Breaking down odds, lines, betting splits for the NFL’s Wild Card Round

The 2021 NFL playoffs are set to begin this weekend. Twelve teams will kick off their postseasons with the six Wild Card round games set to take place on Saturday and Sunday. We’ve had a look at how the public is betting on the first playoff games of the year at DraftKings Sportsbook. Let’s go over the odds and lines.

The New Orleans Saints are the biggest moneyline favorites of the weekend. They’re -480 ahead of their matchup against the Chicago Bears (+350). The public has placed 72 percent of the handle and 79 percent of the total bets on New Orleans but I think the underdog has a real chance here. The Bears only lost to the Saints by three earlier this year with Nick Foles under center, and Trubisky has looked like an upgrade at times since getting his starting spot back. Kirk Cousins didn’t have to do a ton to upset New Orleans in the Wild Card Round last season. The Bears have a better defense than the Minnesota Vikings had then plus viable top options at running back and wide receiver. I like Chicago’s chances against the spread as 9.5-point underdogs, and an upset would not surprise me.

The public is extremely certain that the Buffalo Bills will cover the spread as 7-point favorites against the Indianapolis Colts. A staggering 96 percent of the handle has been placed on the Bills to cover. They put up 56 points against the Miami Dolphins in Week 16 and have looked like one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL lately. Buffalo has won by 10 points or more for six straight weeks and I think it will keep that streak going with a victory this weekend.

The point total for the matchup between the Baltimore Ravens and Tennessee Titans is set at 54.5. This is the highest point total of any game taking place this weekend. Tennessee is much more explosive this year than it was in 2019 and Baltimore could be motivated to take down the team it was eliminated by in last year’s playoffs but the expectations might be set a little high. The public has placed 89 percent of the handle and 83 percent of the total bets on the over but I think there’s a decent chance the under hits.

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