NFL Betting Recap of Divisional Playoffs
NFL Betting Recap of Divisional Playoffs
We’re down to the AFC and NFC Championship games. Let’s take a look at the four divisional games that featured three close games and one blowout.
(home team in caps)
Saturday, Jan. 20
*BALTIMORE (-9.5/44.5) over Houston 34-10
This game was tied at 10-all at the half thanks to a Steven Sims 67-yard punt return for a TD. But that was pretty much it for Houston and C.J. Stroud. Lamar Jackson and company woke up in the second half has completed 16 of 22 for 152 yards overall and rushed for 100 yards on 11 carries. He was efficient as he rushed for 2 TDs and passed for 2 TDs. Stroud didn’t turn the ball over and completed 19 of 33 for 175 yards. But the Texans had just 10 first downs and rushed for only 38 yards on 14 attempts, while possessing the ball for just 22:25. The Ravens move on to the championship game of the AFC, where they host Kansas City on Sunday (-3/44.5).
Green Bay (+10.5/50.5) SAN FRANCISCO 21-24
The Packers gave the 49ers all they could handle in this one. They had Aaron Jones, who rushed for 108 yards on 18 carries. Jordan Love did well, completing 21 of 34 for 194 yards with two TDs, but also had two picks. The 49ers had Christian McCaffrey, who rushed for two TDs including a 39-yarder, while linebacker Dre Greenlaw picked off two passes. Green Bay led this game at 21-14 with 5:23 left in the third quarter thanks to a 73-yard kickoff return from Keisan Nixon and a fumble recovery from Eric Wilson. Love found Tucker Craft open for a 2-yard TD. The Niners closed the game without star WR Deebo Samuel, who left due to a shoulder injury in the first half. He’s listed as 50-50 for their upcoming home game on Sunday against Detroit (-7.50.5).
Sunday, Jan. 21
DETROIT (-6.5/49.5) over Tampa Bay 31-23
The Lions are in the NFC Championship game for the first time in 32 years. Jared Goff passed for 267 yards and two TDs to lead Detroit. Rookie Jahmyr Gibbs rushed for 74 yards including a 31-yard score in the fourth quarter for the go-ahead score. Baker Mayfield threw for 349 yards and three TDs for the Bucs, but also had two picks. This might be the last game in a Tampa Bay uniform for upcoming free agent Mike Evans, who had eight catches for 147 yards. The Lions ran for 114 yards and did not turn the ball over. The Lions will head to San Francisco for Sunday’s match up against the 49ers.
Kansas City (+2.5/45.5) over BUFFALO 27-24
The Chiefs are now in the AFC Championship game for the sixth straight season. They will be headed to Baltimore getting pushed to the limit by the Bills. Josh Alen did his best for the Bills, completing 26 of 39 for 186 yards and rushing for 72 yards on 12 carries. But Tyler Bass missed a 44-yard field goal with 1:44 left as the Bills were driving for the winning TD. They had to settle for the field goal to tie and Bass conjured memories of Scott Norwood missing a 47-yard in Super Bowl XXV against the NY Giants. The Bills had the ball for 37:03 and ran 78 plays to Kansas City’s 47. Isaiah Pacheco rushed for 97 yards to lead KC, while Patrick Mahomes completed 17 of 23 for 215 yards with two TDs in his first career road postseason game.
