NFL Handicapping Articles

NFL Picks: Free Props Predictions for Conference Championship Games
by T.O. Whenham - 1/20/2011

We did pretty well looking at prop bets last weekend, so it only makes sense to do it again. The bad news is that there are obviously two fewer games to choose from this weekend. Luckily, though, they make up for it by providing more options for each game. Here are the five NFL picks for props that stick out most to me from this weekend along with some free predictions:

NFL Picks: Packers at Bears Odds and Betting Predictions
by Robert Ferringo - 1/19/2011

The last few weeks we’ve heard a lot of chatter about rivalries in the NFL Playoffs. Well, I got news for you: there are few better rivalries in the entire sports world than the Green Bay Packers versus the Chicago Bears. Maybe it is the 21 combined championships. Maybe it is the 48 combined members in the Hall of Fame. Maybe it is the tradition or the at-its-roots nostalgia that these two ancient Midwestern franchises conjure up.

NFL Playoffs Predictions: ‘Over’ Top Trend for Championship Weekend
by Nicholas Tolomeo - 1/18/2011

This is a week when, historically, instincts lead many to anticipate a defensive battle. All week long the buildup to the game will revolve around defense. This year is no different. The four teams still playing also happen to rank 1-4 in total defense. Add on top of that the expected wintry conditions in frigid Soldier Field in Chicago and Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, and points would figure to be at a premium come Sunday.

NFL Picks: Where Will Donovan McNabb Play in 2011?
by Alan Matthews - 1/18/2011

Is there really any chance that Donovan McNabb remains with the Washington Redskins? Of course, McNabb was benched by Mike Shanahan for the final three games of the season. However, McNabb said he’d like to return to Washington next season. And Shanahan said he would welcome him back – as the backup. But McNabb’s agent blasted Shanahan and his offensive coordinator son Kyle for their handling of his client. Even Mike Shanahan acknowledged late in the season that things were like a "soap opera" and that essentially was a mistake for the Skins to have traded for him.

NFL Playoffs: Divisional Round Betting Trends
by T.O. Whenham - 1/14/2011

Last week we looked back at the recent history of the Wild Card round -- the last four years -- to see what trends emerged. It was very informative -- a profitable exercise. For example, we learned that home field advantage hadn’t been much of an advantage from a betting perspective,, so it didn’t need to be given a lot of credit. Road teams were 3-1 ATS last weekend.

NFL Picks: Ravens vs. Steelers Playoff Betting Odds and Predictions
by T.O. Whenham - 1/14/2011

This game, played Saturday, Jan. 15 at 4:30 p.m. EST in Pittsburgh, is what the NFL is all about -- the prototypical, near-perfect playoff matchup. It really has everything. Two excellent teams that really, really hate each other and have a long history of playing very good, very tight games against each other. Two strong quarterbacks -- one among the very best in the league, and the other improving every game. Two ridiculously stout defenses that thrive on punishing people. It’s got it all.

New York Jets at New England Patriots Predictions and NFL Odds
by Alan Matthews - 1/14/2011

The Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens have the NFL’s most physical rivalry. The Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers can claim the league’s oldest rivalry. But the most entertaining rivalry in football? It has to be New York Jets vs. New England Patriots. All the entertainment usually flows from the New York side, and this week was no different.

Free NFL Picks: Handicapping Divisional Round Playoff Props
by T.O. Whenham - 1/14/2011

One of the best parts of the playoffs is the wide range of prop bets that are available for NFL handicappers. There aren’t as many in the earlier rounds as there are in the Super Bowl, but there are still a wide range of creative and thought provoking bets available. They often don’t offer much value, but they occasionally do, and they are fun, too. Here are two that stand out for each game this weekend:

NFL Picks: Packers at Falcons Odds and Betting Predictions
by Robert Ferringo - 1/13/2011

There is no more coveted regular season prize for an NFL team than the No. 1 conference seed and the first-round bye and home field advantage it comes with. The logic follows that this paves the easiest path to the elusive, and ultimate, prize: a Super Bowl championship.

Seahawks at Bears Predictions and NFL Betting Odds
by Robert Ferringo - 1/13/2011

I will fully admit that I was wrong about the Seattle Seahawks last week. I didn’t think they had a prayer at beating New Orleans and not only was I stunned, but it also cost me money in the form of a wager on the Saints. Now, that said, I still think that this is the worst NFL playoff team that I have ever seen and that one week of them playing out of their minds doesn’t erase the pathetic play that this team put on film this season.

NFL Odds: Betting on the Heavy Favorites for Divisional Round Playoffs
by Nicholas Tolomeo - 1/13/2011

The NFL postseason is only into its second round, but already we have seen three teams be pegged as nine-point or higher underdogs, according to the NFL lines. This week in the divisional round we have two heavy underdogs, including the Seattle Seahawks, who are catching 10 points for the second consecutive week.

NFL Playoffs Betting Trends: Home-Field Advantage and the Stadiums
by Nicholas Tolomeo - 1/13/2011

Home-field advantage takes on a different meaning come NFL playoff time. Just because a team may be dominant at home during the regular-season does not necessarily mean that same stadium is an intimidating place to play in the playoffs. Here is breakdown of the four host stadiums this weekend and how they rank in order of toughness for the opposition, starting with the weakest.

NFL Public Action Betting Report: Wild Card Edition
by T.O. Whenham - 1/7/2011

With only four games on tap in the NFL this weekend, you can be sure that the public will be throwing money heavily on to all of the games. Any time the public gets particularly heavily involved there is a lot to potentially be learned from looking at the line movement and betting distribution. Here’s a look at each of the four games:

Betting Trends and Advice for NFL Picks for the Wild Card Round
by T.O. Whenham - 1/7/2011

Wild Card Weekend is here again. A lot of bettors will tell you that this is the best weekend of the playoffs for making a big profit. That may or may not be true, but like every weekend of the NFL season you are better off approaching it with as much knowledge as you can. In this case one of the best means we have of learning about how to bet the Wild Card games is from history.

NFL Picks: Saints at Seahawks Predictions and Betting Odds
by Alan Matthews - 1/7/2011

If there’s one game that looks like a dog this weekend – that’s dog as in a canine with fleas not underdog, although I guess the latter is also true – it’s Saturday afternoon’s New Orleans at Seattle matchup. After all, the Seahawks are probably the worst playoff team in NFL history and just became the first division champion ever with a losing record and first below-.500 playoff team in a non-strike season.

Free NFL Picks: Ravens at Chiefs Predictions and Betting Odds
by T.O. Whenham - 1/7/2011

One team that was definitely supposed to be a playoff team will play one team that is a surprise to many in the early game on Sunday. Baltimore looked like a serious contender coming into the season, and unlike some who shared that distinction they are still standing and looking proud. Kansas City, on the other hand, is far more unexpected. By now everyone will say they saw the resurgence coming -- 4-12 last year to hosting a playoff game this year. Those people are, of course, lying. It was clear that the Chiefs would be better, but the combination of how much better they were and how lousy the Chargers would be couldn’t have been foreseen.

NFL Playoff Picks: Predictions for Offensive Props
by Nicholas Tolomeo - 1/7/2011

After the 17-week NFL regular season, 20 teams have been sent home and 12 move forward to the NFL playoffs. The playoffs begin with the Wild Card round this Saturday at 4:15 p.m. EST when the New Orleans Saints visit the Seattle Seahawks. Eight teams will be action this weekend: four division winners and four teams who earned Wild Card berths. Sportsbook.com has released a number of props that involve all eight teams competing on Saturday and Sunday. Here are some NFL Playoff picks for these props.

NFL Betting Trends for Wild Card Playoffs: Rematches
by Nicholas Tolomeo - 1/7/2011

Both NFC Wild Card round matchups this weekend are rematches of regular-season meetings. If that seems odd, it’s not. Last season all four Wild Card round games were rematches. The last three seasons all the AFC Wild Card round games have been rematches.

NFL Odds and Predictions for Next San Francisco 49ers Coach
by Alan Matthews - 1/6/2011

Bodog offers a prop on who the next head coach of the San Francisco 49ers will be, and for my NFL predictions I would tell you that two developments on Thursday made the favorite of in that prop much, much less likely to take the Niners job.

NFL Picks: Packers at Eagles Odds and Betting Picks
by Robert Ferringo - 1/6/2011

The NFL has the Green Bay Packers to thank for unleashing Michael Vick onto them this season. Now the Packers may reap the whirlwind. The Packers head to Lincoln Financial Field this weekend to take on Philadelphia in a Wild Card Playoff game. Kickoff is at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday and this is a rematch of a Week 1 matchup.