NFL Playoff Picks: Picking Each Game Against the Spread

In my opinion, Wild Card Weekend is the best weekend of NFL football. The games are the most competitive and are staged in a playoff atmosphere with the season on the line. 

However, while the games are certainly fun to watch, it can be difficult to pick against the spread. Not only are the games close, but you never know how players will respond in a playoff environment. 

Without further ado, here are my picks against the spread for Wild Card Weekend. 

Cincinnati Bengals (+4) at Houston Texans

Despite starting a quarterback that has been largely ineffective in T.J. Yates, the Texans should have a good chance to not only win the game, but cover the spread as well. 

Just last week, they lost to the Titans on a botched two-point conversion. In that game, they were without Yates, Owen Daniels, Jonathan Joseph and Arian Foster. Andre Johnson was on a snap count, and they began to rest other starters as the game progressed. 

Joseph should take away A.J. Green, and the pass rush should be able to get to Dalton. Like they seem to be able to do every week, Houston will generate a few big plays from their running game, which should be easier to do with Johnson back in the lineup. 

I like the Texans to cover the four-point spread. 

Detroit Lions (-10.5) at New Orleans

I know that going into New Orleans and beating the Saints is quite a daunting task for any team, but the Lions are well-equipped to give the Saints all they can handle. 

In fact, had it not had been for an inordinate amount of mistakes and penalties in their meeting earlier in the season, the Lions had a chance of winning that game. 

Both teams are going to score a ton of points, but the Lions at least have a good enough pass rush to have a chance of slowing down the Saints' juggernaut offense. If the Lions can get Kevin Smith and the running game going on the ground and keep the Saints off the field, they certainly have a shot. 

To me, this is one of the easiest picks against the spread of the weekend. I like the Lions and the 10.5 points they are getting. 

Atlanta Falcons (+3) at New York Giants

The Falcons are playing the Giants at the worst possible time. They have found another big-time threat in Victor Cruz, and their offensive line is playing better.

But the biggest factor has been the reemergence of Justin Tuck, who has been battling injuries all season long and has been a shadow of his former dominant self. Until now. 

If the Giants can get out to an early lead, it will allow Tuck, Umenyiora and Jason Pierre-Paul to feast on the Falcons' average offensive line and give Matt Ryan problems all day. This will hide the problems they have had in their underachieving secondary. 

In the end, three points is not quite enough to pick the Falcons. I like the Giants to cover the spread. 

Pittsburgh Steelers (-8.5) at Denver Broncos

I can certainly see a situation in which the Steelers struggle with the Broncos pass rush with Dumervil and Miller and have a tough time moving the ball. However, I don't see a situation in which the Broncos sustain any kind of offense.

The Steelers will finally be with their two starting outside linebackers for the first time since Week 4. The key to beating Tebow is playing tight man coverage, and the Steelers have adopted that philosophy more this season than in years' past.

The Steelers may not score a lot, but they will score enough. They will cover the 8.5-point spread.