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NFL Playoffs Sharps/Squares Writeup
For this weekend’s wildcard games, consider this information and how to play or tease them. From Sports Insights which monitors the betting trends of Pinnacle and others. This is to be used as info for the games and not as PR for either site. If this goes beyond the line of something that I am not aware of - then please remove it.
Washington (+2.5) at Tampa Bay
Washington finished the season with five straight wins to snatch a wildcard in the NFC. They did this with a balanced offense and defense that, while neither was dominant, both were above average. Tampa Bay won its division by winning four of its last five games. The Bucs did it with the #1 defense in the NFL allowing just 278 yards per game. Their offense was conservative, which relied on a low-risk running attack to eat up time and shorten games.
We initially opened the Redskins at +3 -121 and saw heavy two-way action. The sharps are divided on this game, but seem to slightly favor the Redskins. The public also favors Washington, which caused this line to nudge down. We’re also taking moderate volume on Washington teasers, but this is not from our sharper players.
Jacksonville (+8) at New England
After starting at 4-4, New England won four of its last five games to clinch its division. They did this despite being the only playoff team with a negative turnover differential (at -6 for the season). Jacksonville finished at 12-4, 2 games better than the Patriots, but thanks to sharing a division with the 14-2 Colts, the Jaguars could only win a wildcard, and are on the road.
After opening at Jacksonville +7.5, we saw heavy balanced two-way action. The sharps are split on this game as well, taking the points or playing the Patriots bought down to -6.5 and -7. Some sharps are also playing teasers on the Patriots from -8 to -2. By moving the line to New England -8 +101, we are dealing about the same price as -7.5 -104, but it makes teasing less attractive.
Carolina (+2.5) at New York Giants
After having the inside track to the NFC South title, Carolina lost two home games in December and yielded the title to Tampa Bay. Consequently, the Panthers begin their playoff journey on the road in New York. The Giants managed to win four of their last five games, but Eli Manning has had difficulties. In December, he’s thrown 7 interceptions to just 4 touchdowns and his passer rating was an abysmal 64.9%. Tiki Barber has stepped up for the offense in that same time period, netting 742 yards in those 5 games.
This is our highest volume game of the week. After opening with Panthers +3 -120, the sharps drove the line to +2.5. This is a classic money duel between the sharps on Carolina, offset by public money on the Giants. Money continues to pour in on both sides, with the sharps matching the public bettors dollar for dollar.
Pittsburgh (-3) at Cincinnati
It is rare that a home team is an underdog in the first week of the playoffs. In the last 10 years, it has only happened 5 times. How have the home dogs fared? 5-0 against the spread, and 5-0 straight up.
Our opener of Steelers -2.5 -113 saw heavy two-way action. Once again, the sharps were split evenly on this game, taking Pittsburgh at -2.5 and Cincinnati at +3. The public is also evenly split, but slightly favors the Steelers.
By the way you can JOIN PINNACLE SPORTSBOOK TODAY AND RECEIVE -104 JUICE FOR ALL YOUR NFL BETTING. Just click on the above Pinnacle sign at B/C.
Washington (+2.5) at Tampa Bay
Washington finished the season with five straight wins to snatch a wildcard in the NFC. They did this with a balanced offense and defense that, while neither was dominant, both were above average. Tampa Bay won its division by winning four of its last five games. The Bucs did it with the #1 defense in the NFL allowing just 278 yards per game. Their offense was conservative, which relied on a low-risk running attack to eat up time and shorten games.
We initially opened the Redskins at +3 -121 and saw heavy two-way action. The sharps are divided on this game, but seem to slightly favor the Redskins. The public also favors Washington, which caused this line to nudge down. We’re also taking moderate volume on Washington teasers, but this is not from our sharper players.
Jacksonville (+8) at New England
After starting at 4-4, New England won four of its last five games to clinch its division. They did this despite being the only playoff team with a negative turnover differential (at -6 for the season). Jacksonville finished at 12-4, 2 games better than the Patriots, but thanks to sharing a division with the 14-2 Colts, the Jaguars could only win a wildcard, and are on the road.
After opening at Jacksonville +7.5, we saw heavy balanced two-way action. The sharps are split on this game as well, taking the points or playing the Patriots bought down to -6.5 and -7. Some sharps are also playing teasers on the Patriots from -8 to -2. By moving the line to New England -8 +101, we are dealing about the same price as -7.5 -104, but it makes teasing less attractive.
Carolina (+2.5) at New York Giants
After having the inside track to the NFC South title, Carolina lost two home games in December and yielded the title to Tampa Bay. Consequently, the Panthers begin their playoff journey on the road in New York. The Giants managed to win four of their last five games, but Eli Manning has had difficulties. In December, he’s thrown 7 interceptions to just 4 touchdowns and his passer rating was an abysmal 64.9%. Tiki Barber has stepped up for the offense in that same time period, netting 742 yards in those 5 games.
This is our highest volume game of the week. After opening with Panthers +3 -120, the sharps drove the line to +2.5. This is a classic money duel between the sharps on Carolina, offset by public money on the Giants. Money continues to pour in on both sides, with the sharps matching the public bettors dollar for dollar.
Pittsburgh (-3) at Cincinnati
It is rare that a home team is an underdog in the first week of the playoffs. In the last 10 years, it has only happened 5 times. How have the home dogs fared? 5-0 against the spread, and 5-0 straight up.
Our opener of Steelers -2.5 -113 saw heavy two-way action. Once again, the sharps were split evenly on this game, taking Pittsburgh at -2.5 and Cincinnati at +3. The public is also evenly split, but slightly favors the Steelers.
By the way you can JOIN PINNACLE SPORTSBOOK TODAY AND RECEIVE -104 JUICE FOR ALL YOUR NFL BETTING. Just click on the above Pinnacle sign at B/C.
