NFL Playoff Schedule 2012: Which Wild Card Teams Are Locks Against the Spread?

The NFL playoffs raise the amount of intensity between teams to a new level over the regular season, which makes picking games against the spread quite difficult.

Teams are so even at this stage of the season, that even small spreads are tough to take. Let's look at every team playing on Wild Card Weekend that is a lock against the spread.

Note: All spreads according to Betonline.com

Cincinnati Bengals vs. Houston Texans: (Texans -3)

This is a small spread but I think the Bengals will upset the Texans so I would certainly take them in this matchup.

Houston is playing in their first ever playoff game in franchise history, and there will be tremendous pressure on the team and quarterback TJ Yates to win in front of the home crowd.

Yates threw no touchdowns with two interceptions in the Texans' final three games, all of which were losses. Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton on the other hand has thrown five touchdowns with just one interception in the last six games.

Dalton is a winner and played in several high-pressure games during his collegiate career at TCU, including a Rose Bowl victory last season. Dalton will lead the Bengals to an upset win on Saturday.

New Orleans Saints vs. Detroit Lions (Saints -10.5)

The New Orleans Saints are big favorites in this game but I would still take them with this large spread because quarterback Drew Brees has looked unstoppable this season.

Brees threw for 5,476 yards this season, beating Dan Marino's previous record of 5,084. He leads the NFL's No. 1 ranked passing attack against a Lions defense that is ranked just 22nd against the pass this season. New Orleans also has the sixth best rushing attack, making their offense tremendously balanced and dangerous.

Detroit cannot run the ball well and won't win a shootout against a high-scoring team like the Saints. New Orleans has won eight games in a row and scored 30 or more points in 10 of their 16 games this season. They will continue their winning ways against the Lions with a blowout win.

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Denver Broncos (Steelers -9)

This is another large spread but I don't think Pittsburgh will have a hard time covering it. The Broncos limped into the playoffs, and quarterback Tim Tebow has been terrible in the past three games.

In the last four regular season games for the Broncos, Tebow threw just two touchdown passes with five interceptions. Tebow's poor play towards the end of the season was a primary reason the team lost its last three games.

The Steelers have the best defense in the NFL and are ranked No. 1 in passing defense and No. 8 in rushing defense. They will dominate Tebow and the Broncos on Wild Card Weekend and will win this game by at least 10 points.

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