After 17 grueling weeks, the NFL has finally reached its postseason. Let’s check out the odds for the first round of the playoffs, which takes place this weekend.
The first game on the schedule this weekend is a Week 17 rematch between the New York Jets and the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday, January 9. After routing the Bengals in the regular season finale, the Jets find themselves only 2.5-point underdogs according to oddsmakers from online sports book SBGGLOBAL.com. The over/under total for Saturday’s game has been set at 34.5 points.
Division rivals the Philadelphia Eagles and the Dallas Cowboys, two teams that also met in Week 17, will cap Saturday night off with what should be a physical matchup from start to finish. After blowing out the Eagles in Week 17, the Cowboys are 4-point favorites for this first round matchup. The over/under total has been set at 45 points.
On Sunday, the Baltimore Ravens will take their passing attack into Foxboro to take on an inexperienced New England Patriots team, who will be without star wideout Wes Welker. Tom Brady and the Pats are 3.5-point favorites over the Ravens, while the over/under total has been set at 43.
Ironically, yet another Week 17 rematch will occur in the Wild Card round of the playoffs when the Arizona Cardinals host the Green Bay Packers on Sunday. Oddsmakers have made the Cardinals 2.5-point favorites over the Packers, even though Green Bay routed Arizona in the season finale.
2010 NFL Wild Card Playoffs Odds & Over/Under Totals:
101 New York Jets +2.5 Over 34.5
102 Cincinnati Bengals –2.5 Under 34.5
103 Philadelphia Eagles +4 Over 45
104 Dallas Cowboys –4 Under 45
105 Baltimore Ravens +3.5 Over 43
106 New England Patriots –3.5 Under 43
107 Green Bay Packers +2.5 Over 48
108 Arizona Cardinals –2.5 Under 48