NFL Playoff Schedule Breakdown Examines AFC Playoff Participants

Gridiron gamblers that are looking to strike pay dirt early and often with their NFL playoff wagering in the BetOnline Football Sportsbook will get a brief overview of what lies ahead thanks to this NFL playoff schedule betting breakdown on every possible AFC-related postseason pairing.

That’s right, not only will I quickly examine both of the upcoming Wildcard, but I will also take a brief, two-week glimpse into the future at what may lie ahead in each AFC Divisional Showdown when they take place in approximately two weeks.

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Okay pigskin players, with kickoff times quickly approaching, let me get started.

NFL Wild Card Weekend

Saturday, January 8, 8:00 PM ET

New York Jets at Indianapolis Colts (NBC)

The Indianapolis Colts (10-6 SU, 8-7-1 ATS) have been in playoff mode for a month as they had to win three of their last four regular season games just to get into the postseason. Well, the Colts have won four in a row and will put their winning streak on the line against a wildly inconsistent New York Jets (11-5 SU, 9-7 ATS) team that lost three of its final five regular season games coming into this matchup.

The Colts and Jets met in last season’s AFC Championship game, making one thing about this NFL playoff schedule contest an absolute certainty. At least one of these teams won’t be playing in this year’s conference finals.

Sunday, January 9, 1:00 PM ET

Baltimore at Kansas City (CBS)

The Kansas City Chiefs (10-6 SU, 9-7 ATS) had an absolutely magical season this year in reaching 10 victories and winning the AFC West. Cerebral quarterback Matt Cassel also had a fine 2010 campaign in throwing 27 TD passes and just seven interceptions.

Unfortunately, the Chiefs and their top-ranked rushing attack will be facing the stingy Baltimore Ravens (12-4 SU, 8-7-1 ATS) in this NFL playoff schedule contest and the Bears ranked third in points allowed and fifth against the run.

The Chiefs are very inexperienced in terms of postseason experience while the Ravens have a Pro Bowl kicker in Billy Cundiff who made 26 of 29 field goals and tied a league record with 40 touchbacks.

Ravens’ veteran safety Ed Reed recorded eight interceptions in just 10 games this season and is one of the biggest defensive playmakers in the game today.

AFC Divisional Playoffs

Saturday, January 15, 4:30 PM ET

Highest Remaining Seed at Pittsburgh (CBS)

The Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4 SU, 10-6 ATS) will host the highest remaining seed after the NFL playoff schedule Wild Card weekend takes place, but beating Troy Polamalu and company on the road will be a tall task for whichever team ends up in this contest as the Steelers have gone 15-5 SU and 11-8-1 ATS in their last 20 home games and 7-3 SU and 5-5 ATS in their last 10 home games in the month of January.

Sunday, January 16, 4:30 PM ET

Lowest Remaining Seed at New England (CBS)

The New England Patriots (14-2 SU, 10-5-1 ATS) are the hottest team in the playoffs, having won eight straight games and 11 of their last dozen games overall.

New England’s opponent in this AFC divisional showdown could have an even tougher time winning in Foxborough that Pittsburgh’s divisional counterpart as Tom Brady and com[any have compiled a blistering 17-3 SU mark and respectable 10-9-1 ATS mark in their last 20 home games.

To make matters worse for the Pats’ possible playoff opponent, New England has gone 8-2 SU and 6-4 ATS in their last 10 hoe games in the month of January and may be as close to a NFL playoff schedule lock as it gets in this matchup.

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