NFL Betting Wild Card Weekend Recap

Road teams ran wild in the Wild Card Weekend and had the Kansas City Chiefs not blown a 28-point second-half lead, all four road teams would have cashed.

Here’s our recap from the first round of the 2014 NFL playoffs:

Why the 49ers Advanced: Clutch Kaepernick

Colin Kaepernick had a bit of an up-and-down playoff game as he threw a pick and only completed 16 of his 30 passes, but NFL online betting cappers know that when his team (and 49ers backers) needed him the most, he came through. In the final drive of the game, he got his team 65 yards, passing for 39 and running for a crucial first down on third-and-8 from the Packers 38. He put the team on his back when it mattered the most and anyone who laid the -2.5 on the NFL betting odds was pleased that he did that.

Why the Packers Lost: Defense Bent Too Much

Those who bet on the NFL saw the Green Bay Packers defense bend, but not break throughout Sunday’s contest. The 49ers drove inside the 10-yard line on each of their first two drives but only came away with field goals.

However, the Packers defense did too much bending throughout the day as they didn’t get enough stops – particularly on the last drive of the game. The 49ers drove down the field, bled the clock and kicked a game-winning field goal as time expired.

Why the Chargers Advanced: Executed Effectively

The Chargers didn’t do anything amazing on Sunday; they just took what the Bengals gave them. They threw dump-off passes to open running backs, kicked field goals when there were opportunities and kept handing the ball off. Philip Rivers finished with just 128 passing yards but he was an efficient 12-of-16. As for the running game, the Chargers collected 196 yards on 40 carries with two touchdowns. They also won the turnover battle 4-0, which proved to be the most vital stat of the day.

Why The Bengals Lost: Dalton’s Turnovers

You don’t need any shrewd NFL betting tips to know that Andy Dalton’s turnovers were killer. He threw two interceptions and fumbled once – all in the second half – essentially giving the Chargers the ball in scoring range every time.

Dalton’s meltdown is going to have the Bengals re-thinking the idea that he’s a franchise quarterback. He’s now 0-3 in the postseason and has thrown just one touchdown and six picks in those games.

Why the Saints Advanced: Running Game Supported Brees

The Saints were a popular choice among NFL betting picks this week as a 3-point dog. Everyone knew that if the Saints were to register their first road win in franchise history, they’d need to get some help for Drew Brees. That came in the form of a surprisingly-good running game that provided 185 yards (5.1 yards per carry). That helped keep the Eagles defense off-balance and even made up for an off-night from Brees (one touchdown, two interceptions).

Why the Eagles Lost: Running Game Was a Non-Factor

The Eagles came into the game as the NFL’s leading rushing offense, averaging 5.1 yards per carry and a 160.4 yards per game. The Saints held them to just 80 yards on 22 carries (3.6 per attempt) and that proved to be the difference.

Why the Colts Advanced: The Will of Andrew Luck

If you’re betting on the NFL in the coming weeks or years, you know you won’t want to be going against Andrew Luck many times. The Colts faced a 38-10 second-half deficit, which seemed insurmountable. Had the Colts been quarterbacked by Dalton or Nick Foles, they would have packed it in. However, Luck would simply not accept defeat under any circumstances. He willed his team to the second-biggest comeback in NFL history, throwing for three second-half passes and rushing in a fluky fumble for another. It was a performance for the ages…and he’s only 24-years-old.

Why the Chiefs Lost: Their Defense Collapsed…Again

NFL football betting fans had seen the Chiefs play significantly weaker in the second half of the season and they failed again in the playoffs. They allowed just 12.3 points per game through their first nine weeks of the season (9-0) but allowed 27.7 through the final seven weeks. Injuries were part of the problem (both down the stretch and on Saturday) but the Chiefs defense simply couldn’t get any stops after they were handed a 38-10 lead.