Covers.com is the biggest and best source for sports betting information, providing unrivaled and original content sports bettors cannot live without.
It’s on to the divisional round of the NFL playoffs, where the big news in the first game next weekend isn’t who’s playing, but rather who’s not playing. Covers checks in on the opening lines for all four matchups, with insights from Scott Cooley, odds consultant for offshore sportsbook Bookmaker.eu.
Atlanta Falcons at Philadelphia Eagles (+3)
Philadelphia secured the NFC’s No. 1 seed and a bye, but lost a huge key component to its success when quarterback Carson Wentz tore an ACL in a Week 14 win over the Los Angeles Rams. The Eagles (13-3 SU, 10-6 ATS) managed to win their next two games behind Nick Foles, but looked dreadful in the regular-season finale, a 6-0 home loss to Dallas as a 3.5-point underdog.
Defending NFC champion Atlanta served notice in the wild card round that it’s ready to defend that crown. The sixth-seeded Falcons (11-6 SU, 8-9 ATS) went on the road and upset the third-seeded Los Angeles Rams 26-13 as a 6.5-point pup on Saturday.
“If Carson Wentz is under center, we’re looking at the Eagles being at least 4-point favorites,” Cooley said. “The public is going to find a way to bet the Falcons, but the minimal early action we’ve seen from the pros is on Philly. The under got hit early from sharps, quickly dropping from 43.5 down to 41.”
The total ticked back up to 41.5 later Sunday at Bookmaker.eu.
Find more online sportsbooks and reviews at OddsShark.com
Tennessee Titans at New England Patriots (-13.5)
Defending Super Bowl champ New England is again the No. 1 seed, securing the one-week break while the wild card games played out. The Patriots (13-3 SU, 11-5 ATS) won and cashed in their last three games, including a 26-6 rout of the New York Jets as a hefty 17-point chalk in Week 17.
Tennessee got into the playoffs as the No. 5 seed, then did some immediate damage in the wild card round. After trailing No. 4 seed Kansas City 21-3 at halftime, the Titans (10-7 SU, 9-7-1 ATS) rallied for a 22-21 victory as an 8.5-point road pup.
“Seemingly every week, the Patriots see a huge spread, and seemingly every week, they cover it,” Cooley said. “It’ll be shocking if we get more than a dozen bets from the public on Tennessee. Certainly, we’ll get some ‘dog money from the sharps, but it won’t be enough to offset the New England backers.”
Jacksonville Jaguars at Pittsburgh Steelers (-7)
Pittsburgh won 10 of its last 11 games, but that one loss made all the difference, as it was to New England in Week 15 and decided who would have home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs. The second-seeded Steelers (13-3 SU, 7-9 ATS) finished the regular season with a 28-24 win over Cleveland as a 5-point home favorite, resting several key players in the process.
Jacksonville, the No. 3 seed, finished the regular season with a pair of losses, but got it together just enough to advance through wild card weekend. The Jaguars (11-6 SU, 9-8 ATS) held off No. 6 seed Buffalo 10-3, falling just short as 8-point favorites.
“Not much has changed since we set odds for that Week 5 matchup earlier this season,” Cooley said, alluding to the Steelers being 7.5-point home faves in a 30-9 loss to the Jags that week. “There’s no question where the public money will go, but I do expect this number to come down before it goes up. While the Jags looked anemic offensively this weekend, they can limit Pittsburgh with their defensive unit.”
New Orleans Saints at Minnesota Vikings (-4)
Minnesota nabbed the NFC’s No. 2 seed as the North Division champ, and with Philadelphia’s QB issues could end up at home the entire postseason, as the Super Bowl is in Minneapolis this year. The Vikings (13-3 SU, 11-5 ATS) won 11 of their last 12 SU (9-3 ATS), finishing with a 23-10 victory over Chicago laying 13.5 points at home.
New Orleans won the NFC South and the No. 4 seed, then withstood a Carolina rally to advance from the wild card round. The Saints (12-5 SU, 9-8 ATS), 6.5-point chalk at home Sunday, saw a 21-6 lead turn into just a 24-19 margin, but they held on for a 31-26 victory.
“We’re definitely not expecting any Vikings love from the public bettors, but it will be interesting to see where the wiseguys go with this one,” Cooley said. “Honestly, and you know I’ve been lukewarm on the Saints all year, it feels like this spread should be -6 or higher. Tough to tell where this line is headed.”
The initial answer was down, as the line dipped to Vikings -3.5 Sunday night.
Patrick Everson is a Las Vegas-based senior writer for Covers. Follow him on Twitter: @Covers_Vegas.
