NFL Playoff Betting – Which Injuries Will Affect The Conference Championship Games?
Online betting players are aware of how big of a role injuries can play in the game of football, and at this time of year, the smallest injuries will get magnified. Here is a look at the injury reports for the remaining teams in the NFL playoffs, and you can be sure there are more players hurt than what is on this list; at this time of year, no one is completely healthy.
Packers Bears Betting – Sunday, 3:00 PM ET
For the Green Bay Packers, rookie linebacker Frank Zombo (knee) is all but out after missing the last five games, but Erik Walden has done a great job stepping in and helping Clay Matthews to generate a pass rush. Fullback Korey Hall (knee) has been out for the last three games, but he looks to be set to return after practicing this week, while fellow fullback John Kuhn (shoulder) should play despite being limited in practice. Safety Atari Bigby (groin) returned to practice this week after missing three games, and NFL betting players shouldn’t read too much into a limited practice week for cornerback Charles Woodson (toe) and Matthews (shin). The Packers will have their two best players in the lineup on Sunday when they look to face off against the Bears for the 183rd time in regular and postseason play.
For the Chicago Bears, safety Chris Harris (hip) practiced after getting hurt in the Bears’ 35-24 win over the Seattle Seahawks, but NFL betting players should be an eye on him leading up to gametime. Linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa (knee) was limited in practice this week, but he should be able to play after returning last week from surgery, which kept him on the shelf for five weeks. Defensive end Israel Idonije (thumb) had a full week of practice and he’ll be ready to line up on Sunday for the Bears, who will need all of their weapons to slow down Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers. Receiver Earl Bennett and cornerback Zackary Bowman both missed practice for personal reasons, but they’ll be in the lineup on Sunday, as well.
Betting Edge: Bears
Jets Steelers Betting – Sunday, 6:30 PM ET
Receiver/special-teams ace/Wildcat specialist Brad Smith (groin) was limited in practice this week after getting hurt in the wild-card win at the Indianapolis Colts, and he missed the win over the New England Patriots. However, the New York Jets got on pretty well without him last week, outside of a bobbled snap by LaDainian Tomlinson, who tried to replace Smith in the Wildcat package. Cornerbacks Darrelle Revis (hamstring) and Drew Coleman (knee) will play this week, and with Revis, this is no problem as arguably the NFL’s best cornerback has been limited all season by this nagging injury. The Jets have a few players that are hurt, but got in a full week of practice leading up to Sunday’s showdown: defensive linemen Jason Taylor (concussion), Mike DeVito (neck) and Sione Pouha (back), center Nick Mangold (shoulder), cornerback Antonio Cromartie (groin), receiver Santonio Holmes (quadriceps) and quarterback Mark Sanchez (shoulder) are all banged up, but they’ll be there on Sunday.
Troy Polamalu (Achilles) didn’t practice, but that has been a running theme as the Pittsburgh Steelers try to protect their all-world safety. Cornerback Bryant McFadden (abdominal) has been out for the last two games, but he’ll try to practice Friday, and the same goes for safety Will Allen (knee). Receiver Arnez Battle (illness) was kept away from practice as a precaution, but he’ll be play on Sunday. We can’t say the same about defensive end Aaron Smith (triceps), who will definitely miss this game. However, Smith has essentially been out since Week 8, so the Steelers are used to not having him in the lineup, so don’t look for it to change their sports betting chances at all.
Betting Edge: Steelers
