NFL Playoff Schedule 2012: Easy Money Bets for Each Wild Card Round Game

There is a dead lock bet in each of the four games from the opening weekend of the NFL playoffs. That makes this weekend money time not just for the teams playing, but also those looking to add a little coin to their wallets. 

Here are four bets that you can take to the bank.

Cincinnati Bengals at Houston Texans

Play: Bengals +3

The Bengals are the only team the Texans have beaten since they had to start a QB that was not first or second on their depth chart. 

They won that game with a thrilling comeback drive led by rookie QB T.J. Yates. The young QB will not be able to duplicate that performance. 

In that game, the Bengals geared up to stop RB Arian Foster. He ended with just 41 rushing yards on 15 carries. This forced Yates to throw the ball 44 times. 

The Bengals will adopt a similar strategy in this one and force Yates to try and beat them again, and this is too much to ask of the young QB. 

Prediction: Bengals 20, Texans 16

Detroit Lions at New Orleans Saints

Play: Over 59

This game is going to be an epic shootout. In their last four games in the Superdome, the Saints have average 42.5 points per game. 

Granted, the lowest scoring of those was a 31-17 win over the Lions, but that low score was mostly due to the fact that the Lions had the ball for 35 of 60 minutes and only had 16 points to show for it. 

Detroit's offense has performed much better since then. In their four games following that they have averaged 35.25 points per game. 

This game will pass 59 comfortably. 

Prediction: Saints 41, Lions 32

Atlanta Falcons at New York Giants

Play: Falcons +3

The Giants built a lot of positive momentum by winning three of their last four games to sneak into the playoffs. However, this is still an extremely flawed team that not too long ago lost four in a row. 

The Giants are a one-dimensional offense. They are last in the NFL in rushing yards per attempt at 3.5. This means Atlanta can gear up to stop the pass, and they have a decent and improving pass defense. 

The Falcons are 17th on the season at 6.8 yards per pass. Over their last three, they have allowed just 6.1 yards per pass.

This will allow the Falcons to slow down the Giants enough to let their offense exploit the weak Giants defense.  

Prediction: Falcons 31, Giants 24

Pittsburgh Steelers at Denver Broncos

Play: Under 34.5

34.5 is a tiny over/under. However, it is certainly justified. This game may end, 4-2.

The Steelers will have to play this game without RB Rashard Mendenhall. 

They also will have a QB that is still trying to cope with an ankle sprain. 

This is going to lead to an eye-popping low scoring game because the Broncos offense is in shambles. 

Teams have figured out how to shut down Tim Tebow and the spread option. They play bump and run man coverage on the outside and use their linebackers to keep Tebow from breaking the pocket. The Steelers are going to have no problem employing this strategy. 

There is a very good chance that defense outscores offense in this game. 

Prediction: Steelers 13, Broncos 3