BlueBet previews the NFL Divisional Playoffs action below. Read on for our best bets per game and an overview of the playoff games this week.
Atlanta Falcons at Philadelphia Eagles
Date: Sunday 8:35 am. Venue: Philadelphia
Odds: Falcons $2.30, Eagles $1.65
The Falcons host the Panthers on Sunday at Philadelphia. We'll provide a betting preview of the game below.
Form Guide:
We backed the underdog Falcons last week and they didn't disappoint. The Falcons secured a 13 point win over the 11-5 Rams in the Wildcard playoffs and they now head to Philadelphia as the favourites.
Philadelphia finished the season 13-3 and had the bye in the first round. But concerns about their offence is the major reason why they’re underdogs at home.
Head to Head Record:
The two sides met last season and the Eagles won 24-15 at home. In the last 8 meetings at home, the Eagles are 7-1 against them.
Point Spread:
The Falcons are the favourites in the point spread and should cover this line. They beat the number 1 scoring team on the road last week 26-13 and will face a weaker Eagles team because of injury. Matt Ryan is playing well and they have a strong running game. The defence has been much improved this last season and that will be the key. They’re also 6-3 ATS and we’re backing them here.Best bet: Falcons -3 ($1.94)
Total Points:
The chances of this game staying under the total is high. The under is 4-1 in the Falcons last 5 games and their defence will keep the Eagles quiet. The Eagles are also 5-2 against the under total. So that’s the best bet.Best bet: Under 40.5 points ($2.00)
Tip:
Falcons WIN ($1.62)
The Falcons have the Eagles covered on both sides of the field and that will be the major difference.
Tennessee Titans at New England Patriots
Date: Sunday 12:15 am. Venue: New England
Odds: Patriots $1.11, Titans $7.20
The Patriots host the Titans on Sunday at New England. We'll provide a betting preview of the game below.
Form Guide:
The Titans secured a one point win on the road against the Chiefs last week. Their running game is the key as they head to New England.
New England had the bye last week and finished the season with a 13-3 record. They’re 7-0 in home playoff games and will be hard to beat.
Head to Head Record:
The Patriots won the last meeting 33-16 in 2015 and have a 6-0 record against them. The Titans last win against the Pats was back in 2002.
Point Spread:
The largest spread of the week has the Patriots as 13.5 point favourites. This does seem high considering the Titans won on the road last week and have a 6-1 ATS record in their last 7 games. That should give them enough confidence to cover the line.Best bet: Titans +13.5 ($1.87)
Total Points:
The under total has been a good bet in the playoffs so far and is value at $2. The Patriots are 4-1 against the under and the Titans defence is good enough to stop them. The Titans are also 5-2 against the under and 5-2 as well on the road.Best bet: Under 46.5 points ($2.00)
Tip:
Patriots HT/FT ($1.30)
There’s really no value in the win markets for this game as the Patriots are paying just $1.11. They play well at home in the playoffs and should have more points in them compared to the Titans
Jacksonville Jaguars at Pittsburgh Steelers
Date: Monday 5:05 am. Venue: Pittsburgh
Odds: Steelers $1.29, Jaguars $3.78
The Steelers host the Jaguars on Monday at Pittsburgh. We'll provide a betting preview of the game below.
Form Guide:
Pittsburgh are back from the bye and will face the Jaguars at home. In great news, Antonio Brown is back from injury and Big Ben will be delighted.
The Jaguars won their home playoff game 10-3 and now head to Pittsburgh for a tough matchup. But they will be confident after beating the Steelers at home this season.
Head to Head Record:
The Jaguars are 4-1 against the Steelers on the road and beat them here 30-9 earlier in the season.
Point Spread:
The Jaguars should be able to cover the +7.5 line. They’re 4-1 ATS when facing the Steelers on the road and 12-5 ATS overall. The Steelers are just 1-4 ATS at home and we’re expecting a close game.Best bet: Jaguars +7.5 ($1.85)
Total Points:
This game will likely be low scoring and the under total has a nice trend in this matchup. The Jaguars are a strong running team but struggle in the air. They have a great defence and that will be the key in keeping this game low scoring. The under total is 15-8 in this matchup and the Jaguars last game saw just 13 total points.Best bet: Under 40.5 points ($1.92)
Tip:
Steelers WIN ($1.29)
This is a massive danger game for the Steelers as the Jaguars matchup well with them. But in the end, we would back Big Ben to outplay Blake Bortles. He has more playoff experience and he’s in better form at the moment.
New Orleans Saints at Minnesota Vikings
Date: Monday 8:40 am. Venue: Minnesota
Odds: Vikings $1.50, Saints $2.68
The Vikings host the Saints on Monday at Minnesota. We'll provide a betting preview of the game below.
Form Guide:
The Saints are through to the next round after a close home win over the Panthers. Drew Brees led the way and the Saints D held on in the last quarter.
The Vikings had the bye last week and will be ready for the Saints at home. They finished the season with a 13-3 record and went 7-1 at home.
Head to Head Record:
The two sides met in Week 1 and the Vikings won 29-19. The Saints are 4-1 against the Vikings but just 1-6 on the road against them.
Point Spread:
This should be a close game and the Saints to cover is the best bet. They’re 12-5-1 ATS on the road and Drew Brees can keep the Saints in the game as they face this strong defence. Best bet: Saints +4.5 ($1.82)
Total Points:
The over total is 7-2 in this matchup and the two teams combined for 48 points in the first meeting at this venue in 2017. The Saints have a number of weapons on offence and their defence isn’t strong. So that opens up this game for points to flow. Best bet: Over 44.5 points ($1.85)
Tip:
Vikings WIN ($1.50)
The major difference in these two teams is defence. The Vikings are ranked highly in all defensive categories, whereas the Saints struggle in this area. Case Keenum will lean on his defence and home field advantage to get them over the line.
