A wild Wild Card Weekend is in the past, NFL Divisional Round odds are up, and several betting factors are already in play. That includes the typical injury information, most notably surrounding Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff and defensive lineman Aaron Donald.
This week’s NFL Cheat Sheet serves as one-stop shopping for that information and more. Covers checks in on NFL Divisional Round injuries, weather, consensus picks, Pros vs Joes and more. Check back throughout the week for NFL injury updates, popular picks, and notable contrasts between sharp bets and public money.
Divisional Round Injuries
Kansas City Chiefs: Running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire (hip, ankle) was announced out Sunday morning for the divisional-round game against Cleveland. Previously, wideout Sammy Watkins (calf) was announced out. On Saturday night, the Chiefs dipped from -10 to -9.5 at The SuperBook, and they fell to -9 Sunday morning.
Cleveland Browns: Pro Bowl left guard Joel Bitonio missed the wild-card win at Pittsburgh due to COVID, but he's expected back for Sunday's game at Kansas City. Right tackle Jack Conklin (hamstring) is questionable for Sunday's game. Coach Kevin Stefanski is also through his bout with COVID and will return to the sideline Sunday. The Browns opened +9.5 at The SuperBook and quickly moved to +10.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Running back Ronald Jones II (quad), who sat out the Bucs' Wild Card Weekend win over Washington, remained questionable Friday. The team nnounced that Leonard Fournette will start Sunday at New Orleans. Tampa Bay opened +5.5 Sunday night at The SuperBook and saw a flurry of sharp activity while quickly moving to +3.5, then went to +3 Monday and stuck there all week.
New Orleans Saints: Quarterback Taysom Hill, whom coach Sean Payton regularly utilizes, has a knee issue and is questionable Sunday against Tampa Bay. Running back Latavius Murray (quad) is also questionable. However, The SuperBook on Friday kept the Saints at +3, where they've been all week after a quick couple of moves from the +5.5 opener.
Los Angeles Rams: Coach Sean McVay on Thursday cleared up the situation with his two dinged-up quarterbacks, saying John Wolford (neck) is out Saturday at Green Bay, so Jared Goff (thumb) will start. There was no immediate movement off the news at The SuperBook, which remained at Rams +6.5, where the line has been since Monday after opening +7 Sunday. The total also didn't move off 45.5, where it's been since Tuesday after opening 46.5. Goff didn't start against the Seahawks, but backup Wolford was injured early, forcing Goff to come in and lead the Rams to a wild-card road victory. Star defensive lineman Aaron Donald left that game with a rib injury, X-rays for which came back negative. He was questionable early in the week but had no injury designation Thursday and is set to play. Wideout Cooper Kupp (knee) is questionable.
Buffalo Bills: Second-leading rusher Zack Moss (ankle) is out for the remainder of the postseason. The Bills opened -2.5 and on Monday afternoon dipped to -1.5 at The SuperBook for Saturday's home game against Baltimore. By Wednesday, the Bills returned to -2.5.
Covers NFL betting analysis
Divisional Round Weather
Cleveland Browns at Kansas City Chiefs: The Sunday forecast calls for temperatures in the high 30s, and wind could be a little issue, at 10-20 mph. The SuperBook opened the total at 54, quickly got to 55.5 and on Thursday reached 57.5, then inched back to 57.
Los Angeles Rams at Green Bay Packers: Green Bay won't quite be the frozen tundra, but per usual in January, it won't be warm Saturday. Game temperatures are expected to be in the low 30s, with winds of 10-15 mph. The total opened 46.5 and was down to 45.5 Tuesday.
Baltimore Ravens at Buffalo Bills: It's a night game Saturday in Buffalo, so it'll be chilly no question, with other elements also in play. The forecast calls for occasional snow showers (50 percent chance) and temperatures in the low-to-mid 30s, along with winds of 15-25 mph, with higher gusts possible. The total ticked up from 49.5 to 50.5 Monday night at The SuperBook, inched to 50 Tuesday morning and returned to 49.5 Thursday afternoon.
Divisional Round Consensus
Divisional Round Pros vs Joes
Baltimore Ravens at Buffalo Bills: At BetMGM New Jersey, Buffalo is taking 67 percent of point-spread bets, but point-spread money is running dead even on this game. "The public is on the favorites (this weekend), but sharp bettors are wagering on the Ravens," BetMGM vice president of trading Jason Scott said. The Bills opened -2.5, moved to -2 and went back to -2.5.
Los Angeles Rams at Green Bay Packers: BetMGM New Jersey is seeing Pros vs. Joes on this game, as well. Vice president of trading Jason Scott said the public, no surprise, is on the Packers point spread, and there's some sharp play on the Rams. As of Thursday, ticket count was 4/1 and money 3/1 on Green Bay, which opened -7 and dipped to -6.5.
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