A look back at Wild Card weekend in the NFL

The first week of the NFL postseason betting is behind us. There are now just eight remaining teams with hopes of hoisting the Vince Lombardi Trophy at Super Bowl 54 in Miami on February 2nd.

Super Bowl Futures Odds

The NFL betting odds listed below are courtesy of Bookmaker.

1. Baltimore Ravens    (+190)
2. San Francisco 49ers (+345)
3. Kansas City Chiefs   (+345)
4. Green Bay Packers  (+865)
5. Seattle Seahawks  (+1285)
6. Minnesota Vikings  (+1500)
7. Tennessee Titans   (+2400)
8. Houston Texans (+3500)

Road Underdogs Prevail

If you bet on all 4 NFL road underdogs this past weekend, then you were quite profitable. The away teams went a successful 3-1 SU&ATS. As a matter of fact, the only home team winner was Houston, and they barely covered as a 2.5-point favorite following a thrilling 22-19 overtime victory over Buffalo. The Texans had to overcome a 16-0 deficit in the last 17 minutes of regulation to force extra time. Depending on where and when that AFC Wildcard game was wagered on, some bettors were able to get a push on Buffalo +3.0.
So much for homefield advantage, NFL wildcard round away underdogs have now won 6 of 8 games straight up during the past two postseasons and covered in 7 of those contests. Furthermore, road teams have now gone 11-1 ATS in the Wildcard Round over the past three years and won 8 of those 12 contests straight up.

Low Scoring Games

All four of last weekend’s NFL Wildcard Round games went under the total. The average total in those 4 contests was 46.0 and there was just a combined 36.5 points scored per game. The low scoring results occurred despite two of those games being decided in overtime. Moreover, during the last three years, you might be surprised to know that 10 of 12 Wildcard Round games have stayed under.

Best NFL Road Team

The Seattle Seahawks finished their regular season slate 11-5 this season. Surprisingly enough, most of their success came in away games rather than at the normally raucous environment at Century Link Field in Seattle where they were a disappointing 4-4. As a result of their 17-9 win at Philadelphia on Sunday, Seattle is now an excellent 8-1 in away games this season. Nevertheless, keep in mind that the Eagles lost starting quarterback Carson Wentz in the 1st quarter of that contest, and he was relieved by 40-year-old journeyman Josh McCown.

When The Saints Go Marching Out

For a second straight year, New Orleans has been eliminated from the NFL postseason parade by way of a home overtime loss. On Sunday they fell to Minnesota 26-20 and did so as a closing 7.0-point home favorite. It must be noted, the Saints are now a dismal 3-9 ATS during its last 12 games as a home favorite. New Orleans has also failed to cover in each of their previous 4 home playoff games.

Possible End of Patriots Dynasty

The defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots were eliminated at home by Tennessee 20-13 on Saturday night. That loss snapped a Patriots 9-game postseason home winning streak. More importantly for New England fans, it may have been the last time future Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady donned a Patriots uniform. During his postgame press conference, Brady indicated it’s unlikely he would retire. Nonetheless, the 43-year-old signal caller is set to become an unrestricted for a first time in his illustrious career which has all been spent as a New England Patriots. There’s been wide speculation that Brady and the Patriots are prepared to part ways but stay tuned because you just never know.

Bills Postseason Futility

The good news for Buffalo Bills fans is that after a 17-year absence from postseason play, their team has made the playoffs in two of the last three years. The bad news is that they haven’t won a postseason contest since 1995. The loyal Bills fan base had their hearts ripped out of their chest once again last Saturday after Buffalo squandered a late 3rd quarter 16-0 lead and eventually bowed out in overtime. They were seemingly in full control of the game before sustaining a complete meltdown. On a positive front, most of their current roster will remain intact next season, and they have a massive 88 million in salary cap money to spend on the free agent market. I wouldn't be surprised at all to see Buffalo win the AFC East, and quite possibly not even having to play in a Wildcard Round game in 2021.

Ross Benjamin is a top sports analyst and one of the sports industry's most respected handicappers. Follow him on Twitter: @RossBenjamin1 or visit his website at RBWins.com