NFC and AFC Championship Betting Notes
A few notes worth noting for those interested in betting on the AFC and NFC Championship games this weekend.
Jets at Colts:
- There was some Colts -7 early, especially laying -115 or so, but the line has been bet up to a flat 7.5.
- The big mover of the football weekend is the total in this game. Opened at 41, which didn’t last long, now down to 39.
- When the Colts famously benched their starters in Game 15 they were outgaining the Jets 296-154.
- The Jets are practically a reincarnation of the Super Bowl champion 2000 Ravens. A ferocious, disruptive, turnover-creating defense, a solid running game, and a quarterback that they’re terrified of trusting.
- Mark Sanchez, recently compared unfavorably with Jamarcus Russell, has averaged 5.6 yards per pass attempt or less in 3 of his past 4 games, and he has 14 TD passes and 21 interceptions on the season.
- While it’d be nice to have the perpetually injured Bob Sanders around, the remaining pieces of the Colts defense are pretty healthy.
Vikings at Saints:
- The Saints opened as a 3.5-point favorite, which was bet up to 4, and is now back down to 3.5 in most places.
- The total has been a pretty solid 52 in Vegas, but is heading upward in the desert, and has crept up to 53 at some offshore and online sportsbooks.
- The AFC Championship game is not the only game featuring Buddy Ryan’s influence. Both defensive coordinators, the Saints’ Gregg Williams and Minny’s Leslie Frazier, are Buddy Ryan disciples.
- The Vikings were the only NFC team to go undefeated at home, and their last 5 wins have been by 17 points or more. The road has been a different story, with losses in 3 of the last 4 trips being losses, all by 6 or more.
- The Saints of the first dozen weeks of the season and last week were dominant. If you can forgive the final month, and there would be reasons to do that, this team something special.
- As fantastic has Favre has been all year, you would think he would come up with a big game, wouldn’t you? After all, this is what he came back for.
- The Saints are a lot healthier than they’ve been for a while. Vikings DT Kevin Williams hasn’t been practicing (knee), but will go on Sunday.
Hopefully, something here at least gave you some food for thought. While there are only two games in football, we anticipate a lot of value in the basketball this weekend. Call 770-649-1078 to take advantage of our hard work and experience.
