Ravens vs. Chiefs | Wild-Card Predictions

AFC Wild-Card Free Pick

vs.

Baltimore Ravens at Kansas City Chiefs
Sunday, January 2, 2010 at 1:00 PM EST on CBS

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The Ravens find themselves in the exact same position as last year’s playoffs but instead of having to go into Foxborough to pull off the upset, they will go on the road as a favorite at Arrowhead. The biggest thing in Baltimore’s favor in this game is experience. This team has a solid running game behind Ray Rice and a shutdown defense led by Ray Lewis. It will look to exploit Kansas City’s youth by forcing some turnovers which would give the offense a short field to put some points on the board.

The Chiefs have certainly played well enough to get into the playoffs, but the big question is can they continue to play at a level that keeps them from an early exit? Kansas City will try and mirror Baltimore in this game with a heavy dose of the running game and utilizing a defense that can not only stop the run, but make life miserable for Raven QB Joe Flacco. Much of the Chiefs’ success this season stems from the fact they had a turnover ratio of +9. If they can avoid the costly mistakes that often plague a young team in the playoffs, they have a chance to win this game.

Baltimore is 4-1 ATS in its last four Wildcard games and 4-1-1 ATS in its last six road games overall. Kansas City is 1-6 ATS in its last seven games against the AFC and 0-4 ATS in its last four playoff games. The total has stayed ‘under’ in four of the Ravens’ last five playoff games and in four of the Chiefs’ last five games overall. Take Baltimore to grind out an ugly win to possibly set up a rematch with the Patriots next week.

The odds makers have the Baltimore Ravens as a -2.5 point favorite with an over/under of 41.

Bet the Ravens/Chiefs Wild-Card game at an online sportsbook that gives you a 50% sign up bonus from the website “Where the Line Originates” – Bookmaker.

Team records:

• Baltimore: 12-4 SU, 8-7-1 ATS
• Kansas City: 10-6 SU, 9-7 ATS

Baltimore Ravens most recently:

• When playing in January are 6-4
• When playing on grass are 7-3
• After being outgained are 9-1
• When playing outside the division are 8-2

Kansas City Chiefs most recently:

• When playing in January are 2-8
• When playing on grass are 5-5
• After being outgained are 5-5
• When playing outside the division are 8-2

A few betting trends to consider:

• Baltimore is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
• The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Baltimore’s last 5 games when playing on the road against Kansas City
• The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Baltimore’s last 6 games
• Baltimore is 4-1-1 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
• Kansas City is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games at home
• The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Kansas City’s last 5 games
• The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Kansas City’s last 5 games at home
• The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Kansas City’s last 5 games when playing at home against Baltimore