The Wild Card Weekend in the NFL was well need this time around, as we were treated to a pair of games with very different styles of play. The Kansas City Chiefs steamrolled the Houston Texans with a 30-0 win, while the Pittsburgh Steelers snatched victory from the hands of defeat in an 18-16 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. Those victories, plus the impending match-ups in the Divisional Round for both of those teams, changed the betting odds somewhat in the AFC. Let’s take a look at how things are looking heading into this weekend’s action.
#KCvsNE #LetsGo pic.twitter.com/xczYJe0rhu
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) January 10, 2016
Patriots Super Bowl 50 Odds: 4-1
The defending champions remain the favorites to once again represent the AFC in the Super Bowl. This is a little unusual for a team that may potentially have to go on the road as a second seed, but I guess you get the luxury of being the best until someone comes along and knocks you off. They are a 5-point favorite versus the Chiefs this weekend, but they know that this might well be the toughest game they could have drawn in this round. The Patriots did not end the season well, and also have some genuine injury concerns. The upset alert may be on here.Broncos Super Bowl 50 Odds: 5-1
The #1 ranked Broncos will have the benefit of home field advantage throughout the playoffs, and now they get a little lucky in the Divisional Round by facing a Pittsburgh Steelers team that is coming out of Wild Card Weekend more than just a little battered and bruised. It is almost a lock that Peyton Manning will get the start over Brock Osweiler this weekend, especially after coming off the bench to lead his team to victory in the final week of the regular season. This may well be Manning’s last shot at glory, so watch out for this team.