How to bet Super Bowl LIV: San Francisco 49ers vs. Kansas City Chiefs betting guide

Looking at the multitude of ways to bet Super Bowl LIV, and how to get NFL action on the San Francisco 49ers vs. Kansas City Chiefs matchup.

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Legal sportsbooks across the USA have rolled out the red carpet this week for those looking to get their NFL betting action on the Super Bowl LIV matchup between the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs. Our friends at BetMGM have a wide array of sports betting options for the big game, ranging from the outright winner to the result of the opening coin toss and everything in between and beyond.

Viewers and bettors don’t even need to be fans of either of this year’s participants to get a piece of the pie. Whether you’re looking to dip your toes in the water or dive headfirst into the sports betting pool, we at SportsbookWire have you covered. Here’s everything you need to know about betting Super Bowl LIV:

Super Bowl LIV betting: Outrights

As with any other game, the three main bet types are the MoneylineAgainst the spread and the Over/Under. Here, we’re looking for the game winner, the winner against the points handicap and the total points scored in the game. The same betting logic applies as to any standard game, and you should be sticking by the same research methods which got you here.

Don’t get bogged down in the added volume of analysis and predictions around the Super Bowl. Everyone has a prediction. Look for values and if the line seems too close to call, step away and simply avoid the bet.

Be sure to investigate alternate lines, as well. The Super Bowl, like most games, brings with it a broad array of secondary options, such as lines for each half or quarter. Like the underdog to win the game outright? Bet them on more profitable lines to win by 1-6 points or exactly 3 points. These secondary lines can often be overlooked by the sportsbooks and are great sources of value as the betting public generally looks only at the principle lines and odds.


Special sports betting line for the big game

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Super Bowl LIV betting: Prop bets

Photo Credit: Kelley L Cox – USA TODAY Sports

Player props

There’s no better way to stay involved in every single play of the Super Bowl than with player props. Options exist for the first touchdown of the game, last touchdown, total touchdowns and yardage totals for most offensive players involved. Defensive players aren’t left out, either. Get action on the number of sacks recorded by key defenders, or “will they or won’t they” record an interception.

As usual, quarterbacks are the stars of the show. Patrick Mahomes and Jimmy Garoppolo will be front and center in head-to-head competitions for statistical production, or on individual props estimating their yardage, touchdown and interception totals.

The main attraction, of course, is for Super Bowl MVP. Most players involved in the game are listed with corresponding odds from Mahomes’ +110 as the odds-on favorite to longshot Chiefs P Dustin Colquitt at +50000. Be sure to research the trends and play the odds. A QB has been named the MVP of 29 of the 53 Super Bowls to date.

Also see:

Team props

If you don’t like the risk of the player props, despite more profitable odds, team props can be the better route to take. These look at the precise winning margin, which team will score first, last or most often, as well as total touchdowns or field goals for either side.

Bets can be broken down by team or combine the two sides. Look at the season-long trends for both teams to get an idea of how many times they run, pass or punt per game. How many sacks did they record and how many points did they give up on average?

Keep in mind, the Super Bowl features the best teams from the AFC and NFC. Make sure to discount outlier stats racked up against an inferior, bottom-feeding opponent early in the season.

Game props

Here, bettors can get action right from the get-go by betting on the result of the coin toss. From there, bet between the first play of the game being a run or pass, the first scoring play being a field goal, touchdown or safety.

Game props can also look at total penalties in the game or which penalty will be called first, or most often. Keep checking BetMGM throughout the week, as more and more betting options are being posted as we near Sunday’s 6:30 p.m. ET kickoff at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.

With all these bets, it’s important to remember the odds at the sportsbook are reflective of which side is getting the most betting action. The Super Bowl typically draws in bets in hopes of high-scoring exciting games. Always be on the lookout for the best values. The most likely result isn’t always the most exciting. Know when to be contrarian and bet against the public.

Super Bowl LIV betting: Bankroll management

Photo Credit: Steve Mitchell – USA TODAY Sports

Despite all the build-up and hype around the event, it’s important to remember for betting purposes the Super Bowl is just another game. Sure, it marks the end of the NFL season, but sports bettors still have plenty of options throughout the year and the MLB season is just around the corner.

While there are more betting options available than any other game thus far this season, the size of your wagers shouldn’t be any different than they’ve been up to this point. Whatever your standard betting unit may be (i.e. $1, $5, $10 or $100) you should still be sticking to the same number of units for any wager as you did in Weeks 1 through 17.

Also, know your budget going into this. Carefully peruse the available betting options, take notes of bets which may be of interest, and whittle down your final choices rather than placing bets on the fly. It can be easy to get sidetracked while “window shopping.” Look for the best values and be selective.

Want action on the big game? Sign up and bet at BetMGM. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @EstenMcLaren and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Why you should bet on Green Bay Packers to win NFC Championship

Previewing Sunday’s Green Bay Packers vs. San Francisco 49ers NFC Championship Game, with NFL betting odds, picks, futures and best bets.

The Green Bay Packers (14-3) and San Francisco 49ers (14-3) will vie for a berth in Super Bowl LIV Sunday evening at 6:40 p.m. ET, as they meet in the NFC Championship Game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara. Below, we break down the Packers chances of winning the NFC Championship, with NFL betting odds and picks for this matchup.

The Packers are big road underdogs. They are +280 on the money line and are being spotted 7.5 points (-110) on the spread.

If you are going to bet on the NFC Championship, why should you bet on the Packers to win?


Get some action on the NFC Championship or other games and place a bet at BetMGM!


Green Bay wins close games

The last time the 49ers and Packers met, it was a 37-8 blowout win for the Niners at home in Week 12. That isn’t likely to happen again. The Packers are 9-1 this season in games decided by one score. The 49ers were 5-3.

Green Bay wins the turnover battle

(Photo Credit: Jeff Hanisch – USA TODAY Sports)

Green Bay turned the ball over just 13 times all season. In the Packers’ current six-game winning streak, they have only five turnovers. They have forced nine.

In San Francisco’s three losses, they turned the ball over six times.

Packers QB Aaron Rodgers threw only four interceptions all season. 49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo threw 13.

Green Bay’s pass rush will get to Garoppolo

The Packers had 41 sacks on the season. Their edge presence is relentless. Za’Darius Smith had 13.5 sacks and Preston Smith had 12. In the 49ers’ three losses, Garoppolo went down eight times. Green Bay will be able to pressure Garoppolo into making bad decisions.

The Packers will be able to run the ball against the 49ers

(Photo Credit: Jeff Hanisch – USA TODAY Sports)

The 49ers were 17th in rush defense in 2019. Green Bay rushed for 112 yards per game. The Packers will be able to control the game with a methodical running game.


The Packers are underdogs. They are the biggest underdogs of the four teams remaining in the postseason. At +280 on the money line, you can win nearly triple your bet.

That, in addition to the football reasons already presented, is why you should bet in the Packers to win the NFC Championship.

Want some action on this game? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips and advice, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Why you should bet on Kansas City Chiefs to win AFC Championship

Previewing the Kansas City Chiefs vs. Tennessee Titans AFC Championship Game, with NFL betting odds, picks, futures and best bets.

The Kansas City Chiefs (13-4) host the surprising Tennessee Titans (11-7) in the AFC Championship Game Sunday. The game kicks off at Arrowhead Stadium at 3:05 p.m. Eastern. Below, we break down the Chiefs chances to win the AFC Championship, with NFL betting odds and picks.

The Chiefs are heavy favorites at BetMGM, both on the money line and against the spread. They are -333 to win outright on the money line and favored by 7.5 points (+100) on the spread.

If you are going to bet on the game, why should you bet the Chiefs to win?


Get some action on the AFC Championship or other games and place a bet at BetMGM!


The Chiefs are on a role

(Photo Credit: Mark J. Rebilas – USA TODAY Sports)

After falling behind 24-0 last week against the Houston Texans, they showed the explosive offense they have had for the last two seasons. They rattled off 41 unanswered points and outscored Houston 51-7 after the initial deficit.

They haven’t lost in over two months, winning seven straight games.

They have been there before

Kansas City made it to the AFC title game a season ago, giving the eventual champion New England Patriots everything they could handle. They tied the game with seconds left in regulation, forcing overtime.

QB Patrick Mahomes and the rest of the team who was there last year don’t want to go home one game short of the Super Bowl again.

The quarterback matchup is undeniably uneven

(Photo Credit: Mark J. Rebilas – USA TODAY Sports)

It is Mahomes vs. Ryan Tannehill. Tannehill is a great story but he is definitely not the reason they have won two postseason games. The former Miami Dolphins signal-caller has thrown for a combined 160 yards and three touchdowns in two games. Mahomes had 321 yards and five touchdowns in the Divisional Round.

The Chiefs’ run defense has been solid in their winning streak

The Titans offense is all about RB Derrick Henry. The Chiefs have allowed an average of 94 rushing yards per game in their last seven contests. Defensive lineman Chris Jones has not practiced this week, so there is concern for the defense, but if the Chiefs score the way they did against the Texans, Tennessee will have to throw the ball. That plays right into Kansas City’s game plan.


Of all the remaining teams in the postseason, the Chiefs are the closest thing to a sure thing. The Titans have been a great story and a good bet in the first two rounds but the Chiefs are where you should put your money in the AFC Championship.

Want some action on this game? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips and advice, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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AFC Championship: Tennessee Titans at Kansas City Chiefs odds picks and best bets

Previewing Sunday’s AFC Championship between the Tennessee Titans and Kansas City Chiefs, with NFL betting odds, picks, tips and best bets.

The Tennesse Titans (9-7) visit Arrowhead Stadium to take on the Kansas City Chiefs (12-4) Sunday in the AFC Championship Game. Kickoff for this game is scheduled for 3:05 p.m. E.T. (on CBS). We analyze the Titans-Chiefs odds and sports betting lines while providing NFL betting picks, tips and analysis of this matchup.

Titans at Chiefs: AFC Championship preview, betting trends and notes

  • Tennessee has won seven of its last nine games, including two playoff wins over the New England Patriots (20-13) and Baltimore Ravens (28-12).
  • The Titans have covered the spread in their last five road games and four of their last five games against the Chiefs.

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  • The Titans have won four of their last five games against the Chiefs.
  • Kansas City has covered the spread in five straight contests.
  • The Under has hit in five of the last seven games involving the Chiefs.
  • The Chiefs have won their last six games against AFC opponents.

Titans at Chiefs: Key injuries

Titans

  • WR Adam Humphries (hamstring) questionable
  • LB Jayon Brown (knee) questionable
  • WR Cody Hollister (ankle) questionable

Chiefs

  • DT Chris Jones (calf) questionable
  • G Andrew Wylie (ankle) questionable
  • CB Morris Claiborne (shoulder) questionable

Titans at Chiefs: AFC Championship odds, betting lines and prediction

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 3:15 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Chiefs 27, Titans 17

Moneyline (?)

The CHIEFS (-334) are big moneyline favorites at home against the red-hot Titans. Despite the Titans defeating the Chiefs earlier this season (35-32 in Week 10), Kansas City’s offense is functioning at a much higher level now. While the odds aren’t fantastic, consider betting on the Chiefs to win straight up.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Chiefs to win returns a profit of $3.

Against the Spread (?)

The CHIEFS (-7.5, +100) open this game as a touchdown favorite over the Titans in the AFC Championship Game. While the Titans have certainly been impressive over the last month, the Chiefs have been pretty dominant as well. Kansas City has covered the spread in seven straight games as well as five-straight at home. If Kansas City can jump out to any sort of lead, Tennessee could have trouble keeping up. I like the Chiefs to win by double-digits Sunday as they move on to Super Bowl LIV.

Over/Under (?)

The total for the AFC Championship Game is set at 51.5 points, which feels far too high considering how Tennesee wants to play this game. The Titans are going to do everything in their power to shorten the game, which could limit the scoring opportunities for both teams. While betting the Under in a game featuring reigning MVP QB Patrick Mahomes is always dangerous, take the UNDER 51.5 (+105) in this contest.

Want action on this game? Sign up and bet at BetMGM. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship, and there is no influence on news coverage.

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NFC Championship: Green Bay Packers at San Francisco 49ers odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Sunday’s NFC Championship between the Green Bay Packers and San Francisco 49ers, with NFL betting odds, picks, tips and best bets

The San Francisco 49ers (13-3) host the Green Bay Packers (13-3) Sunday in the NFC Championship Game at Levi’s Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. ET and will follow the Tennessee Titans-Kansas City Chiefs AFC Championship. We analyze the Packers-49ers odds and sports betting lines, while providing NFL betting tips and advice on this matchup.

Packers at 49ers: NFC Championship preview, betting trends and notes

  • The 49ers come in with rest advantage after beating the Minnesota Vikings 27-10 in the Divisional Round last Saturday. The Packers beat the Seattle Seahawks 28-23 last Sunday night.
  • San Francisco was 3-2 straight up with a rest advantage this season. It won those games by an average of 8.8 points and covered the spread of 5.5 points per game. Green Bay was 5-0 SU with a rest disadvantage, winning those games by an average of 7.4 PPG.
  • The two teams met at Levi’s Stadium in Week 12, with the Niners claiming a 37-8 victory. Packers QB Aaron Rodgers was held to a season-low 104 passing yards with one touchdown pass and no interceptions. Lead RB Aaron Jones had just 38 rushing yards and no receptions.
  • The Packers had won the previous two head-to-head meetings in 2015 (17-3) and 2018 (33-30).

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  • The Divisional Round was San Francisco’s first time holding the opposition below 20 points since limiting the Packers to just eight points in Week 12.
  • Green Bay’s 28 points scored against Seattle was its highest single-game total since putting up 31 against the New York Giants in Week 13.
  • The Niners tied for fifth in the NFL in the regular season with 48 sacks. The Packers tied for 15th with 41 sacks. Both teams tied for 12th with 36 sacks given up.
  • The Packers ranked second in the NFL this year with just 13 giveaways. The Niners were sixth with 27 takeaways, but they also committed 23 turnovers. The Packers had 25 takeaways.
  • San Francisco was fourth in the league with an average time of possession of 31:51. Green Bay trailed slightly with an average TOP of 31:20.

Packers at 49ers: NFC Championship odds, betting lines and prediction

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Tuesday at 2 p.m. ET.

Prediction

49ers 23, Packers 20

Moneyline (?)

The 49ers (-345) are big moneyline favorites on the home field, but we’ll PASS on the moneyline wager as a $10 bet on San Francisco to win outright returns a profit of just $2.90. The Packers (+275) offer a sizable return on your investment as they ride a five-game winning streak, but the Niners are the team to back to win the NFC Championship.

Look to the spread for a better value play.

Against the Spread (?)

The PACKERS (+7.5, -115) are the play here as they’re being spotted more than a touchdown. They’ll need just to stay within 7 points in a loss or win outright for a $10 bet to return a profit of $8.70.

Before last week, the Niners were 0-6-1 against the spread when favored by 6 or more points. The Packers were underdogs only four times this year, going 3-1 ATS in those contests. All three of their losses were by at least 7 points (including the 29-point loss the Niners) but expect a much tighter contest with a Super Bowl trip on the line.

Over/Under (?)

Take the UNDER 44.5 (-106). The 49ers fell short of 45 combined points in just six of 17 games (including the Divisional Round) but the Packers have fallen shy of a 45-point total in 10 of 17 games. The season’s first head-to-head showdown played to a total of 45 points on the dot.

Want action on this game? Sign up and bet at BetMGM. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Esten’s NFL betting record: 58-49

Follow @EstenMcLaren and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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NFL Betting Guide – NFL Divisional Playoffs: Odds, lines, spreads, picks and best bets

Game-by-game NFL Divisional Playoff breakdowns, with NFL betting odds, lines, predictions, picks and betting tips for each game.

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NFL Playoffs continue this weekend, as we’re down to eight teams in the chase to be this season’s Super Bowl Champion. SportsbookWire’s NFL Playoff Betting Guide is at your service, full of NFL odds, lines, spreads, game-by-game predictions, picks and best-bet selections to help you make the best NFL sports bets for the week.

Be sure to also check out our recommendations around parlay picks to cash in on during the NFL Playoffs:

NFL Playoffs: Divisional Round 

Saturday, January 11, 2020

Minnesota Vikings at San Francisco 49ers – 4:35 p.m. ET – NBC

Tennessee Titans at Baltimore Ravens – 8:15 p.m. ET – CBS


NFL Divisional Playoffs BetMGM Special

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Sunday, January 12, 2020

Houston Texans at Kansas City Chiefs – 3:05 p.m. ET – CBS

Seattle Seahawks at Green Bay Packers – 6:40 p.m. ET – FOX

Now that you have the skinny on what to do with each game, visit BetMGM to place a bet on your favorite matchup(s) now.

For additional sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com now and for a complete set of today’s live odds, access them at USA TODAY Sports.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Divisional Round: Seattle Seahawks at Green Bay Packers odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Sunday’s Divisional Round showdown between the Seattle Seahawks and Green Bay Packers, with NFL betting odds, picks and best bets.

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The Seattle Seahawks (11-5) travel to Lambeau Field to take on the Green Bay Packers (13-3) in the Divisional Round of the 2019-20 NFL playoffs. Kickoff is set for Sunday at 6:40 p.m. ET. We analyze the Seahawks-Packers odds and sports betting lines while providing NFL betting tips and advice on this matchup.

Seahawks at Packers: Divisional Round preview, betting trends and notes

  • The Seahawks have failed to cover the spread in their last five games in Lambeau.
  • The Under has hit in five of the last seven games involving the Seahawks against an NFC opponent.
  • The Packers have won three straight road games and their last five games overall.
  • The Under hit in seven of the Packers’ last eight games against an NFC opponent and in seven of the Packers’ last eight games overall.

NFL Divisional Playoffs BetMGM Special

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Visit BetMGM for terms and conditions.


Seahawks at Packers: Key injuries

Seahawks

  • LT Duane Brown (biceps) questionable
  • G Mike Iupati (neck) questionable
  • DE Ziggy Ansah (neck) questionable
  • WR Jaron Brown (knee) questionable
  • RT George Fant (groin) questionable
  • DE Jadeveon Clowney (core) questionable

Packers

  • DL Kenny Clark (back) questionable
  • LB Preston Smith (ankle) questionable

Seahawks at Packers: Odds, betting lines and prediction

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 12:45 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Seahawks 24, Packers 21

Moneyline (?)

The Packers are -200 favorites to win this Divisional Round game at home, but the SEAHAWKS (+165) are the better bet. Seattle has won eight of its last nine games on the road this season, including the Wild Card Round win over the Philadelphia Eagles. No one in the league is better at keeping games close into the fourth quarter than Seattle, and I expect the same to happen Sunday night. This will likely be a coin-flip game late, so give me the better odds as I take the Seahawks in Round 2 of the playoffs.

Against the Spread (?)

While the Packers (-4.5, -110) have covered the spread in five-straight contests against the SEAHAWKS (+4.5, -110), there is just something about this Seattle team that feels different this year. Maybe it’s that their receiving corps fronted by Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf is producing at an elite level. Or perhaps it’s the Seahawks’ ability to rush the passer. Nevertheless, give me Seattle and the points in Lambeau Field.

Over/Under (?)

The total for this NFC Divisional Round game is set at 46.5, which feels a bit too high. Both teams want to run the ball and rely on their defenses to keep this game close. Don’t be surprised if there are fewer than 17 points scored in the first half as each team “feels” the other out before opening up the offenses. This is a game where most of the scoring will likely come in the fourth quarter, but expect the UNDER 46.5 (+100) to hit.

Want action on this game? Sign up and bet at BetMGM. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship, and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Divisional Round: Tennessee Titans at Baltimore Ravens odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s AFC Divisional Round showdown between the Tennessee Titans and Baltimore Ravens, with betting odds, picks and bets.

The top-seeded Baltimore Ravens (14-2) host the sixth-seed Tennessee Titans (9-7) in an AFC Divisional Round showdown at M&T Bank Stadium Saturday. Kickoff is at 8:15 p.m. ET. We analyze the Titans-Ravens odds and sports betting lines, while providing NFL betting tips and advice on this matchup.

Titans at Ravens: Divisional Round preview, betting trends and notes


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  • The Ravens come off the Wild Card Round bye on a 12-game winning streak. Eight of those victories were decided by at least two scores.
  • The Titans took down the New England Patriots 20-13 on the road in the Wild Card Round. QB Ryan Tannehill passed for just 72 yards with one touchdown and one interception as RB Derrick Henry rushed for 182 yards and a touchdown.
  • The Ravens ranked fifth in the regular season with 93.4 rushing yards allowed per game as they go up against the 2019 rushing champ in Henry.
  • Baltimore lost 23-17 to the Los Angeles Chargers in last season’s wild-card game. QB Lamar Jackson threw for 194 yards with two TDs and one INT. He added 54 rushing yards.
  • The Ravens haven’t won a Divisional Round game since 2012 when they beat the Denver Broncos 38-35 in double overtime and went on to win Super Bowl XLVII.
  • The Titans’ last second-round win came in 1999 when they beat the Indianapolis Colts 19-16 en route to a 23-16 loss to the St. Louis Rams in Super Bowl XXXIV.
  • Baltimore and Tennessee ranked No. 1 and 3, respectively, in team rushing yards per game in the regular season. The Titans ranked 12th with 104.5 yards allowed on the ground per game.
  • The Ravens are 38-2 when allowing fewer than 22 points in a game since the start of 2016. The Titans topped that number in eight of 10 regular-season games since making the switch from QB Marcus Mariota to Tannehill.

Titans at Ravens: Key injuries

The Titans made it through the Wild Card Round healthy, but the season-long losses of DL Cameron Wake (undisclosed) and CB Malcolm Butler (wrist) will be factors against the top-ranked offense of the Ravens.

Ravens RB Mark Ingram (calf) and TE Mark Andrews (ankle) are expected to play after sitting out the regular-season finale.

Titans at Ravens: Odds, betting lines and prediction

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Monday at 11:30 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Ravens 27, Titans 13

Moneyline (?)

The Titans (+350) pulled off the upset as road dogs against the Patriots in Round 1, but the Ravens (-455) have a much more dominant offense and will be able to pull away. Some early scores will force Tennessee to turn away from Henry and the ground attack and keep the ball in Tannehill’s hands.

These odds are far too chalky, however, so look to better odds on the spread.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the favored Ravens to win outright returns a profit of only $2.20. It’s not worth the minimal risk.

Against the Spread (?)

The RAVENS (-8.5, -115) are just the second-largest favorites of the week next to the Kansas City Chiefs, who are laying -9.5 points against the Houston Texans. Feel comfortable backing the home side to win by at least 9 points, as they did frequently while running the table from Week 5 on.

Baltimore was 10-6 against the spread in the regular season and covered the number by a league-high 10.2 points per game.

Over/Under (?)

The projected total of 47.5 is the second-highest of the second round, behind only Chiefs-Texans (48.5). Take the UNDER 47.5 (-110) with the Ravens expected to pull away and take away the Titans’ No. 1 scoring threat in Henry. The 13 points allowed by the Titans last week matched the second-lowest total they gave up all season.

Want action on this game? Sign up and bet at BetMGM. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Esten’s NFL betting record: 57-48

Follow @EstenMcLaren and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Should you bet on the New Orleans Saints to win Super Bowl LIV?

Previewing the New Orleans Saints’ Super Bowl LIV chances, with NFL betting odds, picks, futures and best bets.

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Since September, the New Orleans Saints have looked like Super Bowl LIV contenders, but do they warrant an NFL futures bet?

With a 13-3 record, the Saints were dominant during the regular season. Their only slip-up games were when Brees injured his thumb in Week 2 against the Los Angeles Rams, a stunning Week 10 loss to the NFC South-rival Atlanta Falcons and a thrilling 48-46 shootout loss to the San Francisco 49ers – arguably the best game of the 2019 season.

They won six games by double-digits and enter the playoffs on a three-game winning streak – two of which came by at least 27 points and the other by 10 points.

Yet, despite rolling to a stellar regular-season record, the Saints still didn’t earn a first-round bye. Those two free passes went to the 49ers and Green Bay Packers.

Why you should bet on the Saints to win Super Bowl LIV

NFL futures odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated Friday at 4 pm. ET.


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Sitting out the Wild Card Round is a huge advantage, with more than 79% of Super Bowl representatives in NFL history being No. 1 or 2 seeds in the postseason. After all, teams with top-two seeds have to win one fewer game than teams seeded third or lower, making the path to a championship much easier.

The Saints are a rare team that can buck that trend with a four-game winning streak to claim Super Bowl LIV. And that’s exactly why you should bet on them to win it all.

According to BetMGM, the Saints are +600 to win Super Bowl LIV – the fourth-best odds of the 12 playoff teams. That’s better than even the Packers, who have a first-round bye and would host the Saints in the Divisional Round, should New Orleans advance past the Minnesota Vikings.


New to sports betting? A $10 wager on the Saints to win Super Bowl LIV would return a profit of $60 should New Orleans win the Super Bowl.


That just goes to show how the oddsmakers view the Saints and their chances of being the last team standing.

New Orleans should make easy work of Minnesota (+3300 to win Super Bowl LIV), especially with the game being played at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints are favored by 7.5 points, the largest spread of the four games this weekend. Brees, WR Michael Thomas and RB Alvin Kamara are all healthy entering the postseason and will help carry the offense.

Why you should bet on the Saints to win the NFC Championship (+260)

(Photo Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel – USA TODAY Sports)

Defensively, the Saints are no slouches, either. They finished 13th in points allowed and 11th in yards allowed, performing especially well against the run with the fourth-fewest rushing yards allowed per game. The Vikings prefer to lean on RB Dalvin Cook and the running game.

The Saints were good on the road this season, too, going 7-1 away from home. Should they beat the Vikings, visiting Lambeau Field shouldn’t strike any fear in the Saints.

(Photo Credit: Jim Brown – USA TODAY Sports)

As a team without a bye, the Saints got the better end of the playoff bracket, having to play the Packers in the divisional round instead of the 49ers. Granted, they’d visit the 49ers in the NFC Championship Game if both teams make it that far, but at least that won’t come in the second round.

Betting the house on New Orleans wouldn’t be a wise move because of the absence of a first-round bye, but you should feel good about laying down some money on the Saints to be the last team standing.

Want action on this bet? Sign up and bet at BetMGMIf you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Should you bet on the Tennessee Titans to win Super Bowl LIV?

Previewing the Tennessee Titans’ Super Bowl LIV chances, with NFL betting odds, picks, futures and best bets.

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The Tennessee Titans were the last team to qualify for the AFC playoffs at 9-7, earning the No. 6 seed and a Wild Card Round matchup against the New England Patriots (12-4). They’ll play Saturday at 8:15 p.m. ET at Gillette Stadium. Should the Titans win, they’ll advance to face the Baltimore Ravens Saturday, Jan. 11, while the Patriots would visit the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, Jan. 12. Below, we analyze the Titans playoff chances and NFL futures odds to win Super Bowl LIV.

The Titans open the postseason as the second-biggest longshots to win both the AFC (+2200) and the Super Bowl (+4000). They struck gold in the middle of the season after cutting bait on former No. 2 pick QB Marcus Mariota and turning to failed former Miami Dolphins starter Ryan Tannehill. RB Derrick Henry finished as the regular season’s leading rusher, and the rejuvenated Titans enter the playoffs as one of the NFL’s hottest teams.

NFL futures odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated Friday at 12:30 pm. ET.

Tennessee Titans playoff futures


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AFC Champion: +2200

The Titans won five of their last seven games and went 7-3 after making the switch from the ineffective Mariota to Tannehill against the Denver Broncos in Week 6. Tannehill, the eighth overall pick of the Dolphins in the 2012 NFL Draft, finished the season with 2,742 passing yards and 22 touchdowns against six interceptions while adding 185 rushing yards and four scores on the ground. Henry totaled 1,540 rushing yards, 206 receiving yards and 18 combined touchdowns.

Of course, no one has a tougher road through the AFC playoffs than the Titans. They’ll play the Patriots in New England’s first Wild Card Round game since 2009. If the Titans survive the first test, they’ll need to visit the top-seeded Baltimore Ravens.

(Photo Credit: Troy Taormina – USA TODAY Sports)

The Titans draw a PASS from me. They’re not tempting enough based on the two incredibly difficult road games in front of them, before they’d reach an AFC Championship Game, which would likely require a visit to Kansas City to face reigning MVP Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. The AFC is extremely top-heavy, and it’s tough to envision the Cinderella Titans crawling their way through.

Super Bowl: +4000


New to sports betting? A $10 wager on the Titans to win Super Bowl LIV would return a profit of $400 should Tennessee win the game.


The Titans finished the regular season ranked 10th in points per game (25.1) and 12th in yards per game (362.8). Defensively, they allowed 20.7 PPG (12th) and 359.5 YPG (21st). Only the Ravens and San Francisco 49ers accumulated more team rushing yards than Tennessee, though unlike the others who were able to pile on their yards while nursing large leads late in games, the Titans relied on Henry throughout games.

(Photo Credit: Jim Brown – USA TODAY Sports)

Four of the NFL’s top six run defenses from the regular season made the playoffs, including the Ravens and Patriots. No coach in the league is better at scheming to take away a team’s top option than Patriots head coach Bill Belichick. By doing so against the Titans, Henry would become neutralized, leaving Tannehill to handle his former AFC East rivals on his own.

I’ll agree with the books that there’s a much better chance of the underdog Titans being discarded in their opening game – only the Minnesota Vikings (+310 at New Orleans Saints) are bigger dogs than the Titans (+180) in the Wild Card Round – than of winning Super Bowl LIV. PASS and look elsewhere for your Super Bowl lotto ticket.

Want action on this bet? Sign up and bet at BetMGM. If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @EstenMcLaren and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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