Wow. What a weekend of Divisional Round football. Saturday had some good games that got us ready for an epic Sunday. Here are my reactions to the games and how my betting went.
Texans vs Ravens
This was the blowout of the Divisional Round weekend, but this game was close for a half. The Ravens came out a bit slow, and a punt return by the Texans helped make it 10-10 going to half. After this it became all Baltimore. The Ravens won 34-10 and seemed to do whatever they wanted in the second half.
My biggest surprise for the game was Dalvin Cook. Late in the game, he had some really good runs. He looked better than Gus Edwards, and had some better runs than Justice Hill. What the Ravens have done at running back is incredible, and they just keep getting production even with the injuries. I also loved how the defense made it hard for CJ Stroud. If they play like that for two more games, it’s going to be hard to not see this Ravens team winning it all.
Betting wise we didn’t do too bad. -9.5 was the main bet and it covered with ease. As for the touchdown scorers, I was a bit off. Cook was really close to scoring, and that one would have sent me wild. I will be looking for Isiah Likely or OBJ to be scorers next week as my early lean.
One last question. Is this the year of Harbaugh??
Packers vs 49ers
The Packers really gave the 49ers a good fight. They got stops everytime they needed too until the final drive. The Packers also got to the redzone 3-5 times before the 49ers got their first, which is crazy to think about. Love had a bad throw to seal the loss, but he played solid overall. There were some areas that could’ve been better, but that’s been the inconsistency he has had all season. Overall, this was a great showing and season for the Packers. They have a guy at quarterback, and showed this young roster can make a run.
As for the 49ers, losing Deebo Samuel in this Divisional Round game is tough. He is a tone setter, and we usually see him banging bodies. With this shoulder injury, it’s going to be interesting to see how this goes. The 49ers seemed to struggle a lot without him, making you wonder how much he was involved in that gameplan. Christian McCaffrey was good in that game, and continued to show how well worth the trade he was. The 49ers got a reality check last game, and now have a chance to get themselves to a Super Bowl.
Betting wise, I was quiet on both this game and the earlier game. I did have a live bet or two hit, but overall it was a alright game. We did hit Purdy’s and CMCs rush over, and that was the big props on the game. I do regret disrespecting the NBA Jam however, as Aaron Jones rushed for 100 yards again. I look for the 49ers to use Aiyuk a bit more this upcoming game, and I see him going for 100+ and a TD.
Buccaneers vs Lions
This game was a good one. This game was back and forth for a bit, but overall the Lions prevailed. Each team matched what the other did. If it was a field goal, you best believe the other team was scoring that. Touchdown? Same exact thing. Up until the 4th, this was a close and tight fight. One huge stop in the 4th led to back to back touchdowns by Jahmyr Gibbs and Amon-Ra. Mike Evans would add a late score, and a missed 2 point try would seal the game.
The Bucs had an amazing season. Nothing was expected of them, and they found themselves NFC South Division champs and very close to a potential Divisional Round win.
As for the Lions, it almost feels fake. Growing up I knew the Lions as the bad team that always found a way to lose now, they are winning games with coaches, not calling timeouts (c’mon Todd Bowles) and just having everything that happened to them in the past happening to their opponents. The Lions have won back to back home playoff games for the first time EVER, and now are just one win away from a Super Bowl. They have a real chance to get there, and Sunday night Football on January 28th should be a good one.
As for the betting side, we absolutely mopped the floor with this game. We had a clean 4-0 sweep on touchdown scorers, went 3-1 in props, and just missed Bucs +6.5. Live betting went amazing for me as well, and I look forward to what the lines could look like for 49ers vs Lions. My early lean for a Lions scorer is Sam Laporta. Dark horse could be Zach Ertz, who just signed (assuming he gets legit game action).
Chiefs vs Bills
This may have been the best game of the Divisional Round this weekend. The Bills defense got no stops really at all until the end of the game, while the Chiefs got two more stops before this. In this game, that was the killer for the Bills, along with Bass missing a 40+ yarder in super windy conditions. Josh Allen played an amazing game, and it didn’t matter again.
Here’s a wild stat. Allen is averaging 300+ yards, and has 22 touchdowns to 1 turnover in the playoffs versus Kansas City. He is 0-3.
Mahomes and the Chiefs just know how to win. They find ways to just win games and it’s unreal at this point. Even with Bass making it, you had a feeling Mahomes would make some magic happen. Mahomes goes on the road this time, and beats the Bills again. Travis Kelce looked like the old Kelce in this game, and the power of shirtless Jason Kelce was flowing through him.
Mahomes does it again. Now, the Chiefs travel to take on the Baltimore Ravens. Can Mahomes keep the dynasty going, or is it the year of Harbaugh?
Shoutout to Mahomes and Kelce. They have scored 16 times as a duo in the playoffs, most all time in NFL Playoff history.
Betting wise, we absolutely killed this game as well. Made a great amount on Chiefs +3 and the Chiefs moneyline, went 3-1 in touchdown scorers I gave out, and even hit Kincaid over. 3 more games to bet, and I’m trying to get every last dollar I can before the season ends. When it comes to picking a touchdown scorer next week, I have my eyes on Kelce again, or maybe even a dark horse scorer like Marquez Valdes-Scantling.
My Betting Records for the NFL
Pickem Record: 171-101
NFL bets (straights) [regular season] 49-43-2
NFL Bets (Player Props & TD Scorers) [regular season] 43-41
Nasty Boy Play (NFL) 5-23
NFL PLAYOFF (Straights) 4-3
(Props) 14-5
(TD scorers) 11-13
Jaden Chandler-Parnell, or “JC” is a Sports & Sports Betting Insider for Stare Down Sports. You can Follow him on X @Jaden95Chandler
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