2018 NFL Wild Card Game Odds and NFL Betting Preview
2018 NFL Wild Card Game Odds – Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans
The story of the Indianapolis Colts and their elevation to a playoff spot this season is a very good one. The Colts didn’t even know at the start of training camp whether they were going to have a completely healthy quarterback. But not only are they going to have one, he has taken to an adjusted offensive approach and probably should be a candidate for the MVP award. Andrew Luck and his teammates will pay a visit on Saturday to NRG Stadium, where they will face the Houston Texans in one of two AFC wild-card round games, slated to begin at 4:35 PM ET. While the game airs on ABC, VietBet customers will have the opportunity to place wagers in real time, accessing the state-of-the-art software from Live Betting Ultra.
2018 AFC Wild Card Game Odds – Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans:
In the AFC wild card game odds that have been posted on this game at VietBet, the Texans are very slight favorites:
Houston Texans -1
Indianapolis Colts +1
Over 48 points -110
Under 48 points -110
Join Vietbet NOW for AFC Wild Card Game Odds online.
US PLAYERS WELCOME!
Enter promo code VIET35 good for a 35% Welcome Bonus up to $1,000.
AFC Wild Card Game Odds – CJ’s Take on Colts vs Texans
Luck has had a remarkable season, whichever way you look at it. He has thrown for 4593 yards with 39 touchdown passes. And he has been well-protected, being sacked only 18 times. Remember that the Colts hired Frank Reich as their head coach, and he instituted a new offense that could rely on shorter routes, and Luck has responded. Eric Ebron, the tight end who didn’t shine so brightly in Detroit, has been a Pro Bowl player for this team, with thirteen touchdown receptions.
The Colts overcame a 1-5 start to win nine of their last ten games. The Texans lost their first three contests, but then won eleven of their next 13 to win the AFC South over the Colts. The franchise does not have a very successful playoff history, although they think that with their front seven and DeShaun Watson at quarterback, they can go a long way.
The Colts’ front office took great pains to surround Luck with some better offensive linemen, and one of them was the first-round draft pick, guard Quentin Nelson, who is headed to the Pro Bowl. He is going to need all the protection he can get against Houston, which has 43 sacks and boasts the talents of JJ Watt (16 sacks) and Jadeveon Clowney (nine sacks). Another thing the Texans have the ability to do is upset the balance of an offense, as they have surrendered just 3.4 yards an attempt. Marlon Mack has given Indianapolis a better ground attack than it expected.
And let’s see what happens with this Houston offense, where the wide receiver ranks are thinned out around DeAndre Hopkins (116 catches, 1572 yards). Will Fuller and in-season acquisition Demaryius Thomas are out of action, and Keke Coutee is listed as questionable. And it should be noted that according to the analytical numbers, the Indy secondary is best in the NFL as far as defending against explosive passing plays.
These teams played each other twice this season. Luck threw for 863 yards in those games, and was sacked six times for 40 yards. Each of the teams won a game by a field goal. So both games could have gone either way.
Neither of these teams beat much in the way of playoff-level competition, except each other, and both of them have a win over Dallas. We have to give the edge at quarterback to Luck, and he has more of a complete set of receivers. Also, we consider that while the Colts probably should have won a couple more games than they did, Houston won a few games they shouldn’t have.
If you want a little edge in the NFL wild-card matchups, come to VietBet, where they give you reduced juice, which offers better odds for you, along with real-time wagering through Live Betting Ultra………… Deposits are easy – just use your Visa card, person-to-person transfers (like Western Union) or the virtual currency of Bitcoin, which is fast and easy with their automated system, and NEVER incurs any transaction fees!
2018 NFC Wild Card Game Odds – Seattle Seahawks at Dallas Cowboys
The Seattle Seahawks looked like a team that was really suffering at the outset of the season, because they had lost so many players. But all they did was, in a sense, re-define themselves and rally to a 10-6 record, winning six of their last seven games in order to get there. On Saturday they will take on the Dallas Cowboys, who are back in the playoffs this season after missing the “tournament” in 2017. This NFC wild-card game will get underway at 8:15 PM ET at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX. And while it is being televised on the Fox Network, VietBet customers can get their fill of real-time wagering action as they access what is available through Live Betting Ultra.
2018 NFC Wild Card Game Odds – Seahawks vs Cowboys:
In the NFC playoff odds that have been established on this game by the people at VietBet, the Cowboys are the home favorites:
Dallas Cowboys -2
Seattle Seahawks +2
Over 43 points -110
Under 43 points -110
Join Vietbet NOW for NFC Wild Card Game Odds online.
US PLAYERS WELCOME!
Enter promo code VIET35 good for a 35% Welcome Bonus up to $1,000.
NFC Wild Card Game Odds – CJ’s Take on Seahawks vs Cowboys
Listen – Russell Wilson has been terrific for the Seahawks this season, as he has thrown 35 touchdown passes with just seven interceptions. And what is important to notice is that he has averaged 8.1 yards per attempt. Wilson has never been known as one of those guys throwing the short passes, but instead is a great swashbuckler, often making plays out of nothing. His improvisational abilities are an absolute plus.
Wilson has not run from scrimmage as much as he is used to (just 67 attempts). That’s because the Seahawks have done so well with their ground game. And it’s happened in a very unexpected fashion. During the off-season, coach Pete Carroll wanted to bring a go-to back to the equation, trying to fill the gap that had been left by the departure of Marshawn Lynch. He drafted Rashaad Penny in the first round, but he isn’t the guy who’s been the revelation. Instead, it’s been Chris Carson, who’s got 1151 yards to his credit. Seattle runs the ball more often than any other team in the NFL (52.8% of the time) and has 160 yards per game to show for it.
For the Cowboys, having Ezekiel Elliott back in the fold for a full season (after his suspension last year) has been a key. Elliott has 1434 yards and has allowed the Cowboys to stay pretty balanced on offense. However, he may not have made a difference between them making the playoffs or missing them if not for the arrival of Amari Cooper, who filled a huge vacuum in what had been a rather pedestrian receiving corps. Cooper, with six touchdowns and 725 yards, is always a threat to make a big play, and that is something that they have been missing. Now they have it.
The Dallas defense has done a nice job against opposing rushing attacks (allowing 3.8 yards a carry), while Seattle (4.9 ypc allowed) has not. To illustrate, only three defenses in the league have imposed a shorter average third down distance on their opponents. You know that the Cowboys are coming out there to “win” first down and if they can do it just by running Elliott, that gives them a nice edge.
The Seattle defense was thought to be in something of a rebuilding phase, since they lost so many talented players, and even during the season they lost the services of All-Pro safety Earl Thomas for the season. They have gathered themselves to put together a respectable unit, through certainly not a dominant one, but one thing that sticks out is their play in the red zone, where they are fourth in the league in allowing touchdowns.
Looking at this short number, clearly there is some respect for the playoff experience of Wilson and Carroll. And that is a real factor, against a Dallas team that has not won in the post-season as a unit. But some of the fundamental advantages the Cowboys possess should not be ignored either.
Enjoy the NFC playoffs with the help of VietBet, which not only gives you reduced juice for better odds but also Live Betting Ultra, which enables you to place wagers in real time………… You can open up your account using your Visa card, person-to-person transfers or the virtual currency of Bitcoin, which is fast and easy with their automated system, and never, EVER incurs a transaction fee!
By Charles Jay
