NFL Playoffs: Divisional Round Betting Preview

The Philadelphia Eagles begin their playoff run this weekend as a rare home underdog, as they play host to the Atlanta Falcons in the divisional round.

The Eagles are a 3-point home underdog at Bovada Sportsbook even though they’re the No. 1 seed in the NFC. That’s what happens when you lose your starting quarterback late in the season and post a 1-4 record against the spread in your last five games. Philadelphia has also lost two in a row straight up and three straight ATS at home in the playoffs.

The Falcons took care of the Los Angeles Rams 26-13 as a 6-point underdog last week and improved to 6-3 SU and 3-6 ATS in their last nine road games. As a road favorite, Atlanta is 4-1 SU and 1-4 ATS in its last five.

The Saturday AFC matchup is the Tennessee Titans at the New England Patriots as a 14-point underdog. Tennessee upset Kansas City 22-21 as an 8.5-point underdog last week. That was the Titans’ fourth straight win ATS, but in the postseason they’re only 1-4 SU and 2-3 ATS in their last five.

New England has won five straight SU and ATS, and at home in the postseason has won six straight at 5-1 ATS. At home against the Titans, the Patriots are 7-1 SU and 6-2 ATS in their last eight.

Sunday’s playoff action begins with the Jacksonville Jaguars at the Pittsburgh Steelers as a 7.5-point underdog. The Jaguars got past the Buffalo Bills 10-3 last week as an 8.5-point favorite. They already upset Pittsburgh once this season, 30-9 as a 7.5-point underdog in Week 5, and in their last five games in Pittsburgh they’re a surprising 4-1 SU and ATS.

The Steelers have been dominant at home in the postseason, going 5-1 SU and ATS in their last six. They weren’t a great option for bettors this season, though, having lost four straight ATS at home, and going 3-5 ATS at home overall.

Finishing off the divisional round is the New Orleans Saints at the Minnesota Vikings as a 4-point underdog. The Saints defeated the Carolina Panthers 31-26 as a 6.5-point favorite last week, which dropped them to 1-4 ATS in their last five and 2-6 ATS in their last eight.

Minnesota faced New Orleans back in Week 1 and posted a 29-19 win as a 3-point home favorite. In eight games at home this season, Minnesota was a stout 7-1 SU and 6-2 ATS, and at home in the playoffs is 4-1 ATS in the last five.