NFL Betting – Divisional Playoff Weekend Roundup
Divisional Playoff weekend treated us to a little bit of everything: A predictably close, smashmouth affair; a massive statement game by a supposed underdog; a blowout that surprised no one; and a grudge match that surprised everyone.
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Divisional Round Weekend Recaps
Steelers 31, Ravens 24
You get the feeling that the Steelers and Ravens would still stay within a touchdown of each other if they had to play a 12-quarter game, don’t you? This was destined to be the closest, most exciting tilt of the week from the start. Two smashmouth teams with great run defense, good pass defense, bruising running games and good quarterbacking. It was somewhat of a mirror match.
In the first half, the Steelers almost seemed hung over after a two-week layoff, didn’t they? Nothing epitomized that feeling more than the freebie touchdown Cory Redding scored when no one picked up a loose ball on a Ben Roethlisberger fumble.
But the Steelers showed a lot in the second half. Big Ben once again exposed the sometimes-leaky Ravens secondary. The Steelers look like a serious threat to win it all since they have so many playmakers on both sides of the ball. Also – the Ravens really need a deep threat for Joe Flacco next year. Geez.
Packers 48, Falcons 21
It’s amazing how few people were surprised by this “upset.” If you asked around with your betting buddies, they were all feeling great about the Pack, right? After all, if they beat Philly in cold Philly, they could cruise in the cushy Georgia Dome. But the Falcons were still favored because of their home dominance in the Matt Ryan era. 
In the end, the Falcons just weren’t battle-ready. Everything came too easily in the regular season; every call broke their way. Whereas Packers have essentially been playing playoff football for a month. Aaron Rodgers was a surgeon, going 31 of 36 for 386 yard and three touchdowns, and Tramon Williams once again came up with the big play on “D.” These guys are showing so much killer instinct that you have to wonder if they’ll just keep charging until they win it all.
Bears 35, Seahawks 24
Don’t let the garbage time points for Seattle fool you; this was a blowout. I feel a bit sheepish for predicting that the Seahawks would cover the 10-point spread. In hindsight, they didn’t really have a chance. Sure, they beat the Saints, but that was at home and they still allowed 36 points. Travelling cross-country to play a cold-weather game (at 10:00 a.m. according to the Seahawks’ body clocks) just never was going to work.
Love him or hate him, Jay Cutler showed a lot in this game. I never thought I’d say this, but Mike Martz of all people seems to be showing him that less is more. Cutler didn’t force anything yesterday and, as a result, he took care of the ball and accounted for four Chicago touchdowns (two passing, two rushing).
Jets 28, Patriots 21
Looking back at the Patriots in the Tom Brady/Bill Belichick era, it seems the Pats just don’t respond well to flattery. Every time they get praise heaped upon them, every time they’re hyped as the greatest team to walk Planet Earth, they flop. It happened in the Super Bowl during their perfect season. It happened yesterday after no one gave the Jets a chance to win.
Mark Sanchez ground out a decent effort in the snow. He was arguably better than Tom Brady, who made more poor throws on Sunday than I can remember seeing him make in any game off the top of my head. Also – how clutch is Santonio Holmes? Is it written into his contract that he “must make one ridiculous touchdown catch in every playoff game for his entire career”?
