Our 2013 NFL playoffs predictions continue on Saturday, January 5th with the Minnesota Vikings vs. Green Bay Packers. We are set to make our Vikings vs. Packers predictions, tips, and keys to the game for this crucial duel in the first round of the playoffs.

Click Here For The 2013 NFL Playoff Bracket, the 2013 NFL Playoffs Schedule, and all of our NFL Playoff Game Previews

#6 Minnesota Vikings @ #3 Green Bay Packers
Vikings vs. Packers Location: Lambeau Field, Green Bay, WI
Vikings vs. Packers Date/Time: Saturday, January 5th, 8:00 p.m. (ET)
Vikings vs. Packers On TV: NBC

Key #1: Green Bay has to find a way to slow down All Day
RB Adrian Peterson has ripped apart a number of foes this year, but the way that he has played against the Packers for two games has been just flat out nuts. Purple Jesus has 409 rushing yards in two games versus his divisional rivals, and he had a number of huge runs, including the one that ultimately set up K Blair Walsh for the game winning field goal in Week 17. There is a question as to whether anyone is able to stop Peterson right now, as he has put together 1,598 yards over the course of his last 10 games, and there really hasn’t been a 10-game stretch like this in recent memory. The Packers allowed 118.5 rushing yards per game, but if you take out the two games that Peterson put up, that average came down to 106.2 yards per game, so it isn’t like this is a terrible unit up front. However, Peterson is the best running back in the game, and the argument could be made that he is the MVP of the entire league this year. If he has another huge game, it’ll be tough for the Packers to ultimately triumph.

Vikings @ Packers Odds at WagerWeb Sportsbook
Minnesota Vikings +7.5
Green Bay Packers -7.5
Over/Under 46.5
Click Here to Bet Your Vikings vs. Packers Picks!

Key #2: Aaron Rodgers has to prove that he is the MVP of the league
Minnesota thinks that it has the MVP of the league in Peterson. Green Bay thinks that it has the MVP, too. Granted, we know that Rodgers isn’t going to win the award, but statistically speaking, he is just out of this world. Not only did the former Cal Golden Bear throw for 4,295 yards and 39 TDs, but he also did all of that without a single receiver getting to 1,000 yards. WR James Jones did catch 14 touchdown passes, making him the top scorer amongst receivers this year. The truth of the matter is that it’s all about Rodgers, though. He is the man that is going to make this offense go, and he is going against a pass defense that ranked 24th in the league this year. Rodgers threw for 365 yards and four scores on the road last week, and he had 286 yards at home when these two teams met the first time. If he has another game something in that neck of the woods, the Packers will have a great chance to win. If not, without any semblance of a running game available to him, Rodgers will be in for a long evening.

Key #3: Kicking it to win it
At this level, all of the little things are the ones that separate teams. Three points could go a long way one way or the other for these two teams, and if that’s what the difference turns out to be, the Packers are in some trouble. The normally reliable K Mason Crosby ended up ranking dead last in the league this year in field goal percentage, making just 63.6 percent of his kicks (21-of-33). Granted, he did miss some long ones that he wouldn’t be expected to make all that often, and he has made four kicks in a row after missing two at Soldier Field against the Chicago Bears in Week 15. However, it is clear that the former Colorado Buffalo is going to be outkicked by K Blair Walsh if push comes to shove. Walsh knocked in all 10 of his kicks from 50+ yards this year, and he has the leg to boot it from 60 if he is needed to do so. The rookie went 35-of-38 this year on three-point attempts, and he is clearly the better of these two kickers. P Chris Kluwe also averaged 45.0 yards per punt this year, a solid 1.5 yards per kick better than Green Bay P Tim Masthay. Special teams could be huge in this one from start to finish.

Purchase Via Credit Card	Purchase By Paypal

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

The X’s and O’s of the BBVA Compass Bowl predictions aren’t shared by many expert handicappers, but here at Bankroll Sports, we are giving up all of our insight and telling you all of the keys to the game for the Ole Miss Rebels vs. Pittsburgh Panthers. The BBVA Compass Bowl picks are some of the hardest to make this year of all of the bowl games, so don’t miss out on all of our Ole Miss vs. Pittsburgh predictions!

2013 BBVA Compass Bowl: Ole Miss Rebels vs. Pittsburgh Panthers
2013 BBVA Compass Bowl Location: Legion Field, Birmingham, AL
2013 BBVA Compass Bowl Date/Time: Saturday, January 5th, 1:00 p.m. (ET)
2013 BBVA Compass Bowl On TV: ESPN

Click Here For The Rest Of The 2012-13 Bowl Game Schedule And Other Bowl Game Previews

Key #1: The Panthers have to want to be here in Birmingham
The words “Anywhere but Birmingham” have come up quite a bit over the course of the last month and change for the Panthers, as they really wanted to go anywhere but here for their bowl trip in the winter. The truth of the matter is that the upperclassmen are right; they shouldn’t have to be coming to the same bowl game for the third straight year. But alas, the options are the Compass Bowl or no bowl for the Panthers, and they weren’t good enough to warrant going anywhere else on the Big East bowl ladder. The truth of the matter is that this club limped through the motions in the Compass Bowl last year, getting blown to bits by the SMU Mustangs 28-6. Of course, the way that SMU dismantled the Fresno State Bulldogs in this year’s Hawaii Bowl as big time underdogs does help out the credibility of that loss to the ‘Stangs, but it doesn’t sting any less. Will we see the Panthers team that came out with their hair on fire a month and change ago versus the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, or the one that was romped by the Youngstown State Penguins at the outset of the year? That’s the big question in this one and will be the deciding factor in this game.

BBVA Compass Bowl Odds at BetRevolution Sportsbook
Ole Miss Rebels -3.5
Pittsburgh Panthers +3.5
Over/Under 54
Click Here to Bet Your BBVA Compass Bowl Picks!

Key #2: Bo Wallace has to play like the man that he was in the final three games of the year
There had to be some clamoring through nine games to sit QB Bo Wallace down as the starting quarterback of the Rebels. The team was 5-4 at the time and still one win away from bowl eligibility, and it knew that it was probably going to be an underdog in each of the last three games of the year. As it turns out, Ole Miss was favored over the Vanderbilt Commodores in a game that was lost, but it was still a defining moment for Wallace. Prior to that game, he had averaged just 204.0 passing yards per game and had just 11 passing touchdowns. In his last three, which came against Vanderbilt, the LSU Tigers, and the Mississippi State Bulldogs, mind you, he averaged 335.7 passing yards per game and had eight TDs. The transformation has been remarkable for this young man, and the end result has been more points and more efficiency offensively in spite of the fact that the defenses that he has been facing have been outstanding. If Wallace plays like the man from November and less like the man from September and October, the Rebs could put a slew of points on the board.

Key #3: The Panthers have to find a way to run the football
It’s odd to think that a smash mouth team like Pittsburgh would have a tough time moving the ball on the ground, but that’s exactly what happened this year. The team ranked just 92nd in the nation, averaging 137.4 rushing yards per game. The big problem has been opening up holes for the often injured RB Ray Graham. Graham averaged 5.7, 6.2, and 5.8 yards per carry over the course of the first three years of his career, but he averaged just 4.7 yards per carry this year. Many figured that Graham was going to threaten being a 1,500+ yard back and could have led the nation in rushing this year, so 222 carries, 1,042 yards, and 11 TDs seems to be a bit underwhelming. To make matters worse for Graham in this game, his starting right guard, OL Arthur Doakes has been sent home for violating team rules, and he is going to be running the ball against a defense that ranks 31st in the nation at just 134.3 rushing yards per game. This could be key for the Panthers, as if they can’t run it, we just don’t trust that QB Tino Sunseri can throw this team to victory.

Purchase Via Credit Card	Purchase By Paypal

The 2013 NFL playoff picks are going to be difficult to make, and in this one, the Cincinnati Bengals and the Houston Texans are set to do battle with one another. Check out our Bengals vs. Texans predictions and the keys to the game for Cincinnati vs. Houston.

Click Here For The 2013 NFL Playoff Bracket, the 2013 NFL Playoffs Schedule, and all of our NFL Playoff Game Previews

#6 Cincinnati Bengals @ #3 Houston Texans
Bengals vs. Texans Location: Reliant Stadium, Houston, TX
Bengals vs. Texans Date/Time: Saturday, January 5th, 4:30 p.m. (ET)
Bengals vs. Texans On TV: NBC

Key #1: The Texans have to figure out how to get up off of the mat
When you’re a good team, you’ve got the bulls-eye around you, and the Texans have definitely been getting the best shot from a number of good teams down the stretch. They were beaten in three of their final four games of the year, and they are clearly limping into the second season. The squad has scored just one touchdown in its last 10 quarters, and QB Matt Schaub, preparing for his first playoff game, has only one touchdown pass in his last four games. RB Arian Foster has just one 100+ yard rushing game in his last five games, and the only one of those that was comfortably won was the win over the Indianapolis Colts in which he rumbled for 165 yards. This is the first time that the team has really faced some major adversity as a contender for the Super Bowl, and this is going to be a real test of character for all of these young players that have never really been in this position before. This is where we’ll see whether Houston has the moxie to get through this spot, knowing that it had the No. 1 seed in the AFC in the bag up until the very last week of the year.

Bengals @ Texans Odds at Diamond Sportsbook
Cincinnati Bengals +4.5
Houston Texans -4.5
Over/Under 44.5
Click Here to Bet Your Bengals vs. Texans Picks!

Key #2: The offensive line for the Texans has to handle a great defensive front
With 50 sacks this season, the Bengals truly have put together one of the most aggressive defensive fronts in the league. DT Geno Atkins led the club with 12.5 sacks, while DE Michael Johnson had 11.5 sacks. This is one of the most ferocious tandems in the league, and it might be a unit that is even better than that of DE JJ Watt and DE Antonio Smith on the other side of the field. Houston’s offensive line has been solid for the most part this year, but QB Matt Schaub was sacked four times in the finale against the Indianapolis Colts, and he has now been sacked 11 times in his last three games. As we have seen in the past, Schaub has the potential to put up some huge numbers when he has the time to get the ball out of his hands. When he doesn’t though, he tends to make a lot of mistakes as he did last week when he threw two picks to DB Vontae Davis.

Key #3: It’s all about payback and experience
This is a game that is already being dubbed as “Revenge” and “Vengeance” for the Bengals. They were beaten last year by 21 points here at Reliant Stadium, and they really did look lost for most of the game. QB Andy Dalton threw three picks and was sacked four times on the day, and WR AJ Green really wasn’t anywhere to be found with just 47 yards on five catches. This time around, Cincinnati has a better defensive line, as we discussed before, Dalton has another year under his belt, and Green has emerged as a legitimate Top 5 receiver in the league. On top of that, RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis, assuming that he is healthy and can give it a go with his hamstring injury that he picked up at the end of the season, is a 1,000-yard back that has the ability to bust the game open. The Bengals have to stay focused this entire week and stay prepared with the goal at hand, and the extra experience that the team picked up in the playoffs last year and through this season should carry them in the right direction in Houston.

Purchase Via Credit Card	Purchase By Paypal

The 2013 Cotton Bowl picks are going to be difficult to make, as the Texas A&M Aggies and Oklahoma Sooners are set to do battle with one another in a Big XII vs. SEC battle. Check out our Cotton Bowl predictions and the keys to the game for Texas A&M vs. Oklahoma.

Click Here For The Rest Of The 2012-13 Bowl Game Schedule And Other Bowl Game Previews

2013 Cotton Bowl: Texas A&M Aggies vs. Oklahoma Sooners
2013 Cotton Bowl Location: Cotton Bowl Stadium, Dallas, TX
2013 Cotton Bowl Date/Time: Friday, January 4th, 8:00 p.m. (ET)
2013 Cotton Bowl Television Coverage: FOX

Key #1: Johnny Football has to play like a senior
This is a tremendously and painfully obvious statement to make in this game. QB Johnny Manziel was remarkable this year, and he had to be the Heisman Trophy winner as a result. You don’t just throw for 3,419 yards, rush for 1,181 yards, and account for 43 total touchdowns in the SEC West without winning the Heisman, especially when your team goes 10-2 and is the only team to beat the Alabama Crimson Tide this year. Remember too, that it isn’t just about what Manziel does with his arm or his legs that makes a difference. He also has to be a heady player that makes the right decisions with the ball. Head Coach Kevin Sumlin puts a lot of stock into his quarterback making plays at the line, making the right audible, making the right throw, and knowing when to keep it and when to hand it off on the option. Remember that RB Ben Malena, RB Christine Michael, and RB Trey Williams combined this year for 1,504 rushing yards and 23 TDs to add to what Manziel was able to do. But if Manziel doesn’t bring his best game to the table in this, his 13th game of his career, the Sooners are going to probably get the better of him.

Cotton Bowl Odds at Diamond Sportsbook
Texas A&M Aggies -3.5
Oklahoma Sooners +3.5
Over/Under 72
Click Here to Bet Your Cotton Bowl Picks!

Key #2: Oklahoma can’t let this game get up to a frantic pace
Oklahoma did win all of its shootouts this year, and the two games it lost were kept to a snail’s pace against the Kansas State Wildcats and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, but it can’t let this one get into a shootout. QB Landry Jones made too many mistakes with the football this year (10 picks) for him to have to ultimately put the ball in the air 60 or 70 times against the Aggies. Yes, Texas A&M’s defense didn’t have a single player log more than two picks for the entire season, but we just don’t trust that Jones can avoid making the big turnover to give A&M the huge advantage when push comes to shove. Remember that the Baylor Bears, West Virginia Mountaineers, and Oklahoma State Cowboys all pushed the Sooners down the stretch in big time Big XII games, and this is essentially just another game just like these, knowing that these two teams shared the Big XII together through last season.

Key #3: The Aggies have to man up in the red zone on defense
Texas A&M had a great red zone team this year, scoring on 85.5% of its trips inside the opposition’s 20 yard line. It became a heck of a lot easier to do just that with Manziel on the field. However, the Aggies are really going to have a problem in this one stopping the Sooners when they’re inside the 20. Oklahoma ranked 11th in the country, scoring on 89.1% of all of its red zone trips this year. A lot of that was thanks to the play of QB Blake Bell, who rushed for 11 TDs this year. Some of that was due to RB Damien Williams as well, and QB Landry Jones was generally lethal when he got inside the 20 and always has been over the course of his whole career. That’s why this is going to be such a tough draw for an A&M defense that hasn’t always been at its best. If this is the team that lined up toe-to-toe with Alabama and came up with the stop on the goal line that changed the course of the entire season across the whole country, the Aggies can win this game. If not though, this could be a long one for the men from College Station.

Purchase Via Credit Card	Purchase By Paypal

It’s Wild Card weekend, and here at Bankroll Sports, you aren’t going to want to miss out on the best analysis of the NFL odds that you’ll find on the internet!. Below you will find the current list of 2013 Wild Card NFL lines and spreads along with a breakdown of the Wild Card NFL odds. Be sure to check out the free NFL picks from the expert handicappers at Bankroll Sports this week…

Of the eight teams that are playing this weekend, the one that is on the longest winning streak is the Washington Redskins. They’ve claimed seven straight games both from an SU and from an ATS standpoint to resurrect a season that was supposedly lost going into their bye week. They won the NFC East, they’re hosting a playoff game, and interestingly enough, they’re the only team that has opened up as an underdog at home. That’s because the Seattle Seahawks, also one of the hottest teams in football is going to be coming to town. The Seahawks have as long of a road trip to get here to Landover as any team could possibly have for a playoff game, and that is going to make this a tough one, especially in such an odd week of preparation. QB Russell Wilson could definitely be sparking a rivalry here with QB Robert Griffin III, as these two rookies are already set to go head on with one another. Not only is Washington getting 2.5 points from the oddsmakers on the NFL betting lines, but that number has already risen from one right when the de facto NFC East Championship Game went final against the Dallas Cowboys.

From the game with the shortest NFL pointspreads to the one with the biggest we go, as we go across the NFC playoff bracket to find the Minnesota Vikings and the Green Bay Packers. This is the third meeting of these arch rivals in the last six weeks, and this should be a remarkable rubber match. In both games, QB Aaron Rodgers went nuts, but RB Adrian Peterson went more nuts. Now, the two are going to be sharing the field once again. The oddsmakers are showing a heck of a lot of faith in Rodgers in spite of the fact that he has absolutely no running game to work with whatsoever. Green Bay has to be irked to be forced to play in this game, but it isn’t going to forget how it crashed out of the playoffs last year in the lone game played here at Lambeau Field. Minnesota completed one of the biggest turnarounds of the year this season, going from a three-win team to one that made it to the playoffs by beating two of the best teams in the entire league in back to back weeks just to get here. Still, the NFL betting odds suggest that the time the Vikings spend in the playoffs will be short, as they are eight-point underdogs, the biggest of the weekend.

From one rookie to another, we’ll head to the AFC, where QB Andrew Luck is going to try his hand in the playoffs for the first time with his Indianapolis Colts against the Baltimore Ravens. This is a big time game for Baltimore, knowing that its window of opportunity is really starting to close quickly, if it isn’t already slammed shut. There is a real chance that this might be the last game for LB Ray Lewis, and potentially some of the other members of this once illustrious defense, and it would be a bit shocking to see a team led by a slew of rookies on offense come into M&T Bank Stadium in beat up this unit. The oddsmakers are thinking right along the same lines as well, as the Colts are the bigger of the two underdogs in the AFC playoff bracket at +6.5.

It seemed like a given a few weeks ago that the Houston Texans were going to be the top seed in the AFC playoffs. They just had to win one of their final two games to get the job done, but they couldn’t do it and are paying the price as a result. Not only do they have to play in the first round of the playoffs and ultimately have to win four games instead of three to win the Super Bowl, but they have an opening round game that is by no means a freebee against the Cincinnati Bengals. This is a rematch of last year’s first round playoff game, and though a lot of the faces are the same, there are some crucial additions that weren’t on the field at that point such as QB Matt Schaub for Houston and RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis for the Bengals. That being said, the handicappers think that this is a game that is approximately in the same boat as last year, as Houston is once again favored by 4.5 points, which is just a half point off of where last year’s game closed.

Purchase Via Credit Card	Purchase By Paypal

Regarding ‘totals’ this week, there really isn’t all that much in the way of variance. The weather at Lambeau Field might ultimately be a bit of a concern, as temperatures are expected to be brutally cold, especially for a night game that doesn’t kick off until 8:00 ET on Saturday night. That might push this ‘total’ down just a bit, though for the time being, it is the highest number on the board at 46. This is the same ‘total’ that has been put up for the Ravens and the Colts in the AFC, while in the other NFC up the road in DC, the Redskins and Seahawks are chiming in at 45. The lowest number of the weekend is the game featuring the Texans and the Bengals, with the number opening up the weekend at just 43.5.

2013 NFL Wild Card Odds @ SportBet Sportsbook (as of 12/31/12):
(Get a HUGE 100% Bonus at SportBet.com When Using This Link)

AFC Wild Card Betting Odds
101 Cincinnati Bengals +4.5
102 Houston Texans -4.5
Over/Under 43.5

105 Indianapolis Colts +6.5
106 Baltimore Ravens -6.5
Over/Under 46

NFC Wild Card Betting Lines
103 Minnesota Vikings +8
104 Green Bay Packers -8
Over/Under 46

107 Seattle Seahawks -2.5
108 Washington Redskins +2.5
Over/Under 45.5