Betting the NFL Playoffs and Super BowlBetting the NFL Playoffs and Super Bowl by Wunderdog of Free Underdog I just love betting the NFL playoffs and Super Bowl. Although there is obviously an opportunity to do well during the regular season, the playoffs provide a much more consistent and predictable set of circumstances. As opposed to going primarily with underdogs, I spread it around in the post-season. In fact, I actually lean towards the favorites in my picks. Why is that? Here are some of the reasons: THE CREAM RISES TO THE TOP IN THE NFL PLAYOFFS In the NFL playoffs, the best teams usually win, and cover the spread. Identifying the best team is not always easy, but if you can, you can consistently win in the postseason. There are a myriad of stats to look at including straight-up record, core statistics (points, rushing, passing, etc) and non-core stats (sacks, punting yardage, etc). Wunderdog utilizes a system that weights statistics based on their historical predictive properties. Check out Bovada and start winning NOW! Bovada Sportsbook, Casino, Poker Room & Racebook is known in the online gambling industry for having phenomenal customer service, safe and secure deposit methods, fast & easy payouts and terrific bonuses! BET on Sports & play Poker at BOVADA and receive a 20% FREE BET on your first deposit!THERE IS NO "NEXT WEEK" FOR LOSERS... AKA THE "RUN UP THE SCORE" SYNDROME In the regular season we can spot situations where a favorite is poised to be upset by a supposedly lowly underdog. In the regular season, even very strong teams sometimes let down their guard. In the playoffs, letdowns rarely happen. This is no surprise. Players and coaches understand that if they lose this game, they go home. So, the stronger teams play up to their true ability. The favorites in the NFL don't often let up at the end of a game to allow a dog a late cover. In fact, in the playoffs teams run up the score. Even if they are up by two touchdowns, the winning team wants to leave NOTHING to chance and will take the opportunity to score another two if they can. The unwritten rule in the NFL (don't run up the score) goes out the window in January as opposing coaches and players don't frown on having the score run-up against them. They would do it if the roles were reversed! HOME SWEET HOME! It is widely recognized that home field advantage in the NFL is important. Regular season spreads are routinely adjusted by about 3 to 3.5 points in favor of the home team. But in the playoffs, home field advantage cannot be overstated. Home squads don't have to travel after a long brutal season. The home field energy from the crowd is especially intense in January. Weather plays a big role (just ask a warm weather team like Tampa Bay having to travel to Green Bay or Buffalo in January). And, the better team usually "earned" home field advantage by playing awesome football for 16 weeks. The lines-makers simply cannot adjust the spread enough to account for these factors. Over the past eight seasons, home teams have covered the spread nearly 64% of the time! Home underdogs do even better. Home dogs are very rare (we have seen only 13 of them since 1982) but if you find one - jump on it as they are 11-1-1 against the spread in those games. Check out the 2011 NFL Playoff Predictions and Super Bowl Predictions from NFL expert picks capper Mike Jones and pro football expert JP! STATISTICAL HANDICAPPING INCREASES IN IMPORTANCE In the playoffs, we have reliable data from 16 games worth of stats to evaluate. As stated earlier, the best teams step up in January and there are fewer situational letdowns and surprises. The teams with the better team in key statistical areas usually win. Knowing which stats to emphasize an lead to very successful spread predictions. Keep these items in mind when handicapping the NFL playoffs and the Super Bowl. My postseason picks utilize systems built around these variables.
Checkout another article about
Super Bowl betting. --- by freeunderdog.com on January 25, 2006
Team Odds to Win the Super Bowl
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