The NFL Playoffs Kick Off with Exciting Super Wild-Card Weekend
The NFL playoffs are about to embark on an action-packed journey with the much-awaited super wild-card weekend. This thrilling weekend features six exhilarating games spread out over Saturday, Sunday, and even a historic installment of Monday Night Football. To enhance the excitement, DraftKings offers a couple of captivating prop bets that allow you to wager on the highest or lowest-scoring team throughout the weekend. Additionally, you can test your luck with a Grand Salami wager, predicting the total points scored during this electrifying stretch of playoff football.
Saturday: AFC Wild-Card Games
Saturday promises to kick off the playoff frenzy with two thrilling AFC wild-card matchups. The #4 Cincinnati Bengals will welcome the #7 Las Vegas Raiders, while the #6 New England Patriots are set to visit the #4 Buffalo Bills. The intensity is palpable as these teams battle it out for a chance to advance further in the playoffs.
Sunday: NFC and AFC Wild-Card Games
Sunday brings even more excitement with three wild-card games. The NFC takes the stage with two captivating matches. The defending champions, the #2 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, will host the #7 Philadelphia Eagles in the early game, while the #3 Dallas Cowboys face off against the #7 San Francisco 49ers in the afternoon. As the sun sets, Sunday Night Football delivers an enthralling AFC clash between the #7 Pittsburgh Steelers and the formidable #2 Kansas City Chiefs.
Monday Night Primetime: NFC West Rivals Enter the Fray
The grand finale of the super wild-card weekend unfolds on Monday Night Football, as the #4 Los Angeles Rams host the #5 Arizona Cardinals in an enticing NFC West showdown. These bitter rivals will leave no stone unturned in their quest for victory.
Who Will Emerge as the Highest-Scoring Team?
Scoring prowess is crucial in the playoffs, and several teams have displayed their offensive prowess throughout the regular season. The Dallas Cowboys led the league in scoring, with an impressive 530 total points, averaging 31.2 points per game. They are closely followed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (30.1 ppg), the Buffalo Bills (28.4 ppg), and the Kansas City Chiefs (28.2 ppg).
Dallas Cowboys Face a Tough Challenge
Despite the Cowboys’ offensive dominance, their path to becoming the highest-scoring team during the super wild-card weekend is challenging. They face a formidable defense in the San Francisco 49ers, who allowed an average of only 21.5 points per game this season and ranked seventh in defensive DVOA (Defense-adjusted Value Over Average).
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Offensive Powerhouse
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, armed with offensive brilliance and ranked first in offensive DVOA, stand as strong contenders to secure the highest-scoring title. Led by the legendary Tom Brady, they finished second overall in scoring during the regular season. However, the recent loss of their top wide receiver, Chris Godwin, to a torn ACL, and the concerns surrounding the health of Mike Evans may impact their offensive prowess during the wild-card round.
Predictions: Highest-Scoring Team Prop Bet Odds
- Kansas City Chiefs: +350
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: +400
- Los Angeles Rams: +550
- Cincinnati Bengals: +550
- Dallas Cowboys: +700
- San Francisco 49ers: +900
- Buffalo Bills: +1200
- Arizona Cardinals: +1400
- Las Vegas Raiders: +2000
- Philadelphia Eagles: +2200
- New England Patriots: +2200
- Pittsburgh Steelers: +5000
The Kansas City Chiefs emerge as a popular choice with +350 odds to claim the highest-scoring team title. Their explosive offense, led by the dynamic Patrick Mahomes, combined with their impressive offensive DOVA ranking and fourth-most points scored during the regular season, makes them a formidable force to reckon with.
Which Team Will Struggle to Score the Most?
While some teams aim for the highest-scoring accolade, others may struggle offensively during this intense playoff stretch. The New England Patriots, averaging 27.2 points per game, find themselves on the lower end of the prop betting board with +2200 odds to be the highest-scoring team during the wild card. Interestingly, they become the second-favorite choice in the prop bet for the lowest-scoring team at +450 odds.
The New England Patriots’ Strategic Approach
Coached by the legendary Bill Belichick, the Patriots have showcased their ability to control time of possession in previous playoff encounters. It comes as no surprise that Belichick intends to slow down the action and limit scoring opportunities by emphasizing the running game. This calculated approach could potentially result in lower-scoring games.
Predictions: Lowest-Scoring Team Prop Bet Odds
- Pittsburgh Steelers: +300
- New England Patriots: +450
- Philadelphia Eagles: +500
- Las Vegas Raiders: +650
- Arizona Cardinals: +800
- Buffalo Bills: +1000
- San Francisco 49ers: +1200
- Dallas Cowboys: +1600
- Cincinnati Bengals: +2000
- Los Angeles Rams: +2500
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: +3500
- Kansas City Chiefs: +4000
The Pittsburgh Steelers, with their average of 20.2 points per game, emerge as a popular choice to be the lowest-scoring team during this wild-card weekend. Ben Roethlisberger, in what could be his final game, leads a Steelers offense that may struggle to produce significant points against a formidable opponent like the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Grand Salami: Total Points Predictions
The Grand Salami bet, originating in hockey betting, has now made its way into various sports, including professional football. It allows bettors to predict the total number of goals or, in this case, points scored during a given day of games. DraftKings presents an intriguing Grand Salami bet for the six games of the super wild-card weekend, with a points total prop set at 288.5 over/under.
Will Points Surpass the 288.5 Mark?
Bet on whether points scored during the super wild-card weekend will exceed 288.5 (+110) or fall short of that mark (-110). The current individual game totals for the wild-card matchups are as follows:
- Raiders vs. Bengals: 48 points over/under
- Patriots vs. Bills: 44 points over/under
- Eagles vs. Buccaneers: 46 points over/under
- 49ers vs. Cowboys: 50.5 points over/under
- Steelers vs. Chiefs: 46 points over/under
- Cardinals vs. Rams: 49.5 points over/under
The current total for all these games amounts to only 284 points, a deviation from the initial tally of 288.5 points. Interestingly, the public appears inclined toward the under, with a particular preference for the Patriots vs. Bills game.
Conclusion
As the NFL playoffs kick off with the highly anticipated super wild-card weekend, football fans around the globe eagerly await the exhilarating clashes that lie ahead. With prop bets offering opportunities to predict the highest and lowest-scoring teams, as well as the grand salami bet challenging bettors to estimate the total points scored, this action-packed weekend promises thrilling moments and intense competition. Brace yourselves for a series of unforgettable battles as teams vie for glory on the road to Super Bowl LVI.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How are the points calculated in the Grand Salami bet?
The Grand Salami bet in football allows you to wager on the total number of points scored in multiple games occurring on the same day. The sportsbook sets a specific points total, and you predict whether the actual points scored by all teams combined will be over or under that benchmark.
2. Which team is favored to be the highest-scoring team during the super wild-card weekend?
The Kansas City Chiefs stand as the favorite with +350 odds to claim the title of the highest-scoring team. Their potent offense, spearheaded by star quarterback Patrick Mahomes, combined with their impressive offensive DOVA ranking, contributes to their position as frontrunners in this prop bet.
3. Are the New England Patriots expected to struggle offensively during the wild-card round?
The New England Patriots, led by renowned coach Bill Belichick, are known for their strategic approach to playoff football. While they may not be the highest-scoring team, their emphasis on controlling time of possession and running the ball can potentially limit scoring opportunities
