NFL Divisional Round Betting Recap
(The Spread) – The 2011 NFL Divisional Playoff Round is in the books and just like Wildcard Weekend, teams gave us a couple of surprises. Continue reading for a recap of who covered and who didn’t in the NFL this weekend.
View Current NFL Championship Sunday Odds
The action got started this weekend with a wild game in Pittsburgh. Oddsmakers from online sports book SBGGLOBAL.com made the Steelers a 3-point favorite over the Ravens, while the over/under total was set at 37.5 at kickoff.
In a game that many people would be decided by the two defenses and kickers, the offenses exploded for 55 points to easily sail over the total. The Steelers also scored a late touchdown and was aided by two huge drops by Baltimore receivers Anquan Boldin and TJ Houshmandzadeh to cover the 3-point spread. The Steelers’ 31-24 win over the Ravens propelled them to the AFC Championship Game.
The primetime matchup this weekend was a primetime dud. Aaron Rodgers absolutely shredded the overmatched Atlanta Falcon defense for 366 yards and four total touchdowns as the Packers cruised to a 48-21 victory. Green Bay easily covered the 1-point spread, while the combined score sailed over the posted total of 43.5 points.
The first game Sunday wasn’t much better, as the Chicago Bears took a 21-0 lead into halftime before holding on to beat the lifeless Seattle Seahawks 35-24 at Solider Field. Chicago covered as a 10-point favorite thanks in large part to Jay Cutler’s 274 yards passing and four total touchdowns. The 28 fourth quarter points also helped the over, which was set at 42.5.
In the biggest surprise of the weekend, the New York Jets went into Foxboro and shocked the New England Patriots, 28-21. The Jets were 9.5-point underdogs for the game, largely because they lost to the Pats 45-3 in early December. Bettors who had the over in this game got three late touchdowns to cover the 45 points, while bettors who had the under felt robbed in what should have been an easy win. (The score was 14-11 heading into the fourth quarter.
The Steelers will now host the Jets next Sunday, while the Bears host their NFC North division rivals the Packers. Our NFL scoreboard shows that the Jets and Bears are 3-point underdogs.
Bet NFL Championship Weekend Odds
Want More From TheSpread.com? Follow us on Twitter and Facebook or Subscribe to Our News Feeds!