Read this for a description of SRS.
Line values are taken from yahoo.com.
| Game | APR | SRS | Line |
| New York Jets @ Cincinnati Bengals | Jets ρ=1.5715 | Jets δ=7.73 | Bengals -2½ |
| Green Bay Packers @ Arizona Cardinals | Packers ρ=1.3985 | Packers δ=7.67 | Cardinals -2½ |
| Baltimore Ravens @ New England Patriots | Patriots ρ=1.3563 | Patriots δ=3.56 | Patriots -3½ |
| Philadelphia Eagles @ Dallas Cowboys | Cowboys ρ=1.1682 | Cowboys δ=1.16 | Cowboys -4 |
Comments:
This week features 3 rematches of games from the final week of the regular season. There's been 10 "wildcard rematch" games going back to 1988, but this is the first year there's been more than two the same season. Home teams are 8-2 in the playoff round of these contests.
In spite of APR's current ranking, the Jets are probably one of the weakest playoff team this year. The good news for them is they're matched up against the Bengals, whose low ranking is well deserved.
Don't read too much into the Packers' win last week. The Cardinals demonstrated very well last year they are able to play quite well in the playoffs, even in spite of very questionable play in the regular season.
The Ravens start another playoff run on the road at the AFC East division champions. But the Ravens aren't nearly as strong on defense as they were last year, and they're going to have a harder time advancing this year.
I figured the Cowboys playoff hopes were done after their loss to the Chargers made them 2-3 for their last 5. Somehow they've managed to claw their way back and win the NFC East. But there's still got to be some serious questions about what playoff teams (if any) they can beat.
But with the Eagles coming off a loss that cost them the division, a bye week, and means they will be on the road in the playoffs until they are out, they're perhaps the one team the Cowboys can be confident of beating.
