NFL Playoff Matchups & Early Lines

It’s official, folks. The results are in and the matchups are set on the NFL betting board for the first weekend of the postseason. New England and Dallas are out, while Miami and Philadelphia are in despite it looking like that might not be the case heading into Sunday’s games.

Here’s a quick look at the early lines for this weekend’s games, whether you want to jump on the numbers or hold off until later in the week when the money starts to roll in.

AFC

(6) Baltimore at (3) Miami (+3, 37) – Sunday, 1 PM ET

Three points might not be enough to keep action even on the spread for the Ravens (11-5, 12-4 ATS) and Dolphins (11-5, 8-8 ATS), mostly because of Baltimore’s impressive ATS record.

The Ravens were the league’s best bet this season, in part because they were undervalued by the public and in part because of their dominant defense. Baltimore finished second in the NFL in defense at 261.1 yards against per game, and ranked third in the league with 15.2 points against per contest.

Baltimore’s stifling ‘D’ was on display when it defeated Miami 27-13 on October 19 at Dolphin Stadium, as the Ravens held the Fish to 71 yards rushing in the win. Joe Flacco was 17-of-23 for 232 yards with a touchdown for Baltimore, which covered as 3-point underdogs.

Miami (+3) clinched the AFC East with a 24-17 victory on the road against the New York Jets on Sunday, as the Dolphins finished off a run of nine wins in their last 10 games (5-5 ATS).

(5) Indianapolis at (4) San Diego (pick ‘em, 49) – Saturday, 8 PM ET

The red-hot Colts (12-4, 8-7 ATS) roll into Qualcomm Stadium to take on the Chargers (8-8, 7-8-1 ATS), who have the fortune of hosting a playoff game despite having the worst record of any team in the postseason.

San Diego won the AFC West with a 52-21 pasting of the Denver Broncos in the Sunday nighter in Week 17, as the Bolts rolled as 7-point home chalk. The Chargers look to avenge their 23-20 loss at home to the Colts on November 23, a game in which Adam Vinatieri’s 51-yard field goal as time expired assured Indianapolis backers the payday as 3-point underdogs.

The Colts won nine in a row to end the season (5-3-1 ATS), and will surely be slim road favorites by the time the teams take the field on Saturday. There will be too much action on Indy for oddsmakers to avoid moving the line in its direction, so bettors might be wise to get a piece of the Colts before that happens. 

NFC

(6) Philadelphia at (3) Minnesota (+3, 42) – Sunday, 4:30 PM ET

The Eagles (9-6-1, 10-6 ATS) face the Vikings (10-6, 6-10 ATS) after garnering an improbable NFC wild card berth with their 44-6 shellacking of the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday as 2.5-point home faves.

Philadelphia runs into the league’s toughest run defense in Minnesota, which allowed only 76.8 yards on the ground per game during the regular season. The Vikes reeled off five wins in their last six games to take the NFC North crown, including a last-second 20-19 triumph over the New York Giants at the Metrodome on Sunday. 

The Eagles cashed four of their last five contests both SU and against the number after hitting rock bottom following a 36-7 loss as 1-point road pups at Baltimore on November 23.

(5) Atlanta at  (4) Arizona (+1, 50.5) – Saturday, 4:30 PM ET

Expect a ton of action on the Falcons (11-5, 9-7 ATS) before their matchup against the Cardinals (9-7, 9-7 ATS), who are limping into the playoffs after dropping four of their last six games (2-4 ATS).

Sharp bettors have every reason to discount Arizona considering its lackluster play over the past two months. The Cards have won at home to Seattle and St. Louis during the stretch – hardly impressive considering Arizona goes up against the NFL’s No. 2 rushing attack in Atlanta (152.4 yards per game).

The last time the Cardinals defeated a team with a winning record was back on October 12 when they trimmed Dallas 30-24 in overtime as 4.5-point home dogs.