AFC Wild Card Weekend Betting Odds, Analysis
The NFL playoffs kick off on Saturday with what is being dubbed the worst quarterback matchup in postseason history, when the Oakland Raiders take on the Houston Texans.
The Raiders are a 3.5-point underdog at the Bovada sportsbook thanks to their quarterback situation. Despite making the playoffs for the first time in 14 years the loss of quarterback Derek Carr has put a damper on Oakland’s season.
Carr suffered a broken leg in Week 16 which left inexperienced Matt McGloin at QB. Injury struck again in Week 17 after McGloin injured his shoulder. With McGloin questionable for this weekend third-stringer Connor Cook could make his first career start.
The Texans QB situation isn’t much better. Brock Osweiler signed a big money deal with Houston but tanked. He was benched late in the season in favor of Tom Savage. Injury also befell Savage in Week 17, leaving Osweiler the opportunity to make his mark against Oakland.
This is a regular season rematch, as Oakland and Houston met up in Week 11 in Mexico City. Oakland was a 6.5-point favorite and won 27-20 behind three touchdowns by Carr. Lamar Miller had a solid game for Houston, rushing for 104 yards and a TD on 24 carries. Miller missed the last two games of the regular season with an ankle injury but is expected to play this weekend.
In the last 10 meetings between Oakland and Houston the Texans are 6-4 straight up and against the spread. At home this season Houston was 7-1 SU and 4-3-1 ATS, while Oakland was 6-2 SU and ATS on the road.
In the other AFC matchup the Pittsburgh Steelers host the Miami Dolphins as a 10-point favorite at Bovada.
The Steelers enter the playoffs on a seven-game winning streak during which they were 5-1-1 ATS. Miami also finished the season strong at 9-2 SU and 8-2-1 ATS in their last 11 games.
One of those wins by the Dolphins came against the Steelers in Week 6. Miami upset Pittsburgh 30-15 as a 7.5-point home underdog. Jay Ajayi dominated for Miami, rushing for 204 yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries.
Even with that loss the Steelers are 5-2 SU and 3-4 ATS in their last seven games versus Miami. Pittsburgh is also a stout 10-2 SU and 6-4-2 ATS in their last 12 home games, while Miami’s been horrible on the road in the playoffs at 1-7 SU and 2-6 ATS in their last eight.