NFL Playoff Schedule 2012: Picks Against the Spread for Conference Championships

Gamblers who like to wager on the NFL have to face the sad reality that there are only three games left before the end of the season.

Fortunately, these are the most exciting games of the year and having a bet on them makes them even better.

If you want to get a piece of this action, consider these facts and picks before calling up your bookie.

 

Against the Spread

New England Patriots (-7.5) vs. Baltimore Ravens

The Patriots are out for revenge and a title this year. They have already dispatched the Broncos and are looking to demolish a team that knocked them out of the 2010 postseason.

Baltimore manhandled an undermanned Patriots team back then and easily won, 33-14.

Things look different this year now that both teams have a playoff game under their belt.

The Patriots stomped out the Broncos and never looked back, excelling on both sides of the ball.

The Ravens had a close game in which their defense forced four turnovers and consistently made plays but could not get anything done on offense.

That kind of output will be the end of the Ravens in frigid New England. Unless they somehow fix this glaring problem, they will get overwhelmed by the high-powered Pats offense.

Prediction: Patriots 35, Ravens 24

 

San Francisco 49ers (-2.5) vs. New York Giants

The 49ers forced Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints to throw the ball over 60 times against them and proved they cannot be run on.

New York has a weak running game and will have to employ the same strategy as the Saints—basically throwing early and often.

Why would anyone think that would work with an offense that isn’t nearly as great as New Orleans’?

The 49ers are playing old-school football and tough defense, while being one of the best-coached teams in the league.  They will be rewarded with a trip to Indianapolis.

Prediction: 49ers 21, Giants 17

2012 NFL Playoff Schedule

AFC Championship – Baltimore Ravens vs. New England Patriots – Sunday, Jan. 22, at 3 p.m. EDT – CBS

NFC Championship – New York Giants vs. San Francisco 49ers – Sunday, Jan. 22, at 6:30 p.m. EDT - FOX

Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1026446-nfl-playoff-schedule-2012-picks-against-the-spread-for-conference-championships

Colin Curtis Kevin Russo Curtis Granderson Nick Johnson Javier Lopez Alex Hinshaw