll find a way to sneak Over 79.5 rushing and receiving yards(-115 at Hollywood Sportsbook) in this one against the G-Men.

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NFL Football Week 1 News & Headlines Cycle:

• ESPN; Richard Seymour Expected To Arrive in Oakland on Saturday
• ESPN; Browns’ James Davis Now Questionable
• ESPN; Appeals Court Rules Vikings Can’t Suspend Two Players
• Twin Cities; Tarvaris Jackson to Backup Favre This Season
• NBC Sports; Arron Ross Out For Giants This Week
• NFL Spin Zone; Jon Runyan To Join a Team on Monday
• Baltimore Sun; Ravens’ L.J. Smith Will be a “Gameday” Decision
• Seattle New Tribune; Deion Branch May Miss Opener With Injury
• Fox Sports; Tamoa Bay Buccaneers Have 30 Million in Cap Space

Blogisphere & NFL Football Week 1 Opinion/Entertainment Cycle:

• Sharapova’s Thigh; The Fastest Freaking NFL Preview Ever
• Cheddar’s Sports Blog; Week 1 NFL Preview – Lots of Questions
• Bleeding Green Nation; Holmes Wears Vick Jersey at Press Conference
• Biz of Football; NBC Has Highest Rated Kickoff Game in Seven Years
• Randall Simon’s Sausages; NFL Week 1 Hot Off The Grill
• The Ebony Bird; Joe Flacco Highlight Reel (video)
• Midway Illustrated; Bears Match-up Well With Packers Receivers
• The Viking Age; Sean Salisbury Fired For ‘Sexting’

2009 Week 1 NFL Fantasy Football Cycle:

• Midwest Sports Fans; Week 1 NFL Fantasy Start ‘Em / Sit ‘Em
• Top Fantasy Football; Week 1 Last Minute Updates
• Rotoworld; Week 1 Waiver Wire Pick-Up Recommendations
• Favre Dollar Footlongs; Fantasy Football is a Game of Poker
• CBS Sports; Week 1 Fantasy Football Matchups
• Pro Football Weekly; Ten Most Intriguing Players For Week 1
• Gang Green Nation; Week 1 NFL Football Fantasy Focus
• Rumors & Rants; Who Will Sink or Swim in Week 1
• Club Seat; Week 1 In The Club / Out The Club

The NFL preseason football action is set to officially get under way Thursday as teams prepare for the upcoming season. Over the next few weeks we will continue to evaluate the team’s talent levels and what to expect for this year’s football season. However, teams will not completely show everything they have until the first week of the season in mid September. Until that point in time, you can find all kinds of preseason betting odds at sports books like BetUS Sportsbook (100% Bonus When Using This Link). There are tons of betting lines from individual odds, win totals, division finishes, playoff odds, and more. We take a look at all the preseason betting activity and encourage you to take advantage of all these betting opportunities as well. Take a look at some free prop bet picks for the upcoming weeks prior to the start of the 2009 NFL season.

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Prop Bet #1 – Total Touchdown Passes (Brees vs. Roethlisberger)

Drew Brees -7 ½ (-120)
Ben Roethlisberger +7 ½ (-120)

The odds on this particular prop bet are surprisingly profitable. Drew Brees led the NFL in touchdown passes in 2008 with 34 scores. Ben Roethlisberger was able to put up 17 touchdowns for the Super Bowl Champions. In retrospect, both quarterbacks had solid seasons behind center. Roethlisberger is not going to put up 30 plus touchdowns given the Steelers old school style of football and that is why he has a 7 ½ touchdown cushion for this match-up. Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints on the other hand have a lethal passing offense that rarely runs the ball for success. The Saints should be another big threat in the NFL this season on offense and Brees is certain to put up solid numbers again. However, don’t expect Roethlisberger to be able to contend despite the 7 ½ cushion. Outside of the breakout year in 2007, Roethlisberger has failed to put up over 20 touchdowns since coming into the league in 2004. The Steelers have too much faith in their defense to become a pass happy offense and that is the reason that Drew Brees will easily cover this match-up.

Pick: Drew Brees -7 ½

Prop Bet #2 – Dallas Cowboys Team Total Sacks in 2009

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