Games - DIVISIONAL PLAYOFFS

Saturday, January 12

Green Bay Packers vs Seattle Seahowks, 4.30pm on Fox

Seattle ended the Washington Redskins remarkable run to the playoffs with a 35-14 victory last Saturday while the Green Bay Packers rested at home awaiting the winner. Despite the lopsided score, the Redskins had a 14-13 lead with just over 11 minutes remaining in the game, so the Seahawks got nothing in the way of a rest in that game.

The Divisional Playoff matchup between the Seattle Seahawks and Green Bay Packers looks to be an exciting match up with an abundance of interesting sub plots.

NFL playoffs media analysts will undoubtedly inundate the air waves with analysis of Seattle Head Coach Mike Holmgren and Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck returning to Wisconsin to take on Favre and the surprising Green Bay Packers. Currently line makers have the Packers as eight point favorites in this match up.

Wagering on the Packers has been nothing short of phenomenal this season. The Packers went an amazing 13-3 this season and were a tremendous 12-3-1 against the spread, with exceptional football betting value all season. The Packers have two distinct advantages in this NFL playoffs handicapping match up, which are sports betting handicapping advantages held by all of the favorites this week: they are playing at home and coming off of a bye week. Punters know that both of these factors can be hugely important and there is no question that Favre and his teammates have enjoyed the week off to rejuvenate their battered bodies. Most punters betting the NFL Playoffs figure Green Bay will likely win the game, even if they do not cover the spread, yet in order to do so Favre will have to avoid making costly turnovers, and throwing this INT’s, which is always possible from the future Hall of Famer.

The Seahawks proved their worth by outlasting the Redskins in a hard-fought match up last weekend. Seattle has been faded by many handicapprers and sports services at different parts of the season, yet with a 10-6-1 ATS record they have also provided a reasonable amount of betting value. One major concern with the Seahawks is their lack of a running game this season. Hasselbeck has carried the load quite well and is an extremely capable quarterback, but they will need a strong running attack to survive a cold day at Lambeau. However, one strength of the Seahawks is their defense, which is one of the best in the league and uncharacteristically good for a Holmgren team. It was the Seattle defense that took apart Todd Collins and the Redskins offense at the end of the game last weekend, and there is certainly a possibility that they will be able to do the same against the Packers.

Jacksonville Jaguars vs New England Patriots, 8pm on CBS

The Divisional Playoff matcup between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the New England Patriots looks to be one of the more entertaining games in a weekend of thrilling football betting action.

While it’s ture that most sports handicappers and betting analysts are not giving the Jaguars much chance to win the game and end the Patriots perfect season, the odds and eventual line moves may attract many online betting enthusiasts to the Jaguars corner. The current odds and betting lines have the Patriots as a huge 13 point favorite in this NFL playoffs betting match up.

Betting on the Patriots has been nothing short of spectacular this season. New England went 16-0 to have what was arguably the best regular season ever, and this success was coupled by a very respectable 10-6 ATS record. Basically, the general betting public simply feels as though the Patriots are far too good to stumble in their first playoff game, especially after enjoying a week of rest and when having home field advantage. Tom Brady is a favorite of many sports betting enthusiasts simply because he is so good at rising to the occasion and it goes without saying that coach Belichick will avoid the coaching blunders of which some online football betting fans have accused Pittsburgh in last weeks defeat. New Englands offense is one of the best ever in the NFL, so there is little doubt within the online betting community that the team will be able to put up a lot of points, even against a stout Jacksonville defense. The New England defense is also quite strong, but many punters feel as though the aged crew may be something of a liability, which at least offers a glimmer of hope for the underdog Jaguars.

Jacksonville has had a fairly remarkable season for its franchise by finishing 11-5 in the regular season and currently holds a respectable 11-6 record against the betting spreads. Many online punters like to bet on the Jaguars because they play physical, hard-nosed football. However, the teams typical blueprint for success this season fell apart in their game against the Steelers as David Garrard threw an uncharacteristic two interceptions that helped the Steelers climb out of an 18 point defecit. Sports betting veterans know that such mistakes are typical of teams with little playoff experience, so one major question will be whether the team has overcome its initial playoff jitters.

Sunday, January 13

San Diego Charges vs Indianapolis Colts, 1pm on CBS

This NFL Playoff Divisional matchup between the San Diego Chargers and the Indianapolis Colts looks to be most interesting.

One of the regular seasons most exciting NFL betting games, the Chargers won the regular season match up 23-21, most punters doubt the Chargers will be able to enjoy such an easy victory this second time around. The sports books current betting lines have the Colts as nine point NFL playoffs betting favorites in this match up.

Football betting on the Colts this season has been profitable, as the team enjoyed a 9-7 record against the football betting spreads. However, their 13-3 overall record indicates the squad has won numerous games without covering the football betting lines. Nevertheless, with a week of rest and home field advantage there is little question that many betting fans will be gambling on Indianapolis to dissect the Chargers and quickly squash the existing jubilation in San Diego.

While the Patriots have stolen the headlines this season, most NFL fans know that the Colts are the returning Super Bowl champions and little has occurred this season to indicate they will not be in the big show again year. Manning and the Colts offense has been as efficient as ever, even without the presence of Marvin Harrison, who has missed most of the season. Harrison will be returning for this NFL playoffs betting match up, however, many punters are unsure of just how much of a threat he will offer. Also, the Colts defense, led by hard-hitting Bob Sanders, has proven to be one of the toughest in the league. Indianapolis is sure to give the San Diego offense lots of problems, and may be just as effective as Tennessee was at shutting down LaDainian Tomlinson.

While few punters are giving the Chargers much credit in this NFL playoffs betting match up, they should not necessarily be overlooked. The Chargers are on a seven game win streak and just proved they can win by relying on Philip Rivers passing. It is also significant that Rivers played so well against the Titans despite the absence of Antonio Gates. However, punters realize how important Gates is, and it remains unclear whether or not he will be available for the NFL playoffs betting match up this weekend. Without Gates, there is no question that L.T. will need to have a much bigger game than the one he had against Tennessee. Also, the San Diego defense will have a much more difficult time stifling Peyton Manning and the Colts than they did with the Titans. In fact, sports betting fans know that the Colts are virtually guaranteed several touchdowns, so if San Diego is going to win this match up, or even cover the spread, then they have to light up the scoreboard.

New York Giants vs Dallas Cowboys, 4.30pm on Fox

The Divisional Playoff Game between the New York Giants and the Dallas Cowboys offers an exciting NFC East football playoffs gambling rematch.

These teams have already met in two point spread match ups this season, with the Cowboys winning both of the games fairly easily. The Giants are on a roll right now, but current odds still have the Cowboys as 7 point football playoffs gambling favorites.

Gambling on the Cowboys has certainly offered its backers cash this season, as the team went 13-3 overall and 9-7 against the oddsmaker spreads. Tony Romo has delighted many punters by proving he is one of the top quarterbacks in the league and he has led a high octane offense that is comparable with the Cowboys offense in the days of Troy Aikmen, Emmitt Smith, and Michael Irvin.

However, most putners also have reason to question the Cowboys right now. In the last quarter of the season the Cowboys looked very mediocre, and even though some of the games were meaningless, most putners argue that such a loss of momentum may be damaging in the Playoffs. Additionally, Terrell Owens is nursing an ankle injury sustained in an match up against the Panthers in Week 16. It remains unclear whether T.O. will even play in this game, and even if he does, many punters believe his impact may be limited.

And while the Giants are the clear underdog in this one, beause they have already lost to the Cowboys twice this season, there is no doubt that many sports bettors will be placing their bets on the Giants. New York has not lost a road game since Week 1 of the season, so they certainly have no fear about traveling to the “Big D” for this one. Also, while NFL punters often criticize Eli Mannings erratic play, he has been superb in his last two outings, so a similar performance this weekend may tip the scales in the favor of the Giants. And ofcourse, defense is HUGE in the NFL playoffs postseason, and the Giants defense, led by Michael Strahan, is one of the fiercest in the league and will be sure to get lots of pressure on Romo.

-

Coughlin has Giants rolling
FOXSports.com - Dallas. But the Cowboys won’t see the team they riddled for 45 points on opening night, or even the team they pinned 31 on in a Week With key injuries on the offensive line (Kevin Mawae, Benji Olsen) and at receiver (Roydell Williams, Bo Scaife) the

Bloom aims to revive career with Steelers
Denver Post - He was on the Steelers’ practice squad and was nearly activated to the 53-man roster because of injuries. After Dallas assistants in demand Cowboys offensive assistants Jason Garrett and Tony Sparano may both end up with head coaching jobs.

Redskins interview Titans’ Schwartz for coaching job
Asbury Park Press - Lee is a former Dallas Cowboys assistant. “There was an urgency to find the right person to coach the most important position on Shanahan suggested that Denver had the talent to win at least 10 games before injuries on offense, an inability to digest

Washington survives sloppy performance
Raleigh News & Observer - and two backups who barely knew the playbook, while the Redskins had to patch together a starting offense after injuries returned from his father’s bedside to play in Sunday’s game. Springs spent last week in Texas, where former Dallas Cowboys

LAVAR SHOWS THICK SKIN
New York Post - The All-Pro receiver seems on track to play in the Dallas Cowboys‘ playoff game against the New York Giants . Column: Romo Steve Serby includes the latest pre-game, in-game and post-game news. Get info and insight on the games, players, injuries

CALL COUGHLIN CORNERED
New York Post - IRVING, Texas (AP) — Terrell Owens was still limping Monday on his sprained left ankle and his status for the Dallas Cowboys Giants and Redskins linebacker LaVar Arrington was hospitalized yesterday with serious but not life-threatening injuries

Popularity: 34% [?]