Betting Tips For the 2021 NFL Playoffs
Are you ready to bet the 2021 NFL Playoffs?
Key Points
- Prepare yourself for betting the 2021 NFL playoffs by taking careful consideration of a few factors.
- There is value on underdogs in the NFL playoffs.
The 2021 NFL playoff field is set and bettors can take advantage of one of the most exciting times of the sports year. With fewer games on the schedule, look for betting boards full of all your traditional bets plus tons of props and specials.
As you prepare to place your bets on the 2021 NFL playoffs, there are a number of things to keep an eye on.
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Watch Point Spreads
The majority of playoff games are going to have a point spread between 1 and 4. The most common spread, of course, is 3. Of the six wild card round games, only Dallas-San Francisco is in the range.The Cowboys are a 3-point favorite over the Niners.
At top football sportsbooks, Kansas City is a 13-point favorite over Pittsburgh and Tampa Bay is laying 9.5 against the Eagles. The league has seen its share of double-digit underdogs not only cover this season, but win outright. The Jaguars just beat the Colts in Week 18 as a 14-point underdog.
Find the Right Dog in the 2021 NFL PLAYOFFS
In each of the past four seasons, at least one wild card has won a first-round playoff game. Typically, wild cards will be the underdog heading into their first playoff game. Anyone betting on football looking to profit should look long and hard to find an underdog - or even two - that provide value.
In 2021, one dog worth looking at is San Francisco. The 49ers are 3-point underdogs at Dallas, but they actually thrive in this role. Head coach Kyle Shanahan is 25-17 ATS in the regular season when the 49ers are underdogs.
Dallas QB Dak Prescott is just 1-2 straight up and 0-3 ATS in three career playoff games. San Francisco has some injury concerns, but they are worth a look. Prior to last year’s playoffs, underdogs went 11-1 ATS in the previous three wild card weekends.
You can always take a look at our NFL computer picks too. It is always good to get a fresh perspective of every game.
2021 NFL Playoffs & Home Field
There is a bit of an advantage for home teams in the playoffs. Whatever it may be. The familiarity of home, keeping the same routine, or just the energy of the home crowd - there is a distinct home field advantage in the NFL playoffs.
Since 2000, home teams in the NFL playoffs are 134-78 straight up. That’s a winning percentage of 63 percent. It may be worth looking into a home team on the moneyline.
Home teams against the spread is a different story. In 190 NFL playoff games between 2000 and 2018, home teams went 92-86-2 ATS.
Before we move on, our last article talked about parlays. Go check out What to Watch For When Betting Parlays.
Betting Totals
Bettors should not forget about betting NFL playoff totals. Where the teams are playing is a huge consideration when betting NFL playoff totals.
For example, Dallas and San Francisco will play in the temperature-controlled confines of AT&T Stadium where the weather is not a concern. That, plus the Cowboys’ No. 1-ranked scoring offense, is why their playoff game has one of the highest totals - 50 - of all wild card games.
Buffalo and New England will play at Highmark Stadium just outside of Buffalo where January can bring all sorts of weather. In last week’s win over the Jets, Buffalo endured wind gusts of 20 to 30 miles per hour. The wind wreaked havoc on both offenses, but the Jets wound up with 53 total yards and the game went Under the total with a final score of 27-10. That wasn’t surprising.
Another consideration is divisional opponents facing one another in the playoffs. Since the 2002 realignment, the Under is 12-9-1 when teams from the same division clash in the postseason. Arizona plays the Los Angeles Rams in the wild card round. The total is set at 50.5.
Are you a bookie looking for Online Bookie Software? Go take a look.