Divisional Round Weekend Specials
The best of the best in the NFL will be back in action this weekend for the Divisional Round of the playoffs. That means star power, and that means a boatload of action on the NFL props market here at Bovada. Let’s take a moment to look at three of the most popular weekend specials that we’ve got on tap for you.
Who will record the most passing yards in the Divisional Playoffs?
Of the eight starting quarterbacks in question, the favorite is Andrew Luck of the Indianapolis Colts at 5/2. The long shots are a pair of dual threats in Russell Wilson (20/1) of the Seattle Seahawks and Cam Newton (25/1) of the Carolina Panthers. It’s easy to see why Wilson and Newton are at the bottom of this list; they’ll be using their feet instead of their arms, and the defensively-minded Seahawks and Panthers happen to be playing each other on Saturday (8:15 PM ET, FOX).
But is Luck your best bet? He has to face the Denver Broncos on Sunday (4:40 PM ET, CBS), and the Broncos are much better at defense this year. The smarter pick here could be in Sunday’s matchup (1:05 PM ET, FOX) between the Dallas Cowboys and the Green Bay Packers. Although they’ll be playing on the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field, the weather report calls for mostly clear skies, and the Packers and Cowboys aren’t particularly gifted at defense. With Aaron Rodgers (3/1) limited by a strained calf, Tony Romo (7/1) could be the right choice at the right price.
Who will record the most rushing yards in the Divisional Playoffs?
The biggest stars are at the top of the list are DeMarco Murray (2/1) of the Cowboys and Marshawn Lynch (3/1) of the Seahawks. Murray led the league in rushing this year at 1,845 yards, and Lynch was the best of the remaining tailbacks at 1,306 yards. But for value, consider Justin Forsett (10/1) of the Baltimore Ravens. He was just behind Lynch in terms of raw yardage this season at 1,266 yards, and Forsett will be facing the so-so rush defense of the New England Patriots on Saturday (4:35 PM ET, NBC).
Who will record the most receiving yards in the Divisional Playoffs?
This should be the toughest of the three props to call. Denver’s Demaryius Thomas is the favorite at 15/4, but he’ll have to split targets with Emmanuel Sanders (15/2) and other Broncos receivers. The best value on the board, believe it or not, might be Seattle’s Doug Baldwin at 18/1. The Panthers are ranked No. 9 in the league at pass defense according to the efficiency stats at Football Outsiders, but specifically against the opposition’s top wideouts, Carolina falls all the way to No. 27. Could be worth a shot with Seattle playing at home and no rain in the forecast until Sunday.
