• About Us / Contact
  • Responsible Gambling
This site contains commercial content
SportsHandle
  • US Sports Betting
    • Arizona
    • Arkansas
    • Colorado
    • Connecticut
    • Delaware
    • Illinois
    • Indiana
    • Iowa
    • Kansas
    • Louisiana
    • Maine
    • Maryland
    • Massachusetts
    • Michigan
    • Mississippi
    • New Jersey
    • New Mexico
    • New York
    • Ohio
    • Oregon
    • Pennsylvania
    • Tennessee
    • Virginia
    • West Virginia
    • Wyoming
  • Pending States
    • California
    • Florida
    • Georgia
    • Missouri
    • North Carolina
  • Canada
    • Ontario
    • British Columbia
    • Alberta
  • Sportsbook Apps
    • FanDuel
    • BetMGM
    • Caesars
    • PointsBet
    • BetRivers
  • Tools
    • Sportsbook Bonuses Explained
    • Sports Betting Revenue Tracker
    • Sports Betting Podcasts
    • Partnership Tracker
    • Expected Value
    • Sports Scores And Odds Apps
    • Sports Betting Twitter
    • Guide To ‘Risk-Free’ Bets
  • News
No Result
View All Result
SportsHandle
  • US Sports Betting
    • Arizona
    • Arkansas
    • Colorado
    • Connecticut
    • Delaware
    • Illinois
    • Indiana
    • Iowa
    • Kansas
    • Louisiana
    • Maine
    • Maryland
    • Massachusetts
    • Michigan
    • Mississippi
    • New Jersey
    • New Mexico
    • New York
    • Ohio
    • Oregon
    • Pennsylvania
    • Tennessee
    • Virginia
    • West Virginia
    • Wyoming
  • Pending States
    • California
    • Florida
    • Georgia
    • Missouri
    • North Carolina
  • Canada
    • Ontario
    • British Columbia
    • Alberta
  • Sportsbook Apps
    • FanDuel
    • BetMGM
    • Caesars
    • PointsBet
    • BetRivers
  • Tools
    • Sportsbook Bonuses Explained
    • Sports Betting Revenue Tracker
    • Sports Betting Podcasts
    • Partnership Tracker
    • Expected Value
    • Sports Scores And Odds Apps
    • Sports Betting Twitter
    • Guide To ‘Risk-Free’ Bets
  • News
No Result
View All Result
SportsHandle
No Result
View All Result

NFL Divisional Round Breakdown, The Princess Bride, And Fantastic Finishes

This week's games shape up as four battles of wits

Jeff Edelstein by Jeff Edelstein
January 20, 2022
in Sports
Aaron Rodgers

Photo: Raj Mehta/USA TODAY

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

One of my football betting rules is “when in doubt, look at the coaching staff.” Basically, I ask myself if the coaching staff is forward-thinking, are they using advanced analytics, do they understand the concept of two-point conversions and going for it on fourth down, or … do they run quarterback sneaks on third and nine.

It’s third and nine from deep in our own territory. Let’s call a quarterback sneak!
Giants fans should go home after that.

pic.twitter.com/l2EEfDSz8F

— Michael Fabiano (@Michael_Fabiano) January 9, 2022

I’m not going to pretend my rule is foolproof or that it’s even effective, but take a look at the eight teams left in the playoffs and who their head coaches are. They are all clearly forward-thinking men. Even the old ones, like Andy Reid and Bruce Arians, know how to run a team in 2021. Then there are the young guns, like Zac Taylor, Sean McDermott, Sean McVay, Kyle Shanahan, and Matt LaFleur. Lastly, you’ve got Mike Vrabel, who looks like he should be a dinosaur, but clearly has a magic formula to get the most out of his team.

All in all, it makes betting this week’s slate of divisional round games a tough nut to crack. I expect four chess games, in short. A lot of gamesmanship. A battle of wits, if you will.

And after last week’s genuinely terrible football games, I, for one, am looking forward to the action. Conference semifinal week is always the best week. (And yes, last week’s games were not good. At all. Four blowouts and the two close games weren’t exactly Alcoa Fantastic Finishes, you know?)

And before I date myself further – what’s next, You Make The Call? – let’s get on to this week’s four-pack of football.

 

The +1000 parlay of the week

Sheesh, I came dangerously close to nailing this last week. Had the Chiefs -12.5, the Bucs -8.5, the over in the Chiefs-Bills game, and … the over in the Cowboys-49ers game.

This week? I mean, what the hell. Four games, I’ll just pick my picks, smash ‘em together, and presto, we got ourselves a parlay, baby! Over to DraftKings, and give me the Bengals +3.5, the Packers -6, the Rams outright, and the Bills outright. That’s +1655, and I’m going for it.

Rationale? No one knows what we’re getting with the Titans, so I’ll take the 3.5 points and cross my fingers. The Packers, at home, at night, on the frozen tundra — right now, lows for Saturday night are forecast for 1 degree.

Anyway, the I’ll buy into the Rams peaking at the right time. As for the Bills and Chiefs? Coin flip, I think, so give me the moneyline ‘dogs.

The on-paper, no doubt, three-team teaser that’s bound to lose

Cowboys-49ers burned me here as well, not even able to go over the 44.5 teased number. Boo. 

One more time for the road here: How about Packers pick’em, Rams +9, and over 48.5 in the Chiefs-Bills game for +160 at Caesars. Seems reasonable, no?

DraftKings DFS play(s) of the week

Had a big hit myself last week, winning $500 in the $3 Play Action on DraftKings. So that was nice.

This week? Again, short slates are tough, but I think a good plan of attack — if you’re playing the four-game slate — is to load up on Chiefs and Bills players. While that may be obvious — it has the highest over/under — I still think the fact the game isn’t until Sunday night will keep people off of it more than they should be. Couple that with the fact the best plays are expensive, and there’s a real recipe for low ownership. Honestly, use some of the lesser plays and you can completely game stack this thing.

Underdog I like best to win outright

Gotta be the Rams, right? You have to figure they will be able to move the ball through the air, and if the Rams can generate pressure on Brady — yeah, I like the Rams.

Player props I like

There was literally nothing I liked last week. This week, it’s a different story (all on DraftKings).

For starters, Jimmy Garoppolo under 244.5 yards passing at -115. This game might be slow, it’s 1 degree out, and Garoppolo has 43 different injuries. 

I also like Ryan Tannehill over 238.5 yards at -115, C.J. Uzomah under 3.5 receptions at -120, and Sony Michel (who I think will keep goal-line duties) anytime TD at +230 

My mortal lock five-star only for my best customers can’t lose guaranteed best bet of the week

Had the Chiefs last week as the best bet. Also picked five of the six games outright, only missing on Dallas. So that’s nice.

This week, gimme the Pack -6.

As for the officially official predictions:

Bengals 24, Titans 23

Packers 28, 49ers 14

Rams 34, Bucs 28

Bills 35, Chiefs 31

ShareTweetShare
Jeff Edelstein

Jeff Edelstein

Jeff is a veteran journalist, working as a columnist for The Trentonian newspaper in Trenton, NJ for a number of years. He's also an avid sports bettor and DFS player. He can be reached at jedelstein@bettercollective.com.

Related Posts

FanDuel Sportsbook Ohio Special offer and promo code
Promotions

Back the Bengals and Claim $200 in Bonus Bets with FanDuel Ohio Promo Code

January 29, 2023
whats on tap
Industry

What’s On Tap: Conference Championships, Massachusetts Meeting, Aussie Open

January 23, 2023
Load More

Top Stories

patrick mahomes

Mahomes’ Ankle Speculation Twists Line Movement In Chiefs-Bengals Rematch

January 27, 2023
fanatics-grand-opening

Fanatics Sportsbook At FedEx Field Offers Unique Retail Option In Maryland

January 23, 2023
Shutterstock

Missouri Legislators Lament Exodus Of Bettors To Neighboring States

January 27, 2023
rob gronkowski adam vinatieri

Rob Gronkowski Goes Training Montage Route In Latest FanDuel Spot

January 17, 2023

State Sports Betting Guides

Ohio (U.S. state) flag waving against clear blue sky, close up, isolated with clipping path mask alpha channel transparency, perfect for film, news, composition

Ohio Sports Betting – Where To Play, Bonus Offers And Promo Codes

by Brian Pempus
January 25, 2023

Downtown Detroit at twilight (Shutterstock)

Michigan Sports Betting – Where To Play, Online Sportsbooks, And FAQ

by Brett Smiley
January 27, 2023

VA captial

Virginia Sports Betting – Where To Play, Online Sportsbooks And Bonus Offers

by Brett Smiley
January 17, 2023

nj flag

New Jersey Sports Betting — Where To Play, Online Sportsbooks, And FAQ

by Brett Smiley
October 20, 2022

pa online sportsbooks

Pennsylvania Sports Betting – Where To Play, Online Sportsbooks And Bonuses

by Brett Smiley
October 6, 2022

Canada Sports Betting Guides

Canada Sports Betting – Best Sportsbook Apps & Bonus Offers

British Columbia Sports Betting – Legal Update, Available Sportsbooks, and FAQ

Ontario Sports Betting – Legal Status And Where To Play

gambling therapy
ncpg
igaming ontario
If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL). Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (MI/NJ/OH/PA/WV), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), 1-888-532-3500 (VA) or call/text TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN).
19+. Please play responsibly. Terms and conditions apply. 
Individuals must be 19 years of age or older to participate in igaming in Ontario. Gambling can be addictive, please play responsibly. If you, or someone you know, has a gambling problem in Ontario and wants help, please visit ConnexOntario or call their helpline at 1-866-531-2600. Operators on this website operate pursuant to an Operating Agreement with iGaming Ontario.

Search Sports Handle

No Result
View All Result
  • About Us / Contact
  • Responsible Gambling

No Result
View All Result
  • US Sports Betting
    • Arizona
    • Arkansas
    • Colorado
    • Connecticut
    • Delaware
    • Illinois
    • Indiana
    • Iowa
    • Kansas
    • Louisiana
    • Maine
    • Maryland
    • Massachusetts
    • Michigan
    • Mississippi
    • New Jersey
    • New Mexico
    • New York
    • Ohio
    • Oregon
    • Pennsylvania
    • Tennessee
    • Virginia
    • West Virginia
    • Wyoming
  • Pending States
    • California
    • Florida
    • Georgia
    • Missouri
    • North Carolina
  • Canada
    • Ontario
    • British Columbia
    • Alberta
  • Sportsbook Apps
    • FanDuel
    • BetMGM
    • Caesars
    • PointsBet
    • BetRivers
  • Tools
    • Sportsbook Bonuses Explained
    • Sports Betting Revenue Tracker
    • Sports Betting Podcasts
    • Partnership Tracker
    • Expected Value
    • Sports Scores And Odds Apps
    • Sports Betting Twitter
    • Guide To ‘Risk-Free’ Bets
  • News

loading

Please wait while you are redirected to the right page...

Please share your location to continue.

Check our help guide for more info.

share your location