Public Favors Packers
Atlanta, GA (The Spread) – It’s not often when the public backs the underdog. But the public must have a soft spot for the Green Bay Packers, who are road dogs this Saturday night against the Atlanta Falcons. Continue reading for odds, public betting information and more on this 2011 NFL Divisional Round Playoff matchup.
View Current NFL Divisional Round Playoff Odds
Oddsmakers from online sports book Sportsbook.com have made the Falcons a 2.5-point favorite over the Packers in the teams’ NFL Divisional Round matchup on Saturday night. The over/under total for this game is currently 43.5 points.
According to current NFL public betting information, 55% of the 30,000-plus wagers on Saturday’s game have been placed on the Packers +2.5. That’s not a surprising stat when you consider that many people thought Green Bay would represent the NFC in the Super Bowl at the start of the season.
The public also knows that the Packers were one Aaron Rodgers fumble away from possibly beating the Falcons in Atlanta earlier this season. The Falcons eventually went on to win that game 20-17 on a last-second Matt Bryant field goal.
If it weren’t for injuries, there’s a good chance that Green Bay would be hosting a playoff game this weekend. But players on both sides of the ball started dropping like flies right around Week 3 and the Packers had to win their final two games just to clinch the No. 6 seed. But this is not your typical six-seed, which is why the public is all over the Pack this weekend.
That said, it’s important to remember that the Falcons didn’t get here by accident. In that first game between these two teams in late November, Matt Ryan played a near-perfect game. Michael Turner also had over 100 yards rushing in that contest, so if they can get him going again, the Falcons will be tough to stop.
Atlanta also has home field advantage and should be well rested after having last week off. Green Bay played a tough, physical game six days ago and hasn’t had a week off since earlier in the season. That’s a big deal, especially in the playoffs.
Kickoff for Saturday night’s 2011 NFL Divisional Round Playoff matchup is set for 8:00PM ET.
Bet Packers vs. Falcons Public Betting Odds
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