Trends Say You Should Bet These Three Picks for NFL Wild Card 2022

The playoffs are here and we are approaching the post-season like we did the regular season. We have looked through all of the matchups and have isolated only the games which don’t have conflicting trends.

Of the six wild-card games there are three that have clear trends which should be considered for betting. Below you will find the games along with a brief description as well as the trends which support the pick.

Cincinnati (10-7) vs. Las Vegas (10-7)

The Bengals are finally back in the playoffs and are looking to move forward to the second round, something they have not had much luck of doing the last few decades.

The Raiders held on last week to eek their way into the post-season after almost blowing their lead. The Raiders have managed fairly well since the firing of HC John Gruden. Can they make it to round two without him?

• Cincinnati is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
• Cincinnati is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Las Vegas
• Cincinnati is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Las Vegas
• Cincinnati is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Las Vegas
• Cincinnati is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Las Vegas

The bottom line is that the Raiders have struggled with the Bengals historically. The line at top sportsbooks currently has the Bengals favored -5.5 points. Take the Bengals at home to win and cover vs the Raiders.

Buffalo (11-6) vs. New England (10-7)

New England comes off an embarrassing loss against the Dolphins, one which completed the season sweep for Miami. Can they get it back together to face a tough foe on the road?

The Bills had a rough patch in the middle of the season after starting out real strong. Luckily for them they also had a great run at the end of the season as well finishing 5-1 straight up.

• New England is 8-3 ATS in its last 11 games
• New England is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games
• New England is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
• New England is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games on the road
• New England is 16-5 SU in its last 21 games when playing Buffalo
• New England is 7-1 ATS in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Buffalo
• New England is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games when playing on the road against Buffalo

Its true that most of this damage against the Bills was done under the leadership of Tom Brady but rookie Mac Jones and crew did defeat these Bills in Buffalo just a few months ago. Trends say that New England has a great chance of covering the 4 point spread. Take the Pats.

Kansas City (12-5) vs. Pittsburgh (9-7-1)

Though the storyline will be all about Ben Roethlisberger’s final season, the real story should be about how Pittsburgh’s defense gives up 3 more points (23.41) than the offense scores per game (20.18) and how the Steelers somehow still ended the regular season with a winning record.

The Chiefs are clearly a better team but their play can be inconsistent which is why they are just 8-9 ATS this season. Can they put it together against the Steelers? Trends say yes.

1. Kansas City is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games
2. Kansas City is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games
3. Kansas City is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games at home
4. Kansas City is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games when playing at home against Pittsburgh

Its true that Pittsburgh is 4-2 SU & ATS in their last 6 games but they just don’t seem to do very well against the Chiefs. The spread is currently KC -12.5 and by our estimations it should be KC -13, so the line is pretty tight. Still that that extra hook and the fact that KC seems to cover against Pittsburgh means there is an obvious bet to be made here on Mahomes and his Chiefs. This could be a real beat down when all is said and done. Bet the Chiefs to win and cover.