NFL Playoffs: Best Bet To Make This Weekend
We’ll make this quick because kickoff for the first of four NFL divisional playoff games – predictions here and cash prizes you could win through apps here – is less than 24 hours away.
So you better hurry on this one.
And it’s better than even money and you’re betting on all four games, so that’s fun.
I know there are lots of future bet options out there, but I think this one’s a lock.
The odds I’m using are courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook, which offers great promotions.
But don’t forget about all the other great gambling options available in your state including, DraftKings, BetMGM and more.
Also, be sure to check out our guide to online casinos, from Missouri to New Jersey. You can place all your NFL future bets there.
If you’re a newbie to sports betting, but want to get in on the action, no problem. We’ve got you covered with our two handy cheat sheets: Sports Betting Basics and How to Bet on Sports Online.
OK, are you ready for this four-game, 7-point teaser parlay?
Before that, though, if you happen to be unfamiliar with a teaser, but we doubt you are or wouldn’t be here reading this, it’s essentially adding or subtracting points to the actual, current set spread and thus you create your own spread.
So what I dig is this, which is what you get with a 7-point teaser:
Chiefs (-1.5), Giants (+14.5), Bengals (+12.5), 49ers (+3.5) = +180
Tell me what’s not to love about a nearly 2-to-1 payout with those odds?
I mean unless you think Jacksonville is going to upset Kansas City on the road (strong no) and Dallas will do the same to surging San Francisco (uh-uh). The other games seem slightly off to begin with, particularly the Bengals line against the Bills. And the Giants getting a half-point over two touchdowns against the Eagles seems like a gift.
A few notes on each game:
Jaguars at CHIEFS (-1.5)
OK, so let’s say this turns into a shootout and it likely will (I think 53 o/u is way too low). The Chiefs, after all, allowed a league-leading 33 passing touchdowns during the regular season so Trevor Lawrence and crew shouldn’t have any problem scoring against K.C. But does anyone really believe that Patrick Mahomes is going to allow the Chiefs to lose at Arrowhead Stadium, where he’s 39-10 in his career? Not a chance. Even a field goal gets you this first leg, which puts Mahomes on the path to add to his Chiefs Super Bowl Wins.
GIANTS (+14.5) at Eagles
The Giants have lost twice to the Eagles since Dec. 11. Once by a troubling 48-22 score and then two weeks ago 22-16. Regardless, the Giants’ bandwagon is overflowing after the G-Men beat the defenseless Vikings last weekend. Many are predicting a New York upset since Jalen Hurts might still be hurtin’ and Giants coach Brian Daboll has many fans and bettors believin’. Not me. I’m not buying an upset, but with New York going 11-2 ATS as underdogs this season, I think Saquon Barkley gets a ton of carries, Daniel Jones game-manages and the Giants keep it within 7-10. But the smart move is playing it safe and taking that ½ hook.
BENGALS (+12.5) at Bills
Neither team was impressive in their wild-card wins, particularly Buffalo in an ugly victory over Miami which started a third-string quarterback. Now the Bills face Joe “Cool” Burrow, who has helped the Bengals cover 19 spreads over his past 24 starts. Plus, Cincinnati was one of the league’s best road teams against the spread (7-2). Burrow will be under pressure most of the evening since Cincy’s offensive line is, ahem, Benged-up. But last year’s Super Bowl champion runner-up will run quick plays to stop most Buffalo blitzes. The Bills aren’t losing this game, but 5.5 is a weird spread and I like Cincy to cover with 12.5. Burrow won’t allow a blowout.
Cowboys at 49ERS (+3.5)
Oddsmakers sure like Dak Prescott and his offense in this one, even against the No.1-ranked defense in the league and against a team that’s won 11 straight games. And why not, after his sensational game (4 TD passes, 1 rushing TD and no interceptions) against the Bucs in Tampa Bay last Monday. The biggest question is, How will San Francisco wunderkind QB Brock Purdy play? Let’s be honest, he’s surprised everyone in the NFL. He’s 7-0 as a starter. Fun fact: Only four rookie quarterbacks – Shaun King, Ben Roethlisberger, Joe Flacco, and Mark Sanchez (a surprising list, I know) – have ever led a team to a conference title game. He’ll make it five and be King Relevant by Sunday night as San Francisco moves one game closer to the Super Bowl. And, just to be safe, in case of a Dallas upset, which would be only by three it seems to me, you still have to like the 49ers with +3.5 points at home.
