NFL WILD-CARD PICKS: The Cinderella Raiders could keep on dancing
![Defensive end Maxx Crosby (left) and defensive tackle Darius Philon of the Las Vegas Raiders.](https://smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital/torontosun/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/14maxx-crosby-scaled.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=288&h=216&sig=Si_AzDZBPGf6RC2TXTM-Vg)
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The lines are from covers.com and the home teams in CAPs.
Las Vegas +5 over CINCINNATI
Everyone wants to point to Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and the Bengals high-powered offence, but forget one thing: They are awful at blocking. The Raiders are a team that can create pressure out of four-man pass rushes, which should put Burrow under pressure and on his back a lot. We should see even more out of Darren Waller this week for the Vegas offence, so don’t be so surprised if they pull an upset.
BUFFALO -4 over New England
They won’t be playing in gale-force winds this time, but it sure will be cold. Both teams are capable of playing physical, but the Pats have the edge there. You also have to wonder about the Bills receivers being able to handle the hard throws coming their way from cannon-armed Josh Allen. We could see some broken fingers. If the Bills get out to an early lead, they could run away with it, and just might. Potential rookie of the year Mac Jones faded down the stretch and we would be hard-pressed to trust him here.
TAMPA BAY -8.5 over Philadelphia
When these two teams met earlier this season, it was right before the Eagles really found themselves as a run-heavy offence. In fact, the Eagles barely handed the ball off through three quarters in that one and finished with just nine RB carries. It’ll be a different story this time and while the Bucs’ run defence isn’t as top-tier as we’ve come to expect, key linebacker Lavonte David looks set to return – a massive cog in that unit. Leonard Fournette could also return, giving Tom Brady another weapon that could help him run up the score at home, again.
San Francisco +3 over DALLAS
This might’ve been the worst matchup the Cowboys could’ve gotten. While Dallas has been excellent against the pass and creating turnovers, its defence hasn’t often been tested on the ground, where the Niners excel. The Cowboys have also been awful defending in-line tight ends and will now face one of the league’s best in George Kittle. We don’t doubt the Cowboys can score some points, but will they make the stops?
KANSAS CITY -12.5 over Pittsburgh
The Steelers somehow keep sticking around in games and coming up with wins in spite of Big Ben’s age and noodle arm. The Chiefs dominated this matchup just a few weeks ago and there’s not much reason to think it’ll be any different this time. In fact, Travis Kelce didn’t even play in that one which is bad news for the visitors here. The biggest question is: Why did they put this game in prime time?
Arizona +4 over L.A. RAMS
This matchup feels most like a coin flip, with division rivals who split their season series colliding. The Cards’ advantage here is that while they won’t have DeAndre Hopkins, they are getting healthier with Chase Edmonds back and James Conner as likely healthy enough to go. J.J. Watt’s return also provides a big boost in run defence and will help stifle the Rams offence. Both QBs are capable of some pretty big swings and that’s what this game likely comes down to. We’ll take the points to be safe, but would probably side with the Cards straight up, if pressed.
Last week: 8-8
This season: 132-139-1
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