Washington is +850 for the NFC Championship. I think that is a good bet.
THE PATH (1):
Seattle has won one playoff game on the road...that was versus the Dolphins so you can calculate how long ago that was. They flew "coast to coast" to win at Carolina 16-12 and lose at Miami 24-21. (they did beat Buffalo 50-17 in Toronto...you can decide if that counts as coast to coast and if a win against the Bills should be considered at all). I believe the Redskins will play to stop Lynch and their defensive scheme will force Seattle to pass. I know both QB's are rookies and I won't say that RG3 dominates every category versus Wilson but, this is a rookie QB starting on the road in what will be only the second truly hostile evironment he has faced this year (after Chicago).
THE PATH (2):
If GB wins as they should, Washington will go to Atlanta...a much easier spot than going to SF. Redskins lost at home to ATL in week five, 24-17 although the score was tied with three minutes left to play. RG3 was knocked out of this game early in the second half (you remember the play on Sportscenter). Cousins threw two interceptions. I think this is a winnable game for the visitors.
THE PATH (3):
Hard to predict the match-up (SF or GB) but, personally I don't like the Packers as I think they have too many weaknesses and those may be exposed by Minnesota (again). Worse case in the pathway scenario is to go to SF. Washington has the blueprint for this game. Watch what Seattle did to them two weeks ago with a mobile QB, strong up-the-middle running game and pressure on another rookie QB. SF did get beat in this spot last year by a surging NFC East Wild Card team.
I also believe Shanahan and his coaching staff have the edge in any of these match-ups except versus GB. They have the best of the three rookie QB's in the NFC, Matt Ryan has never won a playoff game and Rodgers as great as he is, cannot win by himself nor can Ponder as bad as he is.
I also think Santana Moss will have a Fitzgerald like post-season.
The hot team playing on the first weekend has been a profitable proposition.
THE PATH (1):
Seattle has won one playoff game on the road...that was versus the Dolphins so you can calculate how long ago that was. They flew "coast to coast" to win at Carolina 16-12 and lose at Miami 24-21. (they did beat Buffalo 50-17 in Toronto...you can decide if that counts as coast to coast and if a win against the Bills should be considered at all). I believe the Redskins will play to stop Lynch and their defensive scheme will force Seattle to pass. I know both QB's are rookies and I won't say that RG3 dominates every category versus Wilson but, this is a rookie QB starting on the road in what will be only the second truly hostile evironment he has faced this year (after Chicago).
THE PATH (2):
If GB wins as they should, Washington will go to Atlanta...a much easier spot than going to SF. Redskins lost at home to ATL in week five, 24-17 although the score was tied with three minutes left to play. RG3 was knocked out of this game early in the second half (you remember the play on Sportscenter). Cousins threw two interceptions. I think this is a winnable game for the visitors.
THE PATH (3):
Hard to predict the match-up (SF or GB) but, personally I don't like the Packers as I think they have too many weaknesses and those may be exposed by Minnesota (again). Worse case in the pathway scenario is to go to SF. Washington has the blueprint for this game. Watch what Seattle did to them two weeks ago with a mobile QB, strong up-the-middle running game and pressure on another rookie QB. SF did get beat in this spot last year by a surging NFC East Wild Card team.
I also believe Shanahan and his coaching staff have the edge in any of these match-ups except versus GB. They have the best of the three rookie QB's in the NFC, Matt Ryan has never won a playoff game and Rodgers as great as he is, cannot win by himself nor can Ponder as bad as he is.
I also think Santana Moss will have a Fitzgerald like post-season.
The hot team playing on the first weekend has been a profitable proposition.
