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As the regular season and wildcard playoffs are now over and done with, and with the Super Bowl on February 2nd at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami firmly in sight, it's time to take a look at eight players who we feel you can bet on to make the difference for their respective sides in this weekend's titanic divisional playoffs in the NFL.
#1 Richard Sherman, San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are possibly considered favorites for the tournament and it's easy to see why: Garoppolo, Kittle, Bosa, et al, are all potential matchwinners on their day; but, it's the CB, Richard Sherman, who is the type of guy that every franchise wants in their team.
He brings a lot of intensity out on to the pitch with him and he has a habit of coming up with big defensive plays in big moments; and not just for the 49ers either - he used to do it for the Seahawks too.
Vikings quarterback, Kirk Cousins will, I believe, be looking to utilize his star WR, Steffon Diggs a lot more vs the 49ers, not least because of Diggs outburst on the touchline vs the Saints, when he was unhappy about his marginalization in favor of the running game.
It is fair to assume that this will lead to a big day from Sherman. Cousins has thrown three interceptions in his last five outings, and the 49ers CB will be on hand to clean house if there is even a hint of a loose pass coming from the talented, yet inconsistent Vikings QB.
Betting Tips: 49ers to win (1/3) with both Cousins and Garoppolo (who has thrown 13 interceptions this season) to throw a pick (7/4).
#2 Dalvin Cook, Minnesota Vikings
Dalvin Cook near single-handedly ejected the New Orleans Saints out of the playoffs last Sunday evening, so he's an obvious pick for 'player-to-watch' heading into the game against the 49ers on Saturday.
The Florida native runs with energy, commitment, and aggression, and the Saints defenders, who are usually strong when it comes to stopping the run, were unable to cope with his change of pace and dynamism last time out, particularly in the first half, as he emerged from the game boasting 94 rushing yards, the vast majority of which tallied up before the start of the third quarter.
Betting Tips: Lightning doesn't always strike twice, and despite an incredible effort at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome last time out, I think the 49ers will be too much for the Vikings to cope with offensively. However, If I were a gambling man, - and I am - I'd go for a 49ers win (1/3) with Dalvin Cook to rush +100 yards and score a TD for the Vikings (13/2).
#3 Lamar Jackson - Baltimore Ravens
Unless one of Patrick Mahomes or Ryan Tannehill go all the way and lift the Vince Lombardi trophy in Miami on February the 2nd, I think Lamar Jackson will end up as the league MVP for 2019/20, because he's looked that good.
We've never really seen anything like Lamar in the NFL before - we haven't! People talk about similarities between him and Micheal Vick but, I mean, come on! Vick didn't rush for anywhere near as many yards as Lamar does and the QB ratings don't lie either.
Lamar has a 113.3 for the season vs Vick's 80.2 career overall. Anyways, no team has stopped Jackson all year... a few have slowed him down - sure, and there have been a few who have forced him into making mistakes. However, I don't see any way this Titans defense stops him rushing for +100 yards and, ultimately, I think that will prove to be the difference.
Betting tips: Ravens to win (5/6) with Lamar Jackson to rush in 2 TDs (11/2)
#4 Derrick Henry - Tennessee Titans
New England fans will need the entire off-season just to recover from watching the physical torment Derrick Henry put a talented Patriots defense through last Saturday night - he was unstoppable.
Running with all the veracity of a bull going downhill and with the wind at its back, he carved up Van Noy, Hightower, et al for 182 yards as the Titans overcame last season's Superbowl Champions.
The Ravens will be hoping for a slightly lower return on his rushing yards, but - the truth is - it's just not easy to stop Derrick Henry; he's too strong! And he's been doing this (crushing opposition defenses) since college, so we will likely see more of the same from him on Saturday.
Betting Tips: Ravens to win (5/6), but with Derrick Henry to rush for +100 yards and to score a TD (13/8)
#5 Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
Last year's MVP seems to now be fully recovered from the knee injury that kept him out for a few games during November, and he will be looking to continue and improve upon his solid recent form when the Chiefs do battle against the Texans on Sunday afternoon.
He makes the list by virtue of being the most unpredictable and explosive passing-QB in the league - quite simply, he makes passes that others either can't see, can't do, or don't even imagine and I'd expect him to turn it on for the AFC Divisional Playoffs - this is what Mahomes was born to do.
Betting Tips: This is a tough game to call: the Texans got the better of the meeting earlier in the season (31-24) and they can now once again call on DE, JJ Watt, who had been out with 'a season-ending injury' up until last weekend's game vs the Bills (in which he played very well). However, my gut tells me that Mahomes will pull something out of the bag and I'm expecting a narrow Chiefs win (2/9) with Mahomes to throw +300 yards and Tyreek Hill to rack up +100 receiving yards (5/2)
#6 JJ Watt, Houston Texas
People have often said to me that in the NFL big moments on both offense and defense can change the momentum of a match in an instant. Last weekend vs the Bills, JJ Watt proved those people exactly right:
With the Texans losing 13-0 and with little time left on the clock in the 3rd, JJ Watt crunched Josh Allen for a huge sack on 3rd down, and it changed the game. The Houston crowd fed off the moment; the players reacted to the moment, and JJ Watt and the Texans D kept Allen and company hush-hush for the rest of the game as they want on to triumph 22-19.
If the Texans are to progress against the chiefs, they are going to need a few more moments like this from their three-time Defensive-Player-of-the-Year winner, and who could bet against a man who has done extraordinary things to even make it back to fitness at this early stage of the playoffs - Watt can do anything!
Betting Tips: I still think Mahomes and the KCC offense will get the job done vs the Texans; however, if you can find odds on JJ hitting +2/3 sacks to boost your returns, I'd suggest it (can't find them on SKYBET.com)
#7 Aaron Jones, Green Bay Packers
Can somebody tell me how Aaron Jones was not selected for the Pro-Bowl? The man has rushed for over 1000 yards (1084) and scored 19 touchdowns this season - a league-high (tied with Panthers RB, Christian McCaffrey).
If that isn't Pro-Bowl standard, I'm not sure what is! Jones, himself, has been vocal regarding his omission from the All-Star Game, and had this to say earlier in the week,
"At this point, I'm used to being slept on: I just have to stop worrying about what other people think of me. I know what kind of player I am and I've done great this year. I'm proud of myself, so honestly at this point, what other people think, it doesn't bother me. I'm All-Pro in my opinion."
The last thing Vikings fans will want to hear is that Aaron Jones, a man who has lit up the NFL this year, is coming into the game with a point to prove, and we are expecting fireworks from the Packers' explosive nu 33 - he will score a TD at some point.
Betting Tips: Packers to win (10/21) with Aaron Jones scoring a TD at any time (8/15)
#8 D.K. Metcalf, Seattle Seahawks
Of course, the Seahawks will need QB- Russel Wilson to be at the top of his game on Sunday if they are to overcome the Packers - that's a given. However, rookie sensation D.K Metcalf is likely to have a big part to play, too.
The giant WR has a habit of making clutch plays at big moments in games, and he has rapidly become Wilson's go-to-guy when the chips are down, or when the Seahawks find themselves at third and long.
He's a huge, intimidating presence at WR and his power enables him to make crucial gains after contact - something the Seahawks are going to be reliant on as they bid to grind down a resolute Packers defense. Expect Metcalf to come out on top - he usually does.
Betting Tip: This one is too close to call. I've gone with a Packers win above but if you fancy spreading your bets, why not have a punt on a Seahawks win (7/4) with Metcalf to score the final touchdown of the game (10/1)
