» January 15, 2010
By Staff Writer
After
a tame Wild Card weekend, the exception of course being that "wild" 51-45 OT
affair between the Pack and Cards, the Divisional playoff round steps into the
spotlight with four matchups. At first glance, the matchups this weekend should
provide more entertainment.
Arizona at New Orleans
The
Cardinals advance to play the New Orleans Saints at the Superdome on Saturday. Online
sportsbooks have the Cardinals as 7-point underdogs with an Over/Under of
57.5. Bettors are looking for another shootout as the high total still hasn't
scared off "Over" money.
Seeing
as the Saints were the league's highest-scoring team during the regular season,
averaging 31.9 ppg, it's easy to see why.
But
will Over bettors be disappointed when all is said and done?
In
Arizona's last 15 games overall, the Total has only gone Over five times and
the Under hit 10 times.
In
New Orleans' last nine games, home or away, the Under has cashed seven times,
the Over once and there was one Push as well.
In
the Cards' last nine road games, the Under has come up six times and in the
Saints' last seven home games, the Under has prevailed five times.
Arizona has not
fared well in their last 10 overall against the Saints, going 3-7 ATS, but
bettors take note, the Cards are 9-0 ATS the last nine times they have been an
underdog of 8-points or less.
While
New Orleans has failed to cover in its last two games when a fave of 8-points
or less, they are still very impressive in that situation, going 10-2 ATS in
the last 12.
While
Cardinals WR Anquan Boldin missed the Wild Card round with ankle and knee
injuries, he could see action in the Saints game as he told The Arizona
Republic that he is "optimistic" about playing.
Currently
the betting volume at SPORTSBETTING.com is split with 57% on the Saints and 43%
on the Cardinals.
Dallas at Minnesota
The
Dallas Cowboys were able to exorcise some demons when they defeated the
Philadelphia Eagles 34-14 straight up in their first-round matchup.
QB
Tony Romo and head coach Wade Phillips both won their first playoff games ever
and Dallas covered as 3.5-point home favorites.
The
Cowboys advance to play the Minnesota Vikings at the Metrodome this week and
are 3-point underdogs with a Total of 46.
The
game is more than just a playoff game between Dallas and Minnesota though; it
will be a QB duel between Romo and the Vikes' Brett Favre.
History
doesn't seem to be on Dallas' side as it is 3-9 SU and 2-10 ATS in its last 12
road games in January while Minny is 6-2 SU and ATS in its last eight home
games in that same month.
When
it comes to head to head matchups between the two, the Vikings have the edge,
going 7-4 SU and 8-3 ATS in their last 11.
In
Minnesota's last 13 games when favorites of 4-points or less, the Under has
prevailed 10 times.
We're
well on our way to the Super Bowl and there should be a lot of good football in
store for this weekend.
Enjoy
the rest of your week.
Pick
up a 110% sign up bonus at SPORTSBETTING.com
for this week's playoffs.
