National Football League

Look Between the Lines: Handicapping wild-card weekend

Published Dec. 31, 2014 11:28 a.m. ET

foxsports

James Hernandez has more than 15 years in the sports handicapping industry and contributes weekly for FOXSports.com as our betting expert. Have comments or questions? Make sure to email him at jameshernandez1981@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @jhern81.

Arizona Cardinals (+6) over Carolina Panthers

Can someone please explain to me how an 11-win team is a six-point playoff underdog to a seven-win division winner? Please don't try and tell me it has anything to do with Cam Newton either, considering two of Carolina's seven wins came with Derek Anderson under center.

No playoff team has been hit harder with injuries than the Bird Gang, so credit Bruce Arians and his staff for navigating Arizona through treacherous waters and landing them their first postseason contest since 2009. Look for the Cardinals to shorten the game by staying committed to the run and using quick-hitting passes to neutralize Carolina defensively and control time of possession. Only one team here is deserving enough to be included in the playoffs, so back the team that won more games than they lost as Arizona keeps this game within the spread and possibly even finds a way to emerge victorious.

Baltimore Ravens (+3.5) over Pittsburgh Steelers

The best rivalry in all of sports gets the intensity ratcheted up another level as Pittsburgh and Baltimore get set to add another memorable chapter to this modern-day blood feud. Not since the Hatfields and McCoys have two groups of men had this much disdain and hatred for one another.

The Steelers lead the all-time series 24-17 which includes a perfect 3-0 record during the postseason. However, without workhorse back Le'Veon Bell Pittsburgh will have to rely heavily on their passing game and that can get tricky with the talented pass-rushers the Ravens feature. These teams split the regular-season series with each winning on their home field, but we all know the playoffs are a different animal. Without Bell to carry the load, it appears the Ravens can stay within the point spread and even have an outside shot at the outright win Saturday night in Heinz Field.

Cincinnati Bengals (+3.5) over Indianapolis Colts

After three consecutive losses on wild-card weekend, Marvin Lewis and the "Red Rifle" are finally looking to break through and extend their playoff stay to at least the divisional round. A healthy AJ Green would do wonders to help their cause against a team that shut them out back in Week 7 by a score of 27-0.

For all the praise Andrew Luck backers are throwing his way for a 40-touchdown campaign, they fail to mention his 16 interceptions, which are tied for the second-most in the NFL. Only Andy Dalton threw more among quarterbacks that qualified for the playoffs. On Sunday, Indy will be working with its ninth different offensive line combination and the mix of elite cover-corners and pass-rushers give the Bengals the defensive flexibility to neutralize the Colts' one-dimensional offense. Lack of a running game is a recipe for disaster in the NFL playoffs and Trent Richardson and his (3.3 YPC) will help lead to Indy's demise.

Take the more complete and talented team as Cincy not only covers the spread, but leaves the house that Peyton built with their first playoff win since 1990.

Dallas Cowboys (-6.5) over Detroit Lions

Gas prices are under $2 and the Dallas Cowboys are in the playoffs . . . Hmm, either I got in Doc Brown's DeLorean and set the dials back to 1995 or Jerry's latest collection of talent is finally living up to their advanced billing.

For years now, Dallas has been the most overhyped group in the NFL, but just when you thought it was safe to count the Cowboys out they put together a 12-4 record and won their first NFC East division title since 2009. You have to go back to the days of Michael Irvin and Emmitt Smith to find a receiver and running back combo in Dallas as productive as Dez Bryant and DeMarco Murray were in 2014. The two combined for an eye-popping 29 offensive touchdowns between them and that is far and away the best of any duo in the league.

Matthew Stafford is 0-16 lifetime on the road vs. opponents with a winning record and Sunday afternoon in "Big D" should be no different. Lay the points as the Cowboys win and cover to move into the divisional round. Sorry Detroit, but the "Curse of Bobby Layne" remains alive and well.