As the playoff race heats up, we bring you the hottest information from RedZone.bet

GAME ODDS

Houston Texans (-6) @ New York Jets (+6)

• Even with the loss last week, the Texans are still in a prime position for the AFC South and are nearly guaranteed a playoff spot. The Jets are out
• Isaiah Crowell managed to start the game for the Jets last week but reinjured his foot, if he can’t go then it increases workload for Elijah Maguire
• Houston have been steadily improving as a rushing defense, climbing in to the top three
• The Texans might get Keke Coutee back from injury this week
• The Jets have allowed the most rushing yards per game in the league over their last four games

Cleveland Browns (+3) @ Denver Broncos (-3)

• Mathematically, the Browns can still win the AFC North. In reality, they are out
• With the loss to the 49ers last week, Denver put a real dent in their playoff hopes, they need to win out and hope for help elsewhere now
• Rookie receiver Courtland Sutton was out-snapped by Tim Patrick and DaeSean Hamilton last week, but he may be carrying a niggling thigh injury
• Since Freddie Kitchens took over in Week 9, Baker Mayfield has been the least pressured quarterback in the league
• During the Kitchens era, the Browns have converted all 14 red zone trips in to touchdowns
• Browns cornerback Denzel Ward has been ruled out with a concussion

Arizona Cardinals (+9) @ Atlanta Falcons (-9)

• Both teams are out of the playoff hunt
• The Cardinals are currently leading the race for the first overall draft pick, being chased by the 49ers and the Raiders
• Ito Smith is starting to out-snap Tevin Coleman and may become the starting back
• The Cardinals lost defensive lineman Robert Nkemdiche for the season
• Hypothetically this is a perfect spot for David Johnson, Atlanta are bottom five in rush defense and allowing receiving yards to running backs, but the Cardinals offense may not be good enough overall to exploit this

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+7.5) @ Baltimore Ravens (-7.5)

• With the crushing overtime loss to the Chiefs, the Ravens took a step back in the playoff hunt. However, losses around them, especially by the Steelers, didn’t harm them too much. The Bucs are out
• Lamar Jackson had his most efficient passing performance last week, but the volume is low
• Gus Edwards is steadily losing backfield time share to Kenneth Dixon
• Jameis Winston has the best QB rating in the league when outside of the pocket
• Lamar Jackson came out of the game late last week but he should be able to play this week. Flacco should be back active and waiting to pounce
• Last week Chris Godwin had 10 targets (zero drops) and 173 air yards last week which resulted in 13 yards from 1 reception

Detroit Lions (+2.5) @ Buffalo Bills (-2.5)

• Both teams are pretty much out of the playoff hunt
• Since returning from injury, Josh Allen has 99, 135 and 101 rushing yards
• Josh Allen has the worst QB rating in the league when outside the pocket
• The Bills lost both LeSean McCoy and Chris Ivory last week, Marcus Murphy looks like he will get the carries this week
• The Lions lose Ezekiel Ansah to IR
• With Kerryon Johnson out, the Lions backfield is now a three-way timeshare between Zach Zenner, Theo Riddick and LeGarrette Blount
• Undrafted free agent Levi Wallace has been starting at cornerback for the Bills over the last 4 weeks and has allowed 50 yards from 125 passing play snaps and has found himself graded as a top 5 rookie CB. Matt Stafford is the best quarterback he’s faced
• The Bills lose Matt Milano, their best coverage linebacker, to a broken leg

Green Bay Packers (+6) @ Chicago Bears (-6)

• Chicago can win the NFC North this week
• Mathematically, the Packers could still get a wildcard spot, but it would take some effort and luck to do so
• The Packers beat the Bears 24-23 back in Week 1
• Aaron Rodgers has the most consecutive passing attempts without an interception (368)
• The Bears defense has the most interceptions in the league (25)
• Jamaal Williams started the game for the Packers but Aaron Jones took over and finished at a 65% snap rate
• Bears nickel corner Bryce Callahan broke a metatarsal in his foot this week, depending on severity he could return for the playoffs

Oakland Raiders (+3) @ Cincinnati Bengals (-3)

• Both teams are out of the playoff hunt, but both looked to be playing hard last week
• The Raiders fired general manager Reggie McKenzie this week, a position that was and will remain a puppet
• After winning last week, the Raiders are now unlikely to get the first overall draft pick, they would need to lost all 3 games and hope Arizona and San Francisco both get a win
• Since Week 8, Doug Martin is only behind Christian McCaffrey in goal line attempts
• These teams are first and second worst in allowing opponents to score per drive (both close to 50%)

Dallas Cowboys (+3) @ Indianapolis Colts (-3)

• With the divisional win last week, the Cowboys will clinch the NFC East if they beat the Colts
• The Colts are in the tough AFC wildcard hunt for the final place
• With 217 receiving yards last week, Amari Cooper leads the league in receiving yards since his trade in Week 9 with 642
• Since the Cooper trade, Michael Gallup has had over 50% of the deep targets
• TY Hilton nearly missed last week’s game, then put up 199 yards from 13 targets
• The Cowboys lost all-pro guard Zack Martin to a sprained MCL last week, he is a big part of that offense. He is day-to-day but will likely play through with a brace

Washington Redskins (+7) @ Jacksonville Jaguars (-7)

• The Redskins can still get a wildcard place, but with their injuries it will be a challenge. The Jaguars are out
• Jordan Reed left the game last week with foot injury, if he sits this out, Vernon Davis will get his action
• The total is the lowest opening line since 2012
• If his 90-yard run two weeks ago is taken away, Adrian Peterson would have 59 yards from 32 carries over the last three weeks
• Redskins starting quarterback Mark Sanchez was benched last week for Josh Johnson, who last threw a meaningful pass in 2011

Miami Dolphins (+7) @ Minnesota Vikings (-7)

• Ryan Tannehill injured his ankle but played through it, he should be back out there next week
• With the loss to the Seahawks on MNF, the Vikings are now in the battle for the final NFC wildcard spot, they are currently in prime position with the Panthers and Eagles the closest chasers
• Miami still have an outside chance of a wildcard place
• Xavien Howard was out last week and has had some minor surgery. It isn’t clear if he plays this week, but the Dolphins need him
• The Vikings fired their offensive coordinator John DeFilippo this week

Tennessee Titans (+3) @ New York Giants (-3)

• Tennessee still have an outside chance of a wildcard place. The Giants are pretty much out
• Last week, Derrick Henry had 238 yards, including 226 after contact. However, this was only from 14 carries on only 40% of snaps. Will his performance increase his usage?
• The Giants have allowed a rushing touchdown in each of their last eight games
• The Titans lose tight end Jonnu Smith, probably for the year. Anthony Firkser has run the second most routes on the team
• Odell Beckham Jr. was out for the Giants last week, but it looks like he will play this week

Seattle Seahawks (-4) @ San Francisco 49ers (+4)

• The Seahawks beat the 49ers 43-16 only two weeks ago
• Seattle have nearly guaranteed themselves a wildcard spot and will realistically only be interested in not slipping to 6th in the NFC. The 49ers are out
• Mychal Kendricks returned from suspension last week, but then broke his tibia
• The 49ers have only two interceptions all season, no team has had fewer than five in the last 10 years
• Matt Breida was out for the 49ers last week, handing the backfield to Jeff Wilson Jr., who had 86% of the snaps. It isn’t clear if Breida will be back this week
• George Kittle is having a superb year and is now undoubtedly a top five tight end in the league, putting up 210 yards and a touchdown from seven receptions
• The 49ers are chasing the Cardinals for the first overall draft pick, with the Raiders in the hunt

New England Patriots (-2.5) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (+2.5)

• Both teams are top of their divisions, but both lost last week
• The Patriots loss put their chances of a first round bye in jeopardy
• The Steelers loss is even more important, they basically need to win their division to get a playoff spot
• The Patriots have beaten the Steelers the last five match-ups (since 2013)
• Ben Roethlisberger came out of the game last week with a rib injury but the brave soldier managed to drag himself back in with five minutes to go. He should be able to play this week but his valour will need to be repeatedly commended
• JuJu Smith-Schuster continues to impress, with 130 yards and a touchdown from eight receptions last week
• With James Conner out, Jaylen Samuels out-snapped Stevan Ridley 48-8 and out-touched him 18-5. Conner probably doesn’t play again this week
• Unsurprisingly, Rob Gronkowski isn’t an ideal safety. It’s not often that the Patriots’ coaching decisions can be so legitimately questioned
• Even with everyone fit in the backfield, Sony Michel had the majority of backfield action and will probably hover around 70% of the action in neutral and positive game scripts

Philadelphia Eagles (+12) @ Los Angeles Rams (-12)

• With their loss to the Cowboys, the only route the Eagles have to the playoffs is through the wildcard, realistically competing with the Vikings and Panthers
• The Rams are battling with the Saints for top seed in the NFC
• The Eagles look to be without Carson Wentz for this game, who has picked up a back injury
• Jared Goff graded 33rd of 34 qualifying quarterbacks last week in the loss in sub zero conditions in Chicago
• Eagles cornerback Sidney Jones injured his hamstring, for the third time this season. He is likely done for the year unless they look to have a shot at the playoffs
• The Eagles defense was on the field for 99 snaps last week, with eight players playing 70+ and four playing all 99

New Orleans Saints(-6) @ Carolina Panthers (+6)

• The Panthers have now lost five games in a row, their playoff hopes are in jeopardy, only being kept alive by others losing around them. They are in the race for the final wildcard spot with the Vikings and Eagles
• The Saints have clinched the NFC South and are battling with the Rams for a first round bye and homefield advantage throughout the playoffs
• This is the Saints third straight road game
• Drew Brees ranks 18/26 qualifying QBs over the last two weeks
• With Greg Olsen out, Ian Thomas led the team with 10 targets
• Curtis Samuel ran the most routes of all Panthers receivers last week, Devin Funchess is slipping away and will probably not be with the team next year

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GRIDIRON BETS OF THE WEEK

Browns (+3) over Broncos
Colts (-3) over Cowboys
Buccaneers (+8) over Ravens
ENHANCED TREBLE….5/1

Texans @ Jets: Texans win and Deandre Hopkins scores a TD
Raiders @ Bengals: Over 46 total points
Lions @ Bills: Bills over 20.5 total points
ENHANCED TREBLE….7/1

(odds correct at the time of publishing)

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