NFL Divisional Playoff Betting Recap

So much for homefield advantage on the NFL betting board during the divisional round over the weekend.

For the first time since 1971, three road teams won SU during a single playoff weekend, throwing oddsmakers for a loop. The only home team to weather the storm was the Pittsburgh Steelers, while the other top seeds found themselves on the wrong end of the scoreboard and the pointspread.

Under bettors profited, with only the Pittsburgh-San Diego matchup playing over the listed total. If we learned anything this weekend, it’s ugly unders can combine with some sharp underdog plays to form a winning ticket for bettors during playoff time.

Steelers buck trend, cover against LT-less Chargers

The Steelers defeated the San Diego Chargers 35-24 as 6.5-point chalk on Sunday as the only home team to cash in the divisional round. Running back Willie Parker ran for 146 yards on 27 carries with two touchdowns in his best game of the season for the Steelers, who held Chargers RB Darren Sproles to 15 yards rushing on 11 attempts.

Sproles did manage five receptions for 91 yards with a score for San Diego, while the pint-sized back racked up 164 yards on five kickoff returns. The Bolts missed starting running back LaDainian Tomlinson, who sat out with a torn tendon in his groin.

Pittsburgh hosts the rival Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship Game next Sunday, with the Steelers listed as early 5-point favorites. Mike Tomlin’s team won both matchups with the Ravens this season, as the Steelers (-6) won 23-20 in overtime at home before downing Baltimore 13-9 in the rematch as 3-point road underdogs.

Ravens edge Titans, advance to AFC title game

Baltimore got to the big game by stifling the Tennessee Titans 13-10 on Saturday. Kicker Matt Stover’s 43-yard field goal in the final minute lifted Ravens backers to the payday as 3-point road dogs, after Tennessee’s Rob Bironas tied the game with a 27-yard drive of his own with 4:46 remaining.

The Ravens managed to escape with the victory despite only 50 yards rushing on 30 attempts, as Baltimore forced five Titans fumbles, including two in Tennessee territory that led to scores.

Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco finished 11-of-22 for 161 yards with a touchdown to become the only rookie QB in NFL history to win (and cover) in two playoff games, while Kerry Collins went 26-of-42 for 281 yards with an interception for the Titans.

Eagles knock off Giants, cash upset

Quarterback Donovan McNabb’s 1-yard TD pass to Brent Celek early in the fourth quarter was the backbreaker, as the Philadelphia Eagles stunned the New York Giants 23-11 on Sunday to earn a berth in the NFC Championship Game next week.

Eagles bettors padded their bankrolls with their team as 4-point road pups, while Philadelphia won its second game at the Meadowlands this season. McNabb finished 22-of-40 for 217 yards with a rushing touchdown and two interceptions for the Eagles, who earned the win despite a poor game from running back Brian Westbrook (18 carries, 36 yards rushing).

The Giants squandered plenty of opportunities much to the chagrin of their many bettors. New York advanced the ball inside the red zone on five occasions, but managed only three field goals on the offensive end.

Cardinals shock Panthers, oddsmakers

Philadelphia now meets the Arizona Cardinals to see who represents the NFC in the Super Bowl after the Cards embarrassed the Carolina Panthers 33-13 on Saturday. Arizona led 27-7 at halftime and never looked back against Carolina, which came nowhere close to covering the 10 points it gave to the NFC West champions before kickoff.

The Cardinals were without wide receiver Anquan Boldin (hamstring), but it didn’t matter because of the exploits of Larry Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald hauled in eight balls for 166 yards with a TD reception for Arizona, which amassed 145 yards on the ground to hand Carolina its first home loss of the season. The Cards’ defense was also on the ball, intercepting Panthers QB Jake Delhomme five times in the upset.

Oddsmakers aren’t so sure the Cardinals can turn the trick again. The Eagles are currently priced as 3-point road chalk for the NFC title game, due in large part to Philadelphia’s 48-20 drubbing of Arizona (+3) when the teams clashed on November 27.