News
AFC East odds January 8, 2018 Staff Writer

NFL News

NFL Betting Lines: Divisional Round Odds, Trends, Preview

The NFL playoffs continue Saturday when the Divisional Round begins with the Atlanta Falcons at the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Eagles are a rare home underdog in the postseason, checking in as a 3-point underdog. Philadelphia cruised through the regular season with a 13-3 record straight up and 10-6 mark against the spread, but starting quarterback Carson Wentz’s season-ending knee injury has caused the oddsmakers to favor Atlanta in this one. Philadelphia was a disappointing 1-4 ATS down the stretch and they’re 2-6 ATS in their last eight playoff games.

Atlanta made it into the Divisional Round by upsetting the Los Angeles Rams 26-13 as a 6-point underdog last week. With the win they improved to 6-3 SU on the road this season, but only 3-6 ATS. In their last five as a road favorite the Falcons are 4-1 SU and 1-4 ATS. They have had trouble winning in Philadelphia, where they are 1-7 SU and 1-6-1 ATS in their last eight games.

The other Saturday matchup sees the New England Patriots host the Tennessee Titans as huge 14-point favorites. The Patriots enter the weekend having won five straight at home both SU and ATS. The large spread should make them pretty confident, as they are 26-0 SU and 15-11 ATS in their last 26 games when favored by 14 points or more.

Tennessee delivered a 22-21 upset win over the Kansas City Chiefs last week as an 8.5-point underdog. That was their fourth straight win ATS and sixth in their last seven games. They’re still only 4-5 SU and ATS on the road this season and against New England they’ve lost six straight while going 1-5 ATS.

Sunday’s action kicks off with the Jacksonville Jaguars at the Pittsburgh Steelers as a 7.5-point underdog. The Jaguars edged the Buffalo Bills 10-3 as an 8.5-point favorite last week. That was their third straight loss ATS, and on the road in the postseason they’re 1-5 SU and ATS in their last six.

Pittsburgh was 13-3 SU this season, but unkind to bettors at 7-9 ATS. They’ve also lost four straight ATS at home. The Steelers will be looking for some revenge for their Week 5 loss to the Jaguars. The Steelers were a 7.5-point home favorite and lost 30-9. Including that defeat, the Steelers are 1-4 SU and ATS in their last five at home versus Jacksonville.

The last matchup this weekend is the New Orleans Saints at the Minnesota Vikings as a 4-point underdog. The Saints got past the Carolina Panthers 31-26 as a 6.5-point favorite last week. By failing to cover they dropped to 1-4 ATS in their last five games. The Saints have also lost three straight road games SU and ATS.

The Vikings were a strong 7-1 SU and 6-2 ATS at home this season. That includes a 29-19 win over New Orleans in Week 1 as a 3-point favorite. They have been a solid bet against New Orleans, with a 7-2 ATS mark in their last nine matchups. Minnesota has struggled in the playoffs lately at 1-5 SU and 3-3 ATS in their last six.