Betting nuggets to know for AFC, NFC title games
Rob NelsonMackenzie Kraemer
Looking to bet on any NFL games this weekend? Be sure to check out our betting nuggets below, compiled by Rob Nelson and Mackenize Kraemer of ESPN Stats & Information.All lines are courtesy of Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook
Green Bay Packers at Atlanta Falcons
Line: Falcons -4.5; over/under: 61
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Pittsburgh Steelers at New England Patriots
Line: Patriots -6; over/under: 51
<caption style="box-sizing: border-box; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: rgb(43, 44, 45); font-weight: 600; height: auto; line-height: normal; position: relative; text-align: left; text-transform: capitalize; z-index: 1000020; padding-bottom: 12px;">Best ATS Record This Season (Including Playoffs)</caption><thead style="box-sizing: border-box;">
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Rob NelsonMackenzie Kraemer
Looking to bet on any NFL games this weekend? Be sure to check out our betting nuggets below, compiled by Rob Nelson and Mackenize Kraemer of ESPN Stats & Information.All lines are courtesy of Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook
Line: Falcons -4.5; over/under: 61
- With the over/under currently at 61, this would be the highest postseason total ever and the second-highest in any game over the past 30 seasons.
| SEASON | TEAM | O/U | RESULT |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Rams at 49ers | 62 | Under |
| 2016 | Packers at Falcons | 61 | ? |
| 2000 | Panthers at Rams | 59.5 | Under |
| 2011 | Lions at Saints | 59.5 | Over |
| 2004 | Raiders at Chiefs | 59 | Over |
| 2001 | Colts at Rams | 59 | Push |
| 2016 | Saints at Falcons | 58.5 | Over |
| 2013 | Eagles at Broncos | 58.5 | Over |
| 2013 | Redskins at Broncos | 58.5 | Over |
| 2000 | Vikings at Rams | 58 | Over |
<caption style="box-sizing: border-box; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: rgb(43, 44, 45); font-weight: 600; height: auto; line-height: normal; position: relative; text-align: left; text-transform: capitalize; z-index: 1000020; padding-bottom: 12px;">Highest Over/Unders -- Last 30 Seasons</caption><thead style="box-sizing: border-box;">
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- The over is 14-3 in Falcons games this season (9-0 at home), the highest mark in the NFL.
- The over is 10-2 in Green Bay's past 12 games.
- The over is 8-2-1 in the past 11 NFC Championship Games.
- In the past 30 seasons, the over has gone 7-1 in the AFC/NFC Championship Games played indoors.
- The Falcons beat the Packers 33-32 in Week 8, with Green Bay covering the 3-point spread and the game going over the total of 51.5.
- The Packers have covered in five straight playoff games.
- During the Packers' eight-game win streak, they have gone 7-1 ATS (only ATS loss was at the Bears in Week 15), and the over has gone 6-2 (six straight overs).
- Matt Ryan is 1-5 ATS in his playoff career, with the only cover coming last week against Seattle. This includes a 48-21 loss as a 2.5-point home favorite against the Packers in the 2010 divisional round.
- The Falcons are 6-6 ATS when favored this season, compared to 5-0 ATS as an underdog.
- Eight of the past nine NFC Championship Games have been decided by one score, with four of those games having gone to overtime.
Line: Patriots -6; over/under: 51
- Over the past 30 seasons, favorites are 24-6 outright (19-10-1 ATS) in the AFC Championship Game, including 12-2 in the last 14 games (10-4 ATS).
- New England is a league-best 14-3 ATS this season, including 11-2 with Tom Brady under center. The only times the Patriots failed to cover were in Week 4 against Buffalo (without Brady), Week 10 against Seattle and Week 12 at the New York Jets.
| TEAM | RECORD |
|---|---|
| New England | 14-3 |
| New Orleans | 11-5 |
| Atlanta | 11-6 |
| Washington | 10-6 |
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- Since the start of December, the Patriots have covered all six games they've played, all as favorites. During their six-game ATS win streak, the Patriots have never trailed. The last time the Patriots trailed in a game was Week 12 against the Jets (Nov. 27).
- Pittsburgh has won nine straight games (7-2 ATS), the longest active streak in the NFL. New England has won eight straight games (7-1 ATS), tied for the second-longest active streak in the NFL (Packers).
- The Steelers have won five straight road games, their longest streak since 2008. They have covered all of those games, but they were an underdog only once in those games (last week at Kansas City).
- The Steelers are in an underdog role for the third time this season, and only the second time with Ben Roethlisberger under center. Only the Patriots have been underdogs less often. The only time New England was the underdog was in Week 1 against Arizona in Jimmy Garoppolo's first start.
- The Patriots beat the Steelers 27-16 on the road in Week 7, covering the 7.5-point spread and going under the total of 49. However, Roethlisberger did not play.
- When Roethlisberger and Brady have squared off, Brady's Patriots are 6-2 straight up and 5-2-1 ATS. The winner of the game has covered the spread each time, except for last year's meeting, which ended in a push (28-21 Patriots win).
- In the Brady era, the Patriots are 16-3 in home playoff games (11-8 ATS). They have covered four of their past five home playoff games with Brady.
- Each of the last nine Patriots games with totals in the 50s went under the total.
- Of the Steelers' 18 games this season, 12 have gone under the total, tied for the most in the NFL. Seven of their nine road games have gone under, most in the NFL, including seven of the past eight.
