The NFL season is fast drawing to its conclusion and we are set for four exciting games in the Divisional Playoff round this weekend.
The top NFC seed Philadelphia Eagles will start as outsiders at home against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday morning Australian time, while the New England Patriots are clear favourites to end the Tennessee Titans’ season later in the day.
On Monday, the Jacksonville Jaguars travel to Pittsburgh for what will be an exciting game against the Steelers, while the final fixture will seen the Vikings host the Saints in Minnesota.
We’ve previewed all four NFL Divisional Playoff games below, while you can also find the best odds across the board right here at Neds!
Philadelphia Eagles vs Atlanta Falcons
The Eagles have been the clear pick of the NFC for the entire season, but they are set to start as outsiders when they host wild cards the Atlanta Falcons in the NFL Divisional Playoffs.
Philadelphia went 13-3 in the regular season, but they have continued to drift not only in head-to-head markets for this game, but also the Super Bowl following the loss of potent QB Carson Wentz.
The Eagles made their home, Lincoln Financial Field an absolute fortress this season; winning seven of their eight games in front of home fans. It is interesting to note however that the one game they did drop also happened to be the only time they started as outsiders.
Atlanta kept their season alive with a comfortable win over the Rams in LA last weekend. The Rams really did look like a team that would struggle in post season and last season’s NFC Champions did not miss.
QB Mat Ryan threw for 218 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions against the Rams and is obviously key to Atlanta’s chances once more. The loss of Wentz is simply too great a blow to the Eagles’ chances and the Falcons can cover a small spread in the Divisional round.
Tip: Back Atlanta to cover the spread (-3) at $2
BET NOW: Eagles vs Falcons
New England Patriots vs Tennessee Titans
Top-seeded AFC franchise and the defending Super Bowl Champions, the New England Patriots will host the Tennessee Titans at Gillett Stadium on Sunday.
Its been business as usual for the ever-threatening Patriots this season and they ended the regular season with another strong 13-3 record.
Entering the playoffs off the back of a three-game winning streak, the Pats will force the Titans to throw the football and with some of the league’s best in defence, will starve them of points.
Titans QB Marcus Mariota has found some quality form of late and will need to be at his best if his team is any chance of competing with the Patriots. The former Oregon man’s multi-dimensional ability was on full show against the Chiefs last weekend and he is a player that is capable of adapting to any style of play.
This looks likely-to-be the biggest blowout of the NFL Divisional round and the Patriots can cover the spread currently set at 13.5 points.
Tip: Back New England to cover the spread (-13.5) at $2
BET NOW: Patriots vs Titans
Pittsburgh Steelers vs Jacksonville Jaguars
Consistent playoffs contenders the Pittsburgh Steelers will host the Jacksonville Jaguars in only their second postseason appearance since the turn of the century.
This is set to be a terrific contest and the odds in head-to-head betting flatter the Steelers more than they should.
These two franchises have already met once this season and it was one of the Jaguars most convincing performances, while also one of the worst for the Steelers and particularly, QB Ben Roethlisberger.
Roethlisberger is spoiled for choice with the multitude of weapons he has at his disposal and the key to the Steelers’ success is bound to lie with how effectively he can find the likes of Martavis Bryant and Juju Smith-Schuster.
It’s been a terrific season for Jags QB Blake Bortles and is another player who boasts great ability in both throwing and running the football. How he plays could decide Jacksonville’s season on Monday morning.
The Jacksonville defence is truly outstanding and the swagger with which they have been playing has every chance of starving the Steelers out of the game again.
Tip: Back Jacksonville to win at $3.70
BET NOW: Steelers vs Jaguars
Minnesota Vikings vs New Orleans Saints
Monday morning’s meeting between the Minnesota Vikings and New Orleans Saints is set to be the best contest of the NFL Divisional round.
This is the second time these teams will meet this season; the Vikings walked away with a hard-fought 29-19 victory with Sam Bradford at the helm, but they will attempt to overcome Drew Brees and co. with Case Keenum at QB this time around.
Further to their terrific form of late, the Saints won’t have to deal with Bradford again, who threw for 346 yards and three touchdowns in their Week 1 meeting. Keenum has thrown for 300 yards only once this season and their defence has improved noticeably as the campaign has progressed.
To Minnesota’s favour however, Keenum has been extremely efficient and thrown for 22 touchdowns and only seven interceptions. In his last three games, the QB thrown for four touchdowns and no interceptions, while also averaging 188 yards.
There isn’t many better sights in the NFL than Drew Brees in form and how he plays is likely to dictate the result of this game. The Vikings have been a much more complete team this season and they can keep the dream of playing a Super Bowl at home alive.
Tip: Back Minnesota to cover the spread (-5) at $1.88