Betting: Will Giants upset Vikings on Sunday?
Minty Bets, Pam Maldonado and Mark Drumheller preview the 3 games on Sunday of NFL Wild Card Weekend.
Video Transcript
MINTY BETS: Super Wild Card weekend is in full effect. I'm Minty Bets, joined by Mark Drumheller and Pam Maldonado. And we're going to give you our picks for each game on Sunday's slate. Sunday starts off with the Dolphins at Bills, followed by the Giants at Vikings, and then we nightcap with the Ravens at Bengals. Starting with me, I've got the Dolphins at Bills.
Now, the Bills are 13-point favorites, and the total is 43 and 1/2. I'm going with the Bills team total over 27 and 1/2. Now, it seems relatively high. But essentially, it's just a touchdown, an extra point in each quarter. The Bills have exceeded this total in six of their last eight games. Defensively, the Bills and Dolphins are day and night. And on offense, Buffalo ranks second in total yards per game, as well as points per game in the regular season.
Also, no Tua, no thank you. Going with the Bills team total over 27 and 1/2. Next, coming to Pam with the Giants at the Vikings. We've got the Vikings as 3-point favorites and the total of 48. Now, the Giants have kind of shocked us all this regular season. Do you see their success continuing? Or are you on the Vikings here, Pam?
PAM MALDONADO: I am not on the Vikings. I am fading one of the most luckiest teams in all of the NFL, backing the Giants plus 3. The New York Giants, they are one of the best against the spread teams in the NFL. 13 and 4 against the spread overall. 6 and 1 against the spread on the road. 10 and 2 against the spread as an underdog. That is exactly the team that I want to back in this spot.
Daniel Jones has been stellar as of late. Back to back games, throwing at least 71% completion. Only one interception in his last six games, three sacks in his last three. Ball protection has definitely been there. Plus, Daniel Jones is coming off 91 rushing yards against the Colts. Now you have Jones and the Giants offense facing a Minnesota defense that's statistically is the worst among any playoff team that we have left.
The Vikings defense, 30th in yards allowed per play, 28th in opponent scoring allowed. If this comes down to the situation of who do I trust more in high pressure situations, who do I trust more for proper clock management, knowing when to push and when to hold back, I'm going to trust Brian Daboll. Giants plus 3. And as a bonus, Giants plus 140 on the moneyline. Minnesota's luck runs out this weekend.
MINTY BETS: Now, we're ending Sunday with my personal favorite game, an AFC North matchup and a week 18 repeat, as the Bengals host the Ravens. The Bengals are 7-point favorites, and the total is 41 and 1/2. Mark, what's your pick for this one?
MARK DRUMHELLER: Minty, you won't catch me betting against Joe Burrow this time of year, especially in a favorable matchup here against the Ravens. Baltimore has really struggled covering boundary receivers this season. And Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase just cut through this starting Ravens defense for 24 points in the first half last week. Seven might seem like a big number. But in the Wild Card round, the winning team has covered the spread 88.5% of the time over the last 62 games.
Can the Ravens win this one outright? I don't think so. They're only 2 and 5 straight up against teams in this year's playoff field. While the Bengals, they haven't lost at home since week one. And that includes the win over Kansas City and Patrick Mahomes. Burrow and the Bengals have beat the market all season, going 12 and 4 against the spread. And I'm betting they don't change their stripes this week. Give me the Bengals minus 7.
MINTY BETS: That's right, Mark. That's right. To recap our Sunday Wild Card picks, I've got the Bills team total over 27 and 1/2 points. Pam's got the Giants to cover. And Mark has the Bengals to cover. Bet $10 and win $100 when you wager on any event. Sign up at betmgm.com/yahoospecial. New customers only. Must be 21 or older.
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