• 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 Wild Card Weekend Betting Wrap, Lookahead to Divisional Round

Brett Smiley by Brett Smiley
January 8, 2018
in Sports
NFL Wild Card Weekend Betting Wrap; Divisional Round Opening Lines; Early Line Moves and First Impressions
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

NFL Wild Card Weekend lived up to its name on Saturday and Sunday as all four road underdogs covered and both ‘dogs won straight up on Saturday at +250 or higher on the money line. The game unders hit comfortably twice and Titans RB Derrick Henry led all rushers by far, carrying 23 times for 156 yards.

The TPS report pegged the Titans to cover but missed the spread on the others, while correctly picking the totals in three of four games. Let’s dig deeper into the numbers and outside the box scores and take an early look at the Divisional Round lines.

NFL Wild Card Weekend Betting Wrap; Divisional Round Opening Lines; Early Line Moves and First Impressions

Tennessee Titans (+8.5; o/u 44.5) at Kansas City Chiefs

What happened: This game looked headed toward a Chiefs blowout when Kansas City executed a 9-play, 79-yard two-minute drill that ended with a 14-yard touchdown strike from Alex Smith to Demarcus Robinson with three ticks left in the first half, pulling ahead 21-3. The Titans completely flipped the script in the second half, scoring a touchdown on all three of its possessions, limiting a Travis Kelce-less (concussion) Kansas City offense to just 20 total offensive plays and 56 total yards. And oh yeah, Marcus Mariota threw a momentum-changing touchdown to Marcus Mariota. Titans cover and barely went under at 22-21.

Mariota really did throw a touchdown to himself, in the playoffs pic.twitter.com/hv1B0midRg

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) January 6, 2018

What’s next: The Titans head to Foxborough where the (possibly fractured) No. 1-seeded Patriots opened a 13.5-point favorite (where the line remains) over the No. 5-seeded visitors. This feels similar to last year when the NFC South champion Texans made the trip as 15-point underdogs.

In that contest the Patriots came out a bit flat against the Brock Osweiler-led Texans (and J.J. Watt-less defense). Houston had a chance to tie down 24-16 in the fourth quarter but the Patriots (as ever) managed to cover 34-16 thanks to a late field goal. It’s usually unwise to bet against the Patriots.

 

Atlanta Falcons (+6 or 5.5)  at Los Angeles Rams (o/u 48.5)

NFL Wild Card Weekend Betting Wrap; Divisional Round Opening Lines; Early Line Moves and First Impressions

What happened:  The Falcons absolutely dominated time of possession (37:35 to 22:25) and shut down the Rams’ league-leading scoring offense. The Rams’ first four possessions resulted in four punts and 49 total yards plus a muffed punt by Pharoah Cooper, who didn’t have a clean catch on a punt all day. Despite Aaron Donald’s dominance up front, the Falcons controlled the game from start to finish and are peaking at the right time, thanks in part to calm from last year’s run against their jittery opponent. Easy under.

What’s next: Atlanta is on to Philadelphia  as a 2.5-point favorite — the first time a road team has ever been a favored in the Divisional Round against a No. 1 seed. Obviously folks don’t have much faith in an Eagles offense led by immobile backup QB Nick Foles. The line is juiced up at -125 or -120 (depending on your book) if you want 3 on the home dog. If the juice comes down I think we’ll see action on the Eagles at +3 (and it would get pounded at 3.5). Almost all the early money is on Atlanta, per William Hill.

 

Buffalo Bills +9 at Jacksonville Jaguars (o/u 39):

NFL Wild Card Weekend Betting Wrap; Divisional Round Opening Lines; Early Line Moves and First Impressions

What happened: LeSean McCoy showed little signs of an ankle injury, bursting for 119 rushing and receiving yards and against a stout Jaguars defense. Pretty impressive considering the Bills have zero passing offense. Jags QB Blake Bortles showed no passing touch whatsoever, missing several open receivers, but deserves credit for keeping the offense alive with crucial runs, actually leading all rushers with 88 yards on 10 carries. Bills covered in a 10-3 loss in a total that comically finished at one-third the 39 total.

What’s next: The Jaguars (+7.5) head back to the No. 2-seeded Steelers, whom Jacksonville destroyed 30-9 in Week 5 at Pittsburgh. In that game, Ben Roethlisberger tossed a career-worst five interceptions (two pick-sixes) on 55 attempts in a game in which Bortles attempted just 14 passes. The Bills kept the box stacked against Jacksonville and that’s likely to be the Steelers’ formula. This one opened at Steelers -7 before moving out to 7.5. There’s sure to be lots of Steelers teasers out there. I don’t have a lean yet but if forced to pick, would look at the Jaguars for the first half in game in which the Steelers could come out flat against a loosened-up Jags team in a game few expect them to win.

 

Carolina Panthers (+6.5) at New Orleans Saints (o/u 48)

NFL Wild Card Weekend Betting Wrap; Divisional Round Opening Lines; Early Line Moves and First Impressions

What happened: The Panthers managed just three field goals on five first half drives (one FG miss), three of those drives for 54 yards or more. But after a late 56-yard run and catch touchdown from Cam Newton to Christian McCaffrey, Carolina got the ball back with just under two minutes down 31-26 before the game ended on an intentional grounding and then a sack. The total sailed over and the last road dog sealed a cover.

What’s next: The Saints head north to the No. 2-seeded Minnesota Vikings as 4-point underdogs. The Vikings were 6-2 against-the-spread home this year with an average ATS margin (amount of points that the team covers the spread by) of +7.9. I don’t think they’ll coast by a huge margin but the Saints have got to get that rushing game going (after a brutal 19 rushes for 51 yards combined between Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara) against a very balanced, No. 1-ranked defense that will benefit from a raucous home crowd. Lean Vikings.

Check back on Friday for the full breakdown in the TPS Report.


Also Check out from SportsHandle:

Vegas Legend Dave Cokin Joins ‘The Hedge: Why I Gamble With Jimmy Shapiro’

Share8TweetShare
Brett Smiley

Brett Smiley

Brett Smiley is editor-in-chief and co-founder of Sports Handle, which joined forces with the US Bets team in November 2018. He focuses on the sports betting industry and legislation. He's a recreational sports bettor and DFS player himself, focusing on the NFL. In a past life, Smiley practiced commercial litigation in New York City and previously wrote for FOX Sports and SI.com. He lives in New Jersey with his family.

Related Posts

joe burrow
Opinion

NFL Championship Weekend Is Shaping Up As A Battle Of The Best

January 27, 2023
© Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Promotions

FanDuel Promo Code: Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets for Cowboys at 49ers

January 22, 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