NFL Playoff Schedule Favors New Orleans in NFC and New England Patriots in AFC

The NFL betting Playoff schedule is out and the matchups appear to really favor the New Orleans Saints, the defending champs in the NFC and the Super Bowl XLV favorite New England Patriots in the NFC.

The Saints secured the 5th seed by virtue of Atlanta’s victory over the Carolina Panthers in Week 17betting. Atlanta secured homefield advantage throughout the playoffs and is the tepid +600 favorite to win the NFC Conference.I’ve got a side-note below on why I’m not to hot on their chances based on the playoffs schedule.

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The team that most football handicappers believe will win the AFC Conference, New England, is going off at +175 to win the Super Bowl. They are in an extremely favorable position to at least get back to the big game based on the NFL Playoff schedule.

NFC Playoff Schedule

Favors: New Orleans Saints

Jan. 8th at 4:30 pm EST New Orleans at Seattle

The Seahawks are a 7 and 9 divisional winner. The Saints are already a 10 ½ point favorite in the NFL betting sportsbook. New Orleans couldn’t have asked for a better set up, other than winning homefield advantage, than playing the Seahawks on the road in the wildcard round. Should New Orleans beat Seattle they would either face Atlanta, a rival that they beat in the Georgia Dome roughly three weeks ago 17 to 14, or, the likeliest scenario, 2nd seeded Chicago who has offensive line issues. Either way, the Saints got a real gift by securing that #5 seed. They could find themselves battling teams that they matchup very well against because of the NFL Playoff schedule this season.

In Trouble: Philadelphia Eagles

Jan. 9th at 4:30 pm EST Green Bay Packers at Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles aren’t looking very good anymore. Losing to Dallas in Week 17 isn’t an issue but losing straight up as 14 ½ point favorites to the Minnesota Vikings was a clear indication that this team is on the downswing. The Vikings exploited QB Michael Vick’s inability to read defenses. That’s going to hurt Philly in the playoffs. They take on Green Bay on January 9th and the Packers have one of the best defenses in the league. The Packers use cornerback Charles Woodson regularly on blitzes and his speed should counteract Vick’s explosiveness in the running game. Should the Eagles beat the Packers, and there’s no guarantee that they will, they take on the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field in the second round. Philly already lost to Chicago earlier this season, 26 to 31 as 3-point favorites, and would definitely have a tough time against the Bears in the playoffs. The NFL Playoff schedule does not favor the team with the #1 ranked offense in the NFL.

** Side-Note: What’s wrong with Atlanta?

What’s wrong with the Falcons’ playoff schedule? They have to take on either the New Orleans Saints or the Green Bay Packers in the second-round. Unless the Saints simply blow it versus overmatched Seattle on January 8th, the Dirty Birds have to face their big time rivals only three weeks after losing to them straight up 17 to 14 at home. If they don’t play the Saints, then they have to play a Packer team that they got lucky beating 20 to 17 on Nov. 28th. Things won’t be easy for Atlanta in the second season.

AFC Playoff Schedule

Favors: New England Patriots

First-Round Bye and Homefield Advantage

The Pats get a bye and homefield advantage throughout the AFC Playoffs. Not only that, but they’ve beaten the Jets, Baltimore, Pittsburgh and Indianapolis already this season. The icing on the cake is the fact that soon-to-be MVP of the League QB Tom Brady hasn’t thrown a pick in 11 straight games and finished the regular season throwing 36 touchdowns and only 4 interceptions for a 111.0 QB rating. The NFL Playoff schedule is obviously in the Super Bowl betting chalk’s favor.

In Trouble: New York JetsJan. 8th at 8:20 pm EST New York Jets at Indianapolis Colts

Rex Ryan can mouth off all that he wants to but the Jets take on the Colts on the road and Indy has won 4 games in a row. Not only that but the Jets’ pass defense hasn’t been as good this season as it was last season. Indianapolis QB Peyton Manning should be able to do some serious damage against that Jets’ secondary while the Colts’ rush defense has improved mightily when holding Jacksonville, Oakland and Tennessee, to under 100 yards rushing. The Jets’ don’t really have much of a passing game. So, they could be in some trouble offensively versus a pumped up Colts’ D this Saturday. Nobody’s afraid of CB Darrelle Revis that much anymore because the cornerback doesn’t have the help in the secondary needed to shut down a team like the Colts’ passing attack.

The NFL Playoff schedule is out! Log onto the sportsbook and bet on NFL Playoff games, click here!