NFL Divisional Playoff Betting Odds Released
This past weekend was not a good one for home favorites in the NFL. Wild card weekend always provides drama, but rarely does the weekend see three of the four home teams lose. That is what happened when Cincinnati, Green Bay, and Philadelphia all went down to lower seeded teams.
The upsets set up what on paper looks like a couple mismatches in round two, but as this past weekend showed, nobody is safe when it comes to the playoffs. Odds makers have taken precautions with the betting lines for this weeks games.
On Saturday, the New Orleans Saints, who upset Philadelphia, will have an even taller task when they travel to the place that most analysts believe is the toughest place to play in the NFL, Seattle. The stadium will not be the only problem facing the Saints, as they also will be going up against the top-seeded team in the NFC. The Seahawks are eight point favorites, and the total for the game is 48.
The other Saturday matchup features Indianapolis, who came back from a four touchdown deficit to defeat Kansas City this past weekend, and New England. The Colts are a touchdown underdog in New England, and odds makers are expecting an offensive shootout, with a total of 53.
On Sunday, there is a sharp contrast in the two betting lines. The lowest line of the weekend is in Carolina, where the Panthers are two point favorites over San Francisco. Many analysts believe the 49ers are the best team in the league, but the Panthers have played well on their home field in 2013.
Denver, the preseason betting favorite to win the Super Bowl, will host San Diego for the second time this year. The Broncos and Chargers split their two meetings this season. Denver is a 10 point favorite in the rubber match. The game also has the highest total, at 55.
The four winners this weekend will move on to the championship games next week. The Super Bowl will be played on Sunday, February 2nd, in New Jersey.