NFL: Mike Kern searches for a football teaser. Two teams or three?
It’s the divisional round of the NFL tournament, which could be the best week of the season.
And hopefully we can find a teaser that works.
Last week’s play of the Eagles and Alabama didn’t. But maybe you heeded my Monday suggestion by hedging your bet after the Birds had covered and also took Clemson and the points to try and get greedy with that 5-point middle. So you might have about broke even.
Anyway, since the playoff realignment in 2002 the home team has gone 43-24 (67 percent) in these matchups. Last week three underdogs won outright.
You could make a case both ways in several of these games and maybe not be wrong. No matter what happens, Nick Foles will forever be a Philly legend. And I think the Eagles have a chance. But trying to take out New Orleans (-8) and Drew Brees down there is a tougher assignment than what they faced in the Super Bowl. So I’m going to move the Saints down either six or nine points, depending upon how many other teams I want to use. And moving the line six only gets them to a 2-point favorite, which means they could still win a close one and not get it done for you.
I’m also looking at the Colts (+5), where in a 3-teamer I could get them up to 14 at Kansas City. Indy has been the hottest team in the league, and we all know about the Chiefs playoff troubles, especially at home. Ditto Andy Reid, who has lost as a fave before. And I like Andy. But two touchdowns seems like too much.
I’m also going to throw in the Patriots (-4). I know they’re not the Pats we’ve become used to, but they haven’t lost at home this season and they rarely lose there in January. While I like what San Diego (Oops, I meant LA) has done, Phillip Rivers has never beaten Tom Brady. The Chargers are flying across country for the second straight week. And it’s going to be cold. They’ve only lost once on the road, so it could be a game. Still, if I can get the Pats getting five in Foxboro I’ve got to try, right? I’m also thinking under 47 1/2, if you’re into that sort of thing.
I know, I know. It’s tough enough trying to win one or even two without pushing it. But hey, you don’t have to bet much. Just enough to keep you interested. For the fun of it. Because “for amusement purposes only” just gets you so far. And, if the first two cover, you could always take the Birds plus the eight and try for a middle again. Now that’s what I call gambling.
As for the Cowboys-Rams (-7), I would lean toward the visitors and make them a two-touchdown dog if you’d rather use them instead.
Since 2002, there’s been three sweeps by the home teams. And six times it’s been a 2-2 split.